Training data consent, surveillance concerns and the technical fixes for private AI.
369 articles
DuckDuckGo reported a sustained increase in new installs immediately following Google's I/O conference. This trend suggests a segment of users is seeking alternatives to Google's increasingly AI-integrated search experience.
Engadget · 115d ago
Mozilla is launching 'Project Nova,' a visual redesign of Firefox featuring rounded UI elements and a new color palette. The update introduces a centralized settings section that allows users to easily manage and disable AI features.
The Verge · 121d ago
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) of China has publicly named 31 apps and SDKs for illegal data collection, excessive permission requests, and deceptive UI patterns. These actions follow a national crackdown on personal information protection.
IT之家 · 121d ago
Discord has rolled out end-to-end encryption for all voice and video calls by default. This ensures that even the platform provider cannot access the content of user communications.
The Next Web (TNW) · 123d ago
Discord has rolled out end-to-end encryption (E2EE) across all voice and video calls on its platform. This update significantly enhances user privacy and data security for its massive communication network.
Engadget · 123d ago
Mozilla has added new AI guardrails to its mobile browser, allowing users to disable all AI-driven enhancements with a single tap. This feature emphasizes user control over automated AI features integrated into the browsing experience.
Engadget · 123d ago
Apple is introducing a standalone Siri app in iOS 27 featuring configurable chat history retention. Users can choose to delete conversations after 30 days, one year, or keep them indefinitely.
The Next Web (TNW) · 125d ago
Apple is reportedly adding granular privacy controls to its new Siri app, allowing users to set expiration dates for their chat history. Users can choose to retain conversations for 30 days, one year, or indefinitely.
Engadget · 125d ago
WhatsApp has introduced an 'incognito' mode for its AI-powered chat features, allowing users to enable disappearing messages for increased privacy. This update aims to balance AI integration with user data protection, though it has sparked concerns regarding accountability.
BBC Technology · 129d ago
Live facial recognition is expanding from police to retailers like supermarkets to combat shoplifting. The technology raises privacy concerns as it proliferates in public spaces.
The Guardian Technology · 129d ago
Texas accuses Netflix of spying on users, including children. The lawsuit arises amid increased scrutiny of platform features like auto-play that deliver endless content.
BBC Technology · 130d ago
TikTok is rolling out a £3.99/month ad-free subscription for UK users aged 18+ in the coming months. It removes ads from the For You feed and vows not to use subscriber data for advertising purposes.
The Verge · 131d ago
GrapheneOS makers are criticizing Google and Apple's reCAPTCHA tactics. The system tests QR code scanning with only Apple or Google-certified phones.
Digital Trends · 131d ago
Google's new reCAPTCHA verification system is deeply integrated with Google Play services on Android. This change prevents de-Googled Android phones from passing CAPTCHA challenges.
cnBeta (Full RSS) · 132d ago
A robot lawn mower is easily hackable, creating terrifying security risks for users. The article also covers Meta ending encrypted Instagram DMs, Trump administration targeting left-wing extremists, and leaked docs on Russia's elite hacker school.
Wired · 133d ago
The US administration is nearing a US$400 million settlement with TikTok to resolve a lawsuit over child-privacy violations, per ABC News sources. The White House and Justice Department declined comment, as did TikTok.
SCMP Technology · 134d ago
Meta supports law enforcement data access via Bill C-22's Part 1 but strongly opposes Part 2's broad technical assistance powers. These could force companies to weaken encryption, install spyware, and create systemic vulnerabilities without adequate safeguards or challenge mechanisms.
Meta Newsroom · 135d ago
Apple agrees to $250M settlement in US consumer Siri lawsuit, offering $25–$95 per iPhone 16/15 Pro bought June 2024–March 2025. No admission of fault.
The Next Web (TNW) · 136d ago
Harvard launched Keyring, an open-source wallet that stores biometric identity data on users' phones instead of corporate servers. This enables secure online identity verification without exposing personal information to third parties.
Digital Trends · 138d ago
New research reveals online ads contain sufficient data for AI to reconstruct detailed personal profiles. This inference occurs without user clicks or explicit data sharing.
Digital Trends · 138d ago
Post queries if privacy-preserving AI/ML demand has risen with LLMs, regulations, and de-anonymization risks. References old discussion and anecdotal use of trusted execution environments for enterprise LLMs.
Reddit r/MachineLearning · 138d ago
DHS used a 1930s trade law to demand Google hand over activity and location data on a Canadian man. The action followed his X posts condemning ICE over killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Wired · 138d ago
Advancing AI intelligence will dramatically alter privacy expectations by enabling widespread recording, processing, and sophisticated interpretation of personal data. The article examines how technology shifts what's 'reasonable' under laws like the 4th Amendment, using law enforcement access as an example.
LessWrong AI · 140d ago
The author delegated Gmail management to Google's Gemini AI, describing the experience as eye-opening. Despite ongoing privacy concerns, they chose not to let it hinder adoption.
Digital Trends · 140d ago
New Mexico AG won $375M against Meta in child safety case. A three-week public nuisance trial starts Monday over demanded changes to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The Verge · 140d ago
Meta launched an HSM-based Backup Key Vault to enable end-to-end encrypted backups for WhatsApp and Messenger. Recovery codes are stored in tamper-resistant hardware security modules inaccessible to Meta or cloud providers.
Meta Engineering Blog · 141d ago
Meta terminated its contract with Sama workers in Nairobi who reviewed sensitive footage from Ray-Ban smart glasses users. Footage included sex, toileting, undressing, and bank details.
The Next Web (TNW) · 141d ago
Meta terminated Kenyan contractors who reported witnessing users engaging in sexual activities through Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. The company stated these workers did not meet their standards.
Ars Technica AI · 142d ago
Hugging Face blog post details how to build scalable web applications using OpenAI's Privacy Filter. It focuses on integrating privacy protections for AI-powered apps at scale.
Hugging Face Blog · 146d ago
Confidential health records of 500,000 British volunteers from UK Biobank were listed for sale on Alibaba. The UK government confirmed the 'de-identified' data listings, which were removed last week with no sales believed made.
The Guardian Technology · 149d ago