Privacy

Judge says lawsuit against comScore can proceed as class action

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The web measurement company is accused of secretly collecting data on millions and then sharing it with clients.

"Right to Know" bill proposes more transparency for California data collectors

"Right to Know" bill proposes more transparency for California data collectors By

The state, no stranger to pioneering data security and privacy legislation, is at it again with a proposed measure that would force companies to be transparent about with whom they are sharing customer information.

Lawmakers propose change to "outdated" email privacy law

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Senators say current provisions of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act give law enforcement too many liberties when accessing the electronic communications of Americans.

Popular ad blocking app nixed from Google Play

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Known for creating an undeterred web surfing experience and bolstering privacy, Google has decided to remove AdBlock Plus from its Android market place.

RSA 2013: Titans clash over using do-not-track on an internet that advertising helped build

RSA 2013: Titans clash over using do-not-track on an internet that advertising helped build By

Software makers Mozilla and Microsoft have worked DNT functionality into their browsers to protect online privacy, but Google and Facebook want people to remember that their services exist for free thanks to online advertising.

HRSDC loses 583,000 personal data of Canadians

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Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), a department of the Government of Canada, was reeling last month after the personal data of 583,000 Canadians was lost on a portable hard drive.

FTC finds little improvement in mobile privacy for children

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Thinking their children are occupied with a friendly game on the iPad, parents may be less pleased to learn that many mobile apps for kids collect personal information without their knowledge.

FTC penalizes ad network covertly spying on users

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The Federal Trade Commission announced Wednesday that it has settled with a now-defunct behavioral ad firm that used "history sniffing" technology to secretly monitor the browsing habits of users.

Video: The state of surveillance

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In this video, SC Magazine chats with Chester Wisniewski, senior security advisor at Sophos, about the state of surveillance following the recent headlines involving CIA director, General David Petraeus.

US, Canada announce cross-border action plan

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Public Safety Canada and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security launched an action plan last month to back up a February 2011 border security partnership.

Calif. begins enforcing law requiring mobile privacy policies

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In the next few weeks, up to 100 companies will receive notification letters that they may be violating a nearly decade-old privacy law that also covers mobile applications.

Boston web analytics firm settles with FTC

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The company, Compete, was charged by the FTC with deceptively collecting the sensitive data of millions of consumers dating back to 2006.

Is your smartphone spying on you?

Is your smartphone spying on you?

For all of their bells and whistles, smartphones present real privacy concerns -- some of which users aren't aware.

BC Health Ministry admits to data sharing scandal

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The provincial government of British Columbia has fired four employees and suspended three others after allegations that health data was shared inappropriately.

School ties: Security challenges at universities

School ties: Security challenges at universities By

Sanjeev Sah has been CISO of UNC-Charlotte for just over a year, and he's already well versed on the unique circumstances that make securing colleges unlike any other vertical.

Privacy groups ask FTC to study new Facebook ad deal

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Two privacy groups are urging the Federal Trade Commission to investigate a new Facebook partnership to learn whether it violates the terms of an earlier settlement.

Companies settle rent-to-own computer spy charges

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A software developer and seven rental computer distributors are accused of installing spy software on machines that was capable of logging keystrokes and taking webcam photos.

Executive order drafted following failed Cybersecurity Act

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The Obama administration has drafted a cyber security executive order that is similar to the Cybersecurity Act of 2012 bill that was struck down by the Senate.

Severe fine imposed for sharing 24 music files

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A Minnesota woman accused of distributing music via the Kazaa file-sharing site has been fined $222,000 in the first music copyright infringement case to reach a jury.

App maker says leaked Apple IDs came from its database

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A researcher contacted BlueToad, a Florida app developer, after spotting clues that stolen Apple UDIDs came from the company. The revelation may clear the FBI of any fault.

FTC offers guidance for mobile application development

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The best practices ask developers to weigh the privacy and security risks before rolling out apps to employees and customers.

Facebook, FTC settle over privacy, consumer data charges

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Facebook has agreed to settle privacy charges lodged by the Federal Trade Commission. The social networking giant, among other things, is required to undergo biennial privacy audits.

Google will pay record $22.5 million over Safari tracking

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Google will pay $22.5 million after the FTC charged the tech giant with misrepresenting the privacy assurances of Apple's Safari browser users.

White House reportedly considers cyber executive order

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Although it appeared as if another year would go by without any action on cyber security legislation, President Obama may turn to an executive order to implement new policy.

Thumb drive with data on 14k hospital patients stolen

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A USB drive with data on 14,300 patients of Oregon Health & Science University in Portland was stolen from the home of an employee on July 4 or 5.

Cyber security bill struck down in Senate, likely dead

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Senate Republicans on Thursday defeated a bill that would have asked critical infrastructure operators to meet voluntary cyber security standards. Some Democrats also disagreed with the measure, saying it didn't go far enough to protect privacy.

Full Senate begins consideration of cyber security legislation

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Sensing that the now-revised Cybersecurity Act of 2012 has a chance at passing in the Senate, a number of senators are rushing to include amendments, which includes added privacy provisions and a federal breach notification clause.

Black Hat: Researcher talks alternative web tracking techniques

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There's plenty of new technology now available to address the privacy concerns of web tracking, but there are also ways to evade these controls in order to follow the digital footsteps of internet users.

Senate intros revised security bill to appease privacy woes

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The incentive-driven Cyber Security Act of 2012 is expected to be discussed as early as this week, and supporters hope to fast-track its approval before the August Congress recess. Count President Obama as one of those people.

Personal data of 2.4 million Ontario voters at risk

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Two USB drives holding personal information of up to 2.4 million Ontario voters have been reported missing from Elections Ontario.

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