privacy news
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Google Gemini could soon get full access to your Mac’s files, apps and the web
Google appears to be developing a feature for its Gemini AI that would grant it extensive access to macOS systems, including the ability to read, modify, and delete files, interact with applications, and browse the web. This potential functionality was identified by TestingCatalog on X, which observed references to a hidden "Additional sandbox options" setting within the Gemini Desktop…
Viral AI actress' hotline face-scans every caller, watches their mood
A new video-call service featuring the AI actress Tilly Norwood, who recently gained viral attention after an on-air "glitch" during an interview, requires callers to undergo a facial age scan and continuously monitors their emotional state during conversations. The "Talking Tilly" service, operated by UK-based Xicoia Ltd, the creators of the AI character, launched with these features in…
Brits Want Private Messages to Remain Encrypted
A recent poll indicates that a significant majority of British adults believe they have a right to private online conversations and that their personal messages should not be accessible without a court order. The survey, commissioned by the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) and conducted by Public First in April, found that 93 percent of respondents affirmed their right to online…
TikTok Agrees to $400 Million Settlement in U.S. Child Privacy Lawsuit
TikTok has reportedly agreed to a $400 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice to resolve a lawsuit concerning alleged violations of child privacy laws. The lawsuit, initiated in 2024, accused the social media platform of improperly collecting personal data from users under the age of 13. Furthermore, the complaint reportedly cited instances where TikTok failed to adequately…
OpenAI previews privacy-focused system for detecting AI misuse
OpenAI has announced a new system, Private Safety Processing, designed to enhance the detection of AI misuse while maintaining user privacy. The company is currently previewing this system with select early customers and plans a broader rollout, along with the publication of a technical white paper, in September.
Scot NHS trust probes access to medical records of 9-year-old girl after man arrested on suspicion of murder
NHS Tayside is investigating an alleged data breach involving the medical records of nine-year-old Minnie Merriman, who died earlier this week. The investigation centers on whether staff at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee improperly accessed her file without authorization or clinical necessity.
23andMe Settles Data Breach Lawsuit for $18 Million
Genetic testing firm 23andMe has agreed to an $18 million settlement with a coalition of 42 U.S. attorneys general following a data breach that occurred in October 2023. The settlement, announced by New York Attorney General Letitia James, also imposes new data protection requirements on the company. New York will receive over $705,000 from the settlement.
Your next car could be watching your face
New car buyers in the European Union will soon find their vehicles equipped with mandatory driver-monitoring technology, a measure designed to enhance road safety. This requirement, effective July 7, 2026, mandates systems like Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDAW) and Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) in all new vehicles sold within the bloc. The United States is also moving…
Telco giant KDDI says data breach affects over 12 million people
Japanese telecommunications company KDDI has reported a significant data breach impacting an email platform used by five internet service providers (ISPs) in the country, potentially exposing the personal information of over 12 million individuals. The breach, discovered on June 17, led to unauthorized access to email addresses and passwords of current and former customers, as well as those…
Supreme Court allows Texas app law requiring age verification to take effect
The Supreme Court has allowed a Texas law mandating age verification for app downloads to take effect while a lower court case proceeds. The order, issued Monday, lifts a previous hold on the Texas App Store Accountability Act (TASAA).
Claude Code’s hidden tracker was an “experiment,” says Anthropic
An independent developer discovered a hidden tracking mechanism within Anthropic's Claude Code client, which the company has since removed, stating it was an experimental feature. The developer, known online as "Thereallo," found the code while reverse-engineering the local installation of Claude Code version 2.1.196. This feature, buried within the minified JavaScript, appeared to encode the…