Google develops its own alternative to industry-standard skin-tone classification system as it seeks to ensure products work well across skin types
TECHNOLOGY POWERING BUSINESS
News Surveillance-IT
Regulator ‘Deeply Concerned’ Over Live Facial Recognition
Information Commissioner concerned that live facial recognition could be linked to social media to create 'supercharged CCTV'
Russia Bill To Force US Tech Firms To Open Local Offices
First servers, now offices. Lawmakers in Russia pass legislation requiring US tech giants to open local offices in the country
Google Adds Encryption To Messages App, Expands Earthquake Detection
Android announcements includes Google Messages now offering end-to-end encryption and expanded Earthquake detection and alerts
Trump ‘Subpoenaed Apple, Microsoft For Data On Rivals’
Apple changes rules for responding to government data requests after previous administration used subpoenas to gather data on rival Democratic lawmakers
Apple Updates AirTags Over Stalking Concerns
Apple issues software update to AirTag tracking devices after users find they can be used to secretly follow people's movements
Amazon’s Ring To Make Police Requests For Video Footage Public
Transparency move, as US police forces and fire departments increasingly use video footage captured from Ring doorbells and cameras
WhatsApp Sues Indian Government Over Surveillance Law
Privacy champion? Facebook's WhatsApp division alleges controversial new law gives Indian government mass surveillance capabilities
Signal Shows Data Collection Adverts Facebook Rejected
Signal has had user-targetted adverts on Instagram blocked, as messaging service attempts to highlight Facebook data collection
Apple iOS Update With Tracking Consent Prompts Mixed Reaction
Apple's release of its iOS 14.5 update this week requires app developers to ask user permission to track their activity online
Signal Hacks Cellebrite Phone Hacking Kit
Sweet revenge? Signal said it has hacked the phone hacking kit from Cellebrite, used by law enforcement to access mobile devices
Dutch Report Flagged Huawei Monitoring Of KPN Concerns – Report
Report ten years ago from Capgemini reportedly warned that Huawei may be able to monitor calls made by KPN's 6.5 million users
European Commission Proposes Tough AI Regulation, Fines
Huge fines and tough rules for the 'unacceptable' use of artificial intelligence, has been proposed by European Commission
EU’s Proposed Rules For AI Usage Leaked Online
Leaked document shows European regulators are considering ban on indiscriminate surveillance and AI use in credit scoring etc
Tesla In-Car Camera Prompts Privacy Worries – Consumer Reports
Privacy issue? Tesla's use of in-car cameras to record and transmit video, worries influential US magazine Consumer Reports
Verkada CCTV Breach Exposes Hundreds Of Businesses
Verkada compromise of its CCTV system, sees hackers gain admin access to cameras inside Tesla, hospitals, police stations, prison etc
Google Won’t Use Other Tools When It Ends Chrome Cookies
Pledge not to build or use third party tools to track web traffic once Google ends tracking cookies in its Chrome browser
WhatsApp To Press Ahead With Privacy Update
What backlash? Facebook's WhatsApp says it will go ahead with its privacy policy update, but hopes that it has better explained the process
Google Has Not Updated Its iOS Apps For Two Months
No update for Google's iOS apps including Chrome, Photos, YouTube etc, after Apple insists on privacy 'nutrient label' requirement
Baltimore Ends Controversial Spy Planes Over Privacy Fears
Controversial aerial surveillance program in major US city to reduce crime ended, after lawsuit and pressure from civil rights group
Facebook App Pop-up To Explain Benefits Of Data Collection
Response to Apple privacy rule. Facebook testing new pop-up alert for iPhone apps, explaining benefits of data collection
Google Updates Plan To End Cookies In Chrome Browser
Look ma, no cookies. Google says it has made progress in effort to remove third-party cookies from its Chrome web browser
Signal Installations Surge Amid WhatsApp Data Concerns
Research shows installations of Signal messaging app approaching one million a day, amid concern over WhatsApp data policy update
WhatsApp Will Share Data With Facebook, Despite User Wishes
What is the point of end-to-end encryption? Facebook to access people's WhatsApp data, whether they like it or not, from February
NEC Facial Recognition Works Despite Masks
NEC launches facial recognition system that can identify people, even if they are wearing masks to protect against Coronavirus
Google To Add Privacy Labels To Its iOS App Portfolio
Bad news for advertisers. Search giant is to update all its iOS apps to carry Apple's privacy labels that will disclose how data is used
Google Staff Form Company’s First Ever Trade Union
Rare step for tech industry sees workers at Google form their own bespoke trade union, after years of employee unrest and complaints
NSO Used Real Location Data Of People In Demo, Researchers Allege
In a demonstration of its Covid-19 contact-tracing system earlier this year, researchers allege NSO Group used real people's location data
Facial Recognition Blamed For False Arrest And Jail Time
Racial bias and facial recognition. Black man in New Jersey arrested by police and spends ten days in jail after false face recognition match
Signal Founder Dismisses Cellebrite Encryption Crack Claim
Security firm Cellebrite alleges it has cracked encryption of the most secure messaging app on the market, but Signal founder rubbishes claims