privacy-and-security15.775 min read
Public Teraleak Unmasks a Forgotten Steam Archive of Lost Builds
1 month ago•Source: Gizmodo
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15.26 min•2 months ago
Apple’s Data-Loaded Device Concept Sparks Privacy Debate
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports Apple weighed a 'white-glove' plan to ship leased devices preloaded with a user’s iCloud data, removing setup friction; the data-loaded approach raised privacy concerns and was not pursued, as public sentiment shifted from privacy nihilism to a privacy backlash and Apple tunes its messaging ahead of new products like smart glasses.
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Encrypted Spaces: Bringing Signal-Style Privacy to Collaboration Apps
Gizmodo•3 months ago
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House Fails to Renew Section 702 as Surveillance Powers Expire at Midnight
Gizmodo•3 months ago
More Privacy And Security Stories
Nearby Glasses: An App That Alerts You to Secret Recording Wearables Nearby
A new Android app called Nearby Glasses scans Bluetooth advertising signals to alert users when camera-enabled smart glasses from Meta, Snap, and others are nearby, aiming to counter covert filming in public. The developer notes the system can produce false positives and an iOS version is in development; Meta and Snap didn’t comment. The story frames the tool within broader concerns about wearable surveillance and potentialMeta features like facial recognition.
Moltbot's All‑Day AI: Excitement Meets Security Red Flags
An open-source, always-on AI assistant named Moltbot can push proactive prompts and operate across apps, but its need for deep system access and constant connectivity creates serious security risks, including prompt-injection attacks and exposed admin ports; experts warn it is not ready for broad use and urge caution.
NYC Wegmans Collects Biometric Data from Shoppers, Raising Privacy Concerns
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.
7-Step Checklist for Airbnb Safety Checks
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.
Preparing Your Phone for a Protest
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.
Using Burner Phones and 1Password’s Travel Mode for Enhanced Privacy at Borders
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.
How to Prevent Border Agents from Accessing Your Phone
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.
Whistleblower Warns of Social Security Data Breach via DOGE
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.
Whistleblower Warns of Major Social Security Data Security Threats
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 Tightens Restrictions on Messaging App Calls
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.