FTC inspecting "dark patterns" in data. Google implementing data privacy disclosures for Android apps. AI laws would regulate robo-surgeons but not military killbotsPlaying in GDPR sandboxes. Will your browser history soon impact your credit score? Using big data to find pirates. Plus, this week's Drop Shots!
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FTC inspecting "dark patterns" in data
The US Federal Trade Commission is inspecting the impact of dark patterns on data privacy, and at least one advertising trade group has already announced that it is gearing to fight against any new laws or regulations that may result from the investigation.
Dark patterns refer to the design tricks used by website and app developers to trick people into giving up their personal data and opt into marketing programs.
Google implementing data privacy disclosures for Android apps
Google has announced that app developers will be required to disclose information regarding their apps’ data collection, use, sharing and security practices, as well as provide a privacy policy for their apps. This information will be displayed in a new “safety section” of Google Play. This move follows Apple’s new App Tracking Transparency policy, which recently went into effect.
More details on Google's new policy will be announced later this year.
AI laws would regulate robo-surgeons but not military killbots
The EU is trying to get ahead of the curve on regulating Artificial Intelligence and has revealed a sweeping new regulatory framework that could have a GDPR-type impact on the future of AI.
The Artificial Intelligence Act proposes to ban any uses of technology that manipulate human behavior to circumvent free will such as micro-targeted propaganda campaigns executed on social media to swing elections. It would also ban the use of ‘real-time’ biometric identification systems and government ‘social scoring' programs.
While the laws would apply to surgical robots and other healthcare initiatives, it specifically omits military applications from its coverage. So a future where AI-powered killbots run amok is still very much on the table.
Playing in GDPR sandboxes
Following the UK's lead, two additional European data protection authorities have instituted their own GDPR sandboxes. Norway and France have both implemented programs that are intended to help organizations implement privacy-by-design from the outset.
Will your browser history soon impact your credit score?
According to the International Monetary Fund, the next big thing in finance could be your search history.
IMF researchers say that much of today's financial innovation comes through the use of non-financial data, such as a person's history of online searches, their past purchases, and the hardware they use.
Platforms like Amazon, Facebook or Alibaba are incorporating more and more financial services into their ecosystems and competing with banks in payments, asset management, and financial information.
Using big data to find pirates
The Hawkeye 360 program uses machine learning to monitor radio frequencies to identify the activities of ships that have "gone dark" on traditional maritime monitoring services.
According to Tim Pavlick, the company's VP of Product, this will enable authorities to cut through an ocean full of noise and help to prevent illegal and illicit activities.
Diabetes Action Canada partners with Bitnobi
Diabetes Action Canada has teamed up with the secure data-sharing platform Bitnobi to launch the National Diabetes Repository, a new source of de-centralized data for researchers.
Bitnobi CEO Hassan Jaferi says the new platform "can enable de-centralized data sharing across all health sectors by enabling data owners to fully control this technology based on their data governance policies."
This week's Drop Shots
Your quickfire news items from the world of data privacy
In South Africa, Big Brother will share your biometric data with the cops
In a bid to be the newest dystopian nightmare society, South Africa has introduced a bill that proposes to link facial recognition data and other biometric information to their national population register which is made available to police without a court order. It would also support the warrant-free searches of suspects.
The most data-hungry cycling apps
A new study shows just how much of your personal health data Peloton and other popular cycling apps collect and share.
Not too big to fail at data.
A recent survey indicates that 70% of Fortune 500 companies have trouble ensuring the privacy and security of sensitive data. One of the sources of the chaos is the copy-based integration of data between applications, something that we at the Data Collaboration Alliance are seeking to eliminate.
Has your email or phone number been breached?
A new web resource called "Have I Been Pawned" makes it easy to see if your email or phone number have been hacked. Visit this link to this handy tool and see for yourself if your personal data has been compromised.
The Data Drop News is a production of the Data Collaboration Alliance, a nonprofit working to advance data ownership through pilot projects in sustainability, healthcare, education, and social inclusion. We also offer free training in the Data Collaboration methodology. Listen to the Data Drop on our website or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.