Tag: privacy
460 articles
Wyden Presses NSA on Commercial VPN Security Risks
Senator Ron Wyden is raising a red flag about the security risks of commercial VPNs, warning that they may not be as protective as users think against sophisticated online threats. He's pressing the NSA for clearer guidance on the potential dangers of relying on standard consumer VPNs for online security.
Brave Browser Introduces Email Aliases to Block Tracking
Protect your inbox from data breaches and tracking with Brave's new Email Aliases feature, which lets you generate disposable email addresses to keep your real inbox private. This game-changing update in Brave browser 1.94 helps prevent your personal info from being leaked or sold to data brokers.
Glassbox Exposes Browser Fingerprinting Tricks
Meet Glassbox, a tool that shines a light on browser fingerprinting tricks, allowing you to see how easily trackers can single out your browser and device from the crowd. By mirroring live fingerprinting, Glassbox gives you a glimpse into the raw data that can be used to identify you online.
Police Conceal Use of Flock Surveillance Cameras
In Wapello County, Iowa, police are instructed to keep their use of Flock surveillance cameras under wraps, with a usage policy explicitly telling officers not to mention the technology to vehicle occupants or in official reports unless absolutely necessary. This secretive approach raises questions about transparency and accountability.
Flock Faces Backlash as Calls to Vandalize ALPRs Intensify
A wave of online fervor is urging people to take a stand against Flock's automated license plate readers (ALPRs), with over 36,500 social posts on X alone calling for a coordinated effort to disable the cameras. The movement, dubbed "De-Flock America," has sparked a trending campaign that's putting the company and its surveillance network under intense scrutiny.
UK Watchdog Warns Police on Facial Recognition Data Governance
The UK's Information Commissioner's Office warns that police use of facial recognition technology poses significant risks to privacy and individual rights if not governed properly. A recent audit of five police forces revealed inconsistent compliance with data protection laws, highlighting an urgent need for improved data governance.
WebKit Flaws Compromise Apple iCloud Private Relay
Researchers have discovered a sneaky way for hackers to bypass iCloud Private Relay's protections and expose your real network address, putting your online privacy at risk. This vulnerability lets malicious actors send traffic directly from your device, revealing your hidden IP address.
Senate Targets Online Safety with Sweeping Bills on AI, Privacy
As social media giants face mounting criticism nationwide, a coalition of nearly 100 organizations is urging lawmakers to take bold action, arguing that current laws aren't doing enough to protect users' wellbeing. The Senate Commerce Committee is now taking a major step forward with a package of five bills aimed at overhauling online safety, privacy, and AI regulations.
MSG Facial Recognition System Flags Activists, Spares Celebrities
The MSG facial recognition system is a stark example of a disturbing double standard, where activists are flagged and scrutinized, while celebrities and wealthy elites are spared, fueling concerns about a surveillance state that's increasingly out of touch with the rights of ordinary people. This biased approach perpetuates a worrying future where the privileged enjoy privacy, and the rest are left vulnerable to corporate monitoring.
DEF CON Targets Wearable Recording Devices with New Ban Policy
DEF CON is cracking down on sneaky surveillance tech, announcing a ban on wearable recording devices like smart glasses at its upcoming conference in Las Vegas. Pack your non-recording specs, attendees - no exceptions will be made, even for prescription lenses.
EU Parliament Paves Way for Chat Control Reintroduction
The EU Parliament's move to revive Chat Control, despite opposition from most MEPs, has sparked concerns about democracy and mass surveillance. This development has left many questioning the integrity of the process.
FCC Proposes Sweeping Phone Data Collection to Curb Burner Phones
The FCC is taking aim at burner phones with a new proposal that would require telecom carriers to collect and store personal info on virtually all customers, effectively ending anonymity for prepaid phone users. If implemented, this rule would revolutionize how phone plans are obtained and used across the country.
Meta Expands Data Use for AI Personalization and Feed Content
Meta is expanding its use of data from other businesses to not only show you more relevant ads, but also to personalize your Feed and interactions with its AI chatbot. You'll still have control over your data, and Meta is working to make those controls easier to manage.
Signal Warns UK Plan to Scan Devices for Nude Images Threatens Global Surveillance
Signal is sounding the alarm on the UK's plan to scan devices for nude images, warning that it threatens global surveillance and undermines the trust that underpins private communications. The encrypted messaging platform is urging caution, saying the proposed mechanism is not only ineffective in keeping children safe, but also dangerously dystopian.
Meta Reverses Instagram Encryption Stance
Meta has backtracked on its plan to introduce end-to-end encryption for Instagram messages, leaving direct messages stored and transmitted in plaintext, giving the company access to user conversations. This move reverses years of promotion for enhanced messaging security.
UK Age-Gating Plans Threaten Internet Openness, Privacy Groups Warn
Privacy groups, including EFF and Mozilla, are warning that UK age-gating plans could threaten the openness and freedom of the internet, stifling opportunities for individuals, businesses, and society as a whole. The proposed measures have sparked a joint public pushback from leading advocates for civil liberties and online rights.
Lawsuit Alleges Dating App Meete Exploits Users' Likenesses
A Tennessee lawsuit claims dating app Meete used a young woman's TikTok video in an ad without her consent, sparking concerns over user exploitation. The case highlights the alarming trend of apps profiting from users' likenesses without permission.
Congress Extends Surveillance Law Amid Renewed Scrutiny
Congress has given itself a 45-day reprieve, extending a contentious surveillance law that's raised alarm bells over its potential for abuse, despite revelations of major compliance problems. The law, Section 702, allows for warrantless snooping on foreign targets, but critics worry about its impact on civil liberties.
Proton CEO Warns Age Checks Threaten Online Anonymity
Proton CEO Andy Yen warns that mandatory online age checks could spell the end of anonymity, forcing every adult to surrender their ID just to access the internet. He argues that efforts to protect minors will inevitably sweep in adults, creating an ID checkpoint that threatens online freedom.
Met Police Deploys Surveillance Tech to Tackle London Shoplifting
The Metropolitan Police are testing a cutting-edge retail technology to combat London's shoplifting epidemic, and it doesn't rely on live facial recognition - but what does that mean for citizen privacy?
Google Chrome Fails to Thwart Browser Fingerprinting
If a browser claims to be safe but fails to block one of the easiest ways for advertisers to track you online, can it really be considered safe? Google Chrome, despite its reputation for security, surprisingly leaves users vulnerable to browser fingerprinting, a pervasive tracking method that can uniquely identify and follow you around the web.
Sanders Probes AI Impact on Privacy
Senator Sanders just had a striking conversation with an AI named Claude about the impact of artificial intelligence on privacy - and his one-line verdict says it all: Claude is actually pretty good on the issues. This brief endorsement carries significant weight, sparking important discussions about the role of AI in shaping our future.
LAPD Data Breach Exposes Sensitive Officer Records
A data breach has exposed sensitive records of the Los Angeles Police Department, raising urgent concerns about operational security, individual privacy, and institutional trust. The incident's implications extend far beyond a single breach, sparking questions about the vulnerability of law enforcement data.
New Mexico Ruling Threatens End-to-End Encryption
A recent New Mexico court ruling against Meta has sparked a crucial debate: is it riskier to have social platforms that shield private messages with end-to-end encryption, or to leave them exposed for law enforcement to scrutinize? This case highlights the tricky trade-offs between user privacy and public safety.