Tag Archives: DataCollection

LG Smart TVs could be collecting personal data, even if you tell them not to

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Think you're safe from prying eyes when you turn off your computer or smartphone and flip on the TV? That might not be the case if you have a recent LG Smart TV, according to a UK blogger called DoctorBeet. He noticed that his new HD set was sending private data, regardless of whether a (rather hidden) toggle called "Collection of watching info" was turned on or off. In scanning through his router logs, DoctorBeet noticed that TV station metadata was transmitted (albeit to a server that appears inactive) each time he changed the channel. More insidiously, even the names of files on USB keys he inserted were being sent -- including one he changed to "Midget_Porn_2013.avi" to prove a point. That appears to go beyond what we saw with its Cognitive Networks hookup, which was supposed to supply more features to users, not advertisers. We contacted LG, who made the following statement:

We're looking into this now. We take these claims very seriously and are currently investigating the situation at numerous local levels since our Smart TVs differ in features and functions from one market to another. We work hard to get privacy right and have made this our top priority.

They said it could take another 48 hours to actually confirm or deny what's going on -- so, naturally, as soon as we know, you'll know.

[Image Credit: DoctorBeet's Blog]

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Via: Y Combinator blog

Source: DoctorBeet's Blog

White House telecom advisor proposes privacy code of conduct for apps

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NTIA drafts app code of conduct, aims to give users more data collection transparency

The White House's main telecom adviser, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), has issued a first draft of a mobile apps code of contact, with the goal of giving consumers more control of their privacy. It was created over several years in cooperation with privacy advocates, app developers and gatekeepers like Apple, Google and Blackberry. If adopted, publishers will be required to provide "short form notices" telling consumers whether or not their data is being collected and how it's being used. Such data would include biometrics, browser history, phone or SMS logs, contact info, financial data, health, medical or therapy info, user files and location data.

The document was backed by the American Civil Liberties Union, though it wasn't crazy about the amount of time the process took, saying that "comprehensive privacy legislation" was also needed. It's worth noting that major app store operators already agreed recently to put new privacy policy standards in place that conform with California's Online Privacy Protection Act. There's also the irony of the US government pushing for more consumer privacy, while perhaps being the largest abuser via PRISM. Dig into the source for the full read.

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Via: TNW

Source: NTIA

Court documents reveal secret rules allowing NSA to use US data without a warrant

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NSA's information gathering practices have been further detailed in court papers revealed by The Guardian. While the agency has continued to reiterate that it doesn't collect its data indiscriminately, the leaked papers detail several loopholes that allow it to gather data from both American and foreign origins without the need for a warrant. If you use data encryption or other privacy tools, your communications are likely to receive extra attention, and the agency can indefinitely keep any information assembled for "crypto-analytic, traffic analysis or signal exploitation purposes" -- in short, if the NSA believes may be relevant in the future.

One reason to hold onto said files could simply be the fact that the data is encrypted and NSA wants to be able to analyze its protection. The security agency can also give the FBI and other government organizations any data if it contains a significant amount of foreign intelligence, or information about a crime that has (or will be) committed. Any data that's "inadvertently acquired" through the NSA's methods -- and could potentially contain details of US citizens -- can be held for up to five years before it has to be deleted. The Guardian's uploaded the leaked papers in full -- hit the source links for more.

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Via: The Guardian, Forbes

Source: The Guardian (1), (2)

Facebook to experiment with access for under-13s

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Facebook to experiment with access for minors

Facebook is exploring options to connect kids to its social network, while ensuring it obeys federal laws. According to the Wall Street Journal, the social network is pushing for a more formalized structure for under-13s in an effort to curb users registering under a false age. Consumer Reports currently pegs the number of under-age users at around 7.5 million. Despite other privacy concerns, Facebook is reportedly looking to add buffers and parental controls to any kid-friendly version that might result from its current experiments. It could also tie parents' accounts to their little tykes' pages, allowing game purchases to be made through their bank details. Well, that new HQ isn't going to pay for itself.

Facebook to experiment with access for under-13s originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 04:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Facebook to put privacy changes to vote thanks to policy group, its own rules

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A vote on Facebook privacy rules prompted by 45,000 comments plastered on its governance page is likely to trigger consequences -- maybe some not intended. With Max Schrems' Our Policy site easily egging the number past the 7,000 threshold, the now-public social company must wait to see if 30 percent of its user base will object to the seemingly modest revisions. With the flock now numbering nearly 800 million, it seems unlikely that 230 million of them will bother to even vote, let alone strike the changes down. Given that and Facebook's privacy Czar Erin Egan saying that it will now revisit the vote policy, it's possible the only result will be a change in terms which could stymie future privacy efforts. Want to have your say? Check the more coverage link to find out where to go.

Facebook to put privacy changes to vote thanks to policy group, its own rules originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jun 2012 23:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Facebook proposes more transparent privacy policy, wants to know what you think of it

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Facebook proposes more transparent privacy policy, is looking for feedback from youFacebook's had some privacy foibles in the not-so-distant past, and has been working to improve its policies to better inform Facebook users how their info is exploited. Last year, the Irish Data Protection Commissioner's Office did an audit of Facebook's data usage approach, and determined that, while Facebook's doing a decent job, further details should be provided to us all. Well, the social network's recently responded by creating a Terms and Policies Hub to make its myriad policies easy to find. Additionally, it's adding new examples and explanations to its Data Use Policy about how the 'book employs cookies on its site, while also shedding some light on how our info's used for advertising and improving site operations. There's also a detailed description of the Activity Log tool that lets you see every bit of info you've entrusted to Mr. Zuckerberg, so you can better manage your pictures and wall posts. These changes aren't yet set in stone, however, because Facebook wants to know what you think before doing so. Just head on over to Facebook's Site Governance page to peruse the changes and provide feedback at your leisure, or tune into a live Q&A session with Chief Privacy Officer Erin Egan next Monday (May 14th) at noon ET to tell her face-to-digital-face.

Facebook proposes more transparent privacy policy, wants to know what you think of it originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 May 2012 14:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Facebook revealing the personal data it collects, won’t spare your drunk-poking blushes

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Facebook's massively expanding its Download Your Information service into an all-encompassing archive of the data Mr. Zuckerberg collects about your daily dose of people-stalking. DYL was introduced in 2010 and allowed you to pull down all the photos, posts, messages, friend lists and chat conversations in the archives -- but now will also offer stored IP addresses, previous names you've used, friend requests you've made, with further categories due in the future. It'll have to sate the concerns of privacy organizations worldwide, since it's rumored to collect 84 different categories of information about you (85 if you count all those Instagram photos it just bought). It'll be gradually rolled out to all 845 million users in the coming weeks and is available from your general account settings.

Facebook revealing the personal data it collects, won't spare your drunk-poking blushes originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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