The hottest Privacy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

AI Roundup 101: Strange bedfellows

Artificial Ignorance • 54 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. Independent journalism is teaming up with AI companies like OpenAI and Google to tackle money issues. They are using AI to improve news coverage, but this partnership might have hidden costs in the long run.
  2. There's a debate around whether large language models should use copyrighted content without permission for training. Some companies have faced backlash for using unlicensed data and are now trying to justify their actions.
  3. New U.S. regulations are being introduced to control AI exports, which could affect international competition. While some see it as a way to protect the U.S. lead in AI, others in the industry are pushing back against these restrictions.

UX Roundup: Field Observation of Sticky Notes | Performative Privacy | Response Time Delays | Jakob Fireside Session | Content Supremacy

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 23 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. Users struggle with bad designs when they need to write sticky notes to remember how to use a system. This shows that the design is confusing or hard to use.
  2. Many privacy features on websites only look good and don't actually protect users. They often annoy users while providing little real help, which can damage trust.
  3. Long loading times and delays frustrate users. It's important to make systems faster and to give clear updates during wait times to keep users engaged.

High school students ask the toughest AI questions

Augmented • 39 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. High school students are asking advanced and insightful questions about AI, reflecting a level of inquisitiveness often missing in the AI industry.
  2. Math classes should adapt to integrate AI education, embracing generative AI tools as valuable teaching resources rather than banning them.
  3. Concerns about privacy, security, and the ethical implications of AI's advancement, including potential misalignment and misinformation, highlight the need for careful regulation and transparency.

Top Reasons to Build DeFi dApps on Concordium

Concordium Monthly Updates • 39 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. Concordium offers sponsored transactions to cover transaction fees, reducing barriers for users and encouraging wider adoption.
  2. Verifiable credentials on Concordium enhance identity verification, privacy, and compliance in DeFi applications.
  3. Concordium features fast finality, shielding transactions, high throughput, low fees, and a secure platform for efficient and secure DeFi dApps.
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Must Learn AI Security Part 14: Inference Attacks Against AI

Rod’s Blog • 39 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. An inference attack against AI involves gaining private information from a system by analyzing its outputs and other available data.
  2. There are two main types of inference attacks: model inversion attacks aim to reconstruct input data, while membership inference attacks try to determine if specific data points were part of the training dataset.
  3. To mitigate inference attacks, techniques like differential privacy, federated learning, secure multi-party computation, data obfuscation, access control, and regular model updates can be used.

Must Learn AI Security Part 7: Membership Inference Attacks Against AI

Rod’s Blog • 39 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. Membership Inference Attacks against AI involve attackers trying to determine if a specific data point was part of a machine learning model's training dataset by analyzing the model's outputs.
  2. These attacks occur in steps like data collection, model access, creating shadow models, analyzing model outputs, and making inferences based on the analysis.
  3. The consequences of successful Membership Inference Attacks include privacy violations, data leakage, regulatory risks, trust erosion, and hindrance to data sharing in AI projects.

Localisation of Gen AI in EU

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 39 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. The EU has strict data protection laws that make it hard for AI tools like ChatGPT to work there. Companies have to follow these rules carefully.
  2. European lawmakers are banning certain AI technologies, like biometric surveillance and predictive policing. This is changing how AI innovations happen in Europe.
  3. A French company called Mistral AI recently raised a lot of money, even though they haven't launched a product yet. Their team has a lot of experience in developing advanced AI models.

TechLetters #121 - Cyberwar in Ukraine. 0day exploits to smartphones via apps. AI-automation coming to address cybersecurity industry. Cookie blocking standardisation. VULKAN cyberwar services.

Lukasz Olejnik on Cyber, Privacy and Tech Policy Critique • 39 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. Smartphone app exploited 0day vulnerability affecting millions of devices
  2. Microsoft integrating ChatGPT for automating cybersecurity tasks
  3. Web security proposal aims to standardize cross-browser cookie blocking

Language Models: Size Matters

Fully Distributed by Ori Eldarov • 39 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. The trend towards large language models (LLMs) may not be the best approach due to high training costs and lack of optimization.
  2. Research shows that smaller language models can perform better through fine-tuning with human feedback, offering cost-efficiency and hyper-personalization.
  3. The future may see a mix of ultra-large proprietary models and small open-source models, working together to advance artificial intelligence.

Right on cue, the military-industrial complex

Silicon Reckoner • 39 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. There are concerns about the involvement of tech companies in military-industrial complex activities.
  2. Booz Allen Hamilton's connections to surveillance activities and collaborations raise questions about their motives.
  3. The concept of 'human compatible' AI is questioned in relation to corporate interests and ethical considerations.

Must Learn AI Security Part 6: Model Inversion Attacks Against AI

Rod’s Blog • 39 implied HN points • 23 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. A Model Inversion attack against AI involves reconstructing training data by only having access to the model's output, posing risks to data privacy.
  2. There are two main types of Model Inversion attacks: black-box attack and white-box attack, differing in the level of access the attacker has to the AI model.
  3. Model Inversion attacks can have severe consequences like privacy violation, identity theft, loss of trust, legal issues, and misuse of sensitive information, emphasizing the need for robust security measures.

Meta Blocker

Technically Optimistic • 19 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Privacy
  1. Reports of online child abuse have significantly increased over the years, showcasing a concerning trend that AI technology might exacerbate.
  2. Tech companies, like Snapchat and X, are starting to agree to support legislative acts like KOSA to enhance online protections for children, signaling a potential positive shift in the industry.
  3. There is a growing call for tougher legislation, transparency, and accountability in the tech sector to protect users, especially children, from harmful content online.

Brief: How Microsoft Secures Its Copilots

Rod’s Blog • 19 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. Microsoft's Copilot for Microsoft 365 adheres to strict data privacy and security regulations like GDPR, ensuring organizational data confidentiality.
  2. The Copilot system integrates large language models with Microsoft Graph and 365 apps, maintaining enterprise-level data protection during processing.
  3. By utilizing the Azure OpenAI Service controlled by Microsoft, Copilot ensures that business data is not used to train models, offering organizations control over their data processing.

Staying Safe in a World Full of AI Integrated Devices

Rod’s Blog • 19 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. AI can pose risks to privacy through data collection without consent; protect your privacy with strong passwords and limit AI features' access.
  2. AI can threaten security through sophisticated attacks like deepfakes; protect your security with regular updates, antivirus software, and verifying content sources.
  3. AI can impact well-being by increasing stress and reducing social skills; protect your well-being by setting boundaries, balancing online and offline activities, and maintaining social connections.

TechLetters #160 Resurrection of dead dictators using generative AI, for political gain; AI cyber operations; Last warning about quantum cryptography; Privacy Sandbox coming to iOS/iPhones

Lukasz Olejnik on Cyber, Privacy and Tech Policy Critique • 19 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. AI can resurrect dead politicians, prompting the need for laws against misleading content.
  2. iOS introduces Stolen Device Protection and warns about AI's impact on cyber operations.
  3. Caution advised on quantum cryptography and factors influencing ransom payments.

Securing Data that is Used by AI

Rod’s Blog • 19 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. Securing data used by AI is vital for security, performance, reliability, ethics, and trust.
  2. Data hygiene practices include collecting necessary data types, encrypting data, and maintaining data lineage.
  3. Ensuring data quality through validation, diversity, and detection methods is crucial for accurate and fair AI outcomes.

Ant farms and PEER Protocols

Data People Etc. • 53 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. The PEER protocol is all about making sure that AI assistants are safe and respect our privacy. They should only act on our permission, keep our personal info secure, and even be stored directly on our devices.
  2. AI agents, referred to as 'ants', represent a collective intelligence instead of individual personalities. They're designed to work tirelessly and learn about our preferences to provide better service.
  3. Removing screens from our interactions with technology may reduce information overload, but it also raises trust issues. Users need to believe that their AI assistants will share only what's essential, without important details going missing.

The frenzy to ban TikTok is another National Security State scam

Michael Tracey • 101 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Privacy
  1. The rush to ban TikTok by the National Security State was orchestrated quietly and with limited public exposure, showing a deliberate avoidance of public scrutiny.
  2. The push to ban TikTok largely centered around concerns about its alleged promotion of anti-Semitism and sympathy for Hamas, particularly during the Israel/Gaza conflict.
  3. The legislative bill to ban TikTok gained support from influential figures who highlighted the platform's perceived role in spreading anti-Semitic content and aligning with foreign adversaries, despite criticisms and objections against the bill.

The asymmetry of nudges

lcamtuf’s thing • 103 HN points • 24 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. It's common to blame big businesses for unethical practices, but often founders and CEOs are genuinely trying to do the right thing.
  2. The development of Manifest V3 in Google Chrome, though controversial, aimed to address major security and privacy risks posed by browser extensions.
  3. The concept of the asymmetry of nudges highlights how well-intentioned changes in tech companies can inadvertently limit user choices or negatively impact user experience.

The Rise of Surveillance Bureaucracy

The Digital Anthropologist • 59 implied HN points • 01 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. Surveillance bureaucracy uses digital technologies like sensors, cameras, and monitoring software to improve efficiency and compliance in both government and business.
  2. The rise of surveillance bureaucracy has unintended consequences, leading to resistance and workarounds by surveilled individuals in various industries.
  3. Challenges from non-profit organizations and legal battles are emerging to address the ethical implications of digital surveillance technologies and the need for privacy protections.

Practical Reinforcement Learning and Differential Privacy

Gradient Flow • 119 implied HN points • 17 Feb 22
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. The ratio of data scientists to data engineers varies based on factors like tools, infrastructure, and use cases, with no set ideal ratio.
  2. Interesting developments include a new podcast discussing machine learning infrastructure at Netflix, imperceptible NLP attacks, and evolving data science training programs.
  3. Exciting tools and updates in the data and machine learning space, like practical reinforcement learning applications, scalable differential privacy for Python developers, and the Orbit version 1.1 for Bayesian time-series analysis.

Proposal for improving the global online discourse through personalised comment ordering on all websites

Engineering Ideas • 19 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. Social media promotes tribalism and polarization, making it hard to find rational critique in comments.
  2. A proposed solution involves personalized comment ordering based on user reactions and models.
  3. Compensating users for reading and voting on comments with a token system could help combat spam and manipulation.

Beyond Dunbar

Philip’s Newsletter • 24 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. Tech can help people build trust and connect more in local communities. By using technology, we can find out who we have in common with others, making it easier to meet new friends.
  2. Having groups, like school alumni or local clubs, helps establish trust between strangers. If we create safe online spaces for these groups, it can strengthen our connections with others.
  3. Sharing locations securely with close friends can enhance trust. With the right technology, we can let friends know where we are without compromising our privacy.

Jack Sweeney: Troll? Stalker? Or Free Speech Hero?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 74 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Privacy
  1. Jack Sweeney faced legal challenges for his social media accounts tracking celebrities' private jets. Celebrities like Taylor Swift and Elon Musk took legal action against him for privacy concerns.
  2. Sweeney's interest in tracking celebrity jets began as a tech and aviation fascination. He uses various sources like FAA databases and aviation enthusiasts to update his spreadsheets.
  3. Despite facing legal threats and backlash, Sweeney maintains his accounts are journalistic and informative. He relies on his instincts when dealing with offers from celebrities like Elon Musk and Mark Cuban.

TechLetters #116 - cyberwar in Ukraine; TikTok gets a hit in Europe; 2-year-old backdoor activated in cyberwar in Ukraine; #GDPR reform imminent; Privacy Sandbox field-tested; geopolitical censorship

Lukasz Olejnik on Cyber, Privacy and Tech Policy Critique • 19 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. Analysis of cyberwar in Ukraine with details of satellite internet provider KA-SAT compromise
  2. EU institutions prohibit TikTok use by employees for cybersecurity reasons
  3. European Commission proposes GDPR reform for more coherent enforcement rules

TechLetters #136 Reviewing for security and privacy. ChatGPT for cybercrime. Privacy Sandbox, AI, sending e-mails a problem in 2023.

Lukasz Olejnik on Cyber, Privacy and Tech Policy Critique • 19 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. Sending military emails requires caution to avoid leaking personal data.
  2. ChatGPT is used for illegal activities like phishing, with no ethical restrictions.
  3. The launch of the Privacy Sandbox by Google/Chrome aims to improve privacy in ad infrastructure.

TechLetters #127 - Russian citizen sentenced for participation in IT Army of Ukraine. Google to identify A used in election disinformation. China bans US-made chips (Micron). Cookies out in 2024.

Lukasz Olejnik on Cyber, Privacy and Tech Policy Critique • 19 implied HN points • 22 May 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. Russian citizen sentenced to 3 years for participating in IT Army of Ukraine
  2. Google aims to identify and block election disinformation campaigns using AI
  3. China bans the use of US-made Micron chips citing security risks

🥟 Chao-Down #78 Hackers use generative AI to create malware, Google introduces AI-powered privacy platform, ChatGPT begins giving therapy

Chaos Theory • 19 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. Hackers are using generative AI to create malware, making it harder for cybersecurity professionals to detect and defend against these attacks.
  2. Google introduces an AI-powered privacy platform called Checks.
  3. ChatGPT is starting to give therapy, potentially revolutionizing mental health care.

TechLetters #134 cyberattack on WATER TREATMENT. GDPR reform. Competition authorities enforcement GDPR. France considers social network shutdown during unrest. Avast collects/sells customer data, and?

Lukasz Olejnik on Cyber, Privacy and Tech Policy Critique • 19 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. Cybersecurity incidents on critical infrastructure are a major concern globally
  2. Proposed GDPR reforms aim to enhance enforcement mechanisms and transparency
  3. Countries are implementing stricter regulations to protect data privacy and crack down on unethical data practices

TechLetters #132 GDPR fine for Criteo. Artificial Intelligence Act lobbying. In-game malware. processors leaking private data.

Lukasz Olejnik on Cyber, Privacy and Tech Policy Critique • 19 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. Malware was found in a Mario Bros game installer, which steals user data.
  2. Privacy leaks are occurring via processors, allowing websites to steal browsing history.
  3. Criteo received a €40M GDPR fine for not verifying if people had given consent for their data processing.

AImagine: Pioneering Hyperrealistic AI Image Generation

CodeLink’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 18 May 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. AI technology is revolutionizing image generation and manipulation, offering new creative possibilities and demand
  2. AImagine app by CodeLink stands out for its hyperrealistic results and high level of customization in generating unique images
  3. Utilizing innovative technologies like the stable diffusion model, Flutter, and Python, AImagine offers a seamless user experience and efficient server-side processing

Whale Songs Explained

David’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. Whale Songs allows anonymous tweeting from accounts with $1M in on-chain assets
  2. Spartan-ECDSA is an important tool for zero-knowledge proof circuits
  3. Challenges include handling large datasets, computationally intensive processes, and server limitations

Social Media's Future is Closed

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Privacy
  1. Social media is undergoing significant changes due to cultural shifts and user preferences.
  2. Users are moving towards more closed social networks to avoid toxicity and excessive advertising.
  3. The challenge for social media platforms will be to find new ways to monetize without relying solely on advertising and data trading.