How To Geek: “Emails are full of tracking links, especially in newsletters and promotional mailing lists, which can pass sensitive information about you to the sender. They’re such a problem that Proton Mail, the privacy-sensitive alternative to Gmail and other email platforms, is trying to prevent it with a new “Tracking Links Protection” feature. When… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Privacy
FTC probe of OpenAI: Consumer protection is the opening salvo of US AI regulation
Via LLRX – FTC probe of OpenAI: Consumer protection is the opening salvo of US AI regulation – As a researcher of social media and AI, Anjana Susarla recognizes the immensely transformative potential of generative AI models, but believes that these systems pose risks. In particular, in the context of consumer protection, these models can produce errors,… Continue Reading
How to Use Browser Extensions and Add-ons in Incognito Mode
MakeUseOf: “Extensions are helpful tools that make it easier to complete certain tasks as you browse. When you’re using Google Chrome or Firefox, your extension will appear in the toolbar, allowing you to access them whenever it’s necessary…But sometimes, you might prefer to browse in incognito or private mode. When you’re browsing in private mode,… Continue Reading
Google’s Bard AI chatbot has learned to talk
Engadget – It understands 40 languages and can speak its responses. “Google’s Bard gained a handful of new features and functions Thursday in the chatbot AI’s latest round of updates, including expanded linguistic knowledge, more nuanced response controls and the ability to respond with spoken word in addition to text. In all the AI can… Continue Reading
Blocking unknown callers and other WhatsApp privacy features you should turn on right now
Popular Science – You can now access the app’s security and privacy tools more easily. “WhatsApp’s new Privacy Checkup menu gives you the ability to block unknown callers, but that’s not the only way it will protect your one-on-one conversations and thriving group chats. The messaging app has come a long way in terms of… Continue Reading
Report – Meta and Tax Prep Companies “Recklessly” Shared Taxpayers’ Data
Elizabeth Warren: “Today I released a new 54-page report revealing that Big Tax Prep companies have recklessly shared personal and financial data of millions of taxpayers with Big Tech for years. Regulators need to fully investigate and prosecute those who violated the law… Via The MarkUp: “Meta and major tax preparation companies inappropriately shared millions… Continue Reading
FDA Approves First Nonprescription Daily Oral Contraceptive
“Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Opill (norgestrel) tablet for nonprescription use to prevent pregnancy— the first daily oral contraceptive approved for use in the U.S. without a prescription. Approval of this progestin-only oral contraceptive pill provides an option for consumers to purchase oral contraceptive medicine without a prescription at drug stores, convenience… Continue Reading
TikTok: Technology Overview and Issues
CRS Report – TikTok: Technology Overview and Issues, Updated June 30, 2023: “TikTok is a globally popular video-sharing smartphone application (app) owned by ByteDance Ltd., a privately held company headquartered in Beijing, China. It is under increasing scrutiny by the U.S. government as a potential privacy and security risk to U.S. citizens. This is because… Continue Reading
Google hit with lawsuit alleging it stole data from millions of users to train AI tools
CNN: “…The complaint alleges that Google “has been secretly stealing everything ever created and shared on the internet by hundreds of millions of Americans” and using this data to train its AI products, such as its chatbot Bard. The complaint also claims Google has taken “virtually the entirety of our digital footprint,” including “creative and… Continue Reading
Facebook could be tracking your online Plan B or HIV test purchases
Popular Science: “Looking for an at-home HIV test on CVS’ website is not as private an experience as one might think. An investigation by The Markup and KFF Health News found trackers on CVS.com telling some of the biggest social media and advertising platforms the products customers viewed. And CVS is not the only pharmacy… Continue Reading
How Threads’ privacy policy compares to Twitter’s (and its rivals’)
Ars Technica: “Here’s what is collected by Threads, as well as by Twitter, Bluesky, Mastodon, Spill, and Hive Social. Meta’s long-awaited Twitter alternative is here, and it’s called Threads. The new social media app launches at a time when alternatives, like Bluesky, Mastodon, and Spill, are vying for users who are dissatisfied with Elon Musk’s… Continue Reading
The Atlas of Surveillance
EFF: “The Atlas of Surveillance is a database of surveillance technologies deployed by law enforcement in communities across the United States. This includes drones, body-worn cameras, automated license plate readers, facial recognition, and more. This research was compiled by more than 1,000 students and volunteers, and incorporates datasets from a variety of public and non-profit… Continue Reading
