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Posts tagged ‘privacy’

17
Nov

Verizon begins collecting user data for targeted ads, is kind enough to offer ‘opt-out’ escape route

Verizon still wants to collect your personal information, but it’ll understand if you decide to opt out. Really, it’s cool. No hard feelings. The provider said as much yesterday, in an e-mail titled “Important notice about how Verizon Wireless uses information.” The missive, sent to all VZW customers, essentially lays out the company’s revamped privacy policy, originally unveiled last month. Under the new framework, Verizon will be able to monitor your browsing history, location, app usage, and demographic data, all in the name of targeted advertising and vaguely-titled “business and marketing reports.” The good news is that you can always opt out of the scheme, either by phone or online. The bad news is that you’ll probably have to explain the whole thing to your grandma.

Verizon begins collecting user data for targeted ads, is kind enough to offer ‘opt-out’ escape route originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 04:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TechCrunch  |  sourceVerizon  | Email this | Comments

15
Nov

Google announces ‘opt-out’ feature for wireless network owners, aims to allay privacy concerns

Google, as promised, responded to concerns over its data collection policy this morning, by announcing a new “opt-out” feature for its location based services. Under the new policy, WiFi operators can remove their home networks from Google’s geolocation database by simply adding “_nomap” to the end of their access point’s SSID. A network named “Engadget,” for example, would be renamed “Engadget_nomap,” and dutifully removed from the Google Location Server. In a blog post announcing the change, the company explained that this solution offers “the right balance of simplicity as well as protection against abuse,” since it “helps protect against others opting out your access point without your permission.” For more details, hit up the source link below, or check out Google’s Help Center for more detailed instructions on how to opt out.

Google announces ‘opt-out’ feature for wireless network owners, aims to allay privacy concerns originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink CNET  |  sourceGoogle  | Email this | Comments

4
Nov

iSpy software can read texts and steal passwords with its little eye (video)

We spy, with our bleary eye, a new piece of software that could make it dramatically easier to steal personal data. The program, known as iSpy, allows devious voyeurs to remotely identify and read text typed on touchscreen displays. That, in and of itself, isn’t exactly new, but iSpy takes shoulder surfing to slightly terrifying new areas — namely, those beyond the “shoulder.” Developed by Jan-Michael Frahm and Fabian Monrose of the UNC-Chapel Hill, this program, like those before it, takes advantage of the magnified keys found on most touchscreens. All you’d have to do is point a camera at someone else’s screen and iSpy will automatically record whatever he or she types by stabilizing the video footage and identifying the enlarged keys. If you’re using a smartphone camera, you’ll be able to eavesdrop from up to three meters away, but if you opt for a more heavy duty DSLR device, you could steal passwords from up to 60 meters away. The software can also recognize any words typed into a device, and, according to its architects, can identify letters with greater than 90 percent accuracy. When used with a DSLR camera, iSpy can even pick up on reflections of touchscreens in sunglasses or window panes from up to 12 meters away. To avoid this, Frahm and Monrose recommend disabling the magnified key function on your smartphone, or using some sort of screen shield. We recommend checking out a video of the program, after the break.

Continue reading iSpy software can read texts and steal passwords with its little eye (video)

iSpy software can read texts and steal passwords with its little eye (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink New Scientist  |  sourceiSpy  | Email this | Comments

3
Nov

Beijing’s rolling out city wide ‘free’ public WiFi, just hand over your phone number

Heads-up, locals: China’s Mobile, Unicom and Telecom carriers are building a city-wide public WiFi network across Beijing. Residents will enjoy free 2Mbps internet for up to three years, if they sign up to the “My Beijing” service. Like most things that are gratis, there’s a catch: you have to submit your phone number in exchange for access. Privacy enthusiasts aren’t thrilled at the idea, (you know, since it’s backed by the Government), though a representative said that the numbers would only be used for “identity authentication” — insinuating that they would only be tracing individuals whose online activity might “endanger social security.” High-minded privacy concerns aside, there’s the very real danger of phones being bombarded with spam, not to mention what happens when the three year trial period expires — users of the service could get stung with exorbitant costs to feed a public WiFi addiction.

Beijing’s rolling out city wide ‘free’ public WiFi, just hand over your phone number originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TechCrunch  |  sourceChina.cn  | Email this | Comments

3
Nov

Beijing’s rolling out city wide ‘free’ public WiFi, just hand over your phone number

Heads-up, locals: China’s Mobile, Unicom and Telecom carriers are building a city-wide public WiFi network across Beijing. Residents will enjoy free 2Mbps internet for up to three years, if they sign up to the “My Beijing” service. Like most things that are gratis, there’s a catch: you have to submit your phone number in exchange for access. Privacy enthusiasts aren’t thrilled at the idea, (you know, since it’s backed by the Government), though a representative said that the numbers would only be used for “identity authentication” — insinuating that they would only be tracing individuals whose online activity might “endanger social security.” High-minded privacy concerns aside, there’s the very real danger of phones being bombarded with spam, not to mention what happens when the three year trial period expires — users of the service could get stung with exorbitant costs to feed a public WiFi addiction.

Beijing’s rolling out city wide ‘free’ public WiFi, just hand over your phone number originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TechCrunch  |  sourceChina.cn  | Email this | Comments

25
Oct

Google Buzz settlement approved by FTC, yearly privacy audits incoming

Mountain View’s lawyers can collectively breathe a sigh of relief, as the FTC has accepted an earlier proposal relating to Buzz’s numerous privacy violations. The service — which already settled one suit and is scheduled for rendezvous with the grim reaper — was singled out by the commission for misleading users by partially opting them in, even after they had explicitly declined to do so. As punishment, Google will be required to field yearly audits from an independent party for the next twenty years (!). Don’t mess with the law government, kids.

Google Buzz settlement approved by FTC, yearly privacy audits incoming originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 07:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Macworld  |  sourceFTC  | Email this | Comments

14
Oct

Verizon wants to know where you go, what you look at, that’s all

Verizon’s got a couple of loose ends to tie up. It’s nothing important, you understand, just a tweak to its privacy policy that will allow the carrier to monitor your physical movements and browsing activities. It actually did much the same thing back in 2007 to monitor phone calls. The aim, of course, is to tailor ads to your interests, while also gathering information about your habits that it can sell on to others in the form of “business and marketing reports.” Oh, one more thing: VZW promises not to share any information about you “personally” and it also gives you the option to opt out. (Opt out.)

Verizon wants to know where you go, what you look at, that’s all originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Huffington Post  |  sourceVerizon  | Email this | Comments

14
Oct

Verizon wants to know where you go, what you look at, that’s all

Verizon’s got a couple of loose ends to tie up. It’s nothing important, you understand, just a tweak to its privacy policy that will allow the carrier to monitor your physical movements and browsing activities. It actually did much the same thing back in 2007 to monitor phone calls. The aim, of course, is to tailor ads to your interests, while also gathering information about your habits that it can sell on to others in the form of “business and marketing reports.” Oh, one more thing: VZW promises not to share any information about you “personally” and it also gives you the option to opt out. (Opt out.)

Verizon wants to know where you go, what you look at, that’s all originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Huffington Post  |  sourceVerizon  | Email this | Comments

8
Oct

Facelock app hits the Ovi Store, Symbian handsets frame your face for security

Unlocking your phone doesn’t get any easier than a simple patterned swipe or pre-set pin. But for the fussy amongst you, there’s an alternative solution to make you feel both confidently futuristic, and downright ridiculous. Facelock, the facial recognition security app announced back at Nokia World 2010, has finally mosied on over to the Ovi Store, beta tag in tow. The screen lock tech functions pretty much as you’d expect: once you’ve set a static image of your face as a code, the front-facing camera will then match it up to your mug and, presto magico, you’ll have access to your device. The free app is apparently compatible only with Symbian 3 handsets, although those rocking Anna and Belle shouldn’t encounter any difficulties. Ready to face / off with your phone? Then hit up the source link below to download the gratis goods.

[Thanks, Jerry]

Facelock app hits the Ovi Store, Symbian handsets frame your face for security originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Nokia HD Blog (Translated)  |  sourceOvi Store  | Email this | Comments

3
Oct

Mango kills Microsoft’s always-on location tracking, makes good on letter to House of Representatives

Remember all that iPhone tracking hubbub back in April? Sure you do — you probably also recall Apple’s denial, the subsequent Senate hearing, and the rest of the fiasco’s dramatic fallout. Amid the ballyhoo, Microsoft stepped out to admit that its Windows Phone also collected location data, but quickly promised to knock it off following the next scheduled update. According to ChevronWP7 collaborator Rafael Rivera, Windows Phone 7.5 cinches it: Mango “no longer sends location data prior to being granted permission to do so.” Redmond previously told the US House of Representatives that it only collected location data if a user expressly allowed an application to send it along — a claim which Rivera debunked last week, noting that simply launching the camera application captured and transmitted “pin-point accurate positioning information.” The big M maintains that the collected location data was anonymous, and that it shouldn’t have been sent at all unless the user allowed it. Either way, Microsoft’s chapter in the big location tracking blunder of 2011 seems to be at a close, squaring the firm with Congress, its developers, and hopefully its customers.

Mango kills Microsoft’s always-on location tracking, makes good on letter to House of Representatives originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 02:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink BGR  |   | Email this | Comments