Privacy
European police now want real-time access to messengers
Whether it’s Signal, WhatsApp, or another platform, the Belgian police want “front-door” access to any user communications, encrypted or unencrypted, documents released by the European Commission have revealed. Another document suggests establishing a trusted authority for holding the encryption keys.
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Anyone can tap into your WiFi location data to track you, researchers find
Apple will provide your WiFi location to anyone sending a query, and researchers demonstrated that “an unprivileged, weak attacker” – in other words, anyone – can exploit Apple’s WiFi-based positioning system (WPS) to perform global mass surveillance.
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Reject all cookies but get them anyway? Websites abusing “legitimate interest”
The twisted logic of cookie consent banners doesn’t work as you might expect. Despite pressing the opt-out button, dozens and sometimes hundreds of vendors on a single website still think they have the “legitimate interest” to track your data. Here’s what you can do.
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UK's new AI traffic cameras monitor seatbelt use, raise privacy concerns
UK police forces are rolling out new AI-driven traffic cameras across England that can detect if a driver is wearing a seatbelt or using a mobile phone while on the road – despite privacy concerns.
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Apple privacy protections called into question
It's “virtually impossible” to keep data hidden from Apple, according to the researchers who looked into the famously privacy-minded company’s practices.
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Shoppers warned against Temu ‘free money’ handouts
Users are signing away their “likeness, voice, and opinions” for Temu cashback rewards.
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Data leak at Editorialist affects thousands of shoppers
The luxury fashion shopping platform Editorialist has been leaking user data for months.
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Loophole enables data brokers to bypass GDPR
A loophole in Swedish law allows data brokers to obtain a media license and bypass GDPR, the EU’s strict privacy law, digital rights non-profit noyb claims.
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Tor introduces WebTunnel to fight censorship
WebTunnel will serve as a “bridge” to connect to the Tor network in heavily censored regions, the developers said.
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Airbnb bans security cameras inside listings
Airbnb has updated its policy to completely ban hosts from using indoor security cameras in their rentals after facing privacy concerns.
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What the most popular FemTech apps know about you
From tracking periods to calorie intake, breast checks, and sexual health, we’ve trusted a bunch of apps with our most intimate data.
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Signal app to boost privacy with usernames
Signal, the preferred social messaging app among privacy advocates, gets an update that hides your phone number and lets you pick a username instead.
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Ultimate identity change: we asked what’s possible with plastic surgery
When your email is leaked, you change it. If your phone number is exposed, you might get a new one. But what about a compromised facial identity?
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Data-hungry dating apps ranked from top to bottom
Grindr and Bumble are some of the most data-hungry dating apps out there, while Hinge could be a match if you’re looking for privacy.
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How to ensure user privacy as an app developer
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has looked into period and fertility apps to gain key insights into how app developers can ensure the privacy of their users.
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Uber fined $11M for violating privacy of EU drivers
Uber has been slapped by the Netherlands' data watchdog agency for its lack of transparency and uninformed data policies, violating the privacy rights of EU Uber drivers.
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How a bad joke via Snapchat nearly cost a student €110K+
People regard their messages between friends on Snapchat and other social media as sacred and private. But in the age of digital surveillance, nothing is sacred, and everyone is watching you.
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NSA found illegally buying private data of Americans
US Senator Ron Wyden called out the US National Security Agency Thursday for buying up the private data of Americans through illegal data brokers – without their knowledge, consent, or a warrant.
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Meta tightens teen message controls
Meta announces steps to protect teens from unwanted contact after a lawsuit claimed it allowed Instagram and Facebook to become a “marketplace for predators.”
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Amazon’s Ring to stop sharing video with police without warrant
Amazon’s Ring said it will retire its police-friendly policy of handing over video upon law enforcement request without an official warrant.
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