Data Privacy
Ongoing coverage on Data Privacy.
Latest coverage
Amnesty International reports unprecedented AI data theft and VPNs are more popular than ever
Amnesty International reports that generative AI companies like OpenAI, Google Gemini, and Midjourney are unlawfully scraping private data from the internet. This has led to a significant increase in VPN popularity, with searches for VPNs reaching unprecedented levels. The article discusses concerns about AI's impact on data privacy, copyright, and potential misuse for manipulation.
If these AI spying allegations are true, that's another reason to get a VPN
A new class action lawsuit alleges that ChatGPT shares user data with Google and Meta, potentially for targeted advertising and content manipulation. The article suggests this controversy is another reason to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to protect personal data when interacting with AI chatbots. It recommends using reputable VPN services and avoiding account creation with AI tools to limit data collection.
The ChatGPT desktop app for Mac just got hit with a security breach
OpenAI has reported a security breach affecting its ChatGPT desktop application for Mac. The company stated that there is no evidence to suggest that user data was accessed during the incident.
Subnautica 2 Sells Over 1 Million Copies, Peaks at Nearly 468,000 Concurrent Steam Players
Unknown Worlds' Subnautica 2 has achieved over one million copies sold in early access for Xbox Series X/S and PC, with nearly 468,000 concurrent players on Steam. However, some players have raised concerns regarding the game's license agreement, particularly its clauses on content ownership, class-action waivers, and data collection practices which are reportedly non-optional and include sharing and selling.
Amidst Xbox boycotts and media pressure, Microsoft reportedly restructures Israeli office after internal investigation into ethical violations
Microsoft has reportedly restructured its Israeli office following an internal investigation into ethical violations concerning its work with the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the use of its cloud services. The investigation, prompted by reports of military use of Microsoft's AI and cloud technology in Gaza, has led to the departure of the general manager and several other managers. Despite ongoing protests and calls for boycotts of Microsoft and Xbox, the company and the Ministry of Defense are reportedly interested in renewing their contract on a smaller scale.
Netflix Digugat, Dituding Bikin Anak-anak Kecanduan Nonton
Netflix is facing a lawsuit in Texas, filed by Attorney General Ken Paxton, accusing the company of deceptive trade practices. The lawsuit alleges that Netflix designs its platform to be addictive, particularly for children, through features like "autoplay" and engages in illegal data collection and sharing with advertising technology companies. Netflix has denied the allegations, calling them "unfounded" and "distorted," and stated they take member privacy seriously.
Texas AG sues Netflix, claiming the streaming service collects user data without consent
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Netflix, alleging the streaming service collects user data without proper consent, with a particular focus on children's accounts. The suit claims violations of privacy laws.
GM agrees to pay $12.75 million to settle California lawsuit over misuse of customers' driving data
General Motors has agreed to a $12.75 million settlement in a California lawsuit alleging the misuse of customer driving data. The company is accused of collecting data through its OnStar service and subsequently selling it to third-party data brokers.
Google isn't scanning your Gmail to train Gemini, it's letting Gemini scan your inbox to provide 'personalized insights' but I'm not sure that's better
Google's Gemini AI is being integrated into Gmail to provide personalized insights and assist with drafting emails, rather than to train AI models. While this feature is opt-in, the data from user interactions and summaries of emails may be used to train generative AI models, raising concerns about data privacy despite Google's assurances.
Chrome downloads a 4GB AI file without user consent, researcher alleges
A researcher has alleged that Google Chrome is downloading a 4GB artificial intelligence file without user consent. The file reportedly reappears if deleted and lacks an opt-in mechanism for users.
CWA Canada president says Saudi buyout of EA should trigger 'virtually every alarm bell'
CWA Canada president Carmel Smyth has urged the Canadian government to scrutinize the proposed $55 billion buyout of Electronic Arts by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund due to national security risks. Concerns include potential data misuse, surveillance, and the transfer of sensitive AI technology to a foreign state. The union also highlighted potential job losses for Canadian EA workers due to the deal's financing structure.
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AI Yi-Yi!
OpenAI has launched Privacy Filter, an open-source, on-device model designed to remove personal information from enterprise data. This comes as Anthropic's "Mythos" is described as a "nothingburger" in the AI space.
Hey Meta workers, are you getting paid for those keystrokes?
Meta is reportedly capturing keystrokes, mouse movements, and clicks from its employees to train artificial intelligence models. A company spokesperson confirmed the internal tool's purpose is to gather real-world examples of computer usage. The report raises concerns about workplace surveillance, data privacy, and whether employees will be compensated for their data.
Union takes legal action against Build a Rocket Boy over alleged data privacy violations
The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has initiated legal action against Build a Rocket Boy, alleging data privacy violations due to the installation of Teramind surveillance software on employees' devices without consent. The union claims this software violates data protection laws and employee dignity by tracking keystrokes, screen activity, and audio. Build a Rocket Boy acknowledged installing the software, calling it 'enhanced cybersecurity,' and stated it would be removed within three months, though the IWGB reports it was removed in March after employee grievances.
Union workers take legal action against Build A Rocket Boy over alleged privacy violations
Unionized employees at Build A Rocket Boy (BARB) have filed legal action against the studio, alleging data privacy violations due to the installation of surveillance software called Teramind on work devices. The IWGB Game Workers Union claims BARB management has been uncooperative in disclosing what data was collected, how it was stored, and the reasons for the software's installation, which they describe as invasive and installed without consent.
Sony Has Global Plans For PlayStation Age Verification - Report
Sony Interactive Entertainment is reportedly planning a global rollout of age verification for PlayStation users to access online communication features. This initiative aims to comply with global regulations and ensure age-appropriate experiences, though users will still be able to access games and the store without verification. The company is working with Yoti for this process, despite the company facing fines for data mishandling in Spain.
Evening Legal Briefs
The US government may mandate age verification for operating systems, requiring them to share user information with third parties. This potential policy change raises significant data privacy concerns for PC users.
US may force operating systems to have mandatory age verification, share info with third parties
A new bill in the US House, the "Parents Decide Act," proposes mandatory age verification for operating systems like Windows, Linux, and MacOS during installation and use. The bill, referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, would require users to provide their date of birth, with details on verification methods and data protection left to the committee. Concerns have been raised about potential privacy risks and the impact on open-source operating systems.
Anthropic will ask Claude users to verify their identities 'for a few use cases'
AI company Anthropic is implementing identity verification for certain Claude chatbot features, requiring users to submit government-issued photo IDs and selfies. This move has drawn criticism regarding data privacy, especially given the use of Persona, a service also used by OpenAI and Roblox, which has ties to Palantir. Anthropic assures users that data will be encrypted and not used for model training or shared.