#Tails 7.6.2 Released

https://tails.net/news/version_7.6.2/

#privacy #cybersecurity #anonymity #Tor #Linux #FOSS

Daily Digest | 17 April 2026

Your daily dose of Privacy, Data Protection, AI & Cybersecurity news.

5 stories you should not miss.

Read more: https://www.nicfab.eu/daily-digest/

#Privacy #AI #GDPR #Cybersecurity #TechLaw

The EU’s age‑verification app is presented as a tool to protect minors. In Knack, Bart Preneel warns it will apply to everyone: social media in Europe may only work for users who install the app - raising effectiveness and #privacy concerns.
https://www.knack.be/nieuws/technologie-ai-sociale-media-digitaal/cryptograaf-bart-preneel-niet-alleen-kinderen-maar-iedereen-zal-verplicht-worden-om-online-zijn-leeftijd-te-verifieren/

Gazet van Antwerpen reports that the EU’s new age‑verification app aims to keep minors off social media while preserving #privacy. But Bart Preneel notes similar bans led to VPN spikes: "You can simply choose a country without age limits."
https://www.gva.be/economie/technologie/europa-heeft-een-app-klaar-waarmee-jongeren-kunnen-bewijzen-dat-ze-oud-genoeg-zijn-voor-sociale-media-hoe-werkt-het/146058769.html (paywall)

Het Nieuwsblad reports that the EU’s new age‑verification app aims to keep minors off social media while preserving #privacy. But Bart Preneel notes similar bans led to VPN spikes: "You can simply choose a country without age limits."
https://www.nieuwsblad.be/binnenland/europa-heeft-een-app-klaar-waarmee-jongeren-kunnen-bewijzen-dat-ze-oud-genoeg-zijn-voor-sociale-media-hoe-werkt-het/146022129.html (paywall)

Look, this has been common knowledge for almost a generation: Microsoft wants everything to be connected (to Microsoft) & security & privacy simply isn't found on their list of priorities when making it so.

A company that would roll out Recall - the latest in a long, unbroken row of security blunders - to begin with cannot be fixed. MS will never, ever be a secure environment.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/04/totalrecall-reloaded-tool-finds-a-side-entrance-to-windows-11s-recall-database/

#it #tech #security #privacy #microsoft

US House extends surveillance powers until April 30 after late-night revolt sinks GOP plan

The House early Friday approved a short-term renewal until April 30 of a controversial surveillance program used by U.S. spy agencies in a post-midnight session after Republicans revolted and refused President Donald Trump’s push for a longer extension.

https://apnews.com/article/congress-foreign-surveillance-fisa-spy-agencies-3dc3e84c3b9b03f52b84dfb3b01fc770

#surveillance #privacy #dystopia #USA #politics #technology

In Anbetracht der Entwicklung von Überwachungsgesetzen und der digital-autoritären Transformation, kann davon ausgegangen werden, dass die einmal etablierten Praktiken auch in diesem Fall rasch über den ursprünglich kommunizierten Zweck hinaus erweitert werden sollen und ein Maximum an Kontrollmacht und Datenextraktion erreicht werden soll.

https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/europa/eu-app-altersueberpruefung-100.html

#IOS #Android #Altersverifikation #Überwachung #Kontrolle #Datenschutz #Daten #Privacy

I yearn for the day this fad is over

"EU age verification app can be hacked in 2 minutes, claims security expert"

#privacy #infosec #ageverification

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

Portable apps have some cool privacy advantages you should look at.

https://theprivacycloud.substack.com/p/how-portable-apps-can-improve-privacy

#privacy

"Under two legal authorities — Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, as well as Executive Order 12333 — U.S. intelligence agencies claim vast authority to target those overseas for surveillance. The executive order is especially broad, allowing bulk surveillance of foreign communications.

In theory, these surveillance powers are not supposed to be used to spy on Americans. But in practice, we know that under these authorities, the U.S. collects Americans’ data, such as their communications with foreigners. Under current law, it can then search that data without a warrant.

Recently, six legislators have also alerted the public to another way the government may be using its foreign surveillance powers to spy on Americans. In March, the lawmakers wrote a letter to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, asking her to clarify whether using a VPN could subject Americans to warrantless government surveillance.

The problem, as the letter points out, is that it’s not always readily apparent whether VPN traffic is coming from an American or someone abroad. This raises the question: How does the intelligence community currently handle the data of Americans using VPNs?

The lawmakers’ letter notes that the government has taken the position that data of unknown origin should be treated as foreign and, as a result, “subject to few privacy protections.” In other words, the government may be treating all VPN users as “foreign,” exposing Americans using VPNs to government surveillance.

This has a number of important implications."

https://freedom.press/digisec/blog/vpn-surveillance-time-for-transparency-and-limits-on-spy-powers/

#USA #Surveillance #VPNs #Privacy #FISA #Section702

ICYMI: Belgian DPA's guide on AI and privacy: what your data rights actually mean: The Belgian DPA today published its first citizen-focused guide on AI and privacy, covering data rights, profiling risks, and GDPR protections under the AI Act. https://ppc.land/belgian-dpas-guide-on-ai-and-privacy-what-your-data-rights-actually-mean/ #Privacy #DataRights #AI #GDPR #DataProtection

After Numerous Screw Ups, EU Develops Own Age Verification App

The roll out of age verification has been a complete disaster. So, Europe has decided to roll out their own broken app.

https://www.freezenet.ca/after-numerous-screw-ups-eu-develops-own-age-verification-app/

#Censorship #News #Privacy #Security #AgeVerification #app #EU #Europe #government #PersonalInformation

Audit finds Google, Meta and Microsoft set ad cookies after users opt out: An independent audit of 7,000+ California websites found Google, Meta and Microsoft setting ad cookies despite opt-out signals, with $5.8B in potential fines. https://ppc.land/audit-finds-google-meta-and-microsoft-set-ad-cookies-after-users-opt-out/ #Privacy #DataProtection #DigitalMarketing #AdTech #Cookies

Available for free to any company that wants to use it, the “completely anonymous” app puts the pressure on porn sites and social media platforms to start blocking access by minors.

Alt...

Europe’s Online Age Verification App Is Here

EU age verification app already hacked

Security researcher Paul Moore has demonstrated how the EU age verification app can be compromised in under 2 minutes with nothing more than physical access to a device.

https://www.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/1sn437i/eu_age_verification_app_already_hacked/

#AgeVerification #IDVerification #EU #privacy #surveillance #dystopia #technology #security

#Crypto-exchange #Kraken extorted by hackers after insider breach

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/crypto-exchange-kraken-extorted-by-hackers-after-insider-breach/

#cybersecurity #privacy #DataBreach

Wattz porta nella barra di stato di Android un indicatore batteria preciso e rispettoso della privacy, con metriche avanzate e zero tracciamento. #LinuxEasy #Android #Privacy #App

https://www.linuxeasy.org/wattz-lindicatore-batteria-per-android-semplice-preciso-e-rispettoso-della-privacy/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Over 100 #Chrome Web Store extensions steal user accounts, data

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/over-100-chrome-extensions-in-web-store-target-users-accounts-and-data/

#cybersecurity #privacy #malware

🕶️ New Episode: "The Eyes Have It"

The "Glasshole" problem never died. It just got sleeker.

Today on Impractical Privacy, we explore: 🔹 What's inside Ray-Ban Meta & Echo Frames 🔹 Why gaze tracking = advertising gold 🔹 The legal vacuum enabling invisible recording 🔹 Practical steps for wearers AND bystanders

We've normalized smartphones. We can normalize smart glasses too — but only if we act now.

🔗 Listen: ImpracticalPrivacy.com

#Privacy #TechPolicy #DigitalRights #Fediverse

EU AGE VERIFICATION APP HAS BEEN HACKED! THIS IS WHY AGE VERIFICATION WILL NEVER WORK ONLINE

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/privacy/s/fcKQSEj9OY

#ageverification #europe #DataBreach #privacy

#ThomsonReuters Fired Worker For Speaking Out About #ICE, Former Employee Says

https://www.404media.co/thomson-reuters-fired-worker-for-speaking-out-about-ice-former-employee-says/

#CLEAR #privacy #surveillance #politics #Reuters