The start of Google Play’s Data safety section
Google Play’s data safety section is here. The program is similar to Apple’s App Store requirements, which went into effect in late 2020. Google Play’s data safety section will inform app users on data collection and security practices. It will also include information on the types of data collected by the app, third-party sharing, and use practices. App developers will need to finish their disclosures before the July 20th deadline.
Source: IAPP, TechCrunch
Zoom faces an $85 million settlement from a class-action lawsuit
Users accused the cloud-based communications app of violating their privacy rights after Zoom shared their personal data with social media companies and allowed “zoombombing” of hackers that disturbed meetings. Zoom denied any violations and agreed to increase its security measures as a part of the settlement. The $85 million settlement was approved by a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Source: IAPP, Insurance Journal
Worries on privacy raised after Elon Musk buys Twitter
Elon Musk’s comments on a real-name policy, open-sourcing Twitter’s algorithm, and his wish to authenticate “all humans” have raised privacy concerns. Jeffrey Kosseff, an associate professor of cybersecurity at the U.S. Naval Academy, expressed his concerns saying, “I don’t know what Musk means by this, but what would concern me most would be if everyone had to authenticate their identity with Twitter.” A blueprint of what Elon Musk must work on to guarantee the privacy and security of Twitter users was also published by the Electronic Frontier Foundation on their blog.
Removal of personal contact information added to Google Search requests
The search engine has included personally identifiable contact information in its search removal request. Removing data such as phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses from search results is now possible through request. The update will “give people the tools they need to protect their safety and privacy online,” according to the blog post rom Michelle Chang, Google Search Global Policy Lead.
