Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

Texas Data Privacy Lawsuit: Allstate Accused of Illegally Collecting Driver Data

2025-01-25

The Texas Attorney General's office filed its first lawsuit under the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA), targeting Allstate Corporation for allegedly sharing driver location and other driving data without user consent. Allstate and its subsidiary, Arity, are accused of secretly collecting and selling "trillions of miles" of driving behavior data through a software development kit (SDK) embedded in third-party apps like Life360. This violates Texas' privacy law, which mandates notice and consent for processing sensitive data. While the Texas law has shortcomings, such as limiting lawsuits to the Attorney General, this case highlights the need for stronger data privacy enforcement and sets a precedent for other states.

(www.eff.org)

Tech

Federal Court Rules Backdoor Searches of 702 Data Unconstitutional

2025-01-22

A federal district court has ruled that backdoor searches of databases containing Americans' private communications, collected under Section 702, typically require a warrant. This landmark ruling, following over a decade of litigation, rejects the government's claim that such searches can be conducted warrantlessly. Organizations like the EFF have long argued this practice is unconstitutional, and the court's decision is a significant victory for privacy rights. The ruling calls for Congressional reform of Section 702 to prevent future abuses.

(www.eff.org)

Tech Section 702 privacy rights unconstitutional

Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban: A Blow to Free Speech?

2025-01-18

The US Supreme Court upheld the ban on TikTok, sparking a debate over free speech and data privacy. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) expressed deep disappointment, arguing the court failed to adequately scrutinize the ban's impact on the First Amendment. EFF contends the ban is content-based, aiming to control what Americans see and share, rather than addressing genuine data security concerns. The EFF believes shutting down or forcing the sale of social media platforms under national security pretenses is anti-democratic, advocating for comprehensive privacy legislation instead of sacrificing free speech.

(www.eff.org)

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Playing Cards Satirizing CEOs Spark Censorship Frenzy

2025-01-14

James Harr, owner of ComradeWorkwear, planned to release a deck of playing cards satirizing CEOs, sparking a censorship storm across social media and payment platforms. Following a New York Post article, Harr was questioned by police, and his company and personal accounts were subsequently banned by platforms like TikTok and Shopify, with PayPal halting payments. This highlights the arbitrary and opaque nature of content moderation on large tech platforms and the potential threat to free speech, even when content doesn't violate platform rules. Harr's experience isn't unique; many users expressing negative views on large corporations faced similar treatment.

(www.eff.org)

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Meta's New Content Policy: A Blow to Vulnerable Users

2025-01-10

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) criticizes Meta's recent content moderation policy changes, arguing they don't truly promote free speech but could harm vulnerable groups. The new policy allows dehumanizing statements about certain vulnerable groups, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals, and loosens restrictions on hate speech. EFF urges Meta to address biases in its content moderation, invest more in its global user base, improve multilingual support, reduce reliance on automated tools, and increase transparency.

(www.eff.org)

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Real-Time Bidding: The Mass Surveillance System You've Never Heard Of

2025-01-07

Every targeted ad you see is powered by a system called "real-time bidding" (RTB). This system isn't just about delivering ads; it's a massive surveillance network. RTB broadcasts your personal information—location, IP address, interests, and more—to thousands of companies daily. This data fuels targeted advertising but also flows to government agencies and data brokers for surveillance and commercial purposes. The article exposes how RTB facilitates government surveillance, poses national security risks, and how banning online behavioral advertising is crucial for protecting individual privacy.

(www.eff.org)

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