All articles tagged with #privacy and security
Wegmans in NYC has expanded its biometric data collection to all shoppers, capturing facial, eye, and voice data without clear assurances on data storage or sharing, raising privacy concerns and sparking criticism from privacy advocates and some shoppers.
The article provides a 7-step checklist for travelers to quickly detect hidden cameras in Airbnb rentals using technology like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scans, flashlight sweeps, infrared detection, and camera-spotting apps, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding privacy during stays.
The article provides detailed advice on how protesters can prepare their phones for demonstrations by securing their devices with passcodes, disabling location tracking, encrypting data, neutralizing notifications, and being cautious about sharing content, to minimize surveillance and legal risks.
Microsoft is integrating generative AI into Windows 11 with new features like Copilot, which aims to improve user interaction through voice commands, file creation, and editing, attempting to revive the failed Cortana concept. These features include a new 'Hey, Copilot' voice activation, AI-driven file management, and visual guidance tools, all designed to work across all Windows 11 PCs with a focus on privacy and security improvements following past issues. The rollout is gradual, with some features still in testing phases.
Using a burner phone, a cheap prepaid device that can be disposed of after use, is an effective way to protect personal data during border crossings and reduce digital distractions, as it limits the amount of personal information stored and minimizes tracking. Burner phones are widely available at retail stores and can be purchased with cash for anonymity, making them a popular choice for privacy-conscious individuals.
The article discusses the increasing use of burner phones as a privacy measure to prevent border agents from snooping through personal devices, highlighting their affordability, ease of use, and benefits for maintaining anonymity and reducing digital footprint, especially during border crossings or for general privacy concerns.
A whistleblower claims that former officials at the Department of Government Efficiency copied the personal data of over 300 million Americans, including Social Security numbers, to a private, inadequately secured server within the SSA's cloud infrastructure, raising concerns about potential data exposure and misuse, despite SSA's assurances of data security.
A whistleblower has revealed that the Department of Government Efficiency uploaded a massive, unsecured Social Security database to the cloud, risking sensitive personal information of over 300 million Americans, raising concerns about identity theft and data security, despite official assurances of safety.
Russia is restricting secure communications by blocking end-to-end encrypted calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, citing security concerns, amidst broader efforts to control internet use. The article also covers various security incidents and measures, including accidental disclosures by ICE agents, alleged Russian hacking of a Norwegian dam, and increased facial recognition deployment in the UK.
Major US airlines including Delta, American, and United sold passenger flight data through their owned broker ARC to government agencies like CBP and ICE, raising concerns over privacy and oversight as sensitive travel information is shared without clear legal safeguards.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is proposing a rule to limit data brokers from selling sensitive personal and financial information, such as Social Security numbers, by classifying them as consumer reporting agencies under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This move follows major data breaches and aims to protect consumer privacy by requiring explicit consent for data sharing. The rule targets private companies, not government operations, and is open for public comment until March 2025, though potential political changes could impact its implementation.
The U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) is revealed to be purchasing Americans' internet browsing records from data brokers without a warrant, according to the agency's outgoing director. This practice raises concerns about privacy and civil liberties, as the NSA and other government agencies rely on commercially bought data for intelligence gathering and investigations. The legality of this practice is questioned, especially in light of recent enforcement actions by the Federal Trade Commission against data brokers. Senator Ron Wyden has called for stricter policies and transparency regarding the acquisition and use of commercially obtained data about Americans by U.S. spy agencies.
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden has warned that foreign governments are spying on smartphone users by compelling Apple and Google to provide push notification records. These records, which include information about app usage and unencrypted text displayed in notifications, can be accessed by governments, both foreign and domestic. Wyden called for transparency from Apple and Google regarding the legal demands they receive, particularly from foreign governments. Both companies have expressed a commitment to keeping users informed about requests for push notification records.
This article discusses the nightmare scenario of a potential data breach, highlighting the importance of privacy and cybersecurity. It emphasizes the need to protect personal information and the potential consequences of a breach.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have issued a joint warning to hospital systems and telehealth providers about the privacy and security risks associated with online tracking technologies integrated into their websites or mobile apps. The agencies are concerned that these technologies may be disclosing consumers' sensitive personal health data to third parties without their knowledge or consent. The unauthorized disclosure of such information could reveal sensitive health details and violate privacy laws. The FTC has previously taken enforcement actions and provided guidance to companies regarding the monitoring and protection of health information shared with third parties.