National Security, Trade Policy, Data Privacy

Democrats question top national security officials, Trump claims auto tariffs will boost manufacturing, concerns over private information in DOGE.

Data Brokerage Industry and Privacy Concerns

Publicis Groupe, a data and advertising conglomerate, recently acquired Lotame and plans to integrate it with Epsilon to deliver personalized messaging at scale to 91% of internet users. They use sophisticated software like CoreAI to analyze and predict consumer behavior, creating a privacy concern for billions of people.

Elon Musk's DOGE Team Accessing Government Databases

Elon Musk's team within the Trump administration, known as DOGE, has sought sweeping access to government databases containing personal information on millions of Americans, raising concerns among federal workers and privacy advocates.

Ethical Considerations in Investigative Genetic Genealogy

Pioneering investigative genetic genealogist CeCe Moore discusses the ethical responsibilities of genetic genealogists in using investigative genetic genealogy to solve violent crimes. Privacy concerns arise as the FBI accesses private DNA databases in the Bryan Kohberger case. Despite legal concerns, the method has strong public support.

Labor Unions vs. Department of Government Efficiency on Social Security Data Access

Labor unions are seeking to stop Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency from accessing sensitive Social Security data of millions of Americans, citing concerns about privacy and potential risks to data security.

Elon Musk Demands Federal Employees Report Accomplishments

Elon Musk demands federal employees report accomplishments or risk losing jobs, facing resistance from key U.S. agencies. Lawsuits threatened over mandate. Musk's team demands sensitive info, sparking privacy concerns. Musk's influence at Conservative Political Action Conference visible with 'Dark MAGA' hats. Fired federal workers struggle to find new jobs amidst cost-cutting efforts. Trump clashes with Maine governor over transgender athletes, triggering federal investigation.

Elon Musk's team accessing FEMA systems and government data

DHS chief signals that Elon Musk's team has access to FEMA systems containing Americans' private information. Musk's team is involved in cost-cutting efforts and has faced criticism for their access to sensitive data. The Independent is a trusted news source that covers a wide range of topics and promotes quality journalism accessible to all.

Legal Threats Against Department of Government Efficiency Led by Elon Musk

Attorneys general in over a dozen states are threatening to sue the Department of Government Efficiency led by Elon Musk for accessing sensitive personal information, DOGE claims it is in defense of the Constitution and essential funding. The lawsuit comes amidst DOGE's efforts to slash government waste.

Democratic lawmakers confront House Speaker Mike Johnson about Elon Musk's access to Treasury Department's payment system

Two Democratic lawmakers confronted House Speaker Mike Johnson about Elon Musk's access to Treasury Department's payment system. They expressed concerns about Americans' private information being stolen and given to Musk.

DeepSeek AI and Privacy Concerns

DeepSeek AI, a Chinese-developed generative AI app, has surpassed OpenAI's ChatGPT as the most downloaded free app, but is facing backlash due to privacy concerns and potential data sharing with the Chinese government. Many companies and governments have banned the app.

FBI Introduces Iris Scan Technology

FBI celebrates 100 years of success in its fingerprint lab and introduces iris scan technology as a new effective option for identification. Iris technology is fast, accurate, and reduces safety risks for law enforcement officers. FBI hopes more states will adopt this technology.

White House press secretary's refusal to share information about President Biden's doctors

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre refused to share information about President Biden's doctors over 'security reasons,' leading to a heated exchange with reporters.

Age Restriction Laws Impacting Access to Pornhub in the U.S.

Several states in the U.S. are implementing age restriction laws that have led to Pornhub banning access for over 18 million Americans. The laws require users to upload a government ID to verify their age, leading to privacy concerns and potential data breaches.

Age Restriction Laws Impacting Pornhub in the U.S.

Several states in the U.S. are implementing age restriction laws leading to the banning of Pornhub in those states, with concerns about privacy and data breaches. The parent company supports age verification but criticizes the implementation of these laws.

Pornhub Blocking Access in Response to Age Verification Laws

Pornhub plans to block access in Indiana, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, and Nebraska due to new age verification laws. They view the laws as infringing on user privacy. The company supports age verification but finds the current laws ineffective and dangerous.

Insurance Companies Collecting Driving Behavior Data

Insurance companies are using driving behavior data collected from apps and automakers to determine rates, leading to concerns about privacy and consent. While this could result in fairer personalized rates, some worry about potential discrimination and lack of transparency.

The Internet of Bodies (IOB)

The Internet of Bodies (IOB) is a network of human bodies connected to the internet and related technologies. It includes external, internal, and fully integrated devices, with companies like Neuralink working on brain-computer interfaces. While IOB offers exciting advancements, it raises privacy and ethical concerns about human autonomy and self-governance.

Meta's AI-Powered Wearables Project 'Camerabuds'

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is developing AI-powered earphones with cameras called 'Camerabuds' for surveillance capitalism data gathering. Mark Zuckerberg is actively involved in the project, which faces technical challenges and privacy concerns.

Jeffrey Epstein's Second 'Black Book' Auction

A second 'black book' of contact names and numbers belonging to Jeffrey Epstein is going up for auction. The book contains 220 new names not listed in the first book, including well-known individuals. The book's authenticity will be verified by a forensic document examiner. Sealed bids will be accepted for a month, with an estimated price of $100,000 to $200,000. If a top bid is not received, the book will be auctioned in July.

Dismissal of Juror in Donald Trump's Criminal Trial

New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan dismissed a juror from Donald Trump's criminal trial after she raised concerns about her identity becoming public. The jury selection process involves 42 questions and scrutiny of social media accounts. The trial began with jury selection and is expected to wrap up early next week.

AI Beauty Pageant 'Miss AI'

The world's first AI beauty pageant, Miss AI, is set to take place in May with prizes totaling over $20,000. Contestants will be judged on beauty, tech, and social clout. Winners will receive cash prizes, PR support, and access to mentorship programs.

Rise of AI Girlfriends

Tech executive Greg Isenberg shared encounter with man spending $10,000/month on AI girlfriends, predicts billion-dollar industry. AI-generated virtual companions gaining popularity for conversations, emotional support, and erotic role-play. Market cap for AI-version of Match Group estimated to exceed $1B. Privacy concerns raised due to personal data harvesting by AI girlfriends.

Concerns Over Government Surveillance Expansion in Spy Powers Reform Bill

Lawmakers and privacy experts are concerned about a provision in a spy powers reform bill that expands government surveillance. The bill reauthorizes Section 702 of FISA, allowing surveillance of Americans' communications without a warrant. The amendment in question broadens the scope of businesses and individuals who can be compelled to spy on customers. Critics call it a 'trojan horse' for 'PATRIOT Act 2.0.' Both Republicans and Democrats have expressed outrage over the expansion of surveillance powers.

Volunteering Iris Scans for Crypto Tokens in Argentina

Argentines are volunteering to have their irises scanned in exchange for crypto tokens as part of a biometrics project by Worldcoin, despite concerns about privacy and security in several countries. The project aims to create a digital identification system using iris data for online transactions.

Location Data Tracking of Jeffrey Epstein's 'Pedophile Island'

Location data broker Near Intelligence collected data on nearly 200 mobile devices of people who visited Jeffrey Epstein's 'pedophile island,' documenting their movements from their homes and offices to the island. The data reveals the precision surveillance that data brokers can achieve with loose privacy restrictions under US law.

Apple's New Journal Feature Privacy Concerns

Apple's new Journal feature on iPhone raises concerns about privacy, but the fears are mostly debunked. The feature tracks videos, photos, audio clips, and location data for personal journaling. End-to-end encryption secures entries, and settings allow users to control data sharing. The real concern is the visibility of smartphone names on Wi-Fi networks, posing a potential security risk.

AI Death Calculator

Danish researchers have created an 'AI death calculator' that predicts life expectancy and wealth, but warn of fraudulent copycat apps online. The original chatbot is private and not accessible online. The AI uses data from health and demographic records to predict outcomes like fertility, obesity, cancer, and income.

Privacy Concerns in Data Sharing by Automakers

Major automakers are sharing detailed driving data of their customers with insurance companies and data brokers without explicit consent, leading to increased insurance premiums and privacy concerns. Policymakers are investigating these practices, and privacy advocates warn of potential far-reaching consequences.

Privacy Concerns Over Albedo's New Satellite Capable of Spying on Individuals from Space

Privacy experts are concerned about a new satellite by Albedo that can spy on individuals and objects with high resolution imagery from space. The satellite has raised privacy and surveillance concerns, despite claims of not having facial recognition software. It has contracts with the U.S. Air Force and National Air and Space Intelligence Center for national security purposes.

Facial Recognition in Air Travel

Facial recognition technology is being increasingly used in air travel to enhance security and efficiency. It promises to transform the way we fly by replacing traditional ID checks with biometric verification, reducing waiting times and stress for travelers. While the technology offers benefits, concerns over privacy and ethics have been raised.

Privacy concerns over new satellite technology

A startup called Albedo Space is building satellites with powerful cameras that can image people without identifying them, raising concerns about privacy. While the technology could have benefits in disaster response, the potential for constant surveillance is worrying privacy experts. The company's technology has attracted interest from investors and government agencies, but critics warn of the implications for personal privacy and human rights.