SMARTPHONE PRIVACY VIOLATIONS
Israeli firm used online ads to run vast spy operation, researchers say
Discover-Tech, an Israeli digital advertising agency, faces serious allegations of orchestrating user surveillance via harmful ads. Research teams from Citizen Lab and Confiant uncovered alarming evidence that these ads not only tracked individuals but also facilitated spyware deployment. With implications affecting hundreds of millions, including entities like the Pentagon and Al Jazeera, major platforms like Google have halted Discover-Tech's services.
Parents can get up to $5,000 per violation by suing social media apps; this US state signs act to protect kids from social media addiction- here's everything you need to know
New Jersey enacted the Kids Code Act, which will regulate online services for minors. This law aims to increase platform responsibility for child user engagement and data. Notifications will be restricted, and parents will gain legal recourse for violations. Children's data usage and algorithmic recommendations will face new limitations. The act seeks to balance technology's benefits with protections for young users.
Google settles Google Assistant privacy lawsuit for $68 million
Google will pay $68 million to settle a lawsuit. The suit claimed its voice assistant spied on smartphone users. This violated privacy. Users accused Google of recording private conversations. This was done to send targeted advertising.
India rolls back order to preinstall cybersecurity app on smartphones
India has withdrawn its order requiring smartphone makers to preinstall the government’s “Sanchar Saathi” cybersecurity app. The rule drew backlash over privacy and user consent. The ministry now says installation will remain voluntary. The app helps track stolen phones and block fraud, and has already seen more than 14 million downloads.
RBI, don't allow a disconnecting spree
The RBI is considering allowing lenders to remotely lock smartphones of borrowers who default on loan payments, raising concerns about data security and discriminatory practices. This move, enabled by third-party apps, could violate data privacy and disproportionately affect livelihoods dependent on internet access.
YouTube to begin testing a new AI-powered age verification system in the US
The tests initially will only affect a sliver of YouTube's audience in the US, but it will likely become more pervasive if the system works as well at guessing viewers' ages as it does in other parts of the world.
- Go To Page 1
CCI says 'no inherent conflict or repugnancy' between competition, data protection laws
This remarks are a part of the Competition Commission of India's order after levying a Rs 213.14 crore fine on the social media giant Meta for unfair business ways with respect to WhatsApp privacy policy update of 2021.
Digital condom: German company launches Camdom app. Know how it works
Digital condom launched: In a first-of-its kind, German sexual health brand Billy Boy has launched a groundbreaking app Camdom app, called as digital condom. Launched by brand Billi Boy, Camdom app aims to protects from the non-consensual recording of content during intimate moments. It is available on iOS and will soon be rolled out on Android devices.
ETtech Explainer: WhatsApp's standoff with Centre over end-to-end encryption
Last week, WhatsApp told the Delhi High Court that it would have to stop operations in India if it’s forced to break encryption for compliance with India’s Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021.
Will examine WhatsApp’s breach of privacy, says MoS IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar
The Centre will examine an alleged breach of privacy in which WhatsApp is said to be accessing and using the microphone feature of the smartphone of a user while the user was asleep.
Meta reaches $37.5 million settlement of Facebook location tracking lawsuit
Meta denied wrongdoing in agreeing to settle.
Trai floats paper on leverage AI, big data for sector
As the market for AI and big data grows rapidly, its usage across sectors is also expanding. The telecom sector, for instance, can leverage AI and big data in areas such as quality of service, spectrum management and network security, the regulator said in the paper titled “Leveraging AI and big data in telecommunications sector”.
It's business as usual at Xiaomi India, no job cuts: Industry executive
The company is presently waiting for the written order from the Karnataka High Court that directed the competent authority under FEMA to hear Xiaomi's appeals against the enforcement directorate's order to seize its assets worth over Rs 5500 crore, and pass an appropriate order within 60 days, before deciding on the next course of action.
China's Didi says app takedown may hurt revenue
The removal of Didi's app, which does not affect existing users, comes days after Didi made its trading debut on the New York Stock Exchange in an initial public offering that raised $4.4 billion.
ETtech Evening Briefing on 28 Jan. 2021: Top 5 Tech News, in 10 Minutes
It’s all happening today. All the Big Tech firms—WhatsApp, Facebook, Google, Apple and Amazon—are in the news for their evolving machinations in India.
Snack Video, Zili, Resso and several others escape China apps ban
Snack Video is a Singapore-based app that is seen as a TikTok alternative and whose parent, Kuaishou Technology, is a popular Chinese software company backed by Chinese internet conglomerate Tencent.
HC seeks Andhra Pradesh and Centre views on probing phone tapping charges
Responding to a petition filed by lawyer AN Grace on Tuesday, the court based in Amaravati asked the petitioner to furnish evidence that phones of certain HC judges were being illegally tapped and their movements monitored.
2nd digital strike targets clones of banned China apps, Google and Apple Inc directed to remove these apps
Google and Apple Inc, which run popular mobile operating systems Android and iOS, respectively, were directed to remove these apps from their app stores, and they are expected to comply with the order
Govt bans 47 more Chinese apps citing risks to national sovereignty, integrity and defence
The source privy to the development said that the 47 additional Chinese apps that have been banned now were clones and variants of the apps which were blocked earlier.
New plea in Kerala HC against Aarogya Setu app
This is the second petition in the last one week against the government’s directive to compulsorily download the app for all public and private sector employees returning to work, and those living in containment zones.
Corona alert! New smartphone app may warn when you come in contact with Covid-19 patient
The app will also ensure that it protects the privacy of Covid patients.
No more eavesdropping: You can now disable human review of Alexa recordings
The manual review practice by Amazon wasn’t previously disclosed in the product’s terms and conditions.
Time runs out for TikTok downloads as Google, Apple remove social media app from stores
The app, popular among teenagers who use it to create and share short videos, was available on app stores of Google and Apple until Tuesday evening.
Apple has written to resolve DND app issue, says Trai chief RS Sharma
The Trai has publicly made known its displeasure with Apple Inc, for not allowing Trai’s Do-Not-Disturb (DND) app to be listed on its App Store.
Forget Aadhaar, there's a bigger privacy risk you have already taken
Aadhaar has been badgered by critics due to privacy concerns and risk of data theft. But its detractors may have missed the elephant in the room.
Not violating India's privacy laws, user data fully safe: Oppo
Oppo is the first company to officially comment after the government asked all handset makers that sell phones in India to share the security protocols they follow to secure mobile phones.
Indian startup SilverPush raises hackles in US over privacy violation
The advertising technology startup, backed by media industry veteran Ronnie Screwvala and others, has refuted the claim that it violates the user’s privacy.
China grants license for iPhone 6 sales after weeks of delay
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said that it has granted a network access license to iPhone 6.
Why Google banned a privacy tool called 'Disconnect Mobile' from the android app store
In the five days it was available in Google's store, it was downloaded more than 5,000 times, reports the Wall Street Journal, which broke the news on the banned app.
Load More
