#Akira hackers disable #EDR with #SafeMode, steal data but fail to encrypt

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/akira-hackers-disable-edr-with-safe-mode-steal-data-but-fail-to-encrypt/

#cybersecurity #privacy

Meet KEMchatka: an experimental, serverless P2P terminal chat over Tor hidden services.

No accounts, no port forwarding, zero disk logging.

​Features hybrid post-quantum encryption: X25519 + ML-KEM-1024 (FIPS 203) combined via HKDF-SHA512 to defeat "harvest now, decrypt later" attacks. Simple out-of-band setup.

​When privacy is under threat, build tools that protect it.

https://github.com/bashcore/kemchatka

​ #PostQuantum #Tor #Python #CyberSecurity #Privacy #OpenSource #Cryptography

#Amazon will train on #Twitch streamers’ content by default, unless they opt out

https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/12/amazon-will-train-on-twitch-streamers-content-by-default-unless-they-opt-out/

#streaming #streamer #AI #privacy #gaming

Take control of your data privacy in Microsoft Edge. Learn how to easily enable or stop syncing your passwords, bookmarks, and settings across your connected devices with our new step-by-step tutorial.

https://geekrewind.com/how-to-enable-or-disable-sync-browsing-data-in-microsoft-edge-across-devices/

#MicrosoftEdge #Browsers #TechTips #Privacy

#Flock says its new tool will help identify #police abuse, but hasn’t explained how it works

https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/13/flock-says-its-new-tool-will-help-identify-police-abuse-but-hasnt-explained-how-it-works/

#privacy #surveillance #stalking #ALPR

"We're not Big Brother."

The post Sensing He’s in Deep Trouble, Flock Safety CEO Says It’s All Been a Big Misunderstanding appeared first on Futurism.

Alt...

Sensing He’s in Deep Trouble, Flock Safety CEO Says It’s All Been a Big Misunderstanding

#Germany plans to give intelligence services sweeping new powers

https://www.euractiv.com/news/germany-plans-to-give-intelligence-services-sweeping-new-powers/

#privacy #surveillance

#Brave improves protections against GPU fingerprinting

https://brave.com/privacy-updates/38-webgl-webgpu-fingerprinting-protections/

#privacy #FOSS

#Trezor discloses #DataBreach affecting nearly 14,000 customers

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/trezor-discloses-data-breach-affecting-nearly-14-000-customers/

#privacy #cybersecurity #crypto

"Overshared to an AI? Proton's Tool Will Give You a Reality Check"

"Powered by Lumo, the tool turns your exported AI chat history into a personalized report of your privacy exposure."

https://feed.itsfoss.com/link/24361/17418931/proton-ai-paper-trail

#Privacy #Proton

Flock is Trying to Find Out How Much of the Surveillance State You’ll Tolerate

Turning a big dial that says

Archive: ia: https://s.faithcollapsing.com/979yd

#privacy-&-security
https://gizmodo.com/flock-is-trying-to-find-out-how-much-of-the-surveillance-state-youll-tolerate-2000798357

Alt...

A flock traffic camera

"Stop Using #Discord Right Now..."

https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=J1-Gfi2KNlc #Video #Privacy #Security

"New York City Lawmakers Push to ‘Ban the Scan’ at MSG"

"At a press conference outside Madison Square Garden, politicians, musicians, and privacy advocates argued for tighter restrictions on how public venues deploy biometric surveillance."

https://www.wired.com/story/new-york-city-lawmakers-push-to-ban-the-scan-at-msg/

#Privacy

#CBP Workers Allegedly Used Government Databases to Spy on Exes, Crushes, and Colleagues

https://www.wired.com/story/cbp-workers-allegedly-used-government-databases-to-spy-on-exes-crushes-and-colleagues/

#privacy #surveillance #stalking

How to improve your #Google #privacy settings and why you should

https://proton.me/blog/google-privacy-settings

#guide

#BigTech Wants to Harvest Your Thoughts

https://www.wired.com/story/book-excerpt-the-vanishing-earth-james-crawford-brain-mining/

#privacy #neurotech

Wired: "...In one case, a CBP officer allegedly used government databases to contact a flight attendant. In another, an officer was accused of pulling information from trusted-traveler applications to ask people out. Other CBP employees were accused of providing border-crossing data to someone involved in a “heated divorce.” And yet another DHS employee allegedly used controversial ad-tech-derived location data to track several coworkers’ cell phones..."

#stalking #bigbrother #privacy #surveillance

Wired: CBP Workers Allegedly Used Government Databases to Spy on Exes, Crushes, and Colleagues
Records obtained by WIRED detail hundreds of allegations of Customs and Border Protection workers misusing internal tools to look up romantic interests and track colleagues’ cell phones.

https://www.wired.com/story/cbp-workers-allegedly-used-government-databases-to-spy-on-exes-crushes-and-colleagues/

#bigbrother #privacy #surveillance #stalking

Alt...

CBP Workers Allegedly Used Government Databases to Spy on Exes, Crushes, and Colleagues Records obtained by WIRED detail hundreds of allegations of Customs and Border Protection workers misusing internal tools to look up romantic interests and track colleagues’ cell phones.

California can protect privacy without undermining #Innovation. CCIA urged lawmakers to improve California's SB 1130 so liability falls on those who unlawfully record others, not the manufacturers, retailers, and employers behind everyday wearable technology. #Privacy and legal certainty should go hand in hand. Read more: https://ccianet.org/news/2026/07/ccia-raises-privacy-and-liability-concerns-with-california-wearable-devices-bill-sb-1130/

My new YT video is up!

This week's video is about the NoRecognition project and its adversarial design and learning model, which creates visual patterns that fool Flock cameras.

It's an exceedingly neat story. If you give it a watch, please tap the like button. That engagement helps a small creator out in a big way. Thank you.

https://youtu.be/y9jXa6V72mk

#YouTube #Tech #Technology #AdversarialDesign #Flock #Privacy #MassSurveillance

"This Lenovo webcam with a privacy shutter and dual mics is under $30 — and it's the perfect cheap upgrade for your office"

"This sub-$30 business webcam features 1080p/30fps video, dual built-in microphones, and a sliding privacy shutter that I think is essential for work."

https://www.techradar.com/pro/lenovo-310-webcam-with-a-privacy-shutter-deal

#Privacy

#UberFreight reportedly investigating after hacking group claims #DataBreach

https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/12/uber-freight-reportedly-investigating-after-hacking-group-claims-data-breach/

#cybersecurity #privacy #Uber #Helix

German advocacy group lodges criminal complaint over #MetaAI glasses

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/german-advocacy-group-lodges-criminal-complaint-over-meta-ai-glasses-2026-08-12/

#Meta #AI #privacy #Germany #HateAid

Researchers Show How #Meta's ' #PervertGlasses ' Are Used to Harass Women

https://www.404media.co/meta-ray-ban-smart-glasses-pov-instagram-pickup-artists/

#SmartGlasses #RayBan #Oakley #IoT #privacy

Flo is the most popular period app, 230M+ downloads, and the one the FTC settled with in 2021 for sharing users' health data with Facebook and Google after promising not to.

Two options:

Lock it down: turn on Anonymous Mode (avatar → Profile), set a passcode, don't sign in with Google.

Or leave: deleting the app doesn't erase your data. Tap avatar → Privacy settings → Delete account, then switch to a private tracker like Euki.

#Flo #periodapps #privacy #indigoprivacy

Flo is the most popular period app, 230M+ downloads, and the one the FTC settled with in 2021 for sharing users' health data with Facebook and Google after promising not to.

Two options:

Lock it down: turn on Anonymous Mode (avatar → Profile), set a passcode, don't sign in with Google.

Or leave: deleting the app doesn't erase your data. Tap avatar → Privacy settings → Delete account, then switch to a private tracker like Euki.

#Flo #periodapps #privacy #indigoprivacy

Surprising good news from 🇫🇷 !

"France's Constitutional Council strikes down social media ban for under-15s"

🔗 : https://www.lemonde.fr/en/pixels/article/2026/08/14/france-s-constitutional-council-strikes-down-ban-on-social-media-for-under-15s_6756507_13.html

"In its decision, the Constitutional Council raised concerns about the possible impact on privacy from instituting an age-verification system for all users."

Wow! I was not expecting this at all.

#privacy #AgeVerification #France

this is really super cool:

https://likebutter.app/blog/butterbox-deltachat

quite some other projects try to solve "offline communications" by using Bluetooth but I think this is very unpractical for anything that is not looking like an IRC or SMS app

but if people setup local interconnected wifi hotspots and build a mesh network in the cities/towns then you can have a something much more interesting while not draining everyone's battery

enabling people to do things like this and becoming truly resilient and autonomous

things like this you can never do with centralized messengers like #WhatsApp, #Telegram, #Signal, etc. if you really care about digital independence, centralized alternatives are just NOT an option at all

#mesh_network #mesh #offlinefirst #deltachat #autonomy #privacy #security #freedom #resilience #decentralization #opensource #europe #european #digitalindependence #diday #butterbox

The Government is Monitoring Anti- #Flock #TikTok and #Instagram Accounts

https://www.404media.co/the-government-is-monitoring-anti-flock-tiktok-and-instagram-accounts/

#privacy #surveillance #FreeSpeech #ALPR #police

🔐 #Privacy news & updates from @privacyguides:

“⛔️ This isn't being used for local crime prevention, researchers have found thousands of instances of Flock data being accessed across state lines․ 🚓 In multiple states local police granted federal agencies (like ICE) …”

https://mastodon.neat.computer/@privacyguides/117084426830635711

🤖 via RSS feed. May not reflect our views.

not a supporter of #ArcaneChat yet??? you can not only watch but also be part of the change! ✨

💜 join our contributors 👉 https://arcanechat.me/#contribute

#privacy #europe #european #android

#TutaMail and #ProtonMail are by far the world's two best email providers/services for #Anonymity, #Privacy and #Security (#APS).

I have recently (12th August 2026) carried out a thorough research into this as I am planning to migrate to whichever is the best email provider/service for APS and move away and ditch US Big Tech.

Between the two, the one that comes on top depends on what you value most on aggregate. In individual edge terms, here is how they compare:

Tuta Mail: cheaper; more custom domains; more email addresses; more established/robust Post-Quantum (PQ) Security;

ProtonMail:

@Tutanota
@ProtonMail
@protonprivacy

You cannot buy your way to privacy with one app or one setting. It is a handful of habits you repeat. Check permissions. Share less by default. Ask why an app wants what it wants. Do it for a month and it stops feeling like work and starts feeling like common sense.

#privacy #digitalprivacy #indigoprivacy

You cannot buy your way to privacy with one app or one setting. It is a handful of habits you repeat. Check permissions. Share less by default. Ask why an app wants what it wants. Do it for a month and it stops feeling like work and starts feeling like common sense.

#privacy #digitalprivacy #indigoprivacy

Ferguson said he’s been surprised to see the “growing community backlash” against #Flock specifically, given that the #technology isn’t new & other companies sell it as well. But Flock & the movement against it have “captured people’s sense that maybe they don’t want to be surveilled all the time,” he said.

#law #privacy #InfoSec #immigration #MassSurveillance #tech #AbuseOfPower #deflock

Andrew Guthrie Ferguson, a professor at the George Washington University Law School whose scholarship has focused on #policing, #BigData #surveillance & the #FourthAmendment, said Thursday’s shifts were “better than the opposite” but called for further scrutiny of the #technology in the form of “sustained democratic engagement with the rules & judicial checks on access at a minimum.”

#Flock #law #privacy #InfoSec #immigration #MassSurveillance #tech #AbuseOfPower #deflock

Robert Frommer, a senior attorney at the Institute for Justice, a public interest law firm that’s led litigation over the #tech, called the changes “window dressing” from a company in “panic mode.”

“This is window dressing that doesn’t address the fundamental problem, which is that police officers are the ones deciding who & when to search, & that should be done by #judges with real warrants,” he said.

#Flock #law #privacy #InfoSec #immigration #MassSurveillance #AbuseOfPower #deflock

Critics of the company reacted skeptically to the changes, which they said appeared designed to address the growing bipartisan anger about the cameras but could still leave room for #police to abuse the system.

The ACLU said that the shortened evidence retention window could be “a step in the right direction,” but it characterized the other changes as “retreads” of inadequate safety measures.

#Flock #law #privacy #InfoSec #immigration #MassSurveillance #tech #AbuseOfPower #deflock

Imani Thompson (26) hosted “Break Up With Google” at Wonderville Bar in Brooklyn—“cybersecurity disguised as a party” with DJs and practical steps to reduce surveillance by big tech. Across the US, community groups are offering workshops on safer, transparent digital tools. 🍸🕵️‍♀️ https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/16/big-tech-breakup-parties #Cybersecurity #Privacy #DigitalRights

Customers will also be allowed to decide which offense types — such as homicide or arson — outside agencies can search their data for, which would allow a customer to block outside searches related to #immigration enforcement, the company said.

Langley said that change will give individual cities & departments control to use the system in a manner “consistent with community values.”

#Flock #law #privacy #InfoSec #MassSurveillance #tech #AbuseOfPower #deflock

#Flock CEO Garrett Langley said many product changes will make what were once optional guardrails mandatory for its users to implement by Jan 1.

Among them∶ #LawEnforcement customers will have to implement an audit tool intended to flag abnormal search behavior. When the system detects abnormal behavior, the user would be locked out pending an internal review, the company said in a description of the changes provided ahead of Thursday’s announcement.

#law #privacy #immigration #surveillance

The company operates a vast nationwide network of automated cameras that record the license plate numbers & other characteristics of all passing vehicles every day. Thousands of #LawEnforcement agencies in 49 states can search & share Flock’s data across jurisdictions to aid their investigations.

#Flock #law #privacy #InfoSec #immigration #MassSurveillance #tech #AbuseOfPower #deflock

#Flock Safety, the #surveillance #technology company increasingly under scrutiny from lawmakers from both parties, civil liberties advocates & citizens across the #US, announced Thursday that it is making changes to its platform intended to quell #privacy concerns & address documented abuses of its system by some members of #LawEnforcement.

#law #privacy #InfoSec #immigration #MassSurveillance #AbuseOfPower #deflock
https://apnews.com/article/flock-license-plate-cameras-surveillance-deflock-2a93bc075e2f7ffcca9e04a35d75a3fe?utm_source=app&utm_medium=iOS_share&utm_campaign=copy_link

"...At one anti-ICE event at a church, agents documented the license plate information of attendees, the records showed. When two agents were approached by a man who “asked if they were ICE”, the agent responded, falsely, that they were not...." #surveillance #bigbrother #privacy #uspol

Well worth reading this one on Flock and all the issues automated license plate readers have (esp. over the Fourth Amendment), and a handy "what you can do" section.

https://mastodon.social/@theblufnews/117090947328980808

#flock #privacy #alpr

🔐 #Privacy news & updates from @privacyguides:

“🔍 Flock says that the data is secured and restricted to specific police departments․Independent researchers have demonstrated that Flock's video feeds are accessible publicly, highlighting how dangerous mass location d…”

https://mastodon.neat.computer/@privacyguides/117084426843128373

🤖 via RSS feed. May not reflect our views.

"The fight over Flock and other ALPRs"

"There are over 120,000 of Flock’s automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras installed all over the US."

https://www.theverge.com/tech/979869/flock-alpr-ai-surveillance-protest-privacy

#Privacy

"Too Little, Too Late: Flock Admits Their Technology Needs Reforms"

""

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/08/too-little-too-late-flock-admits-their-technology-needs-reforms

#Privacy

This Tool Unmasks the Shadowy World of Ads that Track Your Location

https://www.404media.co/this-tool-unmasks-the-shadowy-world-of-ads-that-track-your-location/

#privacy #advertising #DecryptAds

That's a new one... mobile phone. Which is synced to carrier time. But I have all cookies/location/etc blocked and running Waterfox. #privacy

Alt...

Security validation fail on a website due to clock settings

"Flock is Trying to Find Out How Much of the Surveillance State You’ll Tolerate"

"Turning a big dial that says "invasion of privacy" on it and constantly looking back at the audience for approval."

https://gizmodo.com/flock-is-trying-to-find-out-how-much-of-the-surveillance-state-youll-tolerate-2000798357

#Privacy

Alternative #search engines to #Google

https://tuta.com/blog/alternative-search-engines-to-google

#privacy

The Play That Taught #Garissa Its Rights

https://privacyinternational.org/long-read/5852/play-taught-garissa-its-rights

#Kenya #privacy

#BTP expands Live #FacialRecognition ( #LFR ) trial into #LondonUnderground stations

https://www.btp.police.uk/news/btp/news/england/btp-expands-live-facial-recognition-lfr-trial-into-london-underground-stations/

#UK #London #FRT #privacy #surveillance

How to turn off #Siri on #iPhone and other #iOS devices

https://proton.me/blog/turn-off-siri

#Apple #privacy

***if I read this right: FLOCK CEO IS ADMITTING MISUSE OF THEIR SYSTEM IS RAMPANT ****

#flock #privacy

🙄

Flock CEO: "...Misuse proved so rampant that Langley decided Flock needed to make the audit feature standard...."

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crrv1rjwgl9o

#flock #bigbrother #stalking #privacy

Alt...

When he asked her why she disliked the technology so much, she told him it was ultimately a tool for police to "abuse their power." It turned out that police "kind of feel the same way" as her, Langley said. Conversations he had with police would often turn to officers saying of their colleagues 'we knew that person was not good. We had no way to prove it'.

Alt...

It automatically creates an audit log of searches being done on Flock, and flags unusual search behaviour. Most police customers turned on the feature when it became an option. Misuse proved so rampant that Langley decided Flock needed to make the audit feature standard.

#Linux desktop use surged to 22% on one workday, #Cloudflare data shows

https://www.zdnet.com/article/linux-desktop-use-surged-on-one-workday-cloudflare-data-shows/

#FOSS #privacy

#FBI says cybercriminals are hacking into victims’ online accounts to steal their intimate pictures

https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/11/fbi-says-cybercriminals-are-hacking-into-victims-online-accounts-to-steal-their-intimate-pictures/

#privacy #cybersecurity #SocialMedia #nsfw

#Flock #privacy #LawEnforcement #misconduct

'A new database launched Wednesday... details more than 100 cases of alleged abuse by law enforcement officers using Flock Safety’s nationwide camera network.'

https://www.commondreams.org/news/police-abusing-flock-cameras

Surveillance tech company Flock is rolling out updates to address reports of cops across the country abusing its tools to stalk ex-romantic partners and others. CEO Garrett Langley is delivering a mea culpa, and in an interview with @verge says he’s changed his mind on what responsibility Flock bears for how law enforcement uses it.

https://flip.it/NAJ0ZP

#Flock #Privacy #Technology

#Signal: Introducing Automatic Key Verification

https://signal.org/blog/automatic-key-verification/

#cybersecurity #FOSS #privacy

Small update. We’re working on bug fixes and improvements, and 3.0.2 will be pushed as soon as it’s ready.

We’ve had a death in the family, so we’re a bit slower than usual here and with replies for a while. Thanks for your patience and understanding. The work continues, just at a gentler pace right now.

zerion.chat

#foss #privacy

🔐 #Privacy news & updates from @privacyguides:

“⚠️ Surveillance isn't inevitable ⚠️Over 100 communities - including Austin, Denver, Cambridge, and Eugene have already canceled or suspended their Flock contracts․🏡 Communities are fighting back against mass surveillan…”

https://mastodon.neat.computer/@privacyguides/117084426855984221

🤖 via RSS feed. May not reflect our views.

I'm noting that Twitch is now (by default, unless disabled) mining user's streams to train Amazon's AI.

This reminds me that users of corporate controlled services have to maintain constant vigilance to have any hope of securing any privacy. The thing is though that most folk won't know (not on Fedi, for example), don't have the technical knowledge, or can't keep-up with all the changes to all the sites.

Best approach: stay away from corporate silos.

#privacy #Amazon #SurveillanceCapitalism

🏆 Congratulations to COSIC researcher Tim Vlummens and co-authors!
Their paper, "Bridges to Self: Silent Web-to-App Tracking on Mobile via Localhost", received the Internet Defense Prize 2026 at #USENIX Security Symposium and was also selected as a Distinguished Paper.
Their research revealed how Meta and Yandex used localhost communication on Android to link web browsing data to app identities, bypassing privacy protections designed to separate web and app contexts.
#Privacy #MobileSecurity

How your house spies on you

https://proton.me/blog/smart-home-privacy

#privacy #IoT

Tired of digging through hidden menus to manage privacy and security settings in Microsoft Edge on Windows 11? Our new guide shows you how to streamline browser customization and take full control of your setup easily.

https://geekrewind.com/microsoft-edge-management-and-customization-hub/

#Windows11 #MicrosoftEdge #TechTips #Privacy #Browsers