All articles tagged with #privacy controls
Google tracks your location data to improve services and target advertising, but hidden controls within your account settings allow you to manage and delete this data, including an auto-delete feature that enhances privacy by automatically purging history periodically. Regularly managing your location data reduces privacy risks and limits targeted advertising, giving you greater control over your digital footprint.
Amazon's latest Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen, 2023 release) offers a sleek design and exciting new features, including spatial audio, an 8" HD touchscreen, and smart home hub capabilities. With a 13 MP camera and high-quality audio, it facilitates hands-free video calls and boasts multiple privacy controls. Composed of 29% recycled materials, the Echo Show 8 reflects Amazon's commitment to environmental responsibility. Available at a 40% discount, it's a worthwhile investment for a more connected and streamlined future.
In an ongoing class-action lawsuit against Google, an expert witness testified that even Google CEO Sundar Pichai incorrectly described how the "Web & App Activity" privacy check box works to Congress. The lawsuit claims that the check box, which is supposed to stop Google from saving a user's activity, is ineffective. Google's vague descriptions and misleading information around privacy controls are part of a strategy to make users believe the controls are more effective than they actually are. The expert witness called the privacy switch "counterintuitive" and criticized it as "Orwellian." There is no way to turn off Google's data tracking or view the extensive user profile that Google builds for every user.
Fitbit's redesigned app, which simplifies the user experience with three tabs - Today, Coach, and You - is rolling out globally for iOS and Android. The update offers customizable daily stats, curated lists of mindfulness sessions and workouts, and access to achievement badges. Google emphasizes privacy controls and improved integration with smartphone sensors for accurate step counts. The release comes after Fitbit sunsetted certain features earlier this year.
The European Commission has published its legislative plans for a digital euro, which aims to ensure free digital payments across the currency zone while incorporating privacy safeguards and financial stability measures. The potential benefits of the central bank digital currency (CBDC) are being questioned by stakeholders, including lawmakers, governments, and commercial banks. The European Central Bank (ECB) will decide in the fall whether to proceed with the next phase of the project. The proposed law also includes provisions for offline use and privacy equivalent to cash, while prohibiting restrictions on the goods that can be purchased with the digital euro.
Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, and other firms are partnering with Digital Asset to launch the Canton blockchain network for financial institutions. The network will be privacy-enabled and interoperable, allowing synchronization of previously siloed financial markets. Testing will begin in July, and participants include BNP Paribas, Cboe Global Markets, Paxos, Deloitte, and others. The network is built on Digital Asset's smart contract language, Daml, and will have extensive privacy controls and the ability to achieve the scale and performance needed by major financial institutions.
Google is introducing new systemwide camera and microphone access toggles in ChromeOS settings that can instantly block all apps and sites from being able to use them. The new privacy controls cut off the rest of the computer’s access to the hardware, which is a software replacement to the physical camera and mic kill switch. Chromebook manufacturers can simplify the laptop design and use the built-in ChromeOS solution instead. Google is also expanding enterprise and business-oriented security features that include new identity and data control features that help IT departments manage user logins and help keep sensitive information from inadvertently traveling around and outside organizations.
OpenAI plans to introduce a new subscription tier for ChatGPT, called ChatGPT Business, tailored to the needs of enterprise customers. The company also launched new privacy controls, including the ability to turn off chat history and export data, amid growing regulatory scrutiny over its data practices. ChatGPT is estimated to have reached 100 million monthly active users in January, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history.