data privacy - News, Features, and Slideshows

News

• Microsoft rolls back commitment to Do Not Track

  Microsoft today rolled back its commitment to the nearly-dead "Do Not Track" (DNT) standard, saying that it would no longer automatically switch on the signal in its browsers.

• Sen. Nelson questions use of StingRays for phone surveillance

  A U.S. Senator is questioning why the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved of a controversial cell phone surveillance device that both federal and state law enforcement agencies are using to track suspects, often without court orders to do so.

• Office complex implants RFID chips in employees' hands

  The corporate tenants of a Swedish high-tech office complex are <a href="http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/stockholm-office-workers-epicenter-implanted-microchips-pay-their-lunch-1486045">having RFID NFC chips implanted</a> in their hands, enabling access through security doors, as well as services such as copy machines, all without PIN codes or swipe cards.

• Reddit handed over user info for 58% of government requests

  Reddit <a href="https://www.redditstatic.com/transparency/2014.pdf">today released</a> what it called its first "transparency report," which details requests for user information from both government entities and private lawyers.

• Driver's license app on a smartphone raises privacy issues

  A smartphone app that drivers in Iowa will be able to use as an official driver's license could lead to privacy abuses by law enforcement.

• After the Snowden leaks, 700M move to avoid NSA spying

  An international <a href="https://www.cigionline.org/internet-survey">survey of Internet users</a> has found that more than 39% have taken steps to protect their online privacy and security as a result of spying revelations by one-time NSA employee Edward Snowden.

• Data from wearable devices could soon land you in jail

  While that fitness band or smartwatch you own may help you get in shape or never miss an appointment, the data it collects is now also fodder for criminal or civil litigation.

• Apple, Microsoft, Google and others join push against government spying

  Apple, Microsoft, and Google are among 10 top tech companies that this week <a href="http://reformgs.tumblr.com/post/102821955852/open-letter-to-the-us-senate">signed onto a letter</a> backing passage of a bill that would curtail bulk collection of Internet metadata by government agencies.

• NSW government launches privacy governance framework

  New South Wales Privacy Commissioner, Dr Elizabeth Coombs, has unveiled new guidelines that clarify steps to protect citizen data. These guidelines reinforce moves to protect personal information and comply with the state’s privacy guidelines.

• Facebook nudges users to take control with privacy makeover

  Facebook wants its users to take control of their own privacy.

• Carmakers promise they'll protect driver privacy -- really

  The world's 19 biggest automakers <a href="https://www.globalautomakers.org/topic/privacy">have agreed to principles</a> they say will protect driver privacy in an electronic age where in-vehicle computers collect everything from location and speed to what smartphone you use.

• Tracking and the law

  The ability to access and use mobile data is a new area of law that continues to be shaped and reshaped.

• Kickstarter suspends Anonabox Tor router project

  Kickstarter <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/augustgermar/anonabox-a-tor-hardware-router?ref=nav_search">has suspended the crowdfunding campaign</a> of a Tor-enabling wireless router that gained widespread media attention as a privacy device for the masses but left others questioning its legitimacy.

• Once the FBI has a backdoor into your smartphone, everyone does

  FBI director James Comey said this week that<a href="http://www.computerworld.com/article/2834996/fbi-director-calls-for-greater-police-access-to-communications.html">tech companies should not be allowed to put cryptographic locks on mobile devices</a> so they can't be accessed by U.S. intelligence agencies.

• Snapchat and other online services need to tighten security

  In recent weeks, there have been data breaches involving passwords and email addresses from JP Morgan Chase, celebrity nude photos from <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/article/2602387/the-fappening-icloud-users-beware.html">Apple's iCloud</a>, more than 70,000 images from Snapchat and <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/article/2825999/dropbox-dismisses-claims-of-hack-affecting-7m-accounts.html">now a new alleged hack at Dropbox</a> -- a claim it denies.