technology-and-privacy2.085 min read
"Google Ordered to Disclose YouTube Viewers' Identities"
1 year ago•Source: Engadget
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3.83 min•1 year ago
"Automakers' Data Sharing with Insurance Companies Driving Up Premiums"
Automakers are selling driver data to data brokers, who then create "risk" scores for individual drivers and sell them to insurance providers, leading to increased premiums for many drivers. Meanwhile, the operator of darknet cryptocurrency service Bitcoin Fog has been found guilty of money laundering and other charges, and two commercial safe makers have been criticized for installing secret backdoors in their products, leaving consumers vulnerable to criminals and spies.
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"Facebook's 'Link History' Sparks Privacy Concerns and Ad Targeting Debates"
Facebook has introduced a new feature called 'Link History' in its app, which tracks the links users click on and stores them in a repository. This feature is enabled by default, and while it offers some visibility and control over link tracking, it also raises privacy concerns. Meta, Facebook's parent company, has been tracking user link clicks for over a decade and uses JavaScript to monitor user activity on websites. Critics argue that this feature is another way for Facebook to gather data for personalized ads, despite increasing legal scrutiny over data privacy practices. Users can opt out of 'Link History,' but the feature does not affect Meta's data collection on other platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp.
"Managing Privacy: A Guide to Facebook's 'Link History' Feature and How to Disable It"
Facebook has introduced a new feature called "Link History," which tracks and stores the links users click within the app. This feature is enabled by default and is used for targeted advertising, but users have the option to opt-out. Despite being presented as a convenience tool, it raises privacy concerns, especially since it doesn't cover other Meta apps or web browsing outside the Facebook app. The feature comes amidst increasing privacy measures from other tech giants and regulators, contrasting with Meta's continued focus on data collection.
"Rise in Tech-Enabled Car Stalking Spurs Privacy Concerns and Calls for Regulation"
Connected car apps, designed for convenience, are being exploited by abusive partners to track and control victims, as exemplified by the case of Christine Dowdall. Despite having a restraining order and sole use of her Mercedes during divorce proceedings, Dowdall struggled to remove her abusive husband's access to the car's tracking features due to the vehicle's title being in his name. Privacy advocates and domestic violence experts are calling for car manufacturers to provide ways to disable such tracking to protect victims, highlighting the broader issue of privacy and control in the era of smart, connected vehicles.
Google Settles $5 Billion Lawsuit Over Incognito Mode Tracking Claims
Google has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit for $5 billion over allegations that it tracked users' internet activities even when they were using the "incognito" mode in Chrome and other browsers. The lawsuit claimed that Google misled users about their privacy, as its advertising technologies still collected data during private browsing sessions. The settlement terms have not been disclosed, but a final agreement is expected to be presented to the court by February 24. Google has yet to comment on the settlement.
Google Pays $5B to Settle Lawsuit Over Alleged Incognito Mode Tracking
Google has settled a class-action lawsuit that accused the company of tracking users' activities even when they were using the "incognito" mode in the Chrome browser. The lawsuit, which sought $5 billion, claimed that Google misled users about their privacy and continued to collect data through advertising technologies and third-party websites. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed, and a federal judge's approval is pending. Meanwhile, Google has been working on privacy reforms, including plans to phase out third-party cookies by the second half of 2024.