All articles tagged with #consumer privacy
The article discusses the rise of personalized AI-driven pricing strategies by companies like Delta Air Lines, the regulatory and consumer backlash they face, and the potential for increased use of AI in pricing, amid evolving political and legal landscapes in the US. It also touches on broader economic proposals like Eurobonds for Europe and recent market trends.
Spyware app pcTattletale was found running on the check-in systems of at least three Wyndham hotels, capturing and exposing screenshots of guest details and customer information due to a security flaw. The compromised hotel check-in systems were discovered by security researcher Eric Daigle, who attempted to warn pcTattletale of the issue, but the company has not responded. The spyware app is marketed for legitimate uses like child and employee monitoring but also promotes its use against spouses without their knowledge. The affected hotels and Wyndham did not provide clear responses, and Booking.com is investigating the incident.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed significant changes to strengthen the federal rule protecting children's online privacy, aiming to curb the tracking and monetization of youngsters' data by social media apps, game platforms, toy retailers, and digital advertising networks. The proposed changes include turning off targeted advertising by default for children under 13, prohibiting the use of personal details to keep children on platforms longer, strengthening security requirements for data collection, limiting the retention of children's information, and restricting the collection of student data by educational-tech providers. The FTC's proposal aims to shift the responsibility of online safety from parents to digital services and protect children's personal data from being hoarded and monetized by companies.
Grocery stores are joining the ranks of data brokers by collecting and monetizing consumer data through loyalty programs, location tracking, app usage, and digital receipts. This shift to offline data acquisition has raised concerns about consumer privacy and control over personal information. A study found that a majority of Americans feel they have little control over what marketers can learn about them, leading to "data fatigue." The data broker market is projected to reach $545 billion by 2028. The U.S. government is now taking steps to address these privacy concerns.
All 25 major car brands have received a failing grade for consumer privacy, as new research reveals that modern cars are collecting and sharing personal data, including facial recognition and sexual activity. Nissan, Volkswagen, and Kia are among the worst offenders, collecting sensitive information such as health and genetic data. Privacy4Cars offers a service to delete personal information from vehicles, but consumers can also request a factory reset or data deletion from the manufacturer. The increasing technology in cars means more data is being collected, raising concerns about privacy.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a warning about the misuse of biometric information and related technologies, including those powered by machine learning, which raises significant consumer privacy and data security concerns and the potential for bias and discrimination. The FTC is committed to combatting unfair or deceptive acts and practices related to the collection and use of consumers’ biometric information and the marketing and use of biometric information technologies. False or unsubstantiated claims about the accuracy or efficacy of biometric information technologies or about the collection and use of biometric information may violate the FTC Act.
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman expressed skepticism over the possibility of a digital U.S. dollar, noting Tuesday the multiple risks such a system could impose. A central bank digital currency (CBDC) could intrude on the privacy of users and harm the banking system while providing few benefits that aren't otherwise available for banked and unbanked consumers alike, Bowman said in a speech. She also rejected the notion that a digital currency is needed to support the dollar, which she said is valued because of "the size of the U.S. economy, its deep and liquid financial markets, the strength of U.S. institutions, and its commitment to the rule of law," none of which would be buttressed by a central bank digital currency.