Tag: privacy

  • Google collects Android users’ locations even when location services are disabled

    Quartz reported that Google collects Android users’ locations even when location services are disabled. Since the beginning of 2017, Android phones have been collecting the addresses of nearby cellular towers—even when location services are disabled—and sending that data back to Google. The result is that Google, the unit of Alphabet behind Android, has access to…

  • Google deceptively tracks students’ internet browsing, EFF says in FTC complaint

    Electronic Frontier Foundation released a press release on Google tracking students’ internet browsing. While Google does not use student data for targeted advertising within a subset of Google sites, EFF found that Google’s “Sync” feature for the Chrome browser is enabled by default on Chromebooks sold to schools. This allows Google to track, store on…

  • UK surveillance bill could bring ‘very dire consequences’

    The Guardian reported on Tim Cook warning that the UK surveillance bill could bring ‘very dire consequences’. “You can just look around and see all the data breaches that are going on. These things are becoming more frequent,” Cook told the Daily Telegraph. “They can not only result in privacy breaches but also security issues.…

  • Websites can keep ignoring “Do Not Track” requests after FCC ruling

    Ars Technica reported on websites being able to continue ignoring “Do Not Track” requests after FCC ruling. Consumer Watchdog had petitioned the FCC to “initiate a rulemaking proceeding requiring ‘edge providers’ (like Google, Facebook, YouTube, Pandora, Netflix, and LinkedIn) to honor ‘Do Not Track’ Requests from consumers.” The group’s proposed rule would prevent online services…

  • Google ‘Customer Match’ means your email address is now for sale to the highest bidder

    Computing reported on Google ‘Customer Match’. Google is close to rolling out a tool named “Customer Match” which, it appears, will combine a logged-in Google account with any email address handed by a customer to a retailer to create lists of addresses to target specific users with marketing material. The search giant can sit comfortably…

  • Even when told not to, Windows 10 just can’t stop talking to Microsoft

    Ars Technica reported on Windows 10 talking to Microsoft even when told not to. For example, even with Cortana and searching the Web from the Start menu disabled, opening Start and typing will send a request to www.bing.com to request a file called threshold.appcache which appears to contain some Cortana information, even though Cortana is…

  • Privacy issues with Windows 10

    The Next Web reported on privacy issues with Windows 10. Data syncing by default Sign into Windows with your Microsoft account and the operating system immediately syncs settings and data to the company’s servers. That includes your browser history, favorites and the websites you currently have open as well as saved app, website and mobile…

  • Tim Cook’s speech on encryption and privacy

    Matthew Panzarino wrote on TechCrunch about [Tim Cook’s blistering speech on encryption and privacy]((http://techcrunch.com/2015/06/02/apples-tim-cook-delivers-blistering-speech-on-encryption-privacy/) at EPIC’s Champions of Freedom event. Cook lost no time in directing comments at companies (obviously, though not explicitly) like Facebook and Google, which rely on advertising to users based on the data they collect from them for a portion, if…

  • Google eavesdropping tool installed on computers without permission

    The Guardian reported on Google’s eavesdropping tool installed without permission. “Without consent, Google’s code had downloaded a black box of code that – according to itself – had turned on the microphone and was actively listening to your room,” said Rick Falkvinge, the Pirate party founder, in a blog post. “Which means that your computer…

  • Apple versus Google

    Om Malik wrote on The New Yorker about Apple versus Google. Earlier this month, talking to an audience at an event organized by EPIC, a not-for-profit civil rights and privacy group, the Apple C.E.O. Tim Cook said: I’m speaking to you from Silicon Valley, where some of the most prominent and successful companies have built…