Are we seeing a more targeted approach from both regulators and companies to ensure privacy and online user safety?

No. 48: Bringing you the news that matters in video privacy and security

A note from our Editor

Hi all,

While regulatory bodies are cracking down on privacy breaches and passing new legislation, there is also an increased effort by companies to self-regulate their platforms. 

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has recently issued a warning about “emotional analysis” technology, warning companies to avoid it due to inaccuracies in the technology, as well as concerns about bias and data collection. This is the first time the ICO has issued a blanket warning on the ineffectiveness of newer technology and signals a more active approach to regulating these systems. 

Additionally, the ICO recently issued a warning to the Department for Education after the privacy of up to 28 million children was breached and their student records were used by gambling sites as a means of age verification. 

Meanwhile, companies are also making their own active efforts to police their platforms and protect users. Bumble has recently released an open-source version of their AI feature which was developed as a means to protect users from unsolicited NSFW pictures. In releasing the code, the company hopes it can be adopted by the wider tech community and contribute to a larger conversation about “cyberflashing”.

Instagram will also now require underage users to verify their age with video selfies or uploading ID, in an attempt to address online child safety and the negative effects of social media on children. While this policy does raise questions and concerns around privacy and how the data will be stored and collected, the platform has made assurances that this policy will be compliant with data protection law.

As always, please send any feedback or topics of interest you would like to be covered. 

Seena


News

DofE receives a warning from ICO after children’s data was used by gambling companies

The ICO has reprimanded the Department for Education for giving an employment screening company access to a database of children 14 and over between 2018 and 2020. This data was subsequently used to conduct age-verification checks for gambling companies, marking a “serious breach” of data protection law. 

Info Security Magazine: ICO: Department for Education Should Have Been Fined £10m

Financial Times: UK government data breach for millions of children ruled unlawful

 

The ICO warns companies against using biometric technology to carry out emotional analysis

The ICO has warned companies against using biometric technology to conduct emotional analysis or face fines, labelling the process as “pseudo-scientific”. They argue that AI-powered emotional analysis relies on large amounts of sensitive biometric data and carries many risks of inaccuracy and system bias, particularly if used to contribute to meaningful decisions.

Computer Weekly: ICO warns against using biometrics for ‘emotional analysis’

The Guardian: Information commissioner warns firms over ‘emotional analysis’ technologies

 

Instagram will require young users to verify their age with video selfies

Instagram will be partnering with the tech firm Yoti to develop an age estimation system whereby users who try to edit their date of birth from under 18 to over 18 will now have to verify their age through ID or a video selfie. This change comes as part of an effort to guarantee an age-appropriate experience for users and protect children on social media.

The Times: Instagram asks young users to prove their age with video

Sky News: Instagram age verification: Social media giant to use automated analysis of video selfies to allow some UK users to 'prove their age'

 

The NYPD joins Ring Neighbours to access neighbourhood surveillance network

The New York Police Department (NYPD) has joined Ring Neighbors, a neighbourhood surveillance network built around Amazon’s Ring doorbell cameras. This new collaboration means that the police force will have access to community posts in the network, as well as request assistance and video footage from the public for active police matters. 

PC Mag: NYPD Joins Amazon's Ring Neighbors Surveillance App

The Verge: The NYPD has joined Amazon’s Ring Neighbors surveillance network

 

One in five tech workers is under workplace surveillance, according to a recent survey

A recent survey by Prospect Union has found that one in five tech workers is subject to software that monitors their activity, including keystrokes, mouse clicks, physical location tracking, as well as website activity. The survey specifically highlights the extent of digital workplace surveillance in the UK since the covid-19 pandemic and the rise of monitoring software to watch employees working from home. 

Computer Weekly: One in five tech workers subject to workplace surveillance

Prospect: Prospect survey shows surveillance software being used on tech workers


AI Snippet of the Week

Bumble releases open-source version of AI feature which helps combat cyber-flashing

The Data Science team at Bumble has released a whitepaper and open-source version of its “Private Detector” technology, an AI tool that automatically blurs nude images shared on the app. The company began working on this technology in 2019 as an effort to protect its users from unwanted NSFW pictures and improve user safety.

The Register: Bumble open sources AI code to automatically blur NSFW photos

Bumble: Bumble Releases Open-Source Version of Private Detector A.I. Feature to Help Tech Community Combat Cyberflashing


Policy Updates

EU lawmakers approve and publish The Digital Services Act in the Official EU Journal

The EU has published the Digital Services Act in the EU Official Journal, prompting an update of e-commerce rules in the region. The Digital Services Act, alongside the Digital Markets Act, hopes to establish transparency and accountability frameworks for “Internet intermediaries”. The law will take effect from February 2024, though rules specific to large online platforms are expected to become effective sooner.

The National Law Review: EU Digital Services Act: Fundamental Changes for Online Intermediaries?

Tech Crunch: Countdown to compliance as EU’s Digital Services Act published


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Biometric data: how value and ethics are balanced on the scale