Privacy
Ongoing coverage on Privacy.
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'Increasingly the distinction between bots and humans is moot' says one of the biggest web-infrastructure…
Cloudflare predicts a shift towards an agent-neutral web where the distinction between bots and humans becomes increasingly blurred. The company proposes solutions like Privacy Pass to verify behavior without compromising identity, aiming to prevent websites from being overwhelmed by AI data ingestion and maintain a monetizable online ecosystem.
Sony Demands Your Face to Play: PlayStation Age Verification Begins
Sony is implementing mandatory age verification for certain PlayStation features, requiring users to submit facial scans or upload government IDs via the Yoti service. This move is in response to global regulatory pressure for age verification laws aimed at protecting younger users. The policy shift raises significant privacy concerns among advocates and marks an end to digital anonymity on the platform.
Morning Safety Dance
This article discusses the development of a legendary privacy tool and the subsequent adversarial relationship between its creators. It also touches upon a scam involving an AI-generated persona targeting men.
MindsEye Devs Demand Answers Regarding Corporate Surveillance Issue
Employees of Build A Rocket Boy, represented by the IWGB Game Workers Union, are taking legal action against the company for installing surveillance software on their devices without consent. The union is demanding transparency regarding the data collected and its usage, while the company's leadership, including Leslie Benzies and Mark Gerhard, has accused former employees of corporate espionage related to the game MindsEye's poor launch.
Sony will require age checks in the UK and Ireland to access PlayStation communication features
Sony will implement new age verification policies for PlayStation users in the UK and Ireland starting in June 2026. This will be required to access communication features such as party chat, voice and text messaging, and some in-game communication tools. The move follows similar legislation and policies adopted by other companies to protect younger users.
US operating system age verification bill "Parents Decide Act" gets published
The "Parents Decide Act," a proposed US federal bill for operating system age verification, has been published. The bipartisan legislation requires users to confirm they are over 18, with parental verification for minors, and mandates secure data storage and parental controls for application developers. The bill's broad definition of operating systems and providers could significantly impact privacy and user control.
New US Congress bill proposal requires all operating system providers to verify ages
A new bill has been proposed in the US Congress that would require all operating system providers to verify the age of their users. Introduced by Representative Josh Gottheimer and co-sponsored by Representative Elise M. Stefanik, the bill has bipartisan support but its specific verification methods remain unclear. Critics express concerns about potential privacy implications and security risks.
Meta warned by dozens of organizations that facial recognition on its smart glasses would empower predators
Dozens of civil rights organizations have urged Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to abandon plans to incorporate facial recognition technology into its smart glasses, citing concerns that it would empower predators and stalkers. The coalition, including groups like the ACLU and Electronic Privacy Information Center, argues that the technology, internally known as 'Name Tag,' cannot be made safe through design changes and wants the feature completely eliminated. Meta has faced similar public outcry and legal challenges regarding facial recognition in the past.
Evening Safety Dance
This article from Ars Technica discusses how digital devices pose a risk to an individual's right to privacy. It explores the implications of modern technology on personal data security.
Evening Legal Briefs
LinkedIn is facing controversy and two lawsuits for allegedly scanning users' browser extensions. The company's actions have sparked debate regarding user privacy and data security.
Apple iOS 26.5 public beta is now available
Apple has released the first public beta for iOS 26.5, introducing features like "Suggested Places" in Apple Maps and the expansion of ads within the Maps app. The company also confirmed that ads will be clearly marked and will not compromise user privacy. Additionally, end-to-end encryption for RCS messages is being tested in this beta.
Morning Legal Briefs
Anthropic has issued copyright takedown requests in an effort to stop a leak of its Claude AI code. Separately, a lawsuit alleges that Perplexity's "Incognito Mode" is misleading and ineffective for user privacy.
Morning Safety Dance
This article discusses phone security in 2026, focusing on protection against warrantless searches. It also touches upon cyber threats, mentioning Iran's offensive actions against the US and Israel.
Proton adds a secure video conferencing service called Meet to its toolbox
Swiss company Proton has launched Proton Meet, a new end-to-end encrypted video conferencing service designed to compete with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet. The service allows anonymous participation and hosting for up to four users for free, with paid plans offering expanded features and participant limits. This launch is part of Proton's rebranding to Proton Workspace, aiming to offer a comprehensive suite of privacy-focused online tools.
Morning Safety Dance
This article discusses how satellite data can be weaponized and the potential for VPN usage to expose users to NSA spying. It highlights concerns surrounding data security and privacy in the digital age.
Celeb Siblings Who Keep Their Lives Completely Private
This article highlights ten celebrity siblings who have chosen to live private lives away from the spotlight, contrasting with their famous family members. These individuals have pursued careers in academia, healthcare, art, and behind-the-scenes roles, prioritizing personal stability and authenticity over public fame.
Don’t be surprised that the FBI is buying your location data
The FBI has confirmed it is purchasing location data from data brokers, bypassing the need for warrants under the Fourth Amendment. This data, collected through advertising technology and third-party cookies, allows law enforcement agencies like ICE and the Department of Homeland Security to track individuals. Critics argue this practice circumvents constitutional protections and raises significant privacy concerns.
Firefox v149 is getting a free built-in VPN and other new features
Mozilla is releasing Firefox version 149 on March 24th, which will include a free built-in VPN with 50GB of data for users in the U.S., France, Germany, and the U.K. The update also introduces new features like Smart Window for AI-powered browsing assistance, Split View for side-by-side web pages, and Tab Notes for organizing browsing sessions. These additions aim to enhance user privacy and multitasking capabilities.
Linux finally gets the Opera GX Gaming Browser – Windows slowly losing its grip on gaming
Opera GX, a gaming-focused browser, has officially launched for Linux, ending Windows' long-standing dominance in the PC gaming browser space. The Linux version emphasizes privacy, offering features like built-in ad and tracker blocking, and a zero-log VPN, aligning with Linux's privacy-first ethos. This move allows Linux users to customize their browsing experience and manage system resources more effectively for gaming.
Opera GX Gaming Browser Lands on Linux After Community Demand
Opera GX, a gaming-focused web browser, has officially launched on Linux following significant community demand. The browser offers performance optimization tools, gaming integrations, and customization options, aligning with Linux's emphasis on user control and privacy. It supports various Linux distributions and will evolve based on community feedback.