NetChoice, a trade group representing social media giants like Facebook and YouTube, has filed a lawsuit against a new Ohio law requiring parental consent for users under 16. The law, set to take effect on January 15, mandates that social media operators obtain verifiable parental consent before allowing minors to use their platforms. NetChoice argues that the law infringes on minors' free speech rights and is unconstitutionally vague. Ohio's Lt. Gov Jon Husted criticized the lawsuit, emphasizing the need to protect children from harmful online content and practices. The law includes various methods for verifying parental consent and allows parents to take action if a platform fails to comply.
Facebook has introduced a "link history" feature that tracks the links users click within its in-app browser to gather data for targeted advertising. Users can disable this feature by navigating to the Browser settings within the Facebook app and toggling off "Allow link history." This move comes after Facebook faced legal challenges and a substantial settlement for privacy violations, as well as reduced data access due to Apple's App Tracking Transparency feature. Users now have more control over the extent of their data shared with Facebook.
Facebook has introduced a "link history" feature that tracks the links users click within its in-app browser to gather data for targeted advertising. Users concerned about privacy can disable this feature by navigating to the Browser settings within the Facebook app and toggling off "Allow link history." This move comes after Facebook faced legal challenges and a substantial settlement for privacy violations, as well as reduced data access due to Apple's App Tracking Transparency feature.
Facebook has introduced a "link history" feature that tracks the links users click within its in-app browser to gather data for targeted advertising. Users can disable this feature by navigating to the Browser settings within the Facebook app and toggling off "Allow link history." This move comes after Facebook faced legal challenges and a substantial settlement for privacy violations, as well as reduced data access due to Apple's App Tracking Transparency feature. Users now have more control over the extent of their data shared with Facebook.
To enhance online anonymity, users should disable ad personalization and delete advertising IDs on their devices, use privacy-focused apps and services like Signal for messaging and DuckDuckGo for searching, and opt for VPNs like Mullvad that don't keep logs. It's also important to limit data sharing on social media and be mindful of the information posted online. For secure file sharing and storage, tools like OnionShare and Proton Drive are recommended, and users should remember that work devices are likely monitored by employers.
Google has initiated the phase-out of third-party cookies in Chrome by disabling them for one percent of users as part of its Privacy Sandbox project. This change, which began on January 4, aims to enhance user privacy while still allowing targeted advertising. Users affected by this rollout will receive a notification and have the option to temporarily re-enable third-party cookies. The Privacy Sandbox will group users based on browsing activity for ad targeting, with all data processing done on-device. Google plans to disable third-party cookies for all Chrome users by mid-2024, amidst regulatory scrutiny over potential increased market dominance.
Aylo, the parent company of PornHub, has blocked access to its adult websites in Montana and North Carolina due to new age verification laws requiring the verification of visitors' ages. The laws aim to prevent minors from accessing harmful material but have raised concerns about privacy and the effectiveness of such measures. The restrictions have led to an increase in VPN usage, although this could result in adult sites blocking VPN traffic to ensure compliance. The situation highlights the ongoing debate over internet censorship, user privacy, and the challenges of enforcing age verification online.
LibreWolf is a web browser that enhances privacy and security beyond what Firefox offers. It removes tracking elements from URLs, deletes cookies and website data on closure, uses privacy-respecting search engines, and includes robust anti-fingerprinting measures. While it may break some websites that rely on tracking and fingerprinting, it's ideal for sensitive activities like banking. LibreWolf is available for Linux, MacOS, and Windows, but manual updates are required for MacOS and Windows. The installation process is straightforward, with additional steps for Linux users. If prioritizing online privacy is essential for you, LibreWolf could be a valuable tool.
Pornhub has restricted access to its site for users in North Carolina and Montana in response to new age verification laws that require users to confirm their age with third-party verification. This action is part of Pornhub's protest against the laws, which they argue compromise user privacy and safety. The site has previously blocked access in other states with similar legislation. Users attempting to access Pornhub from the affected states are met with a video message explaining the site's position on the issue.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has enacted a series of laws that will take effect in 2024, including a minimum wage increase to $16 per hour, enhanced protections for freelance workers, expanded victim compensation fund eligibility, the introduction of 'Matthew's Law' for public drug testing resources, and the protection of job seekers' online privacy from potential employers.
