Privacy and data protection Archives | Page 258 of 328

Breach exposes FBI data links

A major data breach involving telecom provider AT&T has compromised sensitive information about FBI agents’ call and text logs. The incident, which occurred last year, exposed phone numbers and contact details, though not the content of communications. FBI officials warn that the breach may risk revealing the identities of confidential informants.

AT&T reported in July that hackers had stolen records linked to 109 million customer accounts. Among the stolen data were months of FBI call logs, potentially connecting agents to their sources. While AT&T claims to have collaborated with law enforcement to mitigate the damage, the FBI continues to prioritise protecting its informants.

The breach has reignited concerns about cyber-espionage targeting US telecom networks. Earlier this month, the US national security adviser highlighted ongoing threats from Chinese-linked cyber operations. Although telecom firms, including AT&T and Verizon, say their systems are now secure, the incident underscores the persistent risks posed by sophisticated hackers.

US regulator escalates complaint against Snap

The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has referred a complaint about Snap Inc’s AI-powered chatbot, My AI, to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for further investigation. The FTC alleges the chatbot caused harm to young users, though specific details about the alleged harm remain undisclosed.

Snap Inc defended its chatbot, asserting that My AI operates under rigorous safety and privacy measures and criticised the FTC for lacking concrete evidence to support its claims. Despite the company’s reassurances, the FTC stated it had uncovered indications of potential legal violations.

The announcement impacted Snap’s stock performance, with shares dropping by 5.2% to close at $11.22 on Thursday. The US FTC noted that publicising the complaint’s transfer to the DOJ was in the public interest, underscoring the gravity of the allegations.

Donald Trump rebrings TikTok online

TikTok began restoring its services in the US on Sunday after President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to revive the app upon taking office on Monday. Speaking at a rally ahead of his inauguration, Trump assured his supporters that TikTok, a platform used by 170 million Americans, would be brought back online through a joint venture that protects national security. Hours earlier, TikTok users had received a message crediting Trump for the app’s restoration efforts.

TikTok ceased operations late Saturday after a law banning the platform on national security grounds came into effect. The shutdown sparked a frenzy among users and businesses dependent on the app, with web searches for VPNs surging and concerns mounting over disruptions to TikTok Shop transactions. The app’s temporary return relieves millions, but important questions remain about its long-term future in the US.

Trump’s pledge to extend the ban’s enforcement period to facilitate a deal marks a shift from his stance in 2020 when he sought to ban TikTok over concerns that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, was sharing user data with Beijing. Trump now calls for a joint venture, proposing a 50% US ownership stake while guaranteeing that service providers would not face penalties for restoring TikTok.

Despite Trump’s assurances, the law mandating TikTok’s divestiture remains contentious. Republican lawmakers, including Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts, have criticised any attempt to circumvent the law, insisting that ByteDance sever all ties with China to meet the divestiture requirements. Meanwhile, TikTok’s ongoing connection to China continues to fuel tensions in US-China relations, with Beijing accusing Washington of unfairly targeting Chinese companies.

TikTok’s temporary return has reignited debates over its valuation, reportedly as high as $50 billion, and potential suitors, including former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and billionaire Elon Musk. While Beijing has reportedly discussed a possible sale, ByteDance denies such plans. Separately, US startup Perplexity AI has proposed merging with TikTok’s US operations to create a new entity.

The platform’s restoration signals its cultural and economic significance, but it also highlights the geopolitical complexities of its existence. Whether TikTok ultimately secures a deal or faces renewed legal battles, its journey reflects the growing and complicated intersection of technology, digital policies, cyber diplomacy, politics, and global commerce.

TikTok’s abrupt shutdown shakes the USA

TikTok’s future in the US took a dramatic turn late Saturday as the app went offline ahead of a Sunday deadline mandated by US law. The US government’s move, affecting 170 million US users, marks an unprecedented shutdown of one of the world’s most influential social media platforms.

The persistence of the US officials to ban TikTok stems from concerns over the platform’s ties to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, and potential risks to national security. As users grapple with the platform’s disappearance, President-elect Donald Trump has hinted at a possible 90-day extension to allow time for a resolution.

The shutdown comes after the Supreme Court upheld a law requiring TikTok to sever ties with ByteDance or cease US operations. ByteDance’s other apps, such as CapCut and Lemon8, were also removed from US app stores.

TikTok issued a message to users acknowledging the shutdown and expressing hope for a political resolution under the Trump administration, which takes office Monday 20 January 2025. Trump has indicated that he will announce an extension early next week.

The app’s disappearance has sparked many reactions among users, businesses, and competitors. Social media platforms like RedNote, Meta, and Snap have seen an influx of users and investor interest, while many TikTok creators expressed sadness and uncertainty online. Virtual private network (VPN) searches surged as users sought workarounds to access the platform, highlighting the app’s deep integration into American culture and commerce.

Despite the shutdown, speculation continues about TikTok’s future. ByteDance has reportedly been discussing with potential buyers, including billionaire Elon Musk and other US-based entities. Meanwhile, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to attend Trump’s inauguration, signalling possible negotiations to keep the platform operational. Proposals from new suitors, such as US search engine startup Perplexity AI, further illustrate the high stakes and value of TikTok’s US operations, which are estimated to be worth up to $50 billion.

The uncertainty has created a ripple effect, with businesses that rely on TikTok for marketing and e-commerce scrambling to adapt. Many worry about the broader implications of this shutdown, which has deepened tensions between Washington and Beijing.

The prospect of a political compromise looms as Trump prepares to take office, but whether TikTok can return to US screens remains uncertain. The platform’s sudden disappearance underscores the complex intersection of technology, geopolitics, and commerce, leaving millions of users and businesses in limbo.

AI-generated news alerts paused by Apple amid accuracy concerns

Apple has halted AI-powered notification summaries for news and entertainment apps after backlash over misleading news alerts. A BBC complaint followed a summary that misrepresented an article about a murder case involving UnitedHealthcare’s CEO.

The latest developer previews for iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3 disable notification summaries for such apps, with Apple planning to reintroduce them after improvements. Notification summaries will now appear in italics to help users distinguish them from standard alerts.

Users will also gain the ability to turn off notification summaries for individual apps directly from the Lock Screen. Apple will notify users in the Settings app that the feature remains in beta and may contain errors.

A public beta is expected next week, but the general release date for iOS 18.3 remains unclear. Apple had already announced plans to clarify that summary texts are generated by Apple Intelligence.

China denies forcing firms to share user data

The Chinese government “has never and will never” require companies or individuals to collect or transfer data in ways that violate the law, China’s foreign ministry declared on Friday. The statement was issued in response to a privacy complaint filed by Austrian advocacy group Noyb, which accuses six Chinese companies, including TikTok, Shein, and Xiaomi, of unlawfully sending European Union user data to China.

Noyb, an organisation focused on data protection and privacy rights, alleges that the companies breached the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by transferring user data without proper safeguards. The complaint has sparked concerns in Europe about how personal information is handled by Chinese firms operating within the EU. If proven, the violations could result in significant fines and further scrutiny of these companies.

In defending the nation’s stance, a foreign ministry spokesperson emphasised that China operates within the bounds of international laws and rejects any claims of illegal data practices. “China strictly upholds its legal and regulatory framework and will never engage in or endorse actions that violate laws regarding data collection or transfer,” the spokesperson said. The spokesperson also criticised what they described as “unfounded accusations” aimed at tarnishing Chinese businesses.

This case is the latest in a series of global concerns about data privacy and the practices of technology firms. It underscores the growing tension between nations over data security, cross-border data flows, and regulatory compliance, particularly as Chinese companies expand their presence in foreign markets. The outcome of Noyb’s complaint could have far-reaching implications for data governance and corporate practices in both Europe and China.

Meta’s Community Notes to exclude paid ads

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, announced that its new ‘Community Notes’ feature will apply only to organic content, not paid ads, when it rolls out later this year. Similar to a feature on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Community Notes will allow users to add context to organic posts, which are posts that Meta has not been paid to promote. However, paid advertisements will be excluded from this feature.

Aspects of the program are still evolving, with brand and influencer organic posts potentially not being subject to Community Notes initially. Meta clarified that it is in the process of transitioning to this new system and will continue to evaluate and refine it throughout the year. The company recently scrapped its US fact-checking program and is now focusing on this new initiative, ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Meta emphasised that any further details about the Community Notes program, beyond what has been officially announced, are speculative at this point. The company will begin implementing the feature in the US over the next couple of months as part of a broader overhaul in how it handles political content.

Advertisers scramble as TikTok faces possible US ban

As a potential US ban on TikTok looms, advertisers dependent on the platform are scrambling to prepare contingency plans. With a January 19 deadline for ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, to sell its US assets or face a ban, many marketers are facing the reality that the app may soon be inaccessible. This has led to a sense of urgency, with some industry professionals describing the situation as a “hair on fire” moment.

TikTok, which has become a key player in US digital advertising, particularly among younger audiences, may lose over $11 billion in annual ad revenue if the ban goes through. Most of this ad spend would likely shift to platforms like Meta’s Instagram and Alphabet’s YouTube Shorts, where many advertisers are already established. Despite the uncertainty, TikTok continued to pitch new advertising features and planned its presence at major global events like the World Economic Forum in Davos.

In the face of potential shutdown, many influencers and brands are downloading their data in a last-ditch effort to preserve content and advertising materials. TikTok has offered favourable refund terms to advertisers, though some still question the platform’s future in the US. This heightened uncertainty marks a stark contrast to the optimism advertisers held just weeks ago, when many expected a resolution before the ban could take effect.

TikTok’s growing influence in US advertising, particularly in e-commerce, has been notable, with ad spending on the platform increasing rapidly. Despite challenges, the app’s powerful ability to drive sales through influencers and short-form video content has made it a favourite among advertisers looking to tap into the youth market. As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on whether the incoming administration will intervene to prevent TikTok’s shutdown.

US officials push for more time to save TikTok

TikTok’s future in the US grew more uncertain this week as officials suggested its Chinese owner, ByteDance, should have more time to sell the app and prevent a ban. With the clock ticking toward Sunday’s deadline, key figures from both political sides urged for a 90-day extension to allow for a divestiture. US Representative Mike Waltz, who was appointed as Trump’s national security adviser, indicated that the new administration would take steps to keep TikTok operational if substantial progress is made in securing a deal.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, traditionally a supporter of the law forcing TikTok to sell its US assets, also called for an extension, citing concerns over the app’s potential shutdown disrupting the lives of millions of users. The law, passed in April, mandates ByteDance either sell TikTok’s US assets by Sunday or face a ban on national security grounds. However, it’s now unclear whether the app will be allowed to stay active in the US without an official extension.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is reportedly set to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, further hinting at a shift in relations between the app and the Trump administration. While concerns about Chinese ownership and its potential for data collection remain, Schumer and other lawmakers are signalling a growing bipartisan desire to avoid the political and economic fallout of a TikTok ban. The situation remains fluid, with decisions expected to unfold in the coming days.

As the deadline approaches, TikTok’s potential shutdown has already caused some users to explore alternatives, with RedNote, another Chinese social media platform, seeing a surge in US users. Meanwhile, with more than 170 million American users and substantial ad revenue at stake, the clock is ticking for a resolution before the app faces a permanent ban.

Block Inc fined $80 million for compliance failures

Block Inc has agreed to pay $80 million to 48 US state financial regulators over inadequate money laundering controls on its Cash App platform. The settlement follows findings that the company’s compliance measures were insufficient for policing money laundering risks effectively.

An independent consultant will review Block’s Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering programme and report any deficiencies to regulators. The company has also committed to making internal corrections to strengthen its compliance framework.

A Block spokesperson stated the concerns primarily related to past compliance measures and highlighted significant investments made since then to improve risk management. Cash App, which had 56 million monthly users in December 2023, processed over $248 billion in inflows last year.