The hottest Data Privacy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

"Here's the sad state of the cloud"

Cloud Irregular • 3696 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Cloud Computing Artificial Intelligence Tech industry Tech Culture Data Privacy
  1. The cloud landscape is shifting from big hyperscalers to more specialized services like standalone databases and DIY cloud-in-a-box.
  2. Using tools like Nightshade to protect art from being exploited by AI may not be the best strategy, focusing on creating original, high-quality art is key.
  3. Google, despite criticism, remains a significant player in the tech industry, seen as a symbol of intellectual prowess and innovation.

Data Exfiltration from Slack AI via indirect prompt injection

PromptArmor Blog • 604 HN points • 20 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy Software Development Risk management
  1. There is a serious vulnerability in Slack AI that lets attackers access confidential information from private channels without needing direct access. This means sensitive data can be stolen just by manipulating how Slack AI processes requests.
  2. The risk increases with the recent Slack update that allows AI to access files shared within the platform. This could mean that harmful files uploaded by users can also be exploited to extract confidential information.
  3. Both data theft and phishing attacks can happen through crafted messages in public channels. This makes it crucial for users to be careful about what they share, because attackers can trick the AI into sharing sensitive details.

ChatGPT

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 2895 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Government Data Privacy Tech development
  1. Some argue that government intervention in technology development may hinder innovation, suggesting that allowing private entities to operate freely could lead to better outcomes.
  2. Investment in technology tailored to local market needs is usually driven by market demand, without necessarily needing government prompting.
  3. Emphasizing the importance of data security and individual privacy, it's highlighted that reliance on domestic technology doesn't automatically guarantee safety, as user data concerns can also arise.

China’s GenAI Content Security Standard: An Explainer

ChinaTalk • 429 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Regulation Cybersecurity Data Privacy Machine Learning
  1. China has set rules for generative AI to ensure the content it produces is safe and follows government guidelines. This means companies need to be careful about what their AI apps say and share.
  2. Developers of AI must check their data and the output carefully to avoid politically sensitive issues, as avoiding censorship is a key focus of these rules. They have to submit thorough documentation showing they comply with these standards.
  3. While these standards are not legally binding, companies often follow them closely because government inspections are strict. These regulations mainly aim at controlling politically sensitive content.

Resilient Cyber Newsletter #13

Resilient Cyber • 19 implied HN points • 10 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity AI Software Development Data Privacy Government Policy
  1. The cybersecurity workforce is struggling with a high number of unfilled jobs, as organizations report a lack of qualified candidates. Many are misled by claims of high salaries with little experience needed.
  2. In 2024, security budgets increased modestly, but hiring for security staff has declined significantly. This stagnation in hiring indicates a complicated employment landscape in cybersecurity.
  3. The White House has released a roadmap to improve internet routing security, focusing on enhancing the Border Gateway Protocol. This aims to boost the overall safety of internet infrastructure.
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Emotional infiltration

Internal exile • 52 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Data Privacy AI Ethics Digital Culture Behavioral Economics Social media
  1. Technology is moving toward an 'intention economy' where companies use our behavioral data to predict and control our desires. This means we might lose the ability to understand our true intentions as others shape them for profit.
  2. There is a risk that we could become passive users, relying on machines to define our needs instead of communicating and connecting with other people. This can lead to loneliness and a lack of real social interaction.
  3. Automating responses to our needs, like with AI sermons or chatbots, might make us think our feelings are met, but it can actually disconnect us from genuine human experiences and relationships.

Numlock News: January 18, 2024 • Stellar Streams, Tetrapods, Richard Feynman

Numlock News • 766 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🔬 Science Space Biology Data Privacy Astronomy Physics
  1. The National Baseball Hall of Fame faced a significant financial decline in revenue and attendance in 2022.
  2. Walmart's financial services became a target for scammers, leading to billions of dollars in fraud.
  3. Biologists are concerned about the extinction of tetrapod species, with around 856 currently missing and presumed extinct.

⬜ Beyond the search engine

One Thing • 573 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Search Engines Algorithms Internet Social media Data Privacy
  1. Utilize small, alternative search engines that offer unique approaches not influenced by market trends
  2. Consider using unconventional methods when searching, such as leveraging platforms like Reddit for information
  3. Prioritize authentic search experiences, focusing on genuine connections and unique discoveries rather than catering solely to algorithms

Cyber and Tech News of the Week

Vigilainte Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 02 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity AI Data Privacy Digital Culture Software Development
  1. The US government has warned about a ransomware group that attacked Halliburton, urging companies to improve their security measures.
  2. Taylor Swift's concert tour inadvertently helped the CIA prevent a terrorist attack, showing how pop culture can link to national security.
  3. NIST is holding a contest for hackers to test AI systems, aiming to spot weaknesses and promote safety in technology development.

There is no EU cookie banner law

Bite code! • 978 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Internet Regulations Data Privacy Web browsing Browser Extensions
  1. Cookie banners on websites are not legally required by any EU law; companies choose to implement them.
  2. American companies do not have to comply with EU laws such as showing cookie banners to users in the USA.
  3. Many cookie banners on websites are actually illegal according to EU law, as they use dark patterns to trick users into tracking consent.

Resilient Cyber Newsletter #1

Resilient Cyber • 119 implied HN points • 18 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence Software Development Data Privacy Cloud Computing
  1. The SEC's case against SolarWinds could change how Chief Information Security Officers are viewed in the industry, potentially discouraging talented people from taking on these roles.
  2. Organizations need to actively prepare for cyberattacks through tabletop exercises, which can help teams respond better during real security incidents.
  3. Microsoft's cybersecurity issues have raised concerns regarding national security, highlighting the need for stronger security practices and accountability in tech companies.

Illumina Sequencers On The Internet

ASeq Newsletter • 65 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Internet Security Data Privacy Cloud Computing
  1. Many Illumina sequencers are publicly accessible on the internet, which is a security risk. It's important to check if your sequencer is securely configured.
  2. About 15% of the sequencers tested had no user management enabled, allowing potentially unauthorized access. This means someone could view or even modify the data without permission.
  3. Most of the exposed instruments were located in the US, including instances at UCSD. It's crucial for owners to ensure their devices are not left vulnerable online.

Exposing Big Tech’s Complicity in Genocide | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 226 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Big Tech Censorship Data Privacy Corporate ethics Digital Rights
  1. Many big tech companies are accused of censoring information about the situation in Gaza, with some employees losing their jobs for speaking out against this censorship.
  2. Employees from companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Apple report that there are double standards when it comes to moderating content, often suppressing pro-Palestinian voices while allowing anti-Palestinian sentiments to thrive.
  3. Some tech companies are deeply involved in supporting military actions in Israel, providing necessary technology and services that could be used in the ongoing conflict.

Weekly Cybersecurity Update: High-Profile Attacks, Arrests, and Emerging Threats

Vigilainte Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 26 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Software Data Privacy Malware Regulation
  1. Iranian hackers are using WhatsApp to target U.S. government officials, trying to influence the upcoming presidential election.
  2. The CEO of Telegram was arrested in France over issues with content moderation, showing that messaging apps are under more scrutiny now.
  3. New security threats are rising, like ransomware targeting Google Chrome users and vulnerabilities in smart home devices, highlighting the need for better cybersecurity measures.

The curious case of "TikTok refugees" on Rednote/Xiaohongshu

Pekingnology • 158 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Social media Migration Data Privacy Content Moderation User Behavior
  1. Many TikTok users in the U.S. are moving to a Chinese app called RedNote due to fears of a TikTok ban. This has led to an increase in the app's popularity.
  2. RedNote is like a mix of TikTok and Instagram, mainly used by young people to share lifestyle tips. However, it hasn't been widely known outside of Chinese-speaking areas until now.
  3. The move raises concerns about content moderation and privacy. RedNote may struggle with foreign-language content and could face pressure from Chinese regulations as more American users join.

How is your DSA today?

Tech + Regulation • 39 implied HN points • 22 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Content Moderation Regulatory Compliance Data Privacy
  1. The European Commission has started enforcing the Digital Services Act but faces a slow setup of the necessary institutions to implement it. They are focusing on big platforms and asking for information on issues like protecting minors and risk assessments.
  2. New regulatory bodies called Digital Services Coordinators must be established in EU countries to help enforce the DSA. However, some countries are still lagging behind in appointing these coordinators.
  3. The new out-of-court settlement mechanisms could help users appeal content moderation decisions easier, but there are risks about handling the volume of appeals and ensuring fairness in the process.

In the End, They will All Look the Same

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 379 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Trends Data Privacy Model Training Generative AI Machine Learning
  1. The internet is facing an issue called 'model collapse' where AI chatbots start to sound more and more alike due to using generated content for training. This makes them lose their unique information.
  2. Research shows that when AI models use content made by other AIs to learn, they can forget important details and produce weaker results.
  3. Experts warn that as more AI models create similar data, future AI systems from different companies may end up producing nearly identical responses.

The Middle Path for AI

Future History • 260 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Robotics Health tech Economics Data Privacy
  1. AI is already affecting our lives in many ways, like helping with healthcare and driving. It's important to realize that while it can do good things, it can also have negative outcomes.
  2. Instead of seeing the future as only good or bad, we should focus on a balanced view. Many things in life are grey, and understanding the middle ground helps us prepare better for what AI can and will do.
  3. Governments using AI for control and surveillance can be dangerous. While AI can help detect problems like health issues quickly, it can also invade privacy and create a society where people are constantly monitored.

Algorithms start out as magic. But then become captive to corporate interests.

Asimov’s Addendum • 19 implied HN points • 19 Aug 24
🕹 Technology AI Algorithms Big Tech Data Privacy Competition
  1. Google has been found to have abused its power to control search engine results, limiting competition. This means they had an unfair advantage to keep other companies from competing effectively.
  2. Algorithms that start off as amazing tools can end up being exploited for corporate gain. The way Google uses its algorithms looks like magic at first but turns out to serve its own business interests.
  3. To foster fair competition in the tech industry, we need more transparency and rules about how algorithms work. This could lead to better choices for users and support new companies to grow.

Fixing the Web Week Recap: 5/20/24

Unmoderated Insights • 99 implied HN points • 21 May 24
🕹 Technology Social media Data Privacy AI Ethics Tech regulation Digital Rights
  1. There's growing concern about deepfake videos during elections, as they can mislead voters. People can easily create fake videos that look real, making it hard for social media to verify what’s true.
  2. Tech companies are required to share their data, but many are making it harder to access it. This could lead to fines if they don't comply with new regulations.
  3. The European Union is leading the way in regulating tech companies more effectively than the US. They are gathering experts to tackle tech issues, which can teach other countries about better oversight.

E9 - Ethical Considerations and Responsible AI in Product Management

The Product Channel By Sid Saladi • 16 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Product Management Innovation Data Privacy
  1. Responsible AI means making sure technology is fair and safe for everyone. It's important to think about how AI decisions can affect people's lives.
  2. There are risks in AI like bias, lack of transparency, and privacy issues. These problems can lead to unfair treatment or violation of rights.
  3. Product managers play a key role in promoting responsible AI practices. They need to educate their teams, evaluate impacts, and advocate for accountability to ensure AI benefits everyone.

Trading places

benn.substack • 997 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
💼 Business Technology Finance Data Privacy Startups Marketing
  1. Be cautious with how you handle customers' sensitive data to avoid breaking trust.
  2. Consider the optics of your business operations as much as the functionality to maintain trust.
  3. Don't plan on building one service as a stepping stone to another; focus on what you want to create in the long run.

The AI Data Paranoia Edition

Why is this interesting? • 241 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Data Privacy Machine Learning Consumer Rights
  1. AI companies often clarify that they do not use customer data for training purposes, especially in enterprise settings. This is important for businesses concerned about data privacy.
  2. There is still some confusion and debate among brands and agencies regarding how AI services handle their data. This shows a need for better understanding and communication on the topic.
  3. Different AI companies have varying terms of service, which can affect how user data is treated, highlighting the importance of reading the agreements carefully.

Data Science Weekly - Issue 525

Data Science Weekly Newsletter • 359 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Data science AI Machine Learning Data Engineering Data Privacy
  1. Learning about causal models is important in data analysis because it helps explain what caused the data. This understanding can improve how we interpret results using Bayesian methods.
  2. There's growing concern over data privacy in AI tools like Dropbox. Users are worried their private files could be used for AI training, even though companies deny this.
  3. Netflix recently held a Data Engineering Forum to share best practices. They discussed ways to improve data pipelines and processing, which could benefit many in the data engineering community.

‘Pronoun Illness’ 🤔

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 99 implied HN points • 10 May 24
🕹 Technology AI Social media Data Privacy Content creation Ethics
  1. LinkedIn's AI flagged a post as unsafe, causing some users to question the technology's bias. It's raising concerns about how social media platforms control content.
  2. There are calls for developing technology in India to avoid being influenced by foreign political agendas. People want more control over their digital spaces.
  3. OpenAI is working on a new tool called Media Manager. This tool will help creators manage how their work is used in AI training, aiming for more respect for their choices.

Data and Dobbs

Technically Optimistic • 79 implied HN points • 20 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Reproductive Rights Data Privacy Legislation Women's Health Healthcare
  1. Protecting women's health data is crucial, especially in today's politically charged environment.
  2. Legislation like the Reproductive Data Privacy and Protection Act aims to safeguard sensitive reproductive health information from exploitation.
  3. There is a need for comprehensive data privacy legislation to prevent the potential weaponization of all personal data, not just reproductive health data.

Putting ChatGPT on the Stand as an Expert Witness

Autonomy • 11 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Automation Data Privacy
  1. AI could start playing a role in court by acting as an expert witness, answering questions just like a human would. This could change how legal arguments are made and maybe even lead to AI gaining more credibility.
  2. Lawyers might use AI not just for expert opinions, but also to gather evidence and build arguments. This means the AI helps in the background, but it’s the lawyer who presents the case in court.
  3. In the future, we might see cases where AI itself is called to testify, which could change how we view the trustworthiness of expert opinions in law. An AI might be seen as more reliable since it has no personal stakes in the outcome.

The Can-versus-Should Question

Risk Musings • 343 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Jobs Internet regulation Data Privacy
  1. It's important to consider the balance between what we can do and what we should do with technology and advancements in society.
  2. Lessons from past experiences, like the unregulated internet explosion, emphasize the importance of having cautious conversations about the benefits and risks of technological progress.
  3. Discussing the 'can versus should' dilemma is crucial when considering the replacement of human labor with AI and robotics, and having a strong risk culture helps navigate these trade-offs effectively.

The death of early career gigs, encryption, and the Thread Boys' ascendency

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Encryption Startups Data Privacy Tech Policy
  1. AI is taking over entry-level jobs, making it harder for newcomers to gain the experience they need. This could leave a gap when it comes to filling senior positions in the future.
  2. Encryption is really important for protecting our information and ensuring a stable economy. Weakening it could lead to big security problems for everyone.
  3. There's a trend of tech billionaires gaining more influence over government. This could change how policies are made, depending on who has the most money to back their causes.

My Data, My Self?

Technically Optimistic • 79 implied HN points • 27 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Data Privacy Social media AI Tech Companies
  1. It's important to review the data that social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram have collected on you, as it can reveal surprising insights about your online presence and preferences.
  2. Being mindful of how tech companies collect and use our data can help us better understand our online identity and the content we are exposed to.
  3. Engaging in simple exercises, like requesting and reviewing your data from social media platforms, can lead to eye-opening discoveries about the information being gathered about you.

AI and the privatisation of everything

imperfect offerings • 259 implied HN points • 04 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Data Privacy Healthcare Education Government Relations
  1. Generative AI can reshape relationships at personal and societal levels through its integration into everyday life and work.
  2. The use of AI in privatising public goods like healthcare and education raises concerns about data control, accountability, and the concentration of knowledge and power in the hands of few corporations.
  3. AI facilitates the privatisation of public services through the capture of expertise, turning professionals into consumers of recycled expertise and potentially diminishing the role of teachers and healthcare providers in favor of automated systems.

(Attempting) Good by Design

Technically Optimistic • 59 implied HN points • 13 May 24
🕹 Technology AI Design Data Privacy Podcasts
  1. Use the right technology for the task to ensure accurate and helpful information is provided, like in the case of developing an AI assistant for legal asylum application support.
  2. Focus on a narrow problem space to avoid generating incorrect outcomes, and involve authorized users in the technology to build trust through genuine partnerships.
  3. Bring in human validation to improve AI responses, prioritize data privacy in sensitive fields like legal assistance, and aim for developing human-centered programs for wider benefit.

Look out! Hackers are coming for your travel account

Elliott Confidential • 137 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Travel Online Services Data Privacy Authentication
  1. Use two-factor authentication and authenticator apps to protect your online travel accounts from hackers.
  2. Enable login notifications and maximize security settings on platforms to monitor any unauthorized access to your accounts.
  3. Avoid using simple or repeated passwords, practice safe Wi-Fi usage, and be cautious of urgent emails or suspicious links to prevent hacking incidents.

New paradigm?

Sriram Krishnan’s Newsletter • 137 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Data Privacy Licensing
  1. Content creators may need to start monetizing bot traffic as AI bots mimic human behavior on the internet.
  2. New or gated information on the internet is gaining higher value as freely available content gets indexed and scraped.
  3. Licensing collectives for independents and the debate of privacy vs. monetization are evolving trends impacting web traffic and content consumption.