Electronic health records and data abuse: it’s about more than medical info
After the Anthem mega-breach, questions abound about possible abuses of medical data. Here is a breakdown that offers some context.
Privacy
Outlook app blocked by EU parliament over ‘serious security issues’
The Microsoft Outlook app has been banned from use in the EU Parliament, according to emails from the parliament's IT department, seen by PC World.
WhatsApp privacy is ‘broken,’ reveals proof‑of‑concept hack
WhatsApp's privacy settings are "broken" and can be bypassed by downloading a simple bit of software, claims the Dutch developer behind proof-of-concept tool WhatsSpy Public.
UK Government publishes its guidelines for ‘equipment interference’
The British government has released a document outlining the rules that British spy and law enforcement agencies have to follow in their hacking activities, reports The Guardian.
Stop talking in front of Samsung TVs… if you value your privacy
Your internet-enabled Samsung Smart TV could be listening to everything you say, and sharing it with third parties.
Anthem hack could affect 80 million health insurance customers
Anthem Inc. has suffered an attack on its database which is likely to be the biggest data breach ever disclosed by a health insurance company.
Facebook turns 11 – what you need to know, and what do your likes say about you?
Facebook updated its privacy settings at the end of January. As Facebook turns 11 today, here’s what you need to know about the new settings and how they could affect you.
Hacked dating website Topface buys back stolen personal data from hacker
A Russian dating website that had 20 million email addresses stolen last week, has paid the hackers not to sell the information, TechWeek Europe reports.
Are you being tracked? How to spot a tracking app on your phone
Tracking apps and spyware are a genuine risk, and an extremely unpleasant invasion of privacy for many. Here are our tips on how to recognize if you have a tracking app on your phone, and what to do about it.
20 million dating site profiles targeted by hacker
20 million usernames and email addresses for a popular Russian dating website have been leaked, according to Bloomberg. Techworld highlights the targeted website as Topface, which has 91.5 million users. Anti-fraud firm Easy Solutions claimed that of the leaked users, 50 percent were Russian citizens, and 40 percent from the EU. Seven million of the logins
Electronic Frontier Foundation outlines plan to end NSA surveillance
The Electronic Frontier Foundation, an American civil-liberties group, has revealed its plans to end global mass surveillance, The Inquirer reports.
Data Privacy Day 2015: Respecting privacy, safeguarding data, enabling trust
January 28 is Data Privacy Day, an international acknowledgment of the importance of privacy in an increasingly data-driven world. The key themes of Data Privacy Day this year are: Respecting privacy, Safeguarding data, Enabling trust.
Edward Snowden doesn’t use an iPhone for privacy reasons
NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has claimed he doesn't use an iPhone for fear of surveillance technology in the smartphone, reports The Independent.
Mobile health IT security challenge: way bigger than HIPAA?
Wearable technology and other health-related devices were big at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) earlier this month. This recorded webinar explains why these and related technologies present big challenges for data privacy and security.
British Prime Minister wants access to messaging apps
British Prime Minister David Cameron has stated his belief that encrypted messaging services must have backdoor access to government agencies
Obama calls for 30 day data breach notification and greater student privacy
President Barack Obama is today to propose legislation that would ensure companies inform customers of any leaks within 30 days of a data breach, reports Physorg.
Internet of Things Privacy: FTC chairwoman warns of risks
The Chairwoman of the Federal Trade Commission has offered stern warnings of privacy in relation to the Internet of Things in her opening remarks at CES 2015, reports SC Magazine.
Facebook privacy – why statements about copyright don’t do anything
Facebook users around the world have reported the return of the network’s longer-lasting hoaxes - a legal disclaimer which allows users to regain copyright over their images and other content. Here's why it doesn't work.
Police recommended UK security firm fixes ‘shopping list for burglars’
A website recommended by large portions of the UK's police forces has fixed a privacy bug that provided a "shopping list for burglars" after being tipped off to the exploit by a security researcher, reports the BBC.
University researchers concerned with wearable privacy
A paper from researchers at various universities suggests that security is an area that needs work for wearables, according to a report in The Register.