The CloudPets user database was stored unprotected online, and weak passwords meant hackers could access stored children's messages
TECHNOLOGY POWERING BUSINESS
News Privacy
Tales In Tech History: WhatsApp
Popular messaging app celebrates 8th birthday.
EU Still ‘Concerned’ Over Windows 10’s Aggressive Data Collection
Regulators say Microsoft is collecting too much information on Windows users without informing them how that data is being used
iCloud Retains Deleted Browsing Records, says ElcomSoft
Apple's cloud service held browsing data for more than a year after users had deleted it, find researchers
US House Approves Bill Requiring Warrant To Search Old Emails
Tech companies urged the Senate to back the measure tightening controls on law enforcement email searches
Telcos Hope To Erode US Customer Privacy Protection But EU Privacy Shield Is Safe
UK and EU privacy regulators expressed concern over the new US administration's data-protection policies
How To Avoid Fake Apps And Keep Your Online Data Private
We're all internet users, so we all must know how to spot fake apps and how to keep our own data safe and private. It can be done.
Dropbox Apologises After Restoring Deleted User Files
Fault saw deleted user files, some of which were eight years old, restored to customer's Dropbox accounts
China Tightens Grip On Internet Censorship With 14 Month VPN Crackdown
The use of unauthorised virtual private networks will be made illegal by the Chinese government
Trump’s Early Statements Indicate He’ll Be A Tech Industry Ally
ANALYSIS: Statements by President Donald Trump may provide some comfort to the US technology industry, but it’s clear that some policies will change
iOS And Android Photo App Meitu Is Sending A Lot Of Device Data Back To China
Meitu has exploded in popularity but beware of the data demands it makes
First Mac Malware ‘Fruitfly’ Of The Year Uses Decades-Old Code
The Fruitfly Mac malware, which targets biomedical research institutions, uses code that dates back to the 1990s
Yahoo Data Breach ‘Affects 3,000 Australian Government Figures’
Australian media have identified government officials, MPs, judges and high-ranking federal police amongst those affected
Dutch Developer Backdoor Scam ‘Affects 20,000 Users’
A developer installed back-doors in online shops and used the details he collected for sophisticated financial fraud, Dutch police say
Airport Gate Screens ‘Exposes Personal Data’ Of Passengers
A public gate display at a European airport exposed passenger names and booking codes, according to Symantec researcher found
WhatsApp Denies It Has Compromised Encryption With ‘Backdoor’
UPDATED: Researcher says WhatsApp can reissue encryption keys for offline devices, compromising privacy. WhatsApp says there is no backdoor and design decision saves millions of messages
Swiss-US Privacy Shield Mimics EU Data Sharing Arrangement
Switzerland's Privacy Shield data transfer agreement with the US is similar to the EU, aiding multinationals and offering potential Brexit insight
Windows 10 Creators Update Brings Streamlined Privacy Controls
Redmond looks to give Windows 10 users more control over the diagnostic data it collects
iOS Users Get Privacy-Focused Onion Browser For Free
Tigas cited "recent events" as the reason for making the app free, which previously costed $0.99
EU Regulators Consider New Big Data Rules
A consultation asks whether the rapidly growing area is adequately covered by existing privacy, competition and consumer protection laws
Ashley Madison Parent Company Slapped With £1.3m Fine Over Data Breach
The adultery site's parent company is to pay the FTC $1.6m for deceptive marketing practices and the lack of basic security measures
EU To Tighten User Data Rules For Skype & WhatsApp
Internet-based companies face stricter data security rules under draft changes that mirror upcoming data protection laws
ICO Fines Top UK Charities For Data Protection Breaches
ICO fines RSPCA and British Heart Foundation for "wealth screening" to get more donations
Nuance And Smart Toy Maker Faces Privacy Complaint
Toys that spy? Formal complaint filed in the US against toy maker and Nuance Communications
Dropbox CEO Talks European Expansion, Brexit, Trump And IPO
IN-DEPTH: Drew Houston outlines plans for European expansion and how Dropbox will change the conversation from syncing files to syncing teams
AdBlock Plus Maker Wins Court Challenge
Another German regional court upholds the principle of ad-blocking, but publishers are wary of Eyeo's market dominance
‘Snooper’s Charter’ Repeal Petition To Be Considered By Parliament
The petition is to be considered for parliamentary debate after receiving more than 130,000 signatures
Hackers ‘Can Eavesdrop Via Earphones’ By Re-Working Built-In Jacks
Attackers can record sound from hacked systems, even when microphones are muted, switched off or unplugged, finds a study
NHS Royal Free London Signs Five-Year Deal With Google’s DeepMind
The revised deal for DeepMind's Streams app still gives it access to millions of patients' data going back years
Data Protection Breach Cases Set To Soar With GDPR Introduction
Legal experts expect disputes related to privacy or data breaches to become much more common in the next five years