Algorithms vs Privacy: What You Need to Know

Algorithms vs Privacy: What You Need to Know

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. The Dangers of Automated Decision-Making Systems 2.1. The Failure of a Benefit Fraud Detection System in the Netherlands 2.2. Wrongful Accusations in Michigan's Experiment
3. Google Faces a $5 Billion Lawsuit Over Privacy Violations 3.1. Allegations against Google's Tracking Practices 3.2. The Denial of Dismissal and Ruling by Judge Lucy Coe
4. Privacy Concerns with Popular Apps 4.1. Instagram Takes the Lead in Personal Information Sharing 4.2. Facebook, LinkedIn, and UberEats Follow Suit
5. Latest Cyber Security News 5.1. Google's Proof of Concept for Spectre Vulnerabilities 5.2. Unpatched Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Servers Exploited by Cybercriminals
6. Lawsuit Challenges Clearview AI's Use of Facial Recognition 6.1. Clearview AI's Surveillance Tool Used by 2,400+ Law Enforcement Agencies 6.2. Migente Files Lawsuit for Public Safety and Free Speech Protection
7. Orchid's Private Virtual Summit on Digital Privacy 7.1. An Exciting Event Featuring Edward Snowden and Other Privacy Advocates 7.2. Focus on Communication, Transactions, and Living in the Era of Surveillance
8. Conclusion

Article Title: Algorithmic Bias and the Assault on Privacy

Introduction

Automated decision-making systems have become a significant concern when it comes to privacy. These systems rely on algorithms to process vast amounts of data and make decisions that can have a profound impact on individuals' lives. However, there are several dangers associated with these systems that need to be addressed to protect privacy rights.

The Dangers of Automated Decision-Making Systems

Automated decision-making systems, designed to detect benefit fraud, have proven to be a massive assault on privacy. In the Netherlands, such a system was employed to cross-reference various data points related to individuals' work, fines, penalties, taxes, housing, education, and more. Despite the extensive data collection, the system failed to deliver any claimed benefits over a period of five years. This highlights the flaws and inefficiencies of these systems, which can lead to false accusations and undesired consequences for individuals.

A similar experiment in Michigan also showcased the shortcomings of automated decision-making systems. In this case, 34,000 people were wrongfully accused of unemployment fraud. The failure of these systems raises concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in algorithmic decision-making processes, which can result in false accusations, privacy breaches, and immense stress for individuals.

Google Faces a $5 Billion Lawsuit Over Privacy Violations

Privacy concerns extend beyond automated decision-making systems. Google, a multinational technology company, is facing a $5 billion lawsuit over its tracking practices. The lawsuit alleges that Google actively violates privacy laws by intercepting, tracking, and collecting communications, even when users are in Chrome's incognito mode. While Google claims to make it clear that incognito mode does not mean invisible, a federal judge denied their request for dismissal, ruling that Google failed to notify users about its alleged data collection during private browsing.

Privacy Concerns with Popular Apps

Privacy breaches are not limited to tech giants like Google. Many popular apps share a significant amount of personal information, posing a risk to users' privacy. According to data compiled by privacy and security company pCloud, Instagram ranks at the top of the list by sharing 79% of the personal information it collects. Facebook, the parent company of Instagram, follows closely behind, sharing 57% of collected data. LinkedIn and UberEats also share a significant amount of personal information, with 50% data sharing each. These statistics expose the extent to which personal data is collected and shared without users' explicit knowledge or consent.

Latest Cyber Security News

Maintaining privacy and security online is an ongoing battle. Threat actors are constantly finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in software systems. Google recently released proof of concept code that demonstrates how to leverage Spectre vulnerabilities in browsers. Spectre is a class of speculative execution CPU vulnerabilities that were first disclosed in January 2018. Through this code, Google aims to help developers make their software safe from Spectre exploits, even against Apple's M1 ARM-Based CPUs.

Unpatched vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange email servers have also become a prime target for cybercriminals. Although Microsoft released patches following targeted state-sponsored attacks, tens of thousands of servers worldwide remain unpatched. Cybercriminals are taking AdVantage of these vulnerabilities to infect Exchange servers with ransomware, emphasizing the need for robust security measures and prompt patching of vulnerabilities.

Lawsuit Challenges Clearview AI's Use of Facial Recognition

Clearview AI, a facial recognition firm, is facing a lawsuit in California. Immigrant rights group Migente filed the lawsuit, claiming that the use of Clearview AI's surveillance tool by over 2,400 law enforcement agencies poses dangers to public safety, free speech, and communities of color. Clearview AI's database consists of more than three billion pictures scraped from public sites, including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. This lawsuit further highlights the privacy concerns surrounding facial recognition technology and the need for better regulation to protect individuals' rights.

Orchid's Private Virtual Summit on Digital Privacy

In the fight for digital privacy, Orchid is organizing a virtual summit called Private. This event will bring together privacy advocates, including renowned whistleblower Edward Snowden, to discuss various aspects of digital privacy. The summit will focus on communication, transactions, and living in an era of pervasive digital surveillance. With keynotes, panel discussions, and inspiring individuals like Zuko Wilcox, Taiwanese Digital Minister Audrey Tang, Peter Van Valkenburgh, and Rohan Gray, this event aims to Raise awareness and empower individuals to protect their privacy.

Conclusion

Privacy continues to be a pressing issue in today's digital world. The dangers posed by automated decision-making systems, privacy violations by tech giants, personal information sharing by popular apps, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and the use of facial recognition technology underscore the need for comprehensive privacy regulations and individual vigilance. Protecting privacy is crucial to safeguarding our rights, freedoms, and personal data in the digital age.

Highlights:

• Automated decision-making systems in the Netherlands and Michigan fail to deliver claimed benefits and lead to false accusations of fraud.
• Google faces a $5 billion lawsuit for violating privacy laws and not informing users about data collection in incognito mode.
• Popular apps like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and UberEats share a significant amount of personal information without user knowledge or consent.
• Google demonstrates proof of concept code to mitigate Spectre vulnerabilities in browsers, while cybercriminals exploit unpatched Microsoft Exchange server vulnerabilities.
• Facial recognition firm Clearview AI is sued for endangering public safety, free speech, and communities of color with its surveillance tool.
• Orchid organizes a virtual summit called Private, featuring privacy advocates like Edward Snowden, to discuss digital privacy in communication, transactions, and daily life.

FAQ:

Q: Are automated decision-making systems accurate? A: Automated decision-making systems can be prone to errors and biases, as seen in the Netherlands and Michigan experiments. These systems lack transparency and accountability, leading to false accusations and failed results.

Q: How does Google violate privacy laws? A: Google is accused of intercepting, tracking, and collecting user communications, even when users are in incognito mode. The company failed to inform users about this data collection, resulting in a $5 billion lawsuit.

Q: Which popular apps share the most personal information? A: According to pCloud's data, Instagram tops the list by sharing 79% of the personal information it collects. Facebook, LinkedIn, and UberEats also share a significant amount of personal data, posing risks to user privacy.

Q: What vulnerabilities are cybercriminals exploiting? A: Cybercriminals are leveraging unpatched vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange email servers to infect them with ransomware. Despite patches being released, tens of thousands of servers worldwide remain unpatched.

Q: Why is Clearview AI facing a lawsuit? A: Clearview AI's use of facial recognition technology, with a database of billions of scraped pictures, raises concerns about public safety, free speech, and racial profiling. The lawsuit aims to challenge its dangerous surveillance tool.