ftc FTC Imposes Record $5 Billion Penalty on Facebook The FTC imposes a record $5 billion penalty on Facebook with sweeping new privacy restrictions.
dna testing Identical Twins Receive Wildly Different Results From DNA Testing Companies A new investigation reveals that major DNA testing companies provide inconsistent ancestry results for identical twins. Experts warn that users should treat these genetic analysis reports as rough estimates rather than absolute facts.
facebook FTC Weighs Record Fine Against Facebook as Accountability Questions Loom The FTC considers a historic fine against Facebook for privacy violations, but financial penalties alone are unlikely to faze the tech giant. Regulators may instead focus on enforcing strict accountability measures.
23andme 23andMe Rolls Out Detailed Ancestry Reports Despite Data Gaps 23andMe releases an update offering highly granular regional ancestry breakdowns and cultural insights, though the accuracy still heavily depends on the company's reference database.
duckduckgo Privacy-Focused DuckDuckGo Teams Up With Apple to Power Map Searches DuckDuckGo now uses Apple Maps data to provide map and location search results, replacing its previous limited OpenStreetMap integration. This partnership allows the search engine to offer robust mapping features while maintaining its strict anti-tracking privacy policy.
amazon Amazon's Ring Faces Severe Privacy Backlash Over Unencrypted Video Access Amazon's Ring doorbell company faces intense scrutiny after reports reveal unencrypted customer videos are accessible to teams in Ukraine and US executives.
google Simple Google Bug Allows Hackers to Spoof Search Results A newly documented bug in Google Search allows anyone to easily manipulate Knowledge Graph cards to spread misinformation through deceptive links.
facebook Facebook Pays Phone Makers to Force Undeletable Apps Onto Devices Facebook signs deals with Android manufacturers to pre-load undeletable versions of its app on smartphones, sparking crapware comparisons. Users can only disable the software, which acts as a placeholder for future updates.
security Researchers Find Over a Dozen iOS Games Tied to Golduck Malware Security firm Wandera discovers 14 retro-style iPhone apps communicating with a command server linked to the Android-focused Golduck malware. These apps currently push ads and collect user data, but pose a potential future risk.
google Google CEO Avoids Direct Answers on Censored Dragonfly Search Engine Sundar Pichai downplays Google's censored Dragonfly project during a US House hearing, calling it merely an internal effort with no current launch plans. Meanwhile, Chinese internet users and some Google staff view the potential return positively.
google Google's Censored China Search Engine Halted After Internal Privacy Dispute Google effectively ends its controversial Dragonfly censored search engine project for China after an internal confrontation over secret data collection practices. The shutdown marks a major setback for top executives who prioritize expanding into the Chinese market.
google Google CEO Faces Congress Over Bias and Privacy Concerns Google CEO Sundar Pichai testifies before the House Judiciary Committee, firmly denying accusations of political bias in search results while facing tough questions about data collection.
facebook Facebook Enters Smart Home Market With Video Chat Devices Portal and Portal+ Facebook introduces Portal and Portal+, two smart screens designed for video calling that face an uphill battle against consumer privacy concerns. The devices feature AI-powered cameras and rely heavily on the Facebook ecosystem.
facebook Facebook Enters Smart Home Market With Video-Calling Portal Device Facebook launches Portal, a camera-equipped smart speaker designed to enhance Messenger video calls and compete with Amazon Echo Show. The release comes at a challenging time as the company faces intense scrutiny over recent data breaches and user privacy concerns.
blockchain You're Going to Have to Learn to Love the Blockchain Blockchains face valid criticism but serve as a vital alternative to the internet's flawed advertising-driven architecture.