Research shows installations of Signal messaging app approaching one million a day, amid concern over WhatsApp data policy update
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WhatsApp Will Share Data With Facebook, Despite User Wishes
What is the point of end-to-end encryption? Facebook to access people’s WhatsApp data, whether they like it or not, from February
NEC Facial Recognition Works Despite Masks
NEC launches facial recognition system that can identify people, even if they are wearing masks to protect against Coronavirus
Google To Add Privacy Labels To Its iOS App Portfolio
Bad news for advertisers. Search giant is to update all its iOS apps to carry Apple’s privacy labels that will disclose how data is used
Google Staff Form Company’s First Ever Trade Union
Rare step for tech industry sees workers at Google form their own bespoke trade union, after years of employee unrest and complaints
NSO Used Real Location Data Of People In Demo, Researchers Allege
In a demonstration of its Covid-19 contact-tracing system earlier this year, researchers allege NSO Group used real people’s location data
Facial Recognition Blamed For False Arrest And Jail Time
Racial bias and facial recognition. Black man in New Jersey arrested by police and spends ten days in jail after false face recognition match
Signal Founder Dismisses Cellebrite Encryption Crack Claim
Security firm Cellebrite alleges it has cracked encryption of the most secure messaging app on the market, but Signal founder rubbishes claims
Google Violated Law By Spying On Staff, Complaint Alleges
Complaint alleges Google broke US labour laws when it ‘spied’ on staff who organised employee protests, before firing them
Apple Hits Back At iPhone Tracking Complaints By Privacy Group
Two privacy complaints filed by Max Schrems campaign group draws robust response from Apple, which labels allegations as ‘factually inaccurate’
Ring Warns 350,000 Smart Doorbell Customers Over Fire Risk
Amazon’s smart home device maker Ring has issued new installation instructions for 350,000 doorbells in the United States, after some catch fire
WhatsApp Setting To Remove Messages After Seven Days
Messaging titan to implement setting to allow for “disappearing messages” option after seven days, in an effort to bolster privacy
Police Ask Residents To Link Smart Doorbells To Surveillance Hub
Privacy nightmare? Police ask residents in US city to link their smart doorbells to surveillance hub to reduce local crime
Amazon Hires Former NSA Director In Charge During Snowden Revelations
Amazon names former NSA director to board of directors, who was also the man in charge when Edward Snowden blew spying whistle
Apple Delays Advertising Privacy Changes
After pushback from Facebook and advertising associations, Apple delays implementation of new privacy controls on advertisers tracking ability
NSA Surveillance Program Exposed By Edward Snowden, Ruled Unlawful
Spying setback. US Court of Appeals rules the NSA surveillance and mass data collection program exposed by Edward Snowden, was unlawful
Apple, Google Offer Covid-19 Contact Tracing
No need for official government app! Apple and Google to roll-out built-in Covid-19 exposure notifications to smartphones
Pacific Undersea Cable Drops Hong Kong, Amid National Security Concerns
Google and Facebook’s Pacific Light Cable Network (PLCN) cable will not be activated in Hong Kong, after security law and national security concerns
Google Stops Responding To Data Request From Hong Kong
Data requests from Hong Kong authorities are being ignored, Google confirms, after China imposed controversial national security law
Police Use Of Facial Recognition Breached Privacy, Court Rules
Milestone ruling. The UK Court of Appeal rules use of automatic facial recognition (AFR) tech by South Wales Police is unlawful
United States Touts Purge Of Chinese Tech For ‘Clean Internet’
‘Madness’ says Chinese state-backed media, as America pushes ahead with ‘clean Internet’ plan, with purge of Chinese tech from US networks
EU Launches Antitrust Probe Into Google’s Fitbit Acquisition
European competition regulators launch formal antitrust investigation of Alphabet’s Google and its decision to acquire Fitbit
UK Track And Trace Scheme Broke UK Data Protection, Campaigners Claim
Campaigners claim that UK’s track and trace scheme broke data protection laws, but experts say non-compliance understandable considering unprecedented emergency
Google Can Avoid EC Antitrust Fitbit Probe With Data Pledge – Report
Alphabet may be able to offset looming EC antitrust probe of its Fitbit acquisition, if it pledges not to use its data for targeted adverts
Tech Firms Withhold Data Sharing With Hong Kong
Tech giants pledge pause data sharing with authorities in Hong Kong, after China imposed draconian security law for the territory
Google To Delete User Searches, Location Data After 18 Months
Privacy win? Google will automatically delete user’s website searches and visits, as well as some location data, after 18 months
Microsoft Bans Facial Recognition Sales To Police
Software giant follows IBM and Amazon with police facial recognition ban until there is national regulation of the technology
Tech Firms Pledge Child Abuse Disclosures To Blunt Anti-Encryption Drive
Strategic move? Google, Facebook, Microsoft pledge to improve and standardise annual disclosures around online child exploitation
Amazon Joins Police Ban Of Facial Recognition Tech
E-commerce giant Amazon joins other tech firms with announcement it will pause police use of its facial recognition software
IBM Cancels All Facial Recognition Programs, Urges Police Reform
Big Blue cancels its facial recognition programs and calls for reform and new ways to work with law enforcement, “to advance justice and racial equity”