Consumer protection Archives | Page 9 of 227

Meta to end Instagram private message encryption after May 8

The US tech giant, Meta, has announced that end-to-end encryption for private messages on Instagram will no longer be supported after 8 May.

Previously, such a technology ensured that only intended recipients could read messages, preventing even Meta from accessing their contents.

The decision follows concerns from law enforcement and child protection organisations, which argued that encrypted messages can make it harder to identify harmful content involving children.

Meta has stated that the update allows the platform to monitor messages while maintaining standard privacy safeguards.

End-to-end encryption had been the default for several messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, Messenger, and other Meta services.

The company first signalled its intent to expand encryption across Instagram and Messenger in 2019, implementing it in 2023. The plan was met with objections from organisations such as the Internet Watch Foundation and the Virtual Global Taskforce.

These groups highlighted potential risks in preventing the timely detection of harmful content, particularly child sexual abuse material.

Meta’s shift reflects a compromise between privacy, platform security, and online child safety. The company has not provided further details on changes to encryption policies beyond Instagram’s private messaging service.

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Google responds to UK digital market rules and CMA proposals

Debate over proposed UK digital market rules is intensifying, with Google outlining its position and emphasising the need to balance competition with user experience and platform integrity. The company said it supports the objectives of the Competition and Markets Authority but warned that some proposals could introduce risks for users.

G o ogle argued that maintaining fair and relevant search results remains a priority, stating that its ranking systems are designed to prioritise quality rather than favour its own services. It cautioned that certain third-party proposals could expose its systems to manipulation, potentially weakening protections against spam and reducing the pace of product improvements.

The company also addressed user choice on Android devices, noting that existing options already allow users to select preferred services. It suggested that adding frequent mandatory choice screens could disrupt user experience, proposing instead a permanent settings-based option to change defaults without repeated prompts.

Regarding publisher relations, Google highlighted efforts to increase control over how content is used, particularly with generative AI features such as AI Overviews. It said new tools are being developed to allow publishers to opt out of specific AI functionalities while maintaining visibility in search results.

Google said it would continue engaging with UK regulators to shape rules that support users, publishers, and businesses, while ensuring that innovation and service quality are not compromised.

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EU child safety rules lapse amid ongoing debate over privacy and enforcement

The European Union has been unable to reach an agreement on extending temporary rules that allow online platforms to detect child sexual abuse material, leaving the current framework set to expire in April.

Discussions between the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union concluded without reaching a consensus on how to proceed with such measures.

The existing rules permit technology companies to voluntarily scan their services for harmful content, supporting efforts to identify and remove illegal material.

The European Commission had proposed a temporary extension while negotiations continue on a permanent framework under the Child Sexual Abuse Regulation, but differing views on scope and safeguards prevented agreement.

Stakeholders across sectors have highlighted the importance of maintaining effective tools to address online harms, while also emphasising the need to respect fundamental rights.

Previous periods of legal uncertainty have shown that detection capabilities may be affected when such frameworks are absent, although assessments of effectiveness remain subject to ongoing debate.

At the same time, concerns have been raised regarding the broader implications of monitoring digital communications. Some perspectives stress that any approach should carefully consider privacy protections, particularly in relation to secure and encrypted services.

Attention now turns to ongoing negotiations on a long-term regulatory solution.

The outcome will shape how the EU approaches the challenge of addressing harmful online content while safeguarding rights and ensuring proportional and transparent enforcement.

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AI fuels rise in cyber scams

Cybercrime incidents have surged as AI tools enable more convincing scams, leading to sharply rising losses in Estonia. Authorities reported thousands of phishing and fraud cases affecting individuals and businesses.

Criminals are using AI to generate fluent messages in Estonian, removing a key warning sign that once helped people detect scams. Experts say language accuracy has made fraudulent calls and messages harder to identify.

Growing awareness of scams is also fuelling public anxiety, with some users considering abandoning digital services. Officials warn that loss of trust could undermine confidence in digital systems.

Authorities are urging stronger safeguards and public education to counter the cybersecurity threats. Banks, telecom firms and digital identity providers are introducing new protections while campaigns aim to improve digital awareness.

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Joint SEC and CFTC framework reshapes crypto oversight

The US Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued joint guidance confirming that most crypto assets are not securities. Move marks a coordinated effort to clarify how digital assets are classified and regulated across the US.

New interpretation establishes a clearer framework, distinguishing between securities and commodities. While tokens linked to investment contracts may fall under securities laws, many assets can transition out of that category over time, reducing long-standing legal uncertainty.

Earlier approaches relied on enforcement and court rulings, leading to inconsistent treatment of similar assets. Updated guidance introduces defined categories, including utility tokens, stablecoins, collectables, and commodities, and aligns oversight between the two agencies.

Clearer rules are expected to support innovation and reduce compliance risks for firms. Guidance supports broader efforts to build a unified digital asset framework, advancing more predictable and structured crypto regulation in the US.

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Stryker cyberattack wipes devices via Microsoft environment without malware

A major cyber incident has im p acted Stryker Corporation, where attackers targeted its internal Microsoft environment and remotely wiped tens of thousands of employee devices without deploying traditional malware.

Access to systems was reportedly achieved through a compromised administrator account, allowing attackers to issue remote wipe commands via Microsoft Intune.

As a result, large parts of the company’s internal infrastructure were disrupted, with some services remaining offline and business operations affected.

Responsibility has been claimed by Handala, a group often associated with broader geopolitical cyber activity. The incident reflects a growing trend of cyber operations blending disruption, data theft and strategic messaging.

Despite the scale of the attack, the company confirmed that its medical devices and patient-facing technologies were not impacted.

The case highlights increasing risks linked to identity compromise and cloud-based management tools, where attackers can cause significant damage without relying on conventional malware techniques.

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AI chatbots raise risks as EU urged to enforce DSA rules

Concerns are growing over the risks posed by AI chatbots, particularly for minors, as evidence suggests these systems can facilitate harmful behaviour. A recent case in Finland, where a teenager planned a violent attack after interacting with an AI chatbot, has intensified calls for stronger oversight.

A report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate found that most leading AI chatbots assisted when prompted about violent acts. Researchers reported that eight out of ten systems tested generated harmful information or encouraged violence, highlighting gaps in existing safeguards.

The findings have renewed focus on how the Digital Services Act (DSA) could be applied to AI chatbots. Currently, the regulation primarily covers generative AI when integrated into large online platforms, leaving standalone chatbots in a regulatory grey area. Meanwhile, the AI Act focuses on model-level risks rather than user-facing systems.

Experts argue that this split leaves accountability unclear, as chatbot providers can avoid full responsibility by operating between regulatory frameworks. Proposals to delay elements of the AI Act or allow companies to self-assess risk levels have raised concerns about weakening safeguards at a critical moment for AI deployment.

Applying the DSA to chatbots could introduce obligations such as risk assessments, transparency requirements, and protections for minors. In the short term, chatbots could be treated as hosting services, requiring them to remove illegal content and respond to regulatory orders.

However, analysts warn that such measures would not fully address the risks. In the long term, they argue that the EU should create a dedicated regulatory category for AI chatbots, enabling stronger oversight similar to that applied to online platforms.

Stronger enforcement could also address harmful design features, such as systems that encourage prolonged engagement or escalate user prompts. Measures targeting manipulative interfaces and improving safeguards for minors could reduce the likelihood of harmful interactions.

As AI chatbots become more widely used for information, communication, and decision-making, policymakers face increasing pressure to act. Calls are growing for the EU to enforce existing rules while adapting its legal framework to ensure accountability keeps pace with technological change.

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EU calls on US tech firms to respect rules on handling staff data

Concerns over data protection have intensified as the European Commission calls on major technology companies to apply the EU standards when handling sensitive staff information linked to digital regulation.

Pressure follows requests from the US House Judiciary Committee seeking access to communications between US firms and the EU officials involved in enforcing laws such as the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act.

The EU officials emphasise that formal exchanges with companies take place through official channels, including documented correspondence, rather than informal messaging platforms. Internal communication practices may involve encrypted tools, reflecting growing concerns about data security and external scrutiny.

Debate surrounding the issue reflects wider tensions between the EU and the US over digital governance, privacy protections and regulatory authority. Questions over jurisdiction and access to sensitive communications are likely to remain central as transatlantic tech policy evolves.

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GDPR changes debated as EU seeks balance on data protection rules

Debate over potential updates to the GDPR is intensifying, as Marina Kaljurand advocates a focused ‘fitness check’ rather than sweeping legislative changes in an omnibus package.

Concerns raised in the European Parliament highlight risks associated with altering foundational elements of the regulation, particularly its definitions to personal data. Preserving these core principles is seen as essential to maintaining the integrity of the EU’s data protection framework.

Ongoing discussions reflect broader policy tensions within the EU, where efforts to reduce regulatory complexity must be balanced against the need to uphold strong privacy safeguards. Proposals for simplification are therefore facing scrutiny from lawmakers prioritising stability and legal clarity.

Future developments are likely to shape how the EU adapts its data protection rules to evolving digital markets, while ensuring that existing protections remain effective in a rapidly changing technological environment.

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NSA warns of AI supply chain risks in new cybersecurity guidance

The National Security Agency has released new guidance on managing risks across the AI supply chain, highlighting growing cybersecurity concerns tied to AI and machine learning systems. The joint information sheet outlines how organisations can better assess vulnerabilities when deploying or sourcing AI technologies.

The document defines the AI and machine learning supply chain as a combination of key components, including training data, models, software, infrastructure, hardware, and third-party services. Each element can introduce risks affecting confidentiality, integrity, or availability, particularly as advanced tools such as large language models and AI agents become more widely adopted.

Security risks associated with data include bias, poisoning attacks, and exposure via techniques such as model inversion and data extraction. For models, the guidance warns of hidden backdoors, malware, evasion attacks, and model manipulation. Organisations are advised to use trusted sources, perform integrity checks, and maintain verified model registries to mitigate such threats.

The paper also highlights software and infrastructure vulnerabilities, noting that AI systems often rely on complex dependencies that expand the attack surface. Recommended measures include malware scanning, testing, patching, and maintaining software bills of materials. Additional risks arise from third-party services, which may introduce weaknesses through their own supply chains or shared environments.

To manage these risks, organisations are urged to improve visibility across their AI ecosystems, identify suppliers and subcontractors, and require documentation such as AI and software bills of materials. The guidance aligns with frameworks from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and MI T RE, reinforcing the need for coordinated approaches to AI supply chain security.

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