Privacy News Online | Weekly Review: July 17, 2020

Posted on Jul 17, 2020 by Caleb Chen
Privacy News Online July 17, 2020

Privacy News Online Weekly Recap videos will be back in 2 weeks. We are taking a short break, then we will be back with some new segments featuring some top names in the privacy community! You can still keep up with the latest privacy news from around the world right here on the Privacy News Online blog.

Featured: Privacy News Online – Week of July 17th, 2020

France passes legislation to block adult websites that don’t comply with new age verification framework

France passes legislation to block adult websites that don't comply with new age verification frameworkA recently passed bill in the French Parliament will create an age verification framework for those seeking to access adult content on the internet. While the specifics of how users would prove their age to websites hasn’t been specified, there have been talks of using credit card numbers or even government identifiers to verify age, which would also create a database of who watches porn online. The government will also be able to order internet service providers to block sites that don’t comply.

Read more: https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/blog/france-passes-legislation-to-block-adult-websites-that-dont-comply-with-new-age-verification-framework/

New German law would force ISPs to allow secret service to install trojans on user devices

new german law would force ISPs to allow secret service to install trojans on user devicesA new law in Germany would allow the government’s intelligence agencies and law enforcement to work with internet service providers to install trojans on user devices. Germany has already had success in the past working with phone companies to use trojans on peoples’ smartphones, and now they want to be able to infect all internet connected devices. Since the law is expected to pass without any privacy preserving amendments, many organizations are already preparing to file suit against Germany’s state sponsored trojan plan for being unconstitutional.

Read more: https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/blog/new-german-law-would-force-isps-to-allow-secret-service-to-install-trojans-on-user-devices/

Brazil plans to bring in a “fake news” law, with serious implications for everyone’s privacy, no matter where they live

A new fake news law is expected to pass in Brazil and despite last minute amendments, the privacy implications are still huge. The law seeks to tie real identities to online identities and create accountability for those sharing fake news via chain forwarding. The new law requires large social media platforms and private messaging apps such as Facebook and WhatsApp to grant Brazil access to the main user database when asked. The new fake news law will likely be challenged under Brazil’s new privacy laws.

Read more: https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/blog/brazil-plans-to-bring-in-a-fake-news-law-with-serious-implications-for-everyones-privacy-no-matter-where-they-live/

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More Privacy News This Week:

Hackers breached A1 Telekom, Austria’s largest ISP

The internet service provider admitted this past week that they had been battling with hackers on their network since November of 2019. A1 claims that no sensitive customer data was stolen during the half year that they were breached; however, this is unlikely to be true. The whistleblower that revealed A1’s breach noted that the hackers were able to look up specific information on A1 customers and had downloaded lots of data. The whistleblower believes that the attack was carried out by a Chinese government backed hacking group.

Read more: https://www.zdnet.com/article/hackers-breached-a1-telekom-austrias-largest-isp/

15 Billion Credentials Currently Up for Grabs on Hacker Forums

According to a new report by the Digital Shadows Photon Research Team, the total amount of usernames and passwords for sale in the dark corners of the internet number over 15 billion. This is the culmination of over 100,000 data breaches and credentials are beings old for an average of $15.43. The average price of credentials to access financial institutions is understandably higher – at over $70. The sheer number of exposed account credentials should remind users of the importance of not reusing passwords.

Read more: https://threatpost.com/15-billion-credentials-currently-up-for-grabs-on-hacker-forums/157247/

US Secret Service creates new Cyber Fraud Task Force

The Secret Service is merging its Financial Crimes Task Force with its Electronic Crimes Task Force to create the new Cyber Fraud Task Force. As the name suggests, the CFTF will work to investigate internet based financial crimes ranging from ransomware to data breaches and business email hacks. The new task force is being mobilized in the Secret Service’s domestic and international offices and will focus on the growing threat of transnational cybercrime.

Read more: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/us-secret-service-creates-new-cyber-fraud-task-force/

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