All articles tagged with #internet privacy
Cloudflare has introduced a default setting that blocks AI companies from scraping website data, requiring explicit permission for access, as part of its efforts to protect original content and address concerns about data exploitation by AI entities.
Google data shows a 400% surge in VPN searches in Texas following Pornhub's blockage due to the state's new law mandating age verification with government-issued IDs. VPNs allow users to bypass region restrictions and encrypt their connections. The law, signed in 2023, requires age verification for online content deemed harmful to minors, leading to a legal battle and the recent blockage of Pornhub in Texas. The company is exploring legal options, while VPN searches spiked in cities like Dallas, Houston, and Austin.
Searches for VPN software surged in Texas after Pornhub restricted access due to a state law requiring age verification, leading to a 1,750% increase in Google searches for "Texas VPN." VPNs allow users to bypass restrictions by establishing private connections, but raise concerns about privacy and trust. Similar laws have led to Pornhub shutting down in multiple states, prompting debate over the effectiveness of such measures. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton praised Pornhub's withdrawal, while the website advocates for age verification on user devices without sending data to third parties.
In 2024, with the increasing presence of AI and the potential for privacy invasion, it's important to protect personal information online. Steps to remove oneself from the internet include requesting removal of sensitive webpages from Google search results, adjusting social media privacy settings, and dealing with data brokers who profit from personal details. Incogni, a service by Surfshark, offers assistance in removing personal information from data brokers and provides a 55% discount on an annual plan with the code "9to5Google."
Cryptographers have made significant progress in developing a method for private internet searches, addressing the challenge of accessing public databases without revealing the specific information being accessed. This breakthrough, recognized with a Best Paper Award, overcomes a major theoretical barrier and paves the way for truly private searches. The new method, which extends to a more general privacy strategy, offers potential for a private Google-like search and efficient access to data on the internet. While not yet practically useful for large databases, further optimization could make private lookups from giant databases a reality, providing hope for enhanced internet privacy.