Data Privacy
Ongoing coverage on Data Privacy.
Latest coverage
Apple faces £2bn lawsuit over implementation of App Tracking Transparency framework
Apple is facing a £2 billion class action lawsuit in the UK over its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework. The lawsuit alleges that Apple unfairly implemented ATT, discriminating against UK iOS developers and harming businesses that rely on advertising revenue, while applying less restrictive standards to its own data collection. Several European regulators have previously investigated Apple's ATT framework.
DJI launches new robot vacuums with an eye toward data privacy
DJI has launched its new ROMO 2 lineup of robot vacuums, which feature LiDAR-enabled mopping arms and enhanced obstacle avoidance. The company is emphasizing data privacy with these new devices.
As Take-Two seeks IP addresses and phone numbers of thousands in GTA 6 subpoena, Discord says it's not been served…
Take-Two Interactive is seeking subpoenas for IP addresses and phone numbers from Microsoft and Discord to identify a leaker of Grand Theft Auto 6 development footage. Discord has stated they have not yet been served with the subpoena, but if they are, they will evaluate its validity. The publisher's legal team is attempting to gather user information from Discord servers to identify the individual known as 'Cyberleek'.
Discord is yet to be served Take-Two's GTA 6 leak subpoena, which is set to demand broad access to user data
Discord has stated it has not yet received a subpoena from Take-Two Interactive regarding Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks. Take-Two filed subpoenas seeking broad user data from Discord and Microsoft, including registration details and IP addresses, related to the leaks. Microsoft is cooperating with Take-Two and Rockstar Games to support efforts to protect intellectual property.
Twitch served with class action lawsuit for training AI using streamers’ content
Twitch is facing a class action lawsuit for allegedly using streamers' content to train Amazon's AI models without consent. The suit claims this practice violates California unfair competition law. Twitch recently introduced an opt-out feature for AI training, but it is not retroactive and only applies to the specific channel.
How to limit Instagram from using your data for AI and ads
Instagram is offering users the ability to limit how their activity outside the app is used to personalize advertisements. This feature aims to give users more control over their data privacy concerning targeted ads and AI-driven content.
TikTok Agrees to $400 Million Settlement in DOJ Children’s Privacy Suit
TikTok has agreed to a $400 million settlement to resolve a lawsuit accusing it of violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The settlement includes an immediate payment of $300 million, with an additional $100 million contingent on a court vacating a prior consent decree against TikTok's predecessor, Musical.ly. The Department of Justice noted TikTok has made significant changes to its privacy practices since the suit was filed.
Uber hit with a nearly $1 billion fine for automatically deactivating drivers in Europe
Uber has been fined nearly 825 million euros by a Dutch data regulatory authority for violating GDPR rules related to the automatic deactivation of drivers in Europe. This penalty highlights ongoing concerns about data privacy and labor practices within the gig economy.
Take-Two's legal action to find GTA 6 leaker begins, as it subpoenas Microsoft and Discord for any data "sufficient to identify the users person"
Take-Two Interactive has initiated legal action to identify the individual responsible for leaking gameplay footage of Grand Theft Auto 6. The company has filed subpoenas against Microsoft and Discord, seeking user data associated with accounts linked to the leaks, including OneDrive and Xbox information. This action comes as multiple leaked videos of the highly anticipated game have surfaced online.
Australia’s eSafety Finds Fresh Child Safety Holes in Roblox — Platform Signs Binding Fix Pledge
Australia's eSafety Commission has reached a legally binding agreement with Roblox following the discovery of significant child safety vulnerabilities on the platform. The undertaking requires Roblox to implement stronger protections, including making child accounts private by default and blocking unknown adults from contacting children without parental consent within three months.
ChatGPT’s New Computer History Feature Turns Your Mac Activity Into an AI-Searchable Timeline
OpenAI has launched a new feature called Computer History within its ChatGPT desktop app for macOS. This feature creates a searchable timeline of user activity on their Mac, which can be used by ChatGPT and Codex to provide assistance and suggest automations. The company emphasizes that it does not capture images or audio, only "events," and that the feature is opt-in with options to exclude specific apps and websites.
The KYC file Binance handed Moscow: how a $700 Ukraine donation became a terrorism case
Binance has been accused of handing over extensive personal data, including passport scans and home address, of a Russian user to Russian authorities. This information was allegedly used to build a terrorism financing case against Yuri Belenkiy for a $700 donation to Ukraine. The exchange claims to cooperate with lawful requests, but the disclosure occurred after its stated exit from the Russian market and raises significant data privacy concerns.
What actually happens when you let apps track your activity?
This article examines the types of data collected by apps and how it is utilized, prompting users to consider the implications of granting tracking permissions. It questions the effectiveness and necessity of the 'Ask app not to track' feature.
Twitch will sacrifice you to its AI overlord whether you like it or not
Twitch is facing criticism for using user data to train Amazon's generative AI models by default, requiring users to manually opt-out. Chief product officer Mike Minton stated that an opt-in system would result in very few users participating. Even with an opt-out, content may still be used if users appear on other streams, raising concerns about data privacy and the use of copyrighted material.
Twitch are scraping streams for AI training by default, and even their own execs don’t know what user data may have been swept up
Twitch has admitted to using streamed content for Amazon's AI training by default, requiring users to manually opt-out. This policy has caused outrage among streamers, with executives like Mike Minton conceding uncertainty about what user data may have been included in the scraping. The move also raises concerns about copyright infringement and potential conflicts with game publishers and voice actors.
How to stop Twitch from training AI on your streams
This article discusses Twitch's controversial decision to use streamer content for AI training without an opt-in feature. It explores the implications for content creators and raises questions about data privacy and user consent on the platform.
Twitch under fire for new gen AI training system that harvests streamer data for Amazon, says it's on by default because 'if it was opt-in, nobody would opt in'
Twitch has drawn criticism for its new generative AI training system, which uses streamer content by default for Amazon's AI models. The company's chief product officer, Mike Minton, admitted that the opt-in system was set to default because "if it was opt-in, nobody would opt in." Streamers and industry figures like Mike Futter have raised concerns about data privacy and the potential implications for game developers whose content might be used without explicit consent.
Australia’s New Age Checks Will Shut Millions Of Xbox Players Out From August 2026
Starting August 2026, Australian Xbox players will need to verify their age using government-issued ID, facial scans, or credit card details to access mature-rated titles. These new regulations, mandated by Australian law, aim to protect minors but have raised concerns among privacy advocates about the security of personal data. Players who refuse to comply will be locked out of restricted games.
Google AI leaks "scarily accurate and very specific" game detail from private documents, says indie dev: "I had never told the name to anyone"
An indie developer claims Google's Gemini AI accessed private documents to reveal a specific, unreleased character name, 'Vantage Tripod,' from their game Operation Octo. This incident raises significant concerns about data privacy and the potential for AI to leak sensitive information from personal cloud storage and private communications.
Evening Mobilization
Android Authority reports that location data may be at risk of leaking through various Android applications. Separately, Boing Boing mentions DuckDuckGo offering sunglasses for $35 without a camera.