transparency
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The first-ever Xbox transparency report reveals a surge in bot bans
Microsoft has published its first Xbox transparency report, and it's clear the company is banning many more bot accounts than in the past.
Twitter warns of 'record highs' in account data requests
Twitter has shared a new transparency report showing record numbers of requests for account data, including a surge in attempts to target journalists.
House Democrats urge IRS to halt facial recognition plans
House Democrats have sent a letter urging the IRS to drop its plans to use facial recognition technology.
Instagram will 'double down' on video in 2022 and focus on Reels
Adam Mosseri, who runs the platform, said the team will place an onus on creators, transparency and messaging next year.
Netflix offers a clearer look at its top 10 rankings
Netflix has launched a top 10 website that offers a better look at how its shows are performing.
Google will offer info on an advertiser's history
Google will give you a peek into an advertiser's history — but will this tell you enough to help your shopping decisions?
AGs push Uber Eats to add a price disclaimer to the checkout page
In Pennsylvania and Washington, DC, Uber Eats will be more transparent about items costing more than in restaurants.
Apple was told to quietly supply data on Trump's White House counsel in 2018
Apple was quietly subpoenaed for information on Trump's White House counsel, Don McGahn, and wasn't allowed to talk about it.
Chrome extensions will have to show how they use your data
Google's new Chrome extension policies not only put limits on data use, but require that extensions show how they use your data.
Twitter will keep fighting to share government data requests
Twitter’s years-long battle over government surveillance and transparency isn’t over yet.
Twitter 'Transparency Center' shows government data requests by country
Twitter unveils a new Transparency Center to showcase past transparency reports and the data they contain.
Google will force advertisers to prove they are who they say they are
Starting this summer, you'll be able to check an advertiser's legal name and country of operation.
ACLU sues Homeland Security over airport facial recognition records
There's no question that AI surveillance is on the rise, but there are a lot of questions about just how extensively law enforcement agencies, like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), are using it. In an attempt to increase transparency, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is suing DHS -- along with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The ACLU is requesting records on the use of face surveillance at airports and borders, as well as the agencies' plans for future use.
Windows 10 gives users more control of what diagnostic data they share
In another attempt to give Windows 10 users more control over their data, Microsoft is making a few changes to its Settings app and Group Policy settings in the latest Windows 10 preview build (19577). In the Settings app, basic diagnostic data will now be known as "required," and full diagnostic data will be known as "optional." Theoretically, Windows 10 will make it easier to switch between sharing required and optional diagnostic data with Microsoft.
Facebook plans to clarify when pro-Bloomberg posts come from staffers
Thanks to Mike Bloomberg, Facebook wants to make it more obvious when paid campaign staffers share posts promoting candidates, CNBC reports. This is a direct response to Bloomberg paying organizers to post on social media, but it could apply to any campaign staffers sharing political views on Facebook.
TikTok report says China didn't request user info in the first half of 2019
In its first-ever transparency report, TikTok claims it didn't receive any user information requests from the Chinese government in the first half of 2019. Instead, the majority of both legal and government-related requests came from India. In all, TikTok says it fielded 107 legal requests related to 143 Indian accounts, and provided authorities with user information in 47 percent of cases.
Senators ask credit agencies why they don't report FBI data requests
Tech companies have long disclosed the number of national security letters (NSLs) they get from authorities, but the credit reporting agencies that often dictate your financial future have been silent -- and Congress wants answers. Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden and Rand Paul have sent letters to the CEOS of Equifax, Experian and TransUnion asking why the companies don't divulge how many NSLs they receive from the FBI, or release those requests once the non-disclosure orders end. These companies have the "responsibility" to come clean about their information handling when they have loads of "potentially sensitive data," the senators said.
Facebook pledges $130 million for its content oversight board
Over the past year, Facebook has been working to put together a content oversight board. We've heard Mark Zuckerberg's vision, and Facebook shared a charter outlining its rules. Now, Facebook is committing $130 million to the effort.
A bug caused UK election ad spend data to disappear on Facebook
Earlier this week, an unspecified bug caused as many hundreds of thousands of political ads to disappear from Facebook's Ad Library, a tool the company rolled out globally earlier this year to provide more transparency on political spending. According to CNN Business, the bug caused ads to go missing in several countries across the world, including the UK.
Twitter introduces a Privacy Center to keep users informed
Today, Twitter launched a Privacy Center, where it will share announcements, new privacy products and communication about inevitable security incidents. "By using Twitter, you've shown us that you trust us with your data," the Twitter Privacy Center states. "We do not take that trust lightly."