Jack Sweeney, famous for tracking the jets of Elon Musk, has now turned his attention to the private jets of Russian oligarchs
News Surveillance-IT
Google, YouTube, Facebook Block Russia’s RT, Sputnik
After Google and Facebook blocks ad revenues for Russian state-owned media outlets, further restrictions by tech platforms announced
Signal Dismisses Hack Rumour As ‘Misinformation Campaign’
Messaging app Signal denies rumours its platform was hacked, saying it is part of a “co-ordinated misinformation campaign”
EU Proposes Tougher Data Transfer Rules With Data Act
European Commission publishes draft legislation with Data Act, that will govern the rules for data transfers in the years ahead
Irish Watchdog Provides Update On Data Transfer For Meta – Report
Ireland's data watchdog is to consult with fellow EU regulators in April over Meta's Facebook data transfers to the United States
Google To Limit Ad Tracking On Android Apps
More bad news for advertisers? Google announces the Privacy Sandbox will be expanded from web browser and will include Android apps
Israeli Investigators Review NSO Database In Pegasus Hacking Probe
Israeli inquiry examines database from NSO Group amidst allegations that controversial Pegasus spyware was used against domestic public figures
Apple To Issue AirTag Warning Amid Stalking Fears
Tech giant Apple to issue setup warning after a number of high profile incidents where AirTags have been used to stalk people
FBI Admits Procurement Of NSO’s Pegasus For ‘Product Testing’
“Limited licence” for NSO's Pegasus spyware was obtained by FBI in 2019, but bureau says it never used it to support any investigation
FBI Urges Olympic Athletes To Use Burner Phones
FBI urges athletes competing at the Beijing Winter Olympics to leave their personal devices at home, and rather carry burner phones
Julian Assange Wins Right To Ask Supreme Court For Extradition Appeal
Another twist. Julian Assange wins right to ask UK's Supreme Court if it will hear his appeal against December extradition ruling to the United States
Germany May Close Down Telegram, Minister Warns
Shutting down popular messaging service Telegram in Germany cannot be ruled out, Interior Minister warns, amid battle over pandemic restrictions
Google CEO Pichai To Be Questioned In $5bn Web Tracking Lawsuit
US federal judge rules CEO of search engine giant Google, Sundar Pichai, can be questioned over a lawsuit about tracking web browsing
DuckDuckGo Search Engine Grows 46 Percent In 2021
Privacy focused search engine DuckDuckGo enjoys record growth in 2021, reflecting people's ongoing preference for privacy
US Adds Drone Maker DJI To Investment Blacklist
US Treasury adds Chinese drone giant DJI to financial blacklist, prohibiting investors from owning shares, as trade war with China intensifies
Meta Warns 50,000 Users Targeted By Surveillance Firms
Surveillance-for-hire firms have spied on 50,000 Facebook users that includes journalists and activists, as Meta bans seven companies
China Orders Microsoft Bing To Suspend Auto-suggest Function
Last remaining major foreign search engine still operating in China, ordered to suspend its auto-suggest function by local authorities
NSO Considers Sale Or Shutdown Of Pegasus Unit – Report
Blacklisted surveillance specialist NSO is reportedly considering selling the firm, or shutting down its Pegasus unit altogether
Apple Releases ‘Tracker Detect’ For Android AirTag Detection
Preventing AirTag stalking? 'Tracker Detect' app lets Android users search for nearby active trackers such as Apple's AirTag
Lawmakers Say Instagram’s Promises ‘Won’t Cut It’
US Senators say laws are needed to protect young people online, rejecting proposal by Instagram head Adam Mosseri of industry self-regulatory body
Google Warns Android App Developers Over Data Sharing
Google warns app developers working with UK data company Huq to be clearer about what they are sharing, amidst privacy concerns
NSO Spyware ‘Used To Hack US Diplomats’
Apple alerts employees of US State Department of hacking by NSO Group's controversial Pegasus spyware as row over state-backed hacking heats up
Uber To Pay $9m Settlement Over Safety Reporting Failure
Uber agrees to pay $9 million to settle dispute with California regulators over its failure to provide detailed data on sexual assault reports
MI6 Boss Calls For Greater Co-operation With Tech Sector
New head of MI6 calls for partnerships with tech industry, as rival nations continue to “pour money” into new technologies
Google Increases Concessions, Amid CMA Oversight Of Cookie Removal
Google expands data pledges to address concerns of British competition regulator, overseeing tech giant's removal of third-party tracking cookies
Tesla Demands Video Access For Full Self Driving Testers
Drivers who pay to join Tesla's Full-Self Driving (FSD) system beta, must now consent to releasing identifiable video footage in case of an accident
US Adds More Chinese Firms To Trade Blacklist
Trade war between the world's two biggest economies worsens, as the United States adds more Chinese firms to its Entity List
Apple Sues NSO To ‘Curb Abuse Of State-Sponsored Spyware’
Tech giant Apple adds to growing pressure on NSO by filing a lawsuit against the surveillance specialist for targetting its users
Meta Delays Encryption On Facebook, Instagram Until 2023
Meta executive tells newspaper that encryption rollout has been delayed on Facebook and Instagram over child safety concerns
Facebook Tells LAPD To Stop Using Fake Accounts
Facebook orders LAPD to top using fake accounts to gather information on users, following report that found police worked with surveillance firm in 2019