surveillance
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Europe's top court kills Privacy Shield that allowed US data sharing
The EU just threw a wrench into transatlantic e-commerce by blocking a key agreement between Europe and the US. Europe’s top court has invalidated the Privacy Shield that just went into force, saying it won’t adequately protect EU citizens from mass US surveillance.
UK may cut Huawei out of 5G networks this year
The UK is reportedly planning to cut Huawei out of its 5G networks in 2020 -- not as part of a gradual phase-out as expected.
FCC says Huawei and ZTE are national security threats
The FCC has officially declared Huawei and ZTE as national security threats, barring carriers from using fund money on the Chinese technology.
US pushes Europe to reject Chinese baggage screening tech over spying fears
The US is pressuring Europe to kick out a Chinese tech company, Nuctech, making screening systems for airports.
NY City Council passes NYPD surveillance oversight bill
In a 44-6 vote on Thursday, the NYC City Council voted in favor of passing the POST Act, which will empower civilian oversight of the NYPD's sprawling surveillance state.
Senators demand answers over Juniper Network's 2015 backdoor incident
Senators want answers by July 10th.
IBM stops work on facial recognition over human rights concerns
IBM is exiting its facial recognition business over concerns of possible human rights violations and racial biases.
ACLU sues Clearview AI over alleged privacy violations
The ACLU has sued Clearview AI for allegedly violating Illinois privacy law through its face recognition-based surveillance technology.
Israel restricts COVID-19 phone tracking to 'special cases'
Israel's cabinet has limited COVID-19 phone tracking to 'special cases' where normal methods might not be enough.
Banjo CEO resigns to preserve the company's AI surveillance deals
Banjo's CEO has resigned to prevent his racist past from affecting the AI surveillance company's deals with Utah and others.
Utah pauses Banjo's AI surveillance after learning of owner's racist past
Utah authorities have put use of Banjo's surveillance tech on hold while they investigate for bias due to the owner's racist past.
Israel barred from COVID-19 phone tracking without new legislation
Israel's Supreme Court has ruled that the government must draft a new law if it wants to keep tracking phones of COVID-19 sufferers.
WhatsApp claims spyware firm launched attacks with US servers
WhatsApp has accused NSO Group of launching its surveillance attacks from US servers despite claims to the contrary.
Israel stops using phone tracking to enforce COVID-19 quarantines
An Israeli government committee has put a stop to phone tracking used to police COVID-19 quarantine enforcement.
Judge denies Twitter effort to reveal US surveillance requests
A judge has ruled that Twitter's demand to reveal exact surveillance request numbers would risk national security.
Microsoft pulls its smaller investments in facial recognition tech
Microsoft has been vocal about setting limits on facial recognition, and it's now backing that up with its financial support -- or lack thereof. The company is ending minority investments in facial recognition startups and is pulling its stake in AnyVision, an Israeli startup whose recognition tech drew controversy when word emerged of its use at West Bank checkpoints. These investments don't allow for the "level of oversight or control" Microsoft likes over facial recognition, according to a joint statement from Microsoft's M12 venture capital fund and AnyVision. The Windows maker will instead focus on larger investments where it has more of a say.
The surveillance profiteers of COVID-19 are here
Our worlds are so upside-down and backwards right now that Wired claims Surveillance Could Save Lives Amid a Public Health Crisis, and privacy activist Maciej Cegłowski flat-out stated We Need A Massive Surveillance Program.
Israel will use anti-terrorist tracking tech to fight coronavirus outbreak
Israel's attempt to curb the coronavirus outbreak might be the next to jeopardize privacy. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has outlined plans to use anti-terrorism tracking technology to locate people in contact with those carrying the virus. He wasn't specific about the tech besides referencing "digital means" similar to those from Taiwan, but Israel's Shin Bet domestic security service confirmed to Reuters that it was looking at wielding its methods.
Iran's coronavirus 'diagnosis' app looks more like a surveillance tool
Iran is known to have one of the more serious coronavirus infection rates at the moment, but the country's government appears to be exploiting that for the sake of political control. Vice has learned that a government-endorsed app, AC19, poses as a tool to help diagnose the presence of the virus (a bogus claim by itself) but also asks for real-time location data -- clearly not necessary for telling someone whether or not they should go to the hospital. Moreover, the location permission request pop-up is in English -- and about 40 percent of Android users in Iran have phones with an OS old enough that they won't get that pop-up at all.
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.