Privacy Digest 04/25
Accept all or bust: how cookie walls are creating a two-tier internet
'Pay or Consent' models are getting traction, but should they be legal at all?
techradar.com
Critics say new Google rules put profits over privacy
Privacy advocates have slammed Google's new tracking rules as "a blatant disregard for user privacy." Starting last week, the changes will allow "fingerprinting," enabling advertisers to gather more user data, like IP addresses and device details. While Google claims this data is already widely used and promotes responsible practices, it had previously condemned fingerprinting in a 2019 blog, calling it something that "subverts user choice and is wrong."
bbc.com
X Briefly Blocked Then Unblocked Signal Links as Federal Workers Seek Security
For a few days, Elon Musk’s platform blocked links that used the encrypted messaging app.
gizmodo.com
Deep Dive into DuckDuckGo
Explore the safety and privacy of DuckDuckGo in our review and discover how it protects your data and prevents tracking. Combining DuckDuckGo with Ghostery takes your privacy even further by blocking trackers on websites you visit through search results.
ghostery.com
Google Ad-Tech Users Can Target National Security ‘Decision Makers’ and People With Chronic Diseases
A WIRED investigation uncovered that Google's advertising platform, Display & Video 360 (DV360), allows companies to target U.S. users based on sensitive data—such as chronic health issues and financial struggles—despite Google's policies prohibiting such practices. Experts warn that this data could potentially expose individuals to targeted exploitation. DV360 users can upload audience lists sourced from data brokers, enabling ad targeting based on health conditions, financial distress, or even government employment, raising national security concerns. The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) revealed audience segments containing mobile IDs linked to conditions like diabetes and opioid use. Alarmingly, some lists specifically identify U.S. government employees in sensitive roles. Despite Google’s claims of policy enforcement, many of these segments remain active. Privacy advocates, including the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), argue Google’s lax enforcement enables foreign adversaries to access sensitive U.S. data, creating a national security threat. Critics call for stricter regulation, highlighting Google’s internal hesitance to address these issues effectively.
wired.com