No. 26: Bringing you the news that matters in video privacy and security

A note from our Editor

Hi all,

In today's world, almost everything is online: calls, messaging, shopping, services, entertainment, news and more. Big tech pulls many of the strings around how our data is used, what content we get to see and the governance structures around it. The interplay of global company principles alongside local data regulation and legal frameworks is creating new ways of operating and raising more questions than ever before.

The latest changes in Apple's privacy approach giving users the option to stop (or allow) other companies to track them, along with the dissolution of Chrome cookies has led Facebook - one of the largest tracking based advertising platforms - to admit a significant drop in business. Many countries are following suit by implementing stronger and stricter data regulations, in many cases based around GDPR, that aim to protect the privacy of citizens (such as China, Saudi Arabia and Brazil). The use of personal data and ethical use of technology are back in the spotlight, and being tested in more territories around the globe.

Privacy and data ethics are so intertwined that many new regulations and plans for future products are focusing on openness, accountability and sustainability - particularly when the GDPR is only three years old, and is already beginning to seem out of date. London's latest plans which will affect not only smart cities, but facial recognition technologies and more, shows the debate is only really just starting. Data transparency and fairness are being prioritised, meaning that the way in which personal information is used and processed online will undoubtedly affect companies' interactions with their customers and prospects - paving the way for more open and hopefully accountable practices when it comes to personal data.

Emma

News

Privacy is reforming the Internet

With Facebook admitting that Apple's latest privacy measures are affecting their advertising capabilities, and Google have announced plans to disable cookies from Chrome, it seems that privacy is reshaping how personal data is being used for advertising.

Input: Facebook concedes iOS privacy changes are hurting its ad business

The Independent: The battle for digital privacy is shaping the Internet

London outlines new ethics ground rules for smart cities

London has created the latest version of the Emerging Technology Charter that is a set of ethical guidelines for the use of data in technology. It focuses on openness, digital rights and sustainability; and covers a variety of technologies such as drones, facial recognition software, smart cities, sensor networks and driverless cars.

Smart Cities World: London sets out plans for ethical use of technology and data

Computer Weekly: London publishes guidelines for ethical use of smart city tech

The HIPAA data breach rule is back on for US healthcare apps

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has highlighted that health apps and devices that collect personal health information have to follow the HIPAA rule of notifying a data breach to its consumers. They have helped to define the 2009 rule by detailing what a data breach actually is - i.e. unauthorised access, specifically on apps that collect fertility data, fitness and blood glucose.

Tech Crunch: FTC says health apps must notify consumers about data breaches - or face fines

The Daily Swig: US policy change states healthcare apps must follow data breach notification rules

Password-less access: the way forward for security?

As Microsoft bids farewell to passwords (allowing users to delete using passwords in favour of a secure authenticator app or facial recognition); it seems that passwords are on the way out. With as many as 81% of company data breaches down to poor employee passwords, it is estimated that by 2022, 90% of the mid-sized and 60% of global enterprises will shift towards password-less authentication methods.

IT Pro: Microsoft brings passwordless security to consumer accounts

InfoSecurity Magazine: The Benefits and Challenges of Passwordless Authentication

Facial Recognition drones can save koalas

On many occasions, facial recognition can be a useful and ethical way to solve an issue - in this case, helping to count, identify and re-identify koalas in the wild, without physically taking them out of their habitat. It can help monitor their behaviour and physiology, without causing them stress.

ZDNet: South Australia uses facial recognition drones to help save koalas

Koala Life: Koala Life Research Series: Dr. Diane Colombelli-Négrel

AI Snippet of the Week

Only humans can be inventors, not AI

In November 2019, Stephen Thaler, CEO of Imagination Engines, lost an appeal against the UK Intellectual Property Office in November 2019 where he claimed that his AI system had the right to own two patents. This sprouted various similar new cases, with recent developments across the world questioning the "outdated laws" which state that an inventor must be a person. 

IT Pro: AI cannot be the inventor of patents, UK court rules

Policy Updates

Saudi Arabia is the latest country to issue a new Data Protection Law

Saudi Arabia has created a new data protection law called The Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL). Although it is similar to the GDPR in a lot of ways, amongst other things it has more of a focus on data sovereignty, breach notification must be immediate and data protection also applies to the deceased when it comes to identification.

Clyde & Co: Saudi Arabia issues Personal Data Protection Law

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