Privacy and data protection Archives | Page 244 of 328

Australian kids overlook social media age checks

A recent report by Australia’s eSafety regulator reveals that children in the country are finding it easy to bypass age restrictions on social media platforms. The findings come ahead of a government ban, set to take effect at the end of 2025, that will prevent children under the age of 16 from using these platforms. The report highlights data from a national survey on social media use among 8 to 15-year-olds and feedback from eight major services, including YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok.

The report shows that 80% of Australian children aged 8 to 12 were using social media in 2024, with YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat being the most popular platforms. While most platforms, except Reddit, require users to enter their date of birth during sign-up, the report indicates that these systems rely on self-declaration, which can be easily manipulated. Despite these weaknesses, 95% of teens under 16 were found to be active on at least one of the platforms surveyed.

While some platforms, such as TikTok, Twitch, and YouTube, have introduced tools to proactively detect underage users, others have not fully implemented age verification technologies. YouTube remains exempt from the upcoming ban, allowing children under 13 to use the platform with parental supervision. However, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant stressed that there is still significant work needed to enforce the government’s minimum age legislation effectively.

The report also noted that most of the services surveyed had conducted research to improve their age verification processes. However, as the law approaches, there are increasing calls for app stores to take greater responsibility for enforcing age restrictions.

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Stricter rules for WhatsApp after EU designation

WhatsApp has officially met the threshold set by the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), marking its designation as a Very Large Online Platform.

The messaging app, owned by Meta Platforms, reported an average of 46.8 million monthly users in the EU during the latter half of 2024, surpassing the 45-million-user threshold established by the DSA.

The new classification requires WhatsApp to strengthen efforts in tackling illegal and harmful online content.

The platform must assess system risks related to public security, fundamental rights, and protecting minors within four months to comply with the DSA. Violations could result in fines reaching up to 6% of global annual revenue.

Meta’s Instagram and Facebook are already subject to the same rules. While complying with the stricter regulations, Meta leadership, including Mark Zuckerberg, has expressed concerns about the growing impact of EU tech laws.

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New Google tool helps users rethink their career paths

Google has introduced Career Dreamer, a new AI-powered tool designed to help users discover career possibilities based on their skills, education, and interests. Announced in a blog post, the experiment aims to offer personalised job exploration without the need for multiple searches across different platforms.

The tool creates a ‘career identity statement’ by analysing users’ past and present roles, education, and experiences, which can be used to refine CVs or guide interview discussions. Career Dreamer also provides a visual representation of potential career paths and allows users to collaborate with Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, to draft cover letters or explore further job ideas.

Unlike traditional job search platforms such as LinkedIn or Indeed, Career Dreamer does not link users to actual job postings. Instead, it serves as an exploratory tool to help individuals, whether students, career changers, or military veterans, identify roles that align with their backgrounds. Currently, the experiment is available only in the United States, with no confirmation on future expansion.

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New AI feature from Superhuman tackles inbox clutter

Superhuman has introduced a new AI-powered feature called Auto Label, designed to automatically categorise emails into groups such as marketing, pitches, social updates, and news. Users can also create custom labels with personalised prompts and even choose to auto-archive certain categories, reducing inbox clutter.

The company developed the tool in response to customer complaints about an increasing number of unwanted marketing and cold emails. While Gmail and Outlook offer spam filtering, Superhuman’s CEO, Rahul Vohra, said their new system aims to provide more precise classification. However, at launch, users cannot edit prompts for existing labels, meaning they must create new ones if adjustments are needed.

Superhuman is also enhancing its reminder system. The app will now automatically surface emails if a response is overdue and can draft AI-generated follow-ups in the user’s writing style. Looking ahead, the company plans to integrate personal knowledge bases, automate replies, and introduce workflow automation, making email management even more seamless.

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Trump discusses TikTok sale with China

President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he was in active discussions with China over the future of TikTok, as the US seeks to broker a sale of the popular app. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump revealed that talks were ongoing, underscoring the US government’s desire to address national security concerns tied to the app’s ownership by the Chinese company ByteDance. The move comes amid growing scrutiny over TikTok’s data security practices and potential links to the Chinese government.

The Trump administration has expressed concerns that TikTok could be used to collect sensitive data on US users, raising fears about national security risks. As a result, the US has been pushing for ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US operations to an American company. This would be part of an effort to reduce any potential influence from the Chinese government over the app’s data and operations. However, the process has faced complexities, with discussions involving multiple stakeholders, including potential buyers.

While the negotiations continue, the future of TikTok remains uncertain. If a sale is not agreed upon, the US has indicated that it could pursue further actions, including a potential ban of the app. As these talks unfold, the outcome could have significant implications for TikTok’s millions of American users and its business operations in the US, with both sides working to find a solution that addresses the security concerns while allowing the app to continue its success.

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Two charged after pensioner loses over £100,000 in cryptocurrency fraud

Two men have been charged in connection with a cryptocurrency fraud that saw a 75-year-old man from Aberdeenshire lose more than £100,000. The case, reported to police in July, led to an extensive investigation by officers from the north east division CID.

Following inquiries, officers travelled to Coventry and Mexborough on Tuesday, working alongside colleagues from West Midlands Police and South Yorkshire Police.

The coordinated operation resulted in the arrests of two men, aged 36 and 54, who have now been charged in relation to the fraud allegations.

Police have not yet disclosed details of how the scam was carried out, but cryptocurrency frauds often involve fake investment schemes, phishing scams, or fraudulent trading platforms that lure victims into handing over money with promises of high returns.

Many scams also exploit a lack of regulation in the digital currency sector, making it difficult for victims to recover lost funds.

Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious financial activity, particularly scams involving cryptocurrencies.

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Judge allows Musk’s DOGE to keep accessing government data

A US federal judge has denied a request to temporarily block Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing data from seven federal agencies or making further workforce cuts. The lawsuit, brought by 14 Democratic attorneys general, argued that DOGE was overstepping its authority by reshaping agencies and obtaining vast amounts of government information. However, Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled that the plaintiffs failed to prove immediate harm, allowing DOGE to continue operations.

Despite this decision, the judge acknowledged serious constitutional concerns regarding Musk’s authority. She noted that Musk had not been nominated by the US President Trump or confirmed by the Senate, raising potential violations of the Appointments Clause. In her ruling, Chutkan also criticised the Trump administration’s legal arguments, suggesting inconsistencies in its justification for DOGE’s powers.

While the restraining order was denied, the states can still pursue their case, potentially seeking a preliminary injunction to halt DOGE’s access to federal data. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez vowed to continue the legal fight, accusing Musk of destabilising government functions and acting without proper oversight. The battle over DOGE’s legitimacy is expected to intensify in the coming months.

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Young people rely on social media for political news

A growing number of young Europeans are turning to social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube as their primary news source, surpassing traditional outlets such as TV and print media. According to the latest European Parliament Youth Survey, 42% of people aged 16 to 30 rely on social media for news about politics and social issues. This shift highlights changing preferences toward fast-paced, accessible content but also raises concerns about the growing risk of disinformation among younger generations.

Younger users, especially those aged 16 to 18, are more likely to trust platforms like TikTok and Instagram, while those aged 25 to 30 tend to rely more on Facebook, online press, and radio for their news. However, the rise of social media as a news source has also led to increased exposure to fake news. A report from the Reuters Institute revealed that 27% of TikTok users struggle to identify misleading content, while Instagram has faced criticism for relaxing its fact-checking systems.

Despite being aware of the risks, young Europeans continue to engage with social media for news. A significant 76% of respondents reported encountering fake news in the past week, yet platforms like Instagram remain the most popular news sources. This trend is impacting trust in political institutions, with many young people expressing scepticism toward the EU and skipping elections due to a lack of information.

The reliance on social media for news has shifted political discourse, as fake news and AI-generated content have been used to manipulate public opinion. The constant exposure to sensationalised false information is also having psychological effects, increasing anxiety and confusion among young people and pushing some to avoid news altogether.

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Google Meet update brings smarter AI-powered notes

Google Meet’s AI-driven note-taking feature is getting a major upgrade with the ability to generate action items from meeting transcripts. The update, powered by Google’s Gemini AI, will automatically identify key tasks, assign deadlines, and designate responsible individuals at the end of each meeting.

Originally launched in August 2024, the AI transcription tool already provides accurate speaker separation and structured summaries in Google Docs. With this latest enhancement, the technology aims to improve productivity by ensuring that key takeaways are actionable and well-organised.

The feature begins rolling out today but at a slower pace than usual, as Google closely monitors its performance and quality. While AI-generated notes can be a helpful time-saver, some users may still prefer manual control over meeting documentation, especially when handling sensitive information.

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Google faces backlash from privacy advocates over new tracking rules

Google has introduced changes to its online tracking policies, allowing fingerprinting, a technique that collects data such as IP addresses and device information to help advertisers identify users. The new rules mark a shift in Google’s approach to online tracking.

Google states that these data signals are already widely used across the industry and that its goal is to balance privacy with the needs of businesses and advertisers. The company previously restricted fingerprinting for ad targeting but now argues that evolving internet usage—such as browsing from smart TVs and gaming consoles—has made conventional tracking methods, like cookies, less effective. The company also emphasises that users continue to have choices regarding personalised ads and that it encourages responsible data use across the industry.

Critics argue that fingerprinting is harder for users to control compared to cookies, as it does not rely on locally stored files but rather collects real-time data about a user’s device and network. Some privacy advocates believe this change marks a shift toward tracking methods that provide users with fewer options to opt out.

Martin Thomson, an engineer at Mozilla, noted that by allowing fingerprinting, Google has given itself—and the advertising industry it dominates—permission to use a form of tracking that people can’t do much to stop. Lena Cohen, staff technologist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, expressed similar concerns, stating that fingerprinting could make user data more accessible to advertisers, data brokers, and law enforcement.

The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has raised concerns over fingerprinting, stating that it could reduce users’ ability to control how their information is collected. In a December blog post, Stephen Almond, the ICO’s Executive Director of Regulatory Risk, wrote that this change irresponsible, and that advertisers and businesses using this technology will need to demonstrate compliance with privacy and data laws.

Google responded that it welcomes further discussions with regulators and highlighted that IP addresses have long been used across the industry for fraud prevention and security.

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