Culture Minister Says Government Seriously Considering Age Verification

A Liberal minister says that mass government internet censorship through age verification is being considered as well.

https://www.freezenet.ca/culture-minister-says-government-seriously-considering-age-verification/

#Censorship #News #Privacy #AgeVerification #BillS209 #Canada #Liberals #SocialMedia

https://blog.cryptographyengineering.com/2026/03/02/anonymous-credentials-an-illustrated-primer/
h/t @matthew_d_green

Is it possible to use the bannable anonymous credentials using ZK proofs described here to make a fully anonymous forum (a la "textboards" and "imageboards") that can be actually moderated?
That would be cool if so. Someone with the skills (not me) should do that.

#cryptography #anonymity #privacy

A First Look at the #EU #AgeVerification App

https://theprivacydad.com/a-first-look-at-the-eu-age-verification-app/

#privacy #Europe

🔐 #Privacy news & updates from @privacyguides:

“This Week in Privacy Ep. 49 is now live 🔴 Join the chat, say hi, and ask any questions you'd like for our Q&A later in the stream: https:// streamyard.com/watch/dja38nDAB gip”

https://mastodon.neat.computer/@privacyguides/116422076082493938

🤖 via RSS feed. May not reflect our views.

Is #LinuxMint in trouble?

https://nerds.xyz/2026/04/linux-mint-trouble/

#Linux #FOSS #privacy #Mint

EU Is Rolling Out an Online Age Verification App That Could Become the Global Blueprint

The app, a Europe-wide measure of government-approved age verification, would be a significant step towards an eventual EU-wide social media ban for minors.

#europe #EU #ageverification #socialmedia #privacy #technology #tech

https://gizmodo.com/eu-is-rolling-out-an-online-age-verification-app-that-could-become-the-global-blueprint-2000746948

Privacy is a human right that should be granted to everyone, no matter the reason.

That being said, it's also important to remember that for millions of people around the world, data privacy is crucial for physical safety.

For people in extreme situations,
privacy can literally mean life or death.

https://www.privacyguides.org/articles/2025/03/25/privacy-means-safety/

#Privacy #Safety #HumanRights

My privacy action for the day:

Android > Settings > Security & privacy > Privacy controls > Ads, and tap “Delete advertising ID.”

Thanks @eff !

https://ssd.eff.org/module/how-to-get-to-know-android-privacy-and-security-settings#disable-ad-tracking

#Privacy #Android #EFF

New #Codex features include the ability to use your computer in the background

https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/04/new-codex-features-include-the-ability-to-use-your-computer-in-the-background/

#OpenAI #AI #cybersecurity #ChatGPT #AgenticAI #AIAgent #privacy

Congress has approved a short-term renewal of a controversial surveillance program used by U.S. spy agencies just days before it was set to expire.

US Federal Bill to require operating system #AgeVerification (HR8250)

https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/us-national-level-bill-to-require-os-age-verification-h-r-8250/37193

#privacy #cybersecurity #politics

So, y'all remember that California, in a firework display of what happens when bureaucrats don't understand technology, passed AB 1043, requiring OS providers to collect age data? It kicks in on January 1, 2027.

Colorado has the same boilerplate law about to pass their House. (I gotta dig into who's behind this.)

Well, now it's going national.

H.R.8250, introduced on April 13, 2026, by Rep. Gottheimer, with Rep. Stefanik as cosponsor is: "To require operating system providers to verify the age of any user of an operating system, and *for other purposes*."

So, every computer will have to be internet connected, and government verified. What else are they going to demand to see before you're allowed to participate in the economy?

You remember that Trump signed an EO declaring everyone he doesn't like a domestic terrorist, right? And we're building all these prisons to hold millions of people? Just sayin, maybe we don't want the #Stasi.

#infosec #privacy #ageverification

How Push Notifications Can Betray Your #Privacy (and What to Do About It)

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/04/how-push-notifications-can-betray-your-privacy-and-what-do-about-it

Tasmota is an open-source firmware that replaces stock software on many smart devices giving you full local control.

Remove cloud dependencies and manage everything via MQTT, HTTP, or tools like Home Assistant.

Turn “smart” devices into private, self-controlled ones.

👉 https://github.com/arendst/Tasmota

👉 More privacy-friendly tools: https://digital-escape-tools-phi.vercel.app/

#OpenSource #SelfHosting #Privacy #IoT #HomeAutomation #DigitalMinimalism

Alt...

Screenshot of MiroTalk P2P GitHub-style repository card showing: "MiroTalk P2P – Open Source WebRTC P2P Video Conferencing You Can Self-Host in Minutes. Free, Secure, Fast Real-Time Communication – up to 8K, 60fps. Works in All Browsers and Platforms. Stars 4.4k, Forks 713. License AGPLv3 Open Source, docker pulls 174k. Last commit: last Wednesday. Discord, Community. Author: Miroslav Pejic."

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-brussels-launched-age-checking-app-hackers-say-took-them-2-minutes-break-it/

The EU’s age verification app is already proving why these systems are problematic.

Within hours, researchers found insecure data storage, trivial hacks, and bypassed biometrics. Even verified accounts can be reused by others.

These failures expose how fragile and unreliable age verification tech is in practice.

#Privacy #DigitalRights #AgeVerification

App Stores Push Users Toward #Nudify Apps, New Research Shows

https://www.404media.co/app-stores-apple-google-nudify-undress-deepfakes/

#privacy #AI #deepfake #nsfw #Apple #Google

Plus: Major data breaches at a gym chain and hotel giant, a disruptive DDoS attack against Bluesky, dubious ICE hires, and more.

Alt...

It Takes 2 Minutes to Hack the EU’s New Age-Verification App

#Fiverr Exposes Private Information of its Users Publicly on Google Search Results

https://www.privacyguides.org/news/2026/04/16/fiverr-exposes-private-information-of-its-users-publicly-on-google-search-results/

#privacy #cybersecurity #DataBreach

A private calendar with zero tracking is possible. 💪

Celebrate #privacy this weekend. 😎

Check #Google alternatives: 👉 https://tuta.com/blog/private-calendar-alternative-to-google

Alt...

App permissions of Google Calendar vs Tuta Calendar, screenshot from app stores

#Gemini can now create personalized #AI images by digging around in #GooglePhotos

https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/04/gemini-can-now-create-personalized-ai-images-by-digging-around-in-google-photos/

#Google #photos #privacy

"The good guys throw better parties than the bad guys" - Cindy Cohn

- who also, among many other great points, speaks to the fact that those of us with some sort of resources, perhaps because we aren't currently in the crosshairs of any of these horrible assaults on personal safety & privacy, have no choice but to fight for those who are.

Basically, what world do you want to live in?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31OevNiNdcc

@eff #privacy #HumanRights #security #resist #CindyCohn @taylorlorenz

Code audit for #TorVPN completed by #Cure53

https://blog.torproject.org/code-audit-tor-vpn/

#Tor #VPN #privacy #cybersecurity

US Bill Mandates On-Device Age Verification

Buried in the definitions is a mandate that reaches every laptop, console, smart TV, and car infotainment system in the country.

https://reclaimthenet.org/us-bill-mandates-on-device-age-verification

#USA #privacy #surveillance #ParentsDecideAct #dystopia #technology #Google #Apple #AgeVerification #IDVerification

EU age verification app faces criticism after researchers reported bypassing its protections in under 2 minutes. ⚠️
Flaws include local PIN storage, editable configs, and weak controls, raising concerns over centralized identity and surveillance risk. 🔐

🔗 https://cybernews.com/security/eu-age-verification-app-hack/

#TechNews #EU #Europe #AgeVerification #Privacy #Cybersecurity #DigitalID #ID #Surveillance #Government #Politics #Security #DataProtection #FOSS #OpenSource #Identity #Regulation #OnlineSafety #PlatformPolicy

Harry & Meghan’s Sudden Exit: Privacy Scare Forces Rush?
https://youtu.be/zEa-stj4j3o
#RoyalFamily #MeghanMarkle #PrinceHarry #Australia #Privacy

EU says its age verification app is ready, letting users prove age via ID, passport, or trusted providers for online access. 📱
Officials claim privacy safeguards and user control, but centralized checks raise concerns over data handling and anonymity online. 🔍

🔗 https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-says-age-verification-app-is-technically-ready/

#TechNews #EU #Europe #AgeVerification #Privacy #Security #DataProtection #DigitalID #UrsulaVonDerLeyen #Cybersecurity #Surveillance #Identity #Regulation #Security #Platforms #DigitalRights #OnlineSafety

Mastodon gets €614k from the Sovereign Tech Fund to improve Fediverse infrastructure, including blocklists, media storage, and E2EE messaging. 🌐
€90k funds interoperable FOSS, with open protocols, admin control, and transparent data processing across decentralized platforms. 🔍

@Mastodon

🔗 https://blog.joinmastodon.org/2026/04/sovereign-tech-agency-funding/

#TechNews #Mastodon #Fediverse #SovereignTechFund #OpenSource #ActivityPub #E2EE #Decentralization #Privacy #Interoperability #FOSS #Transparency #Security #OpenWeb #DigitalRights

Audit finds Google, Microsoft and Meta set ad cookies on 55% of sites after opt-out, suggesting possible violations of privacy rules. 🔐
Companies dispute the findings, underscoring opaque tracking systems that limit user control and weaken transparency in dominant ad infrastructure. 🔍

🔗 https://www.404media.co/google-microsoft-meta-all-tracking-you-even-when-you-opt-out-according-to-an-independent-audit/

#TechNews #Google #Microsoft #Meta #Privacy #Security #Tracking #AdTech #Cookies #DataProtection #Surveillance #Transparency #FOSS #OpenWeb #Security #DigitalRights #California

🔐 #Privacy news & updates from @privacyguides:

“🚨 This Week In Privacy #49 will be live in 30 minutes, we'll be talking about how an independent privacy audit found that Google, Microsoft & Meta privacy opt-outs are ineffective, we will also be covering the latest in...”

https://mastodon.neat.computer/@privacyguides/116421938929469934

🤖 via RSS feed. May not reflect our views.

https://versions.brave.com/

Brave Origin is a minimalist, paid version of the Brave browser designed for users who want core privacy and ad-blocking features without revenue-generating extras like crypto wallets, AI assistants, or ad rewards.

A one-time purchase of $59.99 is required for Windows, macOS, and Android, with up to 10 activations across multiple devices.

Linux Exception: The standalone version is available for free to Linux users!!

#Privacy #Brave #openSource

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/advice-headphones-data-protection/

Modern headphones now include sensors, microphones, and AI features that go far beyond audio playback. Devices like the AirPods Pro 3 and Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 can track health metrics, location, and even biometric signals. This data is often routed through companion apps, raising growing concerns about how much personal information is collected, stored, and shared.

#Privacy #Surveillance #DigitalRights