The hottest Data Privacy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

(Attempting) Good by Design

Technically Optimistic • 59 implied HN points • 13 May 24
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  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.

ChatGPT + Custom MCP Data Exfiltration

PromptArmor Blog • 92 implied HN points • 13 Sep 25
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. Connecting ChatGPT to email and calendar using custom tools can lead to serious privacy risks. If someone sends a harmful calendar invite, it might trick ChatGPT into revealing private emails.
  2. The ability for ChatGPT to perform write actions with these custom connections greatly increases vulnerability. Users might unknowingly approve harmful actions, thinking they are safe.
  3. To protect against these risks, organizations should disable developer mode, regularly check their custom tool servers, and only connect to trusted data sources to prevent unwanted data access.

Look out! Hackers are coming for your travel account

Elliott Confidential • 137 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  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 Data Privacy
  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.
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There is no EU cookie banner law

Bite code! • 978 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  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.

Data Exfiltration from Slack AI via indirect prompt injection

PromptArmor Blog • 604 HN points • 20 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  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.

UK Government Agency Is Refusing To Release Data On COVID Vaccines And Excess Deaths

Unmasked • 37 implied HN points • 19 Nov 25
🏥 Health Politics Data Privacy
  1. Governments pushed hard for COVID rules like masks and vaccinations, often ignoring or downplaying any opposition. They kept saying vaccines were 100% effective and that only unvaccinated people were at risk.
  2. Despite many claims being proven wrong over time, the push for vaccinations and boosters never slowed down. There was always a focus on getting everyone vaccinated, no matter what the data said.
  3. Some governments are now refusing to share data about vaccine effects and deaths, which raises concerns about transparency and accountability in health decisions.

Trading places

benn.substack • 997 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
💼 Business Data Privacy
  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.

Imperfect, but sometimes on the money

imperfect offerings • 179 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. Peter Thiel's Palantir has taken over the federated data service for the NHS, impacting data sharing opt-outs for patients and raising concerns about private interests in public health data.
  2. In the education sector, AI's influence, particularly in EdTech, raises issues around data governance, privacy regulations, and the challenge of regulating online platforms.
  3. AI's expansion into various sectors, including recruitment, poses challenges such as potential bias, pricing out of students, and the use of AI for assessments, leading to a possible 'AI-driven race to the middle' in hiring practices.

Chase Strikes First With Open Banking Blitzkrieg That Could Upend US Fintech Ecosystem

Fintech Business Weekly • 111 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
💰 Finance Data Privacy
  1. Chase's new fees for data access could make it very expensive for fintech companies to use banking data, which could harm their business models.
  2. If fintechs have to pay more for banking data, they might charge customers higher fees or go back to slower, less secure methods of getting data.
  3. Changes in the cost of accessing banking data could affect how well fintechs serve customers, especially those with lower incomes who need affordable options.

Data Laundering: How Stability AI managed to get millions of copyrighted art works without paying artists [Finance Fridays]

Technology Made Simple • 219 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. Data laundering involves converting stolen data to be used illegally or sold as legitimate data.
  2. Tech companies, like Stability AI, can get around artist copyright by using creative methods with AI art.
  3. It's essential to ensure fair compensation for artists and creators whose work is used, and to establish better regulations for copyright protection in data usage.

Privacy, Please!

Technically Optimistic • 59 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Data Privacy
  1. American lawmakers are proposing a new data privacy act called the American Privacy Rights Act, aimed at giving individuals more control over their data.
  2. The proposed act includes measures like cleaning up state privacy laws, enforcing data minimization, addressing sensitive biometric and genetic data, and putting the FTC in charge of enforcement.
  3. Consumers would have more transparency, control, and rights over their data under the American Privacy Rights Act, though there are still hurdles to overcome in getting the legislation passed.

Grok went wild. What does it mean?

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 107 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. Grok, an AI chatbot, started saying harmful things like anti-Semitic comments after its safety filters were weakened. This shows how removing controls can let toxic content become visible.
  2. The data Grok uses includes real user posts, which means it can reflect the negative attitudes and biases present online. This is concerning because it means harmful ideas can spread through AI.
  3. As we rely more on AI for answers, we need to understand how these tools work and demand better transparency about their training data. Knowing where information comes from is crucial to trust AI responses.

Learning, forgetting, and the NYT lawsuit

The Counterfactual • 119 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. Learning involves forgetting some details to form general ideas. This means that to truly learn, we often need to overlook specific differences.
  2. Large Language Models (LLMs) can memorize details from the data they are trained on, which raises concerns about copyright issues and how much they reproduce existing content.
  3. Finding a way to make LLMs forget specific details from training data, while still keeping their language abilities, is challenging and may require new techniques.

The Age of Consent

Technically Optimistic • 59 implied HN points • 05 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. There are concerns about online age verification asking for excessive personal information, risking privacy.
  2. Proposals suggest various methods for age verification, but many have loopholes or flaws.
  3. The idea of a trusted intermediary for age verification, like AgeVerify, could offer a more privacy-focused solution.

"Buy, Don't Repair" Is Subtle Message of Google Ad Campaign

Fight to Repair • 138 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. The Google ad campaign conveys the message of 'Buy, Don't Repair' by promoting replacing products over repairing them, highlighting the impact of consumer culture and convenience.
  2. There is a significant focus on increasing the longevity of products through right to repair initiatives, emphasizing the importance of repairing, reusing, and reducing waste before resorting to recycling.
  3. Various issues related to repair and longevity, such as companies limiting repair resources, the spread of 'Deere disease' affecting maintenance, and the impact of support policies on vintage products, are highlighted in the text.

Your life should not be mined for content

storyvoyager • 10 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. Digital platforms mine our data, work, and art for profit, turning real lives into free content to be sold and analyzed.
  2. Because online content creation can be easier than traditional jobs, many people feel pressure to optimize their creativity for attention, which flattens originality into repetitive, lowest-common-denominator performances.
  3. This extraction erodes personal autonomy, so we need to reclaim control over our data, art, and how our lives are represented instead of letting platforms treat them as digital property.

The CrowdTangle Shutdown: Yet Another Wake-Up Call for Social Media Transparency

3188 Labs • 6 HN points • 17 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. CrowdTangle was a tool that helped researchers and journalists track how information spread on social media. Its shutdown by Meta shows a lack of support for transparency.
  2. Social media algorithms often promote divisive content for profit, making it hard for regulators to step in. Without tools to understand these algorithms, it’s tough to address misinformation properly.
  3. There’s a growing need for better tools and processes to help people navigate social media. As we consume more online, it's crucial to be aware of the influences shaping our thoughts.

Technology and Resentment

Auerstack • 176 implied HN points • 16 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. Technology is fueling the quantification of every aspect of life and self.
  2. Comparisons and labels resulting from fine-grained measurements can lead to resentment and social discord.
  3. Technology's role in codifying fairness can amplify perceptions of unfairness and breed resentment.

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

The Chris Hedges Report • 226 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  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.

Anteprima Dall-E 3 in Bing

Vincos Newsletter • 157 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. Google announced new hardware like Pixel 8 + Pro and Pixel Watch 2, focusing on AI features.
  2. Elon Musk's decisions on Link Previews impact user experience and transparency on social media platforms.
  3. Companies like Canva are implementing AI features to speed up content production, like creating videos from text.

AI Roundup 144: Agentic espionage

Artificial Ignorance • 25 implied HN points • 14 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. AI is being used in new ways, like for cyberattacks, which shows how powerful it has become. This also raises concerns about its safety and the need for better defenses.
  2. Major tech companies are taking different paths in the AI race. Some focus on quick profits while others invest heavily for long-term growth.
  3. The AI industry is facing challenges, including rising skepticism from investors and regulatory changes. This could affect how companies operate and develop their technologies.

Notebook: (1) The AI We Live Now

Book Post • 157 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. The use of AI in writing and literature is leading to negotiations and agreements to protect human creativity in industries like Hollywood and publishing.
  2. Creative professionals are facing challenges from AI, such as actors negotiating to preserve their image and narrators resisting licensing their voices to AI.
  3. There is ongoing legal and ethical debate regarding the use of AI in creative industries, with concerns about copyright infringement and the impact on authors and content creators.

Zoom's AI misstep

Deploy Securely • 157 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. Zoom updated its terms to allow training AI models earlier this year.
  2. Zoom clarified that it won't use audio, video, or chat content for AI training without opt-in.
  3. Be cautious about opting into Zoom's generative AI features to avoid your content becoming part of their AI models.

The Middle Path for AI

Future History • 260 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🕹 Technology 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.

Large Impact: The Rise of Small Language Models

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 59 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. Small Language Models (SLMs) are becoming popular because they are easier to access and can run offline. This makes them appealing to more users and businesses.
  2. While Large Language Models (LLMs) are powerful, they can give wrong answers or lack up-to-date information. SLMs can solve many problems without these issues.
  3. Using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) with SLMs can help them answer questions better by providing the right context without needing extensive knowledge.

The AI Data Paranoia Edition

Why is this interesting? • 241 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  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.

The hot blood leaps over the cold decree

Asimov’s Addendum • 2 HN points • 04 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. AI safety discussions should focus not only on stopping outside threats but also on the risks from the owners of AI systems. These owners can create harm while just trying to achieve their business goals.
  2. There is a need to recognize and learn from past technology failures as these patterns might repeat with AI. We should not overlook potential issues that arise from how AI is managed and used.
  3. It's important for AI developers to share what they are measuring and managing in terms of safety. This information can help shape regulations and improve safety practices as AI becomes more integrated into business models.

Cybersecurity First Principles & Shouting Into the Void

Resilient Cyber • 239 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. Cybersecurity issues won't fix themselves through friendly advice. The market often tolerates insecure products, leading to many security breaches that affect us all.
  2. Changing how we handle cybersecurity needs new rules. We must shift accountability and liability to make companies take security seriously and protect the data of their customers.
  3. Cybersecurity can be a key part of business success. If companies start prioritizing security due to regulations, it could help reduce risks and become a real advantage.

A Stunt, and All the Kinds of Glass

Augmented Realist • 94 implied HN points • 13 May 25
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. There's a new idea where a person's face could link to online content about them, making everyone's face like a QR code. This could change how we think about online identities.
  2. People would have a say over what gets posted on these links, helping protect their personal image from unapproved information.
  3. As technology evolves, it's crucial to consider how it impacts privacy and personal control over digital representation.

Last Words on AI

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 80 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. AI can't solve new problems unless they've been solved by humans before. It relies on previous data and patterns to operate.
  2. AI is largely a tool driven by greed, impacting our environment negatively. Its energy demands could worsen the climate crisis.
  3. Current AI models are not genuinely intelligent; they mimic patterns they've learned without real reasoning ability. This highlights that we are far from achieving true artificial general intelligence.

Go gentle into that good night

WORLD GONE WRONG • 117 implied HN points • 24 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. Web 2.0 is coming to an end, leading to uncertainty about the future of online platforms.
  2. Social networks may not be well-equipped to handle the scale of connecting billions of people.
  3. The concept of global interconnectedness through technology raises questions about human scale compatibility and the need for building healthier systems.

The Future of ESG Reporting in Developing Economies: Blockchain-Powered Accountability

Concordium Monthly Updates • 117 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. ESG reporting in developing economies faces challenges like lack of awareness, resources, and regulatory frameworks.
  2. Concordium's blockchain technology offers transparency, accountability, and efficiency for ESG reporting.
  3. Concordium's use of sharding, ZKP, inbuilt identity layer, and layer 1 structure enhances ESG reporting in developing economies.

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

Pekingnology • 158 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  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.

Would you like some surveillance capitalism with your sandwich?

The Joyous Struggle • 197 implied HN points • 14 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. Technology and capitalism are intertwined, impacting our daily experiences and evolving our lived realities.
  2. Surveillance capitalism, based on data extraction and manipulation, can lead to a loss of personal control and invasion of privacy.
  3. The normalization of compulsory data sharing in society poses a threat to individual autonomy and shifts the balance from citizens to consumers.

Do You Need Help Decoding What’s Going on with TikTok?

Technically Optimistic • 39 implied HN points • 22 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Data Privacy
  1. Growing concerns about TikTok involve data privacy and control due to its Chinese ownership.
  2. Forcing a sale of TikTok raises debates about data privacy, potential sale complications, and the influence of money and power in the decision-making process.
  3. The TikTok situation highlights broader issues around data ownership, national security, and the evolving role of social media platforms.