Tag

Privacy And Security

All articles tagged with #privacy and security

privacy-and-security28 days ago•16 min saved

Encrypted Spaces: Bringing Signal-Style Privacy to Collaboration Apps

A team behind the Signal protocol is building Encrypted Spaces, open-source infrastructure to bring end-to-end encrypted, verifiable storage to collaboration apps like Slack, Google Docs, and Discord. Described in a Research Preview with a Spaces demo, the project uses zero-knowledge proofs to keep data encrypted on central servers while allowing cryptographically verifiable collaboration. It aims to be a reusable platform for developers rather than a consumer product, potentially fueling encryption-policy debates, with existing options from Proton, CryptPad, and Fileverse offering E2EE tools.

via Gizmodo|

#collaboration-apps #encrypted-spaces #end-to-end-encryption

privacy-and-security1 month ago•15 min saved

House Fails to Renew Section 702 as Surveillance Powers Expire at Midnight

The U.S. House did not pass a reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, letting the surveillance authority lapse at midnight. The 218-198 vote split saw 19 Republicans oppose the bill alongside most Democrats, while seven Democrats voted in favor. A key clash centers on Bill Pulte’s appointment as acting Director of National Intelligence, with critics saying he lacks necessary national-security experience, and Democrats seeking a different DNI. Sen. Ron Wyden proposed a five-week extension to pursue reforms, but Republicans rejected it. Even with potential extensions, questions remain about Section 702’s use to surveil Americans and what guardrails will be put in place, underscoring a partisan fight over surveillance oversight as Trump pushes for a more permanent DNI appointment.

via Gizmodo|

#congress #fisa #privacy

artificial-intelligence1 month ago•15 min saved

Free NYC Cleaning in Exchange for AI-Training Footage

A German AI-training startup, MicroAGI, is partnering with Shift to offer New Yorkers free home cleaning in exchange for recording the cleaning process with cameras to train future household robots, promising anonymization of faces and IDs; cleaners may decline specific tasks, and the service covers chores from vacuuming to reorganizing spaces; the offer is limited-time with plans to expand to London, Munich, and Zurich, though questions remain about data usage and how (or if) videos can be removed after training.

via Gizmodo|

#artificial-intelligence #gig-economy #new-york-city

privacy-and-security4 months ago•15 min saved

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.

via Gizmodo|

#bluetooth #mobile-app #privacy

privacy-and-security5 months ago•17 min saved

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.

via Gizmodo|

#ai #moltbot #open-source

privacy-and-security6 months ago•2 min saved

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.

via Gothamist|

#biometric-data #new-york-city #privacy-and-security

privacy-and-security7 months ago•8 min saved

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.

via CNET|

#airbnb #hidden-cameras #privacy

privacy-and-security8 months ago•9 min saved

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.

via LAist|

#digital-security #law-enforcement #phone-security

technology8 months ago•8 min saved

Microsoft Enhances Windows 11 with New AI Features and Updates

Microsoft is integrating generative AI into Windows 11 with new features like Copilot, which aims to improve user interaction through voice commands, file creation, and editing, attempting to revive the failed Cortana concept. These features include a new 'Hey, Copilot' voice activation, AI-driven file management, and visual guidance tools, all designed to work across all Windows 11 PCs with a focus on privacy and security improvements following past issues. The rollout is gradual, with some features still in testing phases.

via Ars Technica|

#ai-features #copilot #privacy-and-security

privacy-and-security9 months ago•4 min saved

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.

via CNET|

#border-searches #burner-phone #digital-security

privacy-and-security9 months ago•4 min saved

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.

via CNET|

#border-security #burner-phone #digital-security

privacy-and-security10 months ago•4 min saved

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.

via NPR|

#data-breach #privacy-and-security #privacy-risks

privacy-and-security10 months ago•1 min saved

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.

via Axios|

#cloud-security #data-breach #privacy-and-security

privacy-and-security11 months ago•3 min saved

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.

via WIRED|

#cybersecurity #encryption #privacy-and-security

privacy-and-security1 year ago•3 min saved

US Airlines' Controversial Data Sales and Surcharge Practices

Major US airlines including Delta, American, and United sold passenger flight data through their owned broker ARC to government agencies like CBP and ICE, raising concerns over privacy and oversight as sensitive travel information is shared without clear legal safeguards.

via Daily Mail|

#airline-data-sale #airline-industry #arc