While the world coped with the COVID-19 pandemic, Dubai International Finance Centre managed to issue a new data protection law. PrivSec Report takes a closer look at the legislation and its significance in the region Evolving privacy laws are a global story, and among this year’s additions to the updated privacy regime pile is Dubai […]
Privacy
App developer settles facial recognition deception case with FTC
Everalbum has reached an agreement with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) following allegations it deceived consumers about the use of facial recognition technology by its Ever cloud photo storage app and retention of photos and videos of users who had deactivated their accounts. Ever was shut down last August. As part of the proposed […]
Google seeks to dampen Fitbit privacy concerns
Tech giant Google has sought to allay privacy fears now it has completed the acquisition of health and fitness smartwatch maker Fitbit. “This deal has always been about devices, not data, and we’ve been clear since the beginning that we will protect Fitbit users’ privacy,” said Rick Osterloh, Google’s senior vice-president for devices and services, […]
WhatsApp delays privacy policy changes following Facebook data-sharing concern
WhatsApp has announced a three-month delay to changes to its privacy policy following concerns over mandatory data-sharing with parent company Facebook. The messaging platform had previously announced that from 8 February users would need to agree to some of their data being shared with Facebook if they wish to continue using the service. This included […]
PrivSec Job Focus: Paul Lanois, Director, Fieldfisher
In our latest reader-submitted Q&A, Paul Lanois talks about the ever-evolving nature of privacy What is your full job title? My full job title is Director, Technology, Outsourcing and Privacy, at Fieldfisher (a European law firm) in their Silicon Valley (USA) office. Which industry do you work in? My practice covers information governance, data protection, privacy, cybersecurity […]
Tik Tok changes privacy settings for teenage users
Video-sharing platform Tik Tok has announced changes aimed at improving privacy and safety for teens. The social networking site said yesterday that it is changing the default setting for all registered accounts belonging to 13 to 15 year olds to “private”. This means only someone who the user approves can view the videos. Eric Han, […]
Five Eyes network warns ePrivacy directive change will make online child abuse easier
The intelligence-sharing network Five Eyes has reportedly warned that changes to the European Union’s ePrivacy directive will hamper efforts to combat online child abuse. An amendment to the European Electronic Communications Code, which came into force on December 21, extends the scope of privacy rules to ‘Over-the-top’ applications, including instant messaging services such as Facebook […]
UK competition watchdog opens probe into Google privacy changes
Google’s ‘Privacy Sandbox’ plan to remove third party cookies from its Chrome browser is being probed by a regulator in the United Kingdom over concerns it would be anticompetitive. The tech giant’s proposals, which have yet to be finalised, would see third party cookies disabled on its Chrome and Chromium browsers. These cookies currently help […]
WhatsApp updates privacy policy to include mandatory data-sharing with Facebook
Messaging platform WhatsApp has announced that from next month it will require users to agree to their data being shared with parent company Facebook if they wish to continue using the service. The updated privacy policy will for the first time make it mandatory for users to accept the sharing from 8th February. WhatsApp has […]
Business Focus: PrivSec fundraising deals in November and December
A round-up of fundraising and business deals from the privacy, data protection and cybersecurity sectors in November and December 2020. 21st December: Privacy, security and data governance platform OneTrust announced a $300million Series C funding round, bringing the total amount of money raised by the company in the past 18 months to $710 million. TCV […]