Google fined $170M for violating children's privacy
Google and subsidiary YouTube has been hit with a record $170 million fine by the Federal Trade Commission, to settle allegations the search company violated a law protecting children's privacy.
privacy
Malcolm Owen
Brief Thoughts: Questionable RF lawsuit, Apple TV+ vs. Disney+, Siri listening & more
Every week has dozens of things going on at any given time, too many to talk about in real-time. Here's what we think about this week's radio frequency revelations and lawsuits, Disney rolling heavy at the D23 expo in regards to Disney+, the workers responsible for listening to Siri recordings, an inadvertent iOS 12 jailbreak restoration, and Google's Android rebranding.
Mike Wuerthele and Malcolm Owen
States and 12 phone carriers agree to implement anti-robocall technology
As Congress considers legislation designed to put an end to robocalling, state attorneys general and 12 telephone companies intend to take action and on Thursday announced an agreement to implement spam call identification and blocking technology.
Mikey Campbell
PSA: You cannot stop Instagram or Facebook from using your photos with a post
Celebrities and other online personalities are unwittingly circulating a hoax claiming Instagram is changing its privacy policy, one that can supposedly avoided by publicly posting the statement, with it being the latest incarnation of a chain message that has existed for years.
Apple delays policy to limit third-party tracking in kids apps, fields developer concerns
Apple earlier this year announced plans to limit third-party tracking technology in kids apps as part of an initiative to protect youngsters from unwanted advertisements, but the company has delayed those plans as it works to get developers up to speed with the new regulations.
Facebook paid contractors to transcribe Messenger app audio
Not one to be left out of a potential privacy scandal, a report on Tuesday reveals Facebook hired outside contractors to listen to and transcribe recorded Messenger voice chats, though the company said it recently put a halt to the program.
Risky free VPNs still available in Apple App Store & Google Play despite warnings
Apple and Google are still allowing a number of potentially unsafe free VPN apps to be downloaded from respective app stores, despite warnings that many of the apps pose a privacy risk to consumers, primarily from the apps questionable ownership by Chinese organizations.
Editorial: Why does Apple have a monopoly on responsive corporate values?
Apple pioneered the concept of making its products accessible to users with disabilities back in the 1980s. It has made environmentally sound manufacturing and supplier responsibility a key aspect of its global operations. It has taken a public stand for inclusion and diversity and has made privacy and security primary features of its products. Why haven't other tech giants offered more than a meek "me too" in these areas?
Daniel Eran Dilger
Law enforcement can get Ring doorbell video by just asking for it [u]
Concern has been raised over Amazon's Ring video doorbell and its links to law enforcement, with the assorted tools and partnerships between the retailer and the police considered to be eroding privacy for customers, their neighbors, and anyone who comes into contact with the surveillance devices, with law enforcement officials having relatively easy access to camera footage.
Victor Marks
Roger Fingas
Amber Neely
