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2.085 min•2 years ago
"Google Ordered to Disclose YouTube Viewers' Identities"
US authorities requested Google to provide the identities and user activity of accounts that watched specific YouTube videos as part of an investigation into suspected money laundering. The court granted the order, but it was kept under wraps, and it's unclear if Google complied. Critics and privacy advocates are concerned about potential overreach and the access to sensitive information of users who watched these videos.
3.83 min•2 years ago
"Automakers' Data Sharing with Insurance Companies Driving Up Premiums"
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"Automakers' Data Sharing Drives Up Insurance Costs for Drivers"
Fox News•2 years ago
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"Navigating the Ethical and Technical Challenges of Biometric Privacy Deployment"
The increased adoption of biometric surveillance systems in 2024 will lead to a rise in biometric identity theft and anti-surveillance innovations, with individuals using generative AI tools to steal biometric identities and perpetrate fraud. Governments may adopt biometric mimicry for psychological torture, while individuals at higher risk of facial misidentification, such as people of color and gender nonconforming individuals, will face greater challenges. Anti-surveillance fashion will flourish in areas with laws banning live biometrics in public places, and new technologies such as prosthetic extensions and 3D-printed face prosthetics will be used to protect biometric privacy.
"Facebook's 'Link History' Sparks Privacy Concerns and Ad Targeting Debates"
Facebook has introduced a new feature called 'Link History' in its app, which tracks the links users click on and stores them in a repository. This feature is enabled by default, and while it offers some visibility and control over link tracking, it also raises privacy concerns. Meta, Facebook's parent company, has been tracking user link clicks for over a decade and uses JavaScript to monitor user activity on websites. Critics argue that this feature is another way for Facebook to gather data for personalized ads, despite increasing legal scrutiny over data privacy practices. Users can opt out of 'Link History,' but the feature does not affect Meta's data collection on other platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp.
"Managing Privacy: A Guide to Facebook's 'Link History' Feature and How to Disable It"
Facebook has introduced a new feature called "Link History," which tracks and stores the links users click within the app. This feature is enabled by default and is used for targeted advertising, but users have the option to opt-out. Despite being presented as a convenience tool, it raises privacy concerns, especially since it doesn't cover other Meta apps or web browsing outside the Facebook app. The feature comes amidst increasing privacy measures from other tech giants and regulators, contrasting with Meta's continued focus on data collection.
"Rise in Tech-Enabled Car Stalking Spurs Privacy Concerns and Calls for Regulation"
Connected car apps, designed for convenience, are being exploited by abusive partners to track and control victims, as exemplified by the case of Christine Dowdall. Despite having a restraining order and sole use of her Mercedes during divorce proceedings, Dowdall struggled to remove her abusive husband's access to the car's tracking features due to the vehicle's title being in his name. Privacy advocates and domestic violence experts are calling for car manufacturers to provide ways to disable such tracking to protect victims, highlighting the broader issue of privacy and control in the era of smart, connected vehicles.
Google Settles $5 Billion Lawsuit Over Incognito Mode Tracking Claims
Google has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit for $5 billion over allegations that it tracked users' internet activities even when they were using the "incognito" mode in Chrome and other browsers. The lawsuit claimed that Google misled users about their privacy, as its advertising technologies still collected data during private browsing sessions. The settlement terms have not been disclosed, but a final agreement is expected to be presented to the court by February 24. Google has yet to comment on the settlement.
Google Pays $5B to Settle Lawsuit Over Alleged Incognito Mode Tracking
Google has settled a class-action lawsuit that accused the company of tracking users' activities even when they were using the "incognito" mode in the Chrome browser. The lawsuit, which sought $5 billion, claimed that Google misled users about their privacy and continued to collect data through advertising technologies and third-party websites. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed, and a federal judge's approval is pending. Meanwhile, Google has been working on privacy reforms, including plans to phase out third-party cookies by the second half of 2024.