Discord will begin rolling out new teen safety features globally in early March, placing all new and existing users into a teen-appropriate experience by default unless they verify they are adults. The update introduces stricter content controls, limited access to age-gated spaces, and new communication rules designed to reduce unwanted contact while keeping user privacy intact.

Under the new system, sensitive images and videos will remain blurred unless a user is age-assured as an adult. Only verified adults can access age-restricted channels, servers, and app commands, speak on stage in servers, or change message request settings. Direct messages from people a user may not know will go into a separate inbox by default, and users will see warning prompts for friend requests from unfamiliar accounts.

To unlock adult features, Discord requires age verification through one of several methods. Users can choose facial age estimation using a video selfie that is processed entirely on their device, or submit a government ID to Discord’s verification partners. Identity documents are deleted quickly, usually immediately after age confirmation. Discord is also deploying an age inference model that runs in the background to help determine whether an account belongs to an adult, without always requiring manual verification. Some users may be asked to complete multiple steps if more information is needed.

Once verified, users receive confirmation via Discord’s official account. Age status is private and cannot be seen by others, and users can view or appeal their assigned age group at any time in account settings.

Discord previously tested this “teen-by-default” approach in the UK and Australia. The company says the global rollout builds on those results. Savannah Badalich, Discord’s head of product policy, said the goal is to give teens stronger protections while allowing verified adults more flexibility, adding that teen safety remains central to Discord’s product design.

Public reaction to the change has been mixed. Some users support tighter controls around messaging and content for teens. Others are concerned about privacy and mandatory age checks. Critics note that recent security incidents show Discord has struggled to keep user data safe. A breach of a third-party support provider in late 2025 exposed government ID photos and personal information for tens of thousands of users when attackers accessed age verification and support ticket data. Discord says about 70,000 users had their ID photos exposed and that it cut off the vendor’s access and is working with law enforcement, but some reports suggest the stolen data could be much larger. Users on social forums have expressed frustration that verification photos, said to be temporary, were still stored and then leaked, raising doubts about how secure the process really is.

The update follows similar moves across the industry. Instagram already places teens into stricter content and messaging settings by default. Snapchat keeps teen accounts private and limits how they can be discovered. TikTok has expanded AI-based age detection to flag underage users. Discord is also launching a Teen Council made up of 10 to 12 users aged 13 to 17 to advise on future safety features, policies, and tools.

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Apostrophy OS (AphyOS) is a new mobile operating system shaking things up in the privacy and security space. Unlike traditional Android, AphyOS ditches Google Mobile Services (GMS) and the Play Store. This means you get more control over your data and avoid intrusive background tracking.

AphyOS utilizes the Android Open Source Project to ensure security

Built on a secure foundation, AphyOS utilizes the open-source Android Open Source Project (AOSP) along with elements from the privacy-focused GrapheneOS project. This combination ensures a strong security core for your device.

Adding another layer of trust, the company behind AphyOS is based in Switzerland, a country known for its strict data privacy laws. Their focus on net neutrality further strengthens their commitment to user transparency.

Currently, AphyOS isn’t available for existing Android devices. Instead, they’re taking a different approach. By partnering with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), they aim to pre-install AphyOS on brand-new smartphones. This strategy targets wider adoption compared to custom ROMs, which require more technical knowledge to install.

Despite being new, AphyOS has already secured partnerships with European OEMs, showcasing promising growth potential. Their vision is to become a major player in the mobile market, prioritizing user privacy and security.

The future of AphyOS looks bright for privacy-conscious users. Overcoming challenges like establishing a new device line will be key to their success. We’ll keep an eye on their progress and update this guide as they announce new partnerships and market expansions.

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Snap‘s My AI chatbot is under the microscope in the UK, as concerns rise about its potential privacy risks for kids. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s authority on data privacy, has issued an initial warning to Snap. This move puts pressure on the tech company to prove that its chatbot doesn’t endanger the privacy of its younger users.

Snap has over 21 million monthly users in the UK alone, most of them youngsters

The ICO’s early findings reveal that Snap may have overlooked critical privacy risks for children when launching My AI. While this initial notice isn’t a final judgement, it does mean that Snap could face action, including a possible ban of My AI in the UK if it doesn’t make changes.

Snap defended itself, stating that My AI underwent thorough legal and privacy checks before its public launch. The stakes are high for Snap, which has 21 million monthly users in the UK alone, many of whom are teenagers aged between 13 and 17. My AI’s launch marked the first time a generative AI chatbot was added to a major messaging app in the country.

But it’s not just data privacy that has people worried. Parents are also concerned about the ethical implications of their kids interacting with AI. Some find it difficult to teach their children the difference between talking to a human and a machine, especially when the chatbot is designed to simulate human-like conversations.

This issue isn’t new for the ICO, which earlier fined TikTok £12.7 million for mishandling kids’ personal information. It’s a stark reminder that regulatory bodies are increasingly stepping in to safeguard children as technology advances.

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Privacy Concerns have always remained part of the Generative AI services since its short lifetime. These concerns came into the limelight when OpenAI introduced ChatGPT and Google introduced its Bard. The learning methods and data for these tools have always remained a concern for the users and lawmakers. However, Meta has detailed its protective measures to protect User Privacy and how it collects data for the Generative AI tools that it launched recently along with 28 AI personas chatbots.

Must See: Meta launches new Ray-Ban Smart Glasses with live streaming, 12MP camera, and longer battery life

There are some privacy checks that Meta has established to safeguard user privacy in the new Generative AI tools. Following the previous check from the development language models like Llama 2 and others, Meta has further strengthened the “privacy safeguards and integrity mitigations” while building new tools and services based on AI.

From Where Meta Generative AI Tools Fetch Data?

To better train Generative AI tools, different sets of enormous data sets are required for better information and reliability of such tools. However, feeding such large systems with by eliminating privacy concerns has always remained a task. But the Beta has achieved it by using only public data from Meta services and products. It has excluded some websites where the user shares their personal information. For Eg: On Facebook, the company has processed only the data that is labeled as public, while it has not even touched the content under the private tag.

Even the data on messages are not touched while training their AI generative Tools. However, if the user asks anything from Meta AI by adding @Meta AI in their message, then only that message is processed by these tools. Otherwise, all the messages remain private. In addition, the company uses data from AI Stickers in your chat to improve these stickers.

Even, the businesses interacting with Generative AI tools such as Meta AI are part of the data sharing pacts. The company fetches the data as presided over by their new Privacy Guide.

Why does Sometimes AI Retain Information?

While using the Generative AI tools, these may retain some of your personal information to personalize the responses. It may be helpful for the users as it may help in generating more precise answers to your queries. However, there are always safeguards to protect your private information appearing in other’s responses. While talking about such issues, Meta details that “We use automated technology and people to review interactions with our AI so we can, among other things, reduce the likelihood that models’ outputs would include someone’s personal information as well as improve model performance.”

Built-in commands to Delete Private Data in Meta AI

To further equip users with better tools to delete their private information, Meta introduced some built-in commands to delete the information.

• /reset-ai – Deletes AI messages.

Further, the generative AI tools keep the account information on different Meta platforms – Facebook, Instagram, and other Apps separate.

Meta aims to protect user privacy and even has dedicated work members to abide by these privacy policies. Further, the Meta has signed the White House’s voluntary commitments for AI and is a participant in AI’s Synthetic Media Framework.

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Google has agreed to pay $93 million to settle claims with California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta, putting to rest allegations that the company misused location data for advertising. This comes after similar legal issues in Arizona and Washington last year, where Google faced comparable accusations. But what does this actually mean?

Google was allegedly collecting location data even after users turned their location history off

The central issue at hand was Google’s alleged collection of user location data, even after users had turned off the “location history” feature. According to the California Department of Justice, this violated consumer protection laws.

While $93 million may sound like a significant penalty, it’s worth noting that this amount is a fraction of Google’s overall revenue—most of which comes from advertising. Moreover, location-based advertising is a key component of Google’s business model. The settlement, therefore, raises questions about its long-term impact on tech giants and data privacy.

As part of the agreement, Google is not just parting with money but has also committed to “deter future misconduct.” Specifically, the company is required to offer clearer information about how it collects and uses location data. Users will also be provided with disclaimers that their location information could be used for personalized ads.

The settlement could serve as a warning to other tech companies about the increasing scrutiny around data privacy. Yet, the relatively small financial hit for Google suggests that whether this case will instigate genuine change in the industry remains uncertain. One thing is clear: the conversation around data privacy and corporate accountability is far from over.

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In the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity, the tech giant Samsung has taken a leap forward by rolling out its September Android security update in the U.S. Covering both the Galaxy S23 and S22 series, the update brings much more than a performance tweak—it plugs a whopping 62 security vulnerabilities.

The company aims to avoid any future privacy breaches

The update initially rolled out to Verizon customers, eventually spreading to other major U.S. wireless carriers. A significant part of the repair comes from Samsung itself, which contributed 35 patches. These targeted a range of vulnerabilities across its ecosystem, including the Samsung Keyboard app and Samsung Knox AI, among others. Google chipped in with 19 patches, four of which are considered ‘critical.’

Samsung’s move stands out because it demonstrates a new industry standard in smartphone cybersecurity. More than just focusing on flashy features or sleek designs, the company is putting a spotlight on user privacy. The patches address vulnerabilities that could potentially give attackers unauthorized access to personal data. The average user might not realize the importance of such updates, but neglecting them could be a serious gamble with your privacy.

Internationally, the September update reaches far and wide. Canadian owners of the mid-range Galaxy A52 have started receiving the update across several carriers. Even the rugged Galaxy Xcover 5 isn’t left out; it’s getting updated in Mexico, Guatemala, and Argentina.

For anyone reluctant about pressing that “Update Now” button, this isn’t a software update you want to snooze on. So take a moment and go to Settings > Software update > Download and install. Your privacy is worth it. Keeping your device updated isn’t just about enjoying new features; it’s an essential aspect of digital well-being. Samsung’s broad and thorough September security update is a step forward in setting a new gold standard for smartphone security.

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Since data breaches and cyber attacks are becoming increasingly common, Instagram, like many other platforms, is upgrading its stance on user safety with the rollout of a new feature. It is aimed at preventing unwanted images and videos in Direct Messages (DMs). This update was unveiled shortly after its initial testing phase, signaling the platform’s commitment to user experience.

The update is aimed towards preventing unsolicited DMs within the Instagram app

This freshly-introduced feature introduces two key changes in the DM dynamic:

1. A user who intends to send a DM to someone not in their followers’ list will now be confined to a single message. They can only have an extended conversation if the recipient accepts the chat request. This will reduce the spam coming through, especially for bigger accounts.
2. Initially, DM requests can only be text-based. Multimedia messages, like images, videos, or voice notes, will only be allowed to send after the acceptance of chat request.

These changes primarily tackle the distress caused by unsought messages and media, especially for women who are often the target of unasked-for explicit content. Cindy Southworth, Meta’s Women’s Safety Head, emphasized the company’s intent: “Our primary goal is ensuring users feel both secure and empowered when they access their inbox. Feedback from our community has been instrumental in shaping this feature, reinforcing our mission to bolster safety on Instagram.”

Complementing this update are Instagram’s existing safety nets, which are getting an upgrade as well. The “Hidden Words” feature segregates potentially offensive DMs, ensuring users aren’t blindsided by abusive content. The “Limits” tool acts as a shield against abrupt increases in unwanted interactions. Furthermore, the “Restrict” option gives users a discreet method to monitor potential harassers. Activating this option ensures comments from the restricted user remain concealed from the public view, while their DMs are moved to the request section. Lastly, users can also use the blocking feature, which even provides an added layer of security by enabling the blocking of other related accounts of the flagged user. Hopefully, these new changes will contribute towards the betterment of the platform in the long run.

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In a recent move, Russian authorities have taken a significant step towards reducing their dependence on foreign-made technology by banning the use of Apple devices for official state purposes. As reported by the Financial Times, the country’s trade ministry implemented the prohibition on iPhones and all other Apple products for “work purposes” starting from Monday. This decision applies to government employees across various agencies, including Russia’s telecommunications and mass media ministry, with some agencies already enforcing the mandate while others plan to follow suit shortly. However, officials are still allowed to use Apple devices for personal use, as long as they avoid accessing work-related communication on them.

Apple has already stopped Apple Pay for Russian users

The ban comes in the wake of serious allegations made by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) in early June. The FSB claimed to have discovered a large-scale “spying operation by US intelligence agencies” involving Apple devices. According to the FSB, numerous iPhones, including those used by Russian diplomatic missions in NATO countries, were allegedly infected with monitoring software. Furthermore, the FSB accused Apple of collaborating closely with US signal intelligence to provide agents with an extensive range of control tools. Apple swiftly denied these allegations, emphasizing its commitment to user privacy and asserting that it has never cooperated with any government to create backdoors in its products.

This latest move by the Russian government also aligns with a broader effort to decrease reliance on foreign technology. In line with this objective, President Vladimir Putin issued a decree last year, mandating institutions involved in “critical information infrastructure” to transition to domestically developed software by 2025.

This ban follows a series of actions that have strained Apple’s relationship with Russia. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the past year, Apple had already cut off access to Apple Pay and halted product sales in the country as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with those affected by the conflict.

As of now, Apple has not issued an official response to the ban. The decision marks a significant development in the ongoing tech tensions between Russia and the United States, potentially further splitting Russian government employees from the global technology ecosystem. The implications of this ban on bilateral tech relations remain to be seen as a public statement is awaited.

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In an era where privacy is extremely valued, WhatsApp continues to strive for innovative ways to ensure the confidentiality of its users’ conversations. With a commitment to staying ahead of the game, WhatsApp recently unveil its latest feature: Chat Lock. This allows users to safeguard their most personal and intimate chats with an extra layer of security.

The Locked Chats are accessible through a Password or Biometric Authentication

The concept is simple yet powerful. By locking a chat, users can discreetly remove it from their main inbox and place it within a dedicated folder. Access to this folder is exclusively granted through the user’s device password or biometric authentication, such as a fingerprint. Furthermore, the contents of locked chats are automatically concealed in notifications, providing users with complete peace of mind.

The Chat Lock feature is specifically designed to cater to individuals who occasionally lend their phones to family members or find themselves in situations where someone else temporarily holds their device. Imagine those instances when a message arrives just as someone else is holding your phone. With Chat Lock, you can trust that your private conversations remain hidden from prying eyes.

Enabling Chat Lock is quite easy. Simply tap on the name of the one-to-one or group chat you wish to secure, and select the lock option. To reveal your locked chats, slowly pull down on your inbox and enter your phone password or utilize your device’s biometric authentication.

WhatsApp’s commitment to user privacy doesn’t end here. In the coming months, the company plans to introduce additional options for Chat Lock. These upcoming enhancements will include the ability to lock chats on companion devices, ensuring a consistent and comprehensive security experience across multiple devices. Furthermore, users will have the freedom to create custom passwords for their chats, allowing for a unique and distinct password separate from their device’s login credentials. The Meta-owned company recently unveiled an ‘Edit Messages’ feature for their beta users as well, indicating that it is looking to significantly overhaul the application for its user base.

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WhatsApp is a popular messaging application owned by Meta that has been in the spotlight for various security concerns in the past. The app has over two billion active users and is widely used around the world.

A Twitter Engineer found the bug on his Pixel 7 Pro

Recently, several users reported a bug in the app that allowed it to access the microphone even after the app had been closed. The issue was brought to the spotlight by a Twitter engineer who noticed it happening on his Pixel 7 Pro. The bug appears to be affecting several Android devices, including different Samsung and Pixel models, as well as several different versions of the Android app.

This bug is concerning for users who are worried about their privacy and security. In several of these reports, microphone activity from the app has been spotted in Android’s Privacy Dashboard as well as through the visible green dot notification on the Android status bar. This means that even when the user thinks that they have closed the app, it is still accessing their microphone, potentially recording their conversations without their knowledge or consent.

WhatsApp has responded to these reports by claiming that the issue lies with Android and not the app itself. They state that this seems to be a bug on Android that misattributed information in the privacy dashboard and have asked Google to investigate further. Unfortunately, WhatsApp’s response came after Elon Musk took to his Twitter account to share his opinion on the matter, accusing the company of not being trustworthy.

This latest bug has raised concerns about the app’s security and privacy features, further eroding users’ trust in the app. It is crucial that Google investigate the issue and address it as soon as possible to ensure users’ privacy and security are protected.

While WhatsApp is a popular messaging app, it is important to stay vigilant and aware of any potential security issues. Users should regularly check their app permissions and settings to ensure that their data is being protected.

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Passkeys are a relatively newer type of authentication factor that uses biometric data or a hardware token to verify a user’s identity. Unlike passwords, which are vulnerable to hacking and phishing attacks, passkeys are more secure and convenient to use. They are harder to crack because they require a physical object or biometric feature to authenticate the user, and they are more resistant to phishing attacks. With passkeys, users can authenticate themselves without having to remember complex passwords, making it a more user-friendly and secure way of accessing their accounts. With security breaches becoming increasingly common, Google has added an extra layer of security to Accounts, and it comes in the form of passkeys.

Passkeys can use Fingerprint Sensor & Face Unlock

To set up passkeys, users need to go to their Google Account settings as passkeys are not enabled by default. Administrators of Google Workspace accounts will also soon have the option to enable passkeys for their end-users during sign-in. With passkeys, users can enjoy a passwordless sign-in experience that is more convenient and secure than anything Google Accounts offer currently. Since most smartphones these days come with a fingerprint sensor or face unlock support, almost anyone will be able to use this new security feature.

As mentioned previously, Passkeys are more secure than passwords because they require a physical object or biometric feature to authenticate the user, making them resistant to online attacks, including phishing. Google has now rolled out support for passkeys across Google Accounts on all major platforms, including Android and iOS. While passkeys will not replace current sign-in options, users can take advantage of this additional option. Recently, Google has been on a roll with the introduction of new privacy protection features to its services. For instance, Gmail just implemented Blue Checkmarks to strengthen its privacy profile, which will help users recognize authentic accounts.

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In the midst of security breaches and privacy concerns, a lot of people still have weak passwords. One of the main reasons is that they choose passwords that are easy to remember, such as common phrases or simple numerical patterns, making it easier for hackers to guess them. Another reason is that many people use the same password for multiple accounts, which means that if one password is compromised, all of their accounts could be at risk. Additionally, people may not understand the importance of using strong passwords or the potential consequences of a security breach. Some people may also find it inconvenient to create and remember complex passwords, especially if they have multiple accounts that require different passwords.

NordPass evaluated 3TB of Data to Reveal 200 most common Passwords

NordPass, a password manager, recently released its latest report in preparation for World Password Day on May 4. The report evaluated over 3TB of data and confirmed the 200 most commonly used passwords in 30 countries and regions. The results were disappointing, as the report revealed that despite growing awareness about cybersecurity, people continue to use weak passwords to protect their accounts.

The top ten list of most commonly used passwords was particularly concerning. Eight of the passwords on the list could be easily cracked in less than one second. The most common password used was simply “password”. Other commonly used passwords included variations of numerical patterns and simple phrases that are easy to guess.

Experts in the field of cybersecurity have repeatedly emphasized the importance of using strong and unique passwords for different accounts. However, many people still prioritize convenience over security, using the same password across multiple accounts and choosing passwords that are easy to remember. It is important for individuals to prioritize strong password practices to protect their personal information from cyber threats. This includes using a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols, avoiding easily guessable patterns, and using different passwords for different accounts. As the NordPass report highlights, old habits die hard, but they must be broken to ensure the safety and security of personal information in the digital age.

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When you delete an app from your phone, the app’s files and data are typically removed from your device, including any cached or temporary data that the app may have created. However, it’s important to note that there may still be some residual data left behind on your phone after you delete an app. For instance, some apps may create files or folders outside of their main app directory, which may not be removed when you delete the app. Additionally, certain apps may store data online in the cloud or on external servers, which would not be removed when you delete the app from your device. Furthermore, some apps may request permissions to access certain data on your device, such as your contacts, location, or photos. Even after you delete the app, the data that the app accessed may still be available to the app’s developers or third-party advertisers, depending on the app’s privacy policy and terms of use. As per the Google’s latest announcement, the company wants users to have better control of what stays on their devices after they remove an application from their device.

Google has recently announced a new policy that requires Android apps on the Play Store to allow users to easily delete an account and its associated data, both inside the app and on the web. This move is aimed at promoting transparency and trust among users while also enabling greater control over their data. It also provides more flexibility by allowing users to delete specific data, such as uploaded content, without having to completely erase their account.

The policy will be implemented in stages, with creators having until December 7th to address questions about data deletion in their app’s safety form, and store listings reflecting the changes in early 2024. Developers have until May 31st of next year to file for an extension. Google’s new policy follows a similar rule instituted by Apple for App Store software and is part of a broader trend of regulators demanding more control over services. This includes the Federal Trade Commission’s proposed rule changes requiring easy ways to cancel subscriptions and memberships. By enabling greater control of accounts, Google and other companies hope to prevent privacy violations and associated fallout, such as data breaches.

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Twitter has been surrounded by a lot of negative press recently and it seems like the unfortunate run is still ongoing. A hacker has claimed to have private data on hundreds of millions of the platform’s users.

A new report has stated that the hacker has acquired sensitive information on 400 million users to be exact, which was illegally captured in 2021. The data was obtained by abusing an API vulnerability that has been fixed since its originally discovery. The hacker goes by the name ‘Ryushi’ has offered Elon Musk and Twitter to purchase this data him for a hefty price of 200,000 US Dollars. If they refuse, they would face an even heavier fine from the GDPR.

As per Ryushi on the Breached hacking forum, “Your best option to avoid paying $276 million USD in GDPR breach fines like facebook did (due to 533m users being scraped) is to buy this data exclusively… after that I will delete this thread and will not sell this data again.” To prove this, he even shared a sample data of more than 1,000 users that include a number of celebrities, which was leaked. This information contains sensitive data like email addresses, usernames, follower counts, creation dates, and some users’ phone numbers. 

The hacker further added that if Twitter skips this deal, he is also open to selling this data to multiple buyers for a sum of 60,000 US Dollars for interested parties. Unfortunately, it is still unclear as to what decision Twitter will make regarding this matter or even if the leaked private data is completely accurate. So stay tuned as we will offer updates if there are any notable developments on this matter.

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A security researcher has just discovered that Apple analytics data is collected and sent from iPhones, irrespective of the user’s permission. The researcher further says that the amount of data it collects is really shocking.

Known developer and security researcher Tommy Mysk recently discovered a flaw in the privacy of Apple’s software. Mysk had previously reported that Apple apps bypass the VPN connections in order to send data to Apple. He further reported that the Mail app on the Apple Watch was not using the Mail Privacy Protection feature.

We are all aware that before sending Apple Analytics Data, Apple requests users’ permission. If the permission is disabled, the data should not be communicated to the company, however, that is not the case in this instance. According to reports, the company is gathering Apple Analytics information without the users’ knowledge or consent. In fact, the researcher has said that he could not tell whether the user had opted to accept or reject authorization because there was no difference at all in the data sent.

Mysk claimed that even with consent, the amount and level of data would be excessive because it contained all the information required for device fingerprinting. It should be emphasized that in its developer guidelines, Apple expressly discourages such solutions. Information like your app searches, the adverts you’d seen, how you found the apps you browsed, and even how long you spent on an app’s page were all sent in real time by the App Store app.

A lawsuit has been reportedly filed against the brand in California for breaking privacy norms. Specifically, Apple is charged with breaking the California Invasion of Privacy Act. According to the plaintiff in the lawsuit, Elliot Libman, “Privacy is one of the key problems that Apple utilises to set its devices apart from rivals.” “However, Apple’s privacy guarantees are wholly unreal.”

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Google has been working on an interesting and anticipated feature for its Chromebook for a while now. The feature in question is aimed to boost the privacy in Chromebooks and to ensure users have a shoulder surfing free experience.

According to an AndroidPolice report, it is called the Human Presence Sensor (HPS) and it aims to offer users alert to notify them that someone could be taking a peek at their notebook. This feature has been listed in the Chromium Gerrit for a while now, so the company has been working on this feature some time. Back in September, the HPS could work with the face unlock feature to help bolster the Chromebook’s security.

And now, it seems that the feature will also arrive with snooping alerts as well. Once the HPS is activated on Chromebooks, the system will notify users when someone is looking over their shoulder, which is also known as shoulder surfing. The search engine giant seeks to use the built in webcam on your notebooks to track the number of people in the frame and react according to the settings that the user has set.

Once a person looks over your shoulder, the Chrome OS offers a few options. First, users can simply be alerted to their surroundings by having a small eye icon appear in the status area of the display. This feature can even turn off notifications or automatically dim the display to prevent the person from peeking into the contents on the screen. In other words, it could be especially useful if they are working with sensitive information at a public space. Unfortunately, the feature is still a while away, and are expected to launch sometime next year.

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Apple has just filed a new patent with the USPTO (US Patent and Trademark Office) earlier this week. The patent is for a unique new privacy feature that only reveals the content on iPhone through special glasses.

According to a PatentlyApple report (Via 9To5Mac), the patent in question describes a system that can display “vision corrected graphical outputs and standard graphical outputs on an electronic device.” However, a notable aspect of this system was the “Privacy Eyewear,” which can block other people around the user from seeing the content being displayed on the iPhone’s screen. Furthermore, the only way to see what’s on the display is through a special glasses.

Notably, the patent arrives amid rumors of the Cupertino based giant working on a mixed reality based headset and even an AR (Augmented Reality) based glasses. In other words, we might see this feature ship with these wearable products, which could even be a major selling point for the brand. Apart from just the new privacy feature, the iPhone maker is also working on on profiles for Face ID. The patent talks about an additional system that will be capable of differentiating between unique details on the user’s face. This includes aspects like hairstyles, beard, mustache, glasses, sunglasses, and more.

This feature could even make its way to the company’s Mac series of PCs as Touch ID lets users quickly switch accounts simply by scanning their fingerprints. So, it might be another seamless biometric verification system offered to the users. Although, this is still just a patent at the moment, so take this report with a pinch of salt for now.

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Logitech is planning to launch a number of new mice and keyboards, but to better appeal to businesses, the company is placing an emphasis on privacy and encryption for these products. So, the brand is also launching the new Logi Bolt USB A dongle that will aim to reduce latency in crowded places while also improving security as well.

The new accessories from the consumer electronics maker will securely connect to computers and mobile devices via Bluetooth Low Energy without any dongle. Although, the Bolt dongle is also based on Bluetooth connectivity but will arrive with a more secure tether (security mode 1, level 4). To put things simply, the use of Bluetooth in the Bolt USB dongle is far less prone to hacking than Logitech’s Unifying 2.4GHz receiver, which is vulnerable to the “MouseJack” exploit.

In a new white paper from the company, the Bolt will feature security mode 1, level 4 that utilizes Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman P-256 (ECDH) and AES-CCM encryption. As per the company, these features would ensure that “a Logi Bolt wireless product and its Logi Bolt receiver can only communicate with each other.” The company also added that its direct Bolt wireless connections are Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) compliant. The Logi Bolt USB dongle offers an improved range that can reach up to 33 feet or about 10 meters even in congested areas.

Notably, one Bolt dongle can connect up to six accessories to your computer. It is also compatible with multiple operating systems like Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, ChromeOS, and AndroidOS. The company has yet to announce an official launch date but stated that it will arrive soon and will cost 14.99 US Dollars. The devices that are compatible with Logi Bolt will sport a Bolt logo on their underside.

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WhatsApp, one of the leading instant messaging applications from social media giant Facebook, has filed a lawsuit against the Indian government. It seeks to block regulations coming into force that would compel the app to break its privacy protections.

The case, filed in the Delhi High Court, asks to declare that one of the new IT rules is a violation of privacy rights in India’s constitution since it requires social media companies to identify the “first originator of information” when authorities demand it.

It’s noteworthy that the law only requires WhatsApp to unmask people credibly accused of the wrongdoing but in practice, the company cannot do it alone. The traceability rule will also affect WhatsApp alternatives like Signal and Telegram which are inherently designed to be end-to-end encrypted.

WhatsApp has about half a billion users in India. It also says that because messages are encrypted end-to-end it would have to break encryption for receivers of messages as well as the originators to comply with the new law.

In a statement to Reuters, WhatsApp said that “requiring messaging apps to ‘trace’ chats is the equivalent of asking us to keep a fingerprint of every single message sent on WhatsApp, which would break end-to-end encryption and fundamentally undermines people’s right to privacy.”

This is yet another instance of growing tensions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and tech giants such as Facebook, Google, and Twitter, among others. This is a complex situation as India is one of the largest markets for these companies.

The tensions escalated when police visited Twitter‘s office this week after the microblogging platform labeled posts by the spokesperson of Narendra Modi’s political party as “manipulated media” for sharing a forged document.

Prior to that, the Indian government had pressed the tech companies to remove content from the social media platform where people criticized the government’s handling of the COVID-19’s second wave.

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Apple has updated its privacy policy for iOS 14 which mandates app developers to notify users about the information it collects. The social media giant Facebook has been campaigning against this.

Now, as the new policy goes into effect, Facebook has added a notice for the users about the information it collects from other apps and websites which can “help keep Facebook free of charge.” The company has also added a similar message for Instagram.

And it begins. @Facebook / @Instagram explore additional scare tactics to combat @Apple iOS14 #ATT privacy changes.

“Help keep Facebook free of charge” pic.twitter.com/mOB9WJpz9A

— ashkan soltani (@ashk4n) April 30, 2021

The company is referring to the notices as “educational screens,” and says that they provided “more details about how we use data for personalized ads.” The notice on the screen reads: “This version of iOS requires us to ask for permission to track some data from the devices to improve your ads. Learn how we limit the use of this information if you don’t turn on this device setting. We use information about your activity received from other apps and websites to: show you ads that are more personalized, help keep Facebook free of charge [and] support businesses that rely on ads to reach their customers.”

As stated, the new opt-in requirements in the latest versions of iOS require developers to get express consent from device owners to allow their Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA) to be shared and collected across apps.

Under Apple’s new privacy policy, app developers are still able to use other information a user provides for targeted advertising, even if the user opts out of letting the app track them, but that information can’t be shared with another company for ad tracking.

Facebook has been a vocal critic of Apple’s iOS 14 privacy updates, arguing that the privacy changes could hurt small businesses which may rely on Facebook’s ad network to reach customers. Facebook says Apple is encouraging new business models to rely less on advertising and more on subscriptions, which would potentially give Apple a cut.

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Apple is apparently planning on expanding its advertising business just prior to rolling out its new privacy rules for iPhones that will hurt the ads offered by its competitors, like Facebook, and other social media platforms.

According to a FinancialTimes report, the Cupertino based giant will be opening up new advertising slots by the end of this month. The news arrives from two sources close to the matter who believe that the company will be adding a second advertising slow in the “suggested” apps section in its App Store search page. This new slot will arrive later this month and will also allow advertisers to promote their apps across the the network, rather than in certain specific searches.

Unfortunately, Apple has declined to comment on this matter. But this news highlights the fact that the iPhone maker is seeking to bolster its own advertising business while simultaneously crippling the 350 billion US Dollar worth digital ads industry that is led by tech giants like Facebook and Google. For those unaware, the upcoming iOS 14.5 will ban applications and advertisers from collecting data from iPhone users without their explicit consent. Thus, most users are expected to decline to being tracked, which could have a severe impact on the mobile advertising industry.

While Apple claims that this change will improve user privacy for its customers, many believe that this is just an attempt to boost its own advertising business. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg added that “Apple may say they’re doing this to help people, but the moves clearly track with their competitive interests.” So stay tuned for more updates, as we will be covering any interesting new developments regarding this matter.

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Instagram is rolling out a new feature to help prevent users from viewing possibly abusive messages by filtering offensive words, phrases, and even emojis on the social media platform.

According to a Reuters report, the Facebook owned photo sharing application is launching a new feature to prevent hate speech and online abuse. Earlier today (21st April 2021), the social media giant said that it will make it harder for people blocked by users to circumvent and contact them through new accounts along with the filter option for abusive direct messages. Furthermore, the company has also been pushing its efforts to tackle hate speech and online form of abuse on its platform.

The company is raising its efforts against online abuse since a majority of its user base is teens and young adults. This filter can be activated by going to the privacy settings in app. One can also add customized words, phrases, and emojis to the filter that they wish to avoid or block from receiving in their message requests. Users can also use their discretion to report, delete, or even open messages, which will be sorted into a hidden requests folder.

At the moment, the feature is only applicable to direct message requests and not on the inbox itself and it will roll out in some countries in the coming weeks, as per an official company statement. Within the coming weeks, all users will also have the extended option to entirely block out people from contacting them on Instagram, if they are blocked on the social media platform.

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Apple had recently announced a new set of changes in its privacy rules. These would essentially block third party applications from tracking users’ data. But now, it seems that Chinese companies already working on a new tool to bypass these new rules to continue tracking iPhone users.

According to a FinancialTimes report, the new tool is being developed to enable these Chinese tech giants like ByteDance and Tencent, to serve iPhone users targeted mobile advertisements. The Cupertino based giant is expected to roll out the new privacy updates in the coming weeks. This would offer its userbase a higher degree of privacy. For those unaware, apps were generally able to use Apple’s IDFA system to track the users that click on ads and the apps they use.

But now, these firms would need to ask for permission to gather this tracking data. This might not seem like a major change, but in practice, it implies of a multi billion dollar worth shift in the advertising industry. The change has met opposition from major firms like Facebook, as most users would most likely decline on being tracked. Thus, the China Advertising Association, with over 2,000 members, has decided to launch a new method of tracking and identifying iPhone users. This new tool is dubbed as CAID.

This new tool is being widely tested by tech companies and advertisers at the moment in China. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, stated that advertisers “can use the CAID as a substitute if the user’s IDFA is unavailable.” Furthermore, sources close to both Tencent and ByteDance have confirmed the news, although, both companies have yet to comment on the matter. Similarly, even Apple has yet to offer a statement regarding CAID. But, it has stated that the rule will be universally applicable and will not have any exceptions.

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Twitter has been slapped with a fine over a bug that made private tweets appear public. This marks the first-ever sanction against a cross-border firm after the new GDPR dispute resolution mechanism. What’s more surprising is that the bug had occurred in early 2019.

As Reuters reports, Ireland’s DPC(Data Protection Commission) has imposed a fine of 450,000 euros ($547,000) on Twitter. Besides, this is a result of a 2019 investigation according to which Twitter violates Article 33(1) and 33(5) of the GDPR. Precisely, some of the users’ private protected tweets became public due to an Android App bug.

This doesn’t go well with the DPC as GDPR law requires a company to notify the breach of privacy on time(within 72 hours) and document it properly(scope of vulnerable data, security measures, etc.,). However, Twitter has responded to this saying that it occurred due to an “unanticipated consequence of staffing between Christmas Day 2018 and New Years’ Day”.

EDITOR’S PICK: Elon Musk, Barack Obama, Bill Gates, among others affected by the Biggest Twitter Hack in recent history

For the unware, GDPR is Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation. Made in 2016, the new law is in force since May 2018. Its scope widens to the European Union and the European Economic Area. DPC, on the other hand, is a lead privacy supervisor for many tech giants including Apple, Twitter, Facebook, Google in the EU region.

The Irish watchdog already has a total of 20+ cases pending so far. Generally, it has the power to impose a fine up to 4% of a company’s global revenue or €20 million, whichever is higher. Plus, the new sanction is the first against a US firm after the new Dispute resolution system as mentioned above.

Accordingly, it empowers a national regulator to make a decision before consulting with other regulators of the EU. Anyway, Twitter’s response to the final ruling also says that it is fully responsible for this mistake and remains fully committed to protecting the privacy and data of our customers.

UP NEXT: Huawei launches new AppGallery promotion to support businesses during pandemic

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Apple has been involved in a few controversies because of its policies and now the company is facing yet another antitrust complaint about recently made changes in the privacy policy on iPhones.

As per the report coming from WSJ, advertising companies and publishers have filed a complaint with Competition Authority in France, claiming that Apple’s changes in the privacy policy are anticompetitive.

From early 2021, Apple‘s operating software will require apps to get opt-in permission from the users to collect an advertising identifier. For those who are unaware, this unique identifier helps companies deliver targeted ads and check campaign performances.

The complaint argues that in such a case, very few users will agree to this and as a result, businesses won’t be able to offer personalized ads. It adds that the language will drive-away users and the advertising identifier will become useless for most ecosystems.

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While apps will need to get permission from the users, Apple’s own apps won’t have to show prompt or get user permission. Apple is offering personalized ads in the App Store and on Apple News based on where users go and what users do in Apple’s apps. To opt-out of the default Apple tracking, users need to do that manually by finding the relevant options in the Settings app.

The Cupertino-based tech giant had planned to introduce this new change in policy in September this year but decided to delay it to next year after criticism from high-profile companies like Facebook and others.

UP NEXT: Apple’s iPhone 12 supplier Unimicron Technology’s PCB-making factory catches fire in Taiwan

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According to the latest report published by Forbes, Xiaomi smartphones are found that the company is recording data of what the user is doing with the devices and the data are then sent to remove servers hosted by Alibaba, which are ostensibly rented by Xiaomi.

It found that Xiaomi’s default browser records all the websites visited, including search queries even from privacy-focused search engines, and every item viewed on its news feed. It reports that the tracking happens even when the user is in the private mode.

Further, the report adds that the Xiaomi device records what folders users open and to which screens they swipes, including the status bar and the settings page. All of the data are then being packaged and sent to remote servers in Singapore and Russia, while the web domains they hosted were registered in Beijing.

The report from Forbes reveal that the company wasn’t just collected web browser data but also data about the phone, including unique numbers for identifying the specific device and Android version.

However, Xiaomi denies that there’s a problem with privacy. The company claims that data is encrypted when transferred to protect user privacy. But it just takes a few seconds to decode the base64 encryption and to change the garbled data into readable information.

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In its response, the Chinese smartphone maker says that “privacy and security is of top concern” for them and adds that it “strictly follows and is fully compliant with local laws and regulations on user data privacy matters.” The spokesperson for the company also confirms that it was collecting browsing data, claiming the information was anonymised so wasn’t tied to any identity.

Xiaomi’s spokesperson also denied that browsing data was being recorded under incognito mode. However, two security researcher found in their independent tests that their web habits were sent off to remote servers regardless of what mode the browser was set to. When Forbes sent a video proof of the claim to Xiaomi, the company continued denying it.

Upon further digging, Forbes found that to better understand its users’ behaviour, Xiaomi is using services of a behavioural analytics company called Sensors Analytics which has tools that help its clients in “exploring the hidden stories behind the indicators in exploring the key behaviors of different businesses.” Xiaomi’s spokesperson also confirmed the company’s relationship with Sensors Analytics.

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(Source)

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