Across the world we are beginning to see the growing effects of data regulation
No. 29: Bringing you the news that matters in video privacy and security
A note from our Editor
Hi all,
Meta (previously Facebook) is all over the news this week - with their moves to create a metaverse of data, and their announcement to shut down their facial recognition programme. Many are questioning the role which privacy will play in their future plans - does Meta signify the start of a new beginning? Meta controls the most-used social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp), and with their checkered past, it is not surprising that many are sceptical of their latest moves. With lots of ambiguity surrounding the new technologies that Meta are and will be creating, how can we, as consumers, trust that our personal data will be looked after responsibly and transparently?
Across the world we are beginning to see the growing effects of data regulation. In Stockholm, parents who were sick of the poor quality of the official school app, created their own - only to find that they were reported to the country's data protection agency for breaching GDPR. In Australia high tech brain implants have been created that allow people to send texts/emails purely by thought raising further questions about the privacy of our brain responses, leading to further demand for "neuro rights".
The importance of data privacy and regulation for big tech is picking up a head of steam. The volume of litigation and breaches continue to rise but they seem necessary to help drive awareness and appreciation of how we can all support privacy in practice.
Emma
News
Facebook: Meta, facial recognition, data and user privacy
From shutting down their facial recognition tagging programme, changing their name to Meta as they set off on their new venture of building a metaverse - to deletion of FR data of more than a billion people and their sketchy treatment of users' privacy: find out all things "Facebook".
The Verge: Facebook is shutting down its Face Recognition tagging program
ITV: Facebook will delete facial recognition data of more than one billion people
The Guardian: This thought experiment captures Facebook’s betrayal of users’ privacy
Fortune: Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse may be as privacy flawed as Facebook
US Law Enforcement Surveillance: breaches and lawsuits
A recent data breach in Texas has led nearly 2TB of Police helicopter surveillance footage to be leaked online. This has shone light on the fact that a lot of police data was being stored in an unsecured cloud infrastructure. Meanwhile, Muslim Americans are suing the US government after being subjected to undercover surveillance.
WIRED: 1.8 TB of Police Helicopter Surveillance Footage Leaks Online
The Guardian: US citizens v FBI: Will the government face charges for illegal surveillance?
Labour Party suffers data breach
The UK's Labour Party has suffered a cyber attack that has meant they cannot access large amounts of their data. What data has been accessed and/or taken and how much remains unclear.
IT Pro: Labour Party unable to access data after suspected cyber attack on managed service provider
Tech Crunch: UK Labour Party blames breach of members' data on third party cyberattack
Does neurotechnology need its own set of privacy rules?
A company in Australia has created high tech brain implants that allow you to send texts and emails purely by thought. This kind of technology is ground breaking for paralysed patients and those with disabilities, but does neurotechnology pave the way for a new set of privacy rights?
The city reports these parents for breaching GDPR
The Skolplattform - a system for parents in Stockholm to access the official school system - worked slowly and poorly. So one particular parent, Christian Landgren, created a new app. However, it was reported to data protection authorities.
WIRED: These Parents Built a School App. Then the City Called the Cops
AI Snippet of the Week
Is using AI to regulate exams the future?
AI is being used to monitor the honesty of students sitting university exams from home - but, since facial recognition software and other AI monitoring devices are being used, are their ethical implications involved in surveilling students, let alone in their own homes?
Policy Updates
The importance of China's new data privacy law
On Nov 1st, China's first Data Protection Law came into effect. This may be more of a shock to the system to third party countries, who may be put on a blacklist if they fail to comply.
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