houzz Home Improvement Platform Houzz Confirms Major User Data Breach Houzz reveals that an unauthorized third party obtains a file containing user data, including scrambled passwords and profile details. The $4 billion startup actively investigates the incident while notifying affected users and European authorities.
apple Apple Revokes Facebook Developer Certificate Over Spyware Research App Apple takes decisive action by revoking Facebook's Enterprise Certificate, effectively disabling the social giant's data-collecting Research app and internal employee tools.
instagram Instagram Stories Hits 500 Million Daily Users Amid Facebook App Overhaul Instagram Stories reaches half a billion daily users while Facebook plans major product updates across its family of apps. The company also outlines a gradual shift toward unified, encrypted messaging and family-wide metrics.
google Google Sets April 2 Shutdown Date for Consumer Google+ Accounts Google announces it will completely shut down the consumer version of Google+ and begin deleting all user content on April 2. Enterprise users will retain access to the platform, while the associated APIs go offline on March 7.
google Google Follows Facebook in Misusing Apple Enterprise Certificates for Data Collection Google operates an app called Screenwise Meter that uses Apple's enterprise program to bypass the App Store and collect user data, mirroring Facebook's recently banned practices. Following scrutiny, Google disables the iOS app and admits the distribution method violates Apple's policies.
mozilla Mozilla Introduces Customizable Anti-Tracking Controls in Firefox 65 Mozilla releases Firefox 65 with enhanced tracking protection and publishes an official anti-tracking policy to guide the browser's future blocking capabilities.
facebook Facebook Secretly Pays Users for Total Phone Access in Project Atlas Facebook pays users up to $20 a month to install a research app that collects all phone and web activity, bypassing App Store rules. Apple immediately revokes Facebook's enterprise certificate for the clear policy violation.
apple Apple Disables FaceTime Group Calls to Stop Eavesdropping Bug Apple temporarily turns off FaceTime group calling as it develops a patch for a severe bug that allows users to eavesdrop on others. The company promises a permanent software fix later this week.
apple Apple Disables FaceTime Group Calls After Severe Eavesdropping Bug A major FaceTime bug allows callers to secretly access a recipient's microphone and camera before the call is accepted. Apple has temporarily disabled the group calling feature while it prepares a software fix.
apple Major FaceTime Bug Allows Eavesdropping Before Call Acceptance A severe FaceTime vulnerability lets callers listen to another person's audio and potentially view their video before the recipient accepts the call. Apple takes Group FaceTime offline temporarily while it prepares a software update to patch the issue.
google Google Adtech Broadcasts Highly Sensitive User Data, GDPR Complaint Claims A legal complaint alleges that Google and the IAB systematically broadcast highly intimate user inferences, such as medical conditions and political views, to thousands of companies through real-time ad auctions. Privacy advocates argue this pervasive data sharing violates GDPR rules.
privacy Privacy Experts Debate Whether Tech Data Practices Shift in 2019 TechCrunch surveys eight leading privacy experts to determine if the tech industry's approach to user data fundamentally changes in 2019. The discussion follows a record GDPR fine against Google and ongoing tension between data-driven profits and user protection.
facebook Opinion Piece Challenges Zuckerberg's Rosy Facebook History A TechCrunch article critically examines Mark Zuckerberg's WSJ defense of Facebook by tracing the company's problematic origins back to the unauthorized FaceMash dorm room project.
facebook Facebook Plans End-to-End Encryption for Instagram and Messenger Facebook is integrating its messaging platforms by adding end-to-end encryption to Instagram messages and making it default on Messenger. The move aims to boost user privacy and keep people engaged despite past security scandals.
facebook Facebook Plans End-to-End Encryption Across Instagram and Messenger Facebook is unifying the infrastructure of its messaging platforms by bringing end-to-end encryption to Instagram Direct and making it default on Messenger.