Consumer protection

How scammers are using fake Google Maps listings to target customers

Google has removed 10,000 fake business listings from Google Maps and filed a lawsuit against a scam network accused of creating and selling fraudulent profiles.

The legal action was prompted by a complaint from a Texas locksmith who discovered someone had impersonated their business on the platform. That led Google to uncover a broader scheme involving fake listings for profit.

The company warns that scammers are using increasingly advanced methods to trick users. These fake listings may appear legitimate, leading customers to contact or visit them.

Victims are sometimes overcharged for services or misled into paying upfront for services that are never delivered. Scammers also use fake reviews and manipulated Q&As to make the listings seem trustworthy.

In 2023 alone, Google blocked or removed 12 million fake business profiles, an increase of one million from the previous year.

The company has also been cracking down on businesses using fake engagement tactics, including artificial reviews, to inflate their reputations falsely.

Internationally, Google has begun implementing stricter rules in response to growing regulatory pressure, including in the UK, where it restricts deceptive businesses engaged in review manipulation.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

New Airbyte connectors support AI and data privacy

San Francisco-based data startup Airbyte has unveiled a new set of enterprise tools aimed at helping companies move and manage data more securely, especially as AI becomes more central to operations. The updates, announced Thursday, include new connectors for apps such as NetSuite, SAP, and ServiceNow, as well as support for extracting unstructured data from platforms like Google Drive and SharePoint.

A key highlight of the release is compatibility with Apache Iceberg, an open-source format that enables businesses to centralise data into a single, AI-compatible “lakehouse.” This allows companies to better control how and where their data flows while preserving the flexibility needed for high-performance analytics and machine learning.

Airbyte co-founder and CEO Michel Tricot stressed the importance of data sovereignty in an AI-driven era. He noted that while AI tools can be powerful, giving away sensitive internal data, like employee compensation or strategic business metrics, to external services is a risk many companies are no longer willing to take. Airbyte’s approach ensures that only the enterprise sees and manages its data pipelines.

Founded in 2020, Airbyte now serves over 7,000 enterprise clients, including names like Invesco and Calendly, and has secured more than $181 million in funding. As businesses continue to prioritise secure, scalable infrastructure for AI, Airbyte’s offerings are positioning it as a go-to partner for data portability without compromise.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Apple accused of misleading AI advertising

Apple is facing a class-action lawsuit in the United States over delays in delivering its much-promoted Apple Intelligence features.

The legal action, filed in a US based San Jose federal court, claims the company misled customers by advertising advanced AI tools that have yet to materialise on supported devices.

The complaint argues that buyers of new iPhones and other Apple products were promised ‘transformative’ AI capabilities at launch, only to find these features were either severely limited or completely absent.

According to the plaintiffs, Apple’s marketing created a “reasonable consumer expectation” that was ultimately not met.

This legal challenge adds to mounting pressure on the company, which has struggled to roll out its next-generation AI tools.

A recent Bloomberg report suggested internal tensions, revealing that CEO Tim Cook has reportedly lost confidence in AI chief John Giannandrea’s ability to deliver on the company’s ambitions.

The case reflects growing scrutiny of tech firms’ promises around AI, especially as consumer trust becomes more closely tied to the reality behind flashy announcements.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Downdetector shows sharp decline in Instagram outage reports

Reports of an Instagram outage in the US fell sharply on Thursday evening, indicating that service had been largely restored. According to outage tracking website Downdetector, incidents dropped from a peak of 19,431 to just 429 by 8:34 p.m. ET.

The cause of the disruption remains unclear, and Instagram owner Meta has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Downdetector compiles outage data from user reports, meaning the actual number of affected users may vary.

Many users in the United States had initially reported problems accessing the platform, but the rapid decline in complaints suggests that most issues have been resolved.

Instagram has experienced occasional service disruptions in the past, with similar outages affecting users worldwide.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Cyberattack exploits a flaw in ZoneAlarm’s vsdatant.sys driver

A sophisticated cyberattack has targeted vulnerabilities in the vsdatant.sys driver, a component of Checkpoint’s ZoneAlarm antivirus software, allowing attackers to bypass critical Windows security features.

The driver, released in 2016, has been exploited in a Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attack, enabling attackers to elevate privileges and access sensitive data.

The vsdatant.sys driver operates with high kernel-level privileges, containing long-known vulnerabilities that allow attackers to exploit crafted Interrupt Request Packets (IRPs).

These flaws, affecting versions of the driver prior to 7.0.362, allow for arbitrary code execution by improperly validating arguments passed to system function handlers.

BYOVD attacks have become increasingly common, with attackers leveraging legitimate but vulnerable drivers to bypass security measures undetected.

In this case, attackers were able to disable Windows’ Memory Integrity feature, which is designed to protect critical system processes.

By exploiting flaws in vsdatant.sys, the attackers gained full access to the compromised system, enabling them to steal sensitive information.

To mitigate the risk of such attacks, security experts recommend implementing driver blocklisting, enabling Memory Integrity, and ensuring that all security products are kept up to date.

Users are urged to update their ZoneAlarm installations to the latest version to avoid exposure to these vulnerabilities.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Apple faces EU crackdown over closed technology

The European Commission has ordered Apple to grant rival smartphone, headphone, and virtual reality companies access to its technology and mobile operating system.

The directive, part of the bloc’s Digital Markets Act, aims to curb the dominance of major tech firms and enhance competition. A separate mandate also requires Apple to establish a structured process for responding to interoperability requests from app developers.

Apple strongly criticised the decision, arguing that it places unfair constraints on its ability to innovate and benefits competitors without imposing the same restrictions on them.

Expressing concerns, the company warned that the new rules could negatively impact its products and European users, adding that the additional regulatory burden might slow progress.

The European Commission, however, dismissed Apple’s objections, stating that the order simply enforces existing laws and provides regulatory clarity.

Failure to comply could result in an investigation and potential fines of up to 10% of Apple’s global annual revenue. The ruling underscores the EU’s determination to rein in the power of Big Tech and ensure a more competitive digital market.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Amazon considers further appeal after losing GDPR case

Amazon has lost its appeal against a €746 million fine imposed by Luxembourg’s data protection regulator for breaching EU privacy laws.

The country’s administrative court upheld the penalty in a ruling on 18 March, siding with the National Commission for Data Protection (CNPD), which found Amazon had unlawfully processed personal data under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The fine remains the largest issued under the EU privacy rules.

The CNPD also ordered Amazon to implement corrective measures, although enforcement will be suspended during the appeal period.

Amazon criticised the decision, arguing the fine was based on subjective legal interpretations without prior guidance from regulators. The company confirmed it is considering further legal action.

Europe has taken a strict stance on data privacy violations, with GDPR setting a global benchmark for consumer protections.

The ruling against Amazon reinforces the EU’s commitment to holding major tech companies accountable for their handling of personal data.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

India’s banks encouraged to adopt AI for consumer protection

Indian banks should harness AI to improve internal controls and address customer complaints more effectively, according to central bank governor Sanjay Malhotra.

Malhotra highlighted concerns over rising complaints about mis-selling and aggressive banking practices, warning that the issue could escalate if left unchecked. In the 2023-2024 financial year, 95 commercial banks in India received over 10 million complaints from customers.

AI-powered solutions can help financial institutions analyse large data sets to detect issues such as ATM failures and erroneous charges before they become widespread.

Malhotra also pointed to the potential of AI-driven chatbots and voice recognition tools to assist customers in multiple languages, making banking services more accessible in India’s linguistically diverse market.

Alongside AI adoption, Malhotra urged banks to invest in human capital to enhance customer service and grievance redressal processes.

Strengthening both technology and human resources will be crucial in ensuring financial institutions can meet the needs of a rapidly growing customer base while maintaining trust and transparency.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Shareholders’ lawsuit against Amazon rejected with prejudice

A US judge has dismissed a lawsuit accusing Amazon of misleading shareholders about its treatment of third-party sellers and its expansion plans, which ultimately led to an antitrust case by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The ruling by Judge John Chun in Seattle was made with prejudice, meaning the lawsuit cannot be refiled. Lawyers representing the shareholders did not immediately comment on the decision.

Investors had alleged that Amazon hid an algorithm that ensured its own products were priced lower than competitors’ and failed to disclose the risks of overexpanding its fulfilment network.

However, Judge Chun found no compelling evidence that Amazon executives, including former CEO Jeff Bezos and current CEO Andy Jassy, intentionally misled investors.

The court ruled that Amazon’s actions were more likely driven by profit-focused business strategies rather than fraud.

The FTC filed an antitrust case against Amazon in September 2023, accusing the company of using its market power to suppress competition and inflate prices.

Eighteen US states and Puerto Rico have joined the lawsuit, with a nonjury trial set for October 2026. The shareholder lawsuit covered Amazon stockholders from February 2019 to April 2022.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Meta cracks down on misinformation in Australia

Meta Platforms has announced new measures to combat misinformation and deepfakes in Australia ahead of the country’s upcoming national election.

The company’s independent fact-checking program, supported by Agence France-Presse and the Australian Associated Press, will detect and limit misleading content, while also removing any material that could incite violence or interfere with voting.

Deepfakes, AI-generated media designed to appear real, will also face stricter scrutiny. Meta stated that any content violating its policies would be removed or labelled as ‘altered’ to reduce its visibility.

Users sharing AI-generated content will be encouraged to disclose its origin, aiming to improve transparency.

Meta’s Australian policy follows similar strategies used in elections across India, the UK and the US.

The company is also navigating regulatory challenges in the country, including a proposed levy on big tech firms profiting from local news content and new requirements to enforce a ban on users under 16 by the end of the year.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.