privacy
The EU Has a Plan to Fix Internet Privacy: Be More Like Apple
Lawmakers want all websites to use a similar “Ask App Not to Track” function, but Apple's system might not be as clear-cut as once believed.
A Bug in iOS 15 Is Leaking User Browsing Activity in Real Time
Apple has known about the vulnerability, which also affects iPadOS 15 and Safari 15, since late November.
Europe’s Move Against Google Analytics Is Just the Beginning
Austria’s data regulator has found that the use of Google Analytics is a breach of GDPR. In the absence of a new EU-US data deal, other countries may follow.
Gaming Giant Unity Wants to Digitally Clone the World
The company is leveraging its technology to help clients make “digital twins”—virtual copies of real-life objects, environments, and even people.
How Apple's iCloud Private Relay Can Keep You Safe
The newest security measure is still in beta. But if you want to make use of it, here's what you need to know.
Apple’s Private Relay Roils Telecoms Around the World
Security experts say there's little reason for the criticism from Europe’s mobile operators and US limitations over the VPN-like iCloud tool.
How to Read Your iOS 15 App Privacy Report
Your iPhone now gives you lots of transparency into what your downloads are up to. Here's what to look out for.
6 Ways to Delete Yourself From the Internet
You’ll never be able to get a clean slate—but you can significantly downsize your digital footprint.
How to Send Messages That Automatically Disappear
Need to be discreet? Here's how to set up vanishing texts, photos, or videos in most popular chat apps.
Transparency Laws Let Criminal Records Become Commodities
For millions of people, details from an arrest—even a mistaken one—live on after being sold to data brokers. And the state profits.
The Kid Surveillance Complex Locks Parents in a Trap
Minute-by-minute, footstep-by-footstep tracking of children is all too easy and enticing. But everyone's a prisoner in the parental panopticon.
Meta Ousts 7 Surveillance-for-Hire Operations From Its Platforms
While NSO Group gets most of the attention, the takedowns underscore how insidious the industry has become.
How to Opt Out of Verizon’s Custom Experience Tracking
Unless you manually opt out of the program, Verizon will store personal information and create user interest profiles.
The Android 12 Privacy Settings You Should Update Now
Google's new mobile operating system is finally rolling out to more phones. Here's what you need to tweak.
Now Isn’t the Time to Give Users Control of Their Data
Until the collection of data is regulated, having power over your own information is more of a nightmarish responsibility than an appealing right.
DuckDuckGo Wants to Stop Apps From Tracking You on Android
The privacy-focused tech company's latest update promises to block invasive data collection across your whole phone.
Amazon's Dark Secret: It Has Failed to Protect Your Data
Voyeurs. Sabotaged accounts. Backdoor schemes. For years, the retail giant has handled your information less carefully than it handles your packages.
A Black Woman Invented Home Security. Why Did It Go So Wrong?
Surveillance systems, no matter the intention, will always exist to serve power.
Metadata From Encrypted Messages Can Keep People Safe
Sharing “metadata of the metadata” is crucial for informing product design that will fight misinformation without allowing security backdoors.
The Sneaky Way TikTok Is Connecting You to Real-Life Friends
The social network got huge by ignoring who you know. That's increasingly no longer the case.
Parents Built a School App. Then the City Called the Cops
Stockholm’s official app was a disaster. So annoyed parents built their own open source version—ignoring warnings that it might be illegal.
This AI Predicts How Old Children Are. Can It Keep Them Safe?
Yoti’s tech may be enticing for Big Tech companies: It works out if you’re under or over 13, the age most social media platforms require to create an account.
The Best VPNs to Protect Yourself Online
It won’t solve all of your privacy problems, but a virtual private network can help make you a less tempting target for hackers.
New Sex Toy Standards Let Some Sensitive Details Slide
The industry now has official guidance on design, materials, and more, but not security and privacy best practices.