Microsoft has quietly withdrawn Windows 11 24H2 after Recall privacy fiasco
When Microsoft announced the new Recall feature that is coming to Windows 11 later this year, privacy concerns were very quickly voiced by many.
In response to this, the company announced that Recall would not be enabled by default and would be made an opt-in feature. This PR move was made very publicly for maximum attention, but Microsoft has also withdrawn the build of Windows 11 which provided early access to Recall.
88 percent of free Android VPNs leak data
New research from Top10VPN has captured and analyzed the network traffic of the 100 most popular free VPNs on Google's Play Store and reviewed their source code.
The findings are rather worrying, showing that 88 percent suffer some kind of data leak (IP, DNS, WebRTC) with 17 percent affected by multiple leaks.
Google could delete your Google Maps Timeline data in the name of privacy, so take action now
For nostalgia heads, the Timeline feature of Google Maps is an enjoyable way to peek into the past. Previously known as Location History, Timeline works much like Facebook Memories, helping jog your memory about trips you've taken and places you've visited.
But there are big changes afoot. Google is moving away from storing location data in the cloud to storing it on mobile devices instead. While this is a privacy-boosting move, Google says that the change means that users could find their Timeline data is deleted unless they take action.
Why robust KYC procedures are crucial for all SaaS companies [Q&A]
For banks, know-your-customer (KYC) measures amount to 40 percent of all anti money laundering (AML) compliance costs, totaling $5.7 million each year. This sum is tiny, however, compared to what is paid for non-compliance. In 2022, global fines for inadequate AML grew by 50 percent, almost reaching $5 billion.
We spoke to Vaidotas Šedys, head of risk management at web intelligence platform Oxylabs, to discover that KYC-related challenges are not just faced by banks but are an issue for proxy and web scraping service providers too.
Privacy-focused mobile operating system /e/OS rolls out new version
If you have an Android phone you'll no doubt be aware of the risk that unwanted trackers can access your data while you're using third-party apps or browsing the web.
If you're worried about being tracked though there is an alternative in the form of /e/OS which has a focus on privacy and can be can be flashed on numerous Android devices to replace Google's ubiquitous OS. Today sees the release of V2 of /e/OS which offers further privacy controls, tools and improved user interface.
Free test lets you check how websites measure up to privacy rules
Governments around the world have been busily introducing privacy rules over the last few years and only this month the US Congress introduced a draft of a new federal law, the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA).
But how do you know if the websites you use are following the rules? ImmuniWeb is launching a new free website privacy test with checks and verifications that cover specific requirements of the majority of modern privacy, data protection and consumer protection laws in the US, UK, Europe and other regions.
Privacy Preserving Ads: Microsoft's plan to eliminate third-party cookies
Third-party cookies are on their way out. Google plans to disable third-party cookie support in Chrome for all users later this year. Mozilla and Apple announced plans to drop support for third-party cookies in their browsers, Firefox and Safari, as well.
Microsoft announced its plans for a third-party cookie-less future this week. Third-party cookie support is eliminated in Microsoft Edge in the near future.
Tails 6.0 Linux distribution: The ultimate privacy shield to thwart 'Big Brother'
Tails 6.0, the newest version of the privacy-focused Linux distribution, is now available for download. It is notable for being the first version of Tails to be based on Debian 12 (Bookworm) and use the GNOME 43 desktop environment. This update also introduces a host of new features, security enhancements, and usability improvements, alongside updated versions of the majority of the software included in Tails.
In Tails 6.0, users will find a new error detection feature for the Persistent Storage, which alerts them about errors when reading or writing from the Tails USB stick. This helps in diagnosing hardware failures and prompts users to backup their Persistent Storage before it's too late. The update also brings automatic mounting of external devices. When an external storage device is plugged in, Tails 6.0 mounts it automatically, and if the device contains an encrypted partition, it offers to unlock the encryption automatically.
Privacy fears lead enterprises to ban GenAI use
New research reveals that that most organizations are limiting the use of generative AI over data privacy and security issues, and 27 percent have banned its use, at least temporarily.
The study from Cisco surveyed 2,600 privacy and security professionals and finds that among concerns cited are threats to an organization's legal and Intellectual Property rights (69 percent), and the risk of disclosure of information to the public or competitors (68 percent).
Google admits that Incognito Mode in Chrome is not as private as you hoped
Those in the know are aware that switching Chrome into Incognito Mode does not mean your browsing is a secret -- but many people assume that the browsing mode offers greater levels of privacy than it actually does.
Now Google has admitted as much. The company is updating its description of Incognito Mode in response to a lawsuit. The revised wording makes it clear that Google continues to collect data about user activity in Incognito Mode.
Threads is about to gain millions more users as Meta prepares for EU launch in a matter of days
Concern surrounding Elon Musk and his control of Twitter, or X as he decided to rename it, caused an exodus of users seeking a new social media home. The likes of Mastodon and Bluesky have proved popular, but it was Meta's Threads that generated the greatest levels of excitement.
Right from the offset, however, Threads fell victim to strict European data privacy regulations meaning it was unable to launch in the EU. Now this is set to change, with Meta counting down to an EU launch of Threads on December 14 giving the potential for millions of new user to access the service.
Win10Privacy 5.0 gives you complete control over your privacy in Windows 10 and Windows 11
When it was first released, Windows 10 famously spied on users and shared all sorts of information with Microsoft. Over the years, the software giant has reigned in this behavior and introduced a wealth of privacy controls to let you manage what you share.
That said, these controls are scattered throughout the OS and finding them isn’t always easy. This is where Win10Privacy can help.
Why good cyber hygiene is a strategic imperative for UK SMEs
No company is immune from a cyber-attack, with large and small being targeted. As technologies advance and cybercriminals hone their skills, evolve their tactics, and find new vulnerabilities to exploit, companies can no longer ask the question of if a cyber attack will occur but when and how it will happen.
While the number of data breaches is cause for concern, the cost associated with them is equally alarming. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, the global average cost of a cyberattack has ballooned to $4.45 million, increasing by 15 percent over the past three years. Even more sobering is that it shows no signs of easing, as global cybercrime costs are projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.
Understanding LLMs, privacy and security -- why a secure gateway approach is needed
Over the past year, we have seen generative AI and large language models (LLMs) go from a niche area of AI research into being one of the fastest growing areas of technology. Across the globe, around $200 billion is due to be invested in this market according to Goldman Sachs, boosting global labor productivity by one percentage point. That might not sound like much, but it would add up to $7 trillion more in the global economy.
However, while these LLM applications might have potential, there are still problems to solve around privacy and data residency. Currently, employees at organisations can unknowingly share sensitive company data or Personal Identifiable Information (PII) on customers out to services like OpenAI. This opens up new security and data privacy risks.
WhatsApp now lets you hide your IP address, but there are a couple of catches
In a sea of messaging apps, WhatsApp remains one of the most widely used, its popularity buoyed by end-to-end encryption. Meta has now added a new feature aimed at "those who are particularly privacy-conscious".
There is a new option to protect your IP address by hiding it from other WhatsApp users during calls. This is important as IP addresses can reveal quite a lot, including location. While the new call relaying privacy measures are likely to be welcomed, there are a couple of significant caveats to keep in mind.
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