Does privacy and safety go hand in hand?
No. 38: Bringing you the news that matters in video privacy and security
A note from our Editor
Hi all,
Across the world, security practices are often mistaken for spying and keeping secrets is mistaken for privacy. When politics and capitalism are involved, "privacy" and "public safety" can be used as buzzwords; often misconstrued and used as a shield to protect reputation and to justify action. But where should we draw the line? It is a fact that there are a range of emerging technologies that could be useful in helping to deter crime, but come at the cost of public privacy. Do we have to prioritise either safety or privacy - or can we have both?
Law enforcement continues to be under the microscope for their use of biometric technologies - specifically facial recognition. The UK College of Policing has recently published guidance on the overt use of the technology to try and shed some transparency and clarity around the subject, but there are still many concerns that need addressing. In Argentina the national security agencies have discovered the police’s unlawful access to biometric information from over 7M people, including their president. Until further transparency, education and regulation around new technologies is provided, it seems that globally theses cases will continue to be discovered.
In the US, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Microsoft president Brad Smith both spoke at the Global Privacy Summit 2022 this April. Surprisingly, since Apple seems to always be advocating privacy within their technologies, Cook seemed to be urging resistance towards privacy regulations - whilst Smith was keen to accept them. Highlighting the new battleground for brand positioning in this space and increasing regulatory focus on data management in Big-Tech, it was also noted that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stayed out of the spotlight and choose not to speak at the event.
As always, please let me know if you have any feedback on this newsletter or want to see any other topics covered.
Emma
News
Law enforcement and biometrics: where is the line?
Biometric technology and law enforcement have been in the news recently across the world. In the UK, the College of Policing has published guidance on the overt use of facial recognition within the police - sparking controversy. Meanwhile Argentine national security agencies have been caught gaining irregular access to biometric records of 7m people.
Biometric Update: New guidance on live facial recognition use by British police sparks debate
Biometric Update: Argentine judge demands answers on how police got irregular biometrics access
Big tech views on privacy: new regulation prove more harmful than helpful?
Apple CEO Tim Cook and Microsoft president Brad Smith offered differing views around privacy this week - with Apple CEO urging resistance towards privacy regulations and Smith encouraging them. Big tech seems to be keen to define the line between anti-trust and privacy legislation, sparking debate amongst regulators and tech giants.
Washington Post: Apple and Microsoft chiefs lay out dueling visions for how to handle Washington
Toolbox: Upcoming Privacy Legislation: Can Big Tech Win Back Lost Consumer Trust?
Bloomberg: Big Tech to Congress: Forget About Antitrust, Pass a Privacy Law
"A European surveillance scandal that needs the European level to investigate"
An investigation in Catalonia showed that 65 individuals relating to the region's independence movement were targeted by spyware (Pegasus) - with circumstantial evidence linking the attacks to Spanish authorities. Even though Spain have denied the allegiations, the European Data Protection Supervisor, has already called for a ban on spyware in Feb 2022.
Politico: Catalan spyware scandal prompts soul searching in Madrid, Brussels
Open access government: CatalanGate: EU citizens hacked by Pegasus and Candiru spyware
Data breach goes unnoticed for nearly a year at Kansas hospital
Newman Regional Health Hospital in Kansas have disclosed a data breach that impacted 52,224 individuals between Jan 2021 - Nov 2021. It is unclear when the hospital first discovered the breach as the investigation concluded in Mar 2022; however names, medical records, addresses and more were taken.
Health IT Security: Data Breach Goes Unnoticed For Nearly 1 Year at KS Hospital
Edge advancements make smart cities a reality
IoT technologies are advancing the reality of smart cities, along with smart video helping to deter crime and provide key analytics - but it is the evolution of on-board video processing and storage solutions that are allowing large-scale deployments on a city level.
Security Info Watch: Edge advancements make smart cities a reality
AI Snippet of the Week
Machine Learning for biology to be used for Retail
Machine Learning for biological research and radiology is also starting to see opportunity for use in retail, specifically skincare.
Forbes: Machine Learning For Biology Is Starting To Move Towards Retail
Policy Updates
Connecticut looks to join the list of states with consumer data privacy laws
Connecticut is making concrete strides to join the growing list of states to have consumer data privacy regulations, and if all goes to plan, this would take effect on 1st July 2023.
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