CDP Institute

The European Consumer Organization BUEC has filed a complaint saying TikTok’s Terms of Service are unfair, unclear, ambiguous and work to the detriment of users.

In a move to add pressure on the the biggest tech giants, Microsoft is launching a project to have the EU establish an Australia-style arbitration system that mandates pay for use of news content. Google and Facebook have been fighting back at Australia’s rules.  Goolge has cut licensing deals while Facebook has gone further and blocked sharing Australian news on its service. Countries including Canada and the UK are considering laws similar to Australia.

A Rave survey of 1,000 Americans shows a significant lack of trust in federal and local officials. Firefighters, paramedics and other first responders are trusted far more than local government. Fifty percent of participants said their trust level would increase if they received information directly from officials. And 77% reported that text and phone alerts from local officials are among the most trusted sources of information.

FingerprintJS gives developers an API that uses system details to create a fingerprint that identifies devices over time without relying on cookies or user consent.  They only authorize use for fraud prevention, since that’s what GDPR and CCPA allow.  The technology enables a high level of ID accuracy and enables authentication of large data sets. The company will use the funds to expand in the enterprise market.

Google Chrome Web Store adds tab to stop aggressive data harvesting Do you download Chrome extensions to make browsing and buying easier? Developers and advertisers are happy when you do, since permission you grant gives access to so much data. Now, Google is pulling back the curtain on extensions, so when you consider them to add, you’ll see exactly what personal data you’ll give up in return.

WireWheel Raises $20M Series B Funding bringing it to $45M total Data privacy tech company, WireWheel plans to use the new funding for enterprise marketing and for its SaaS platform, which is designed for use by privacy professionals and engineering and governance staff.

Results from the survey conducted in late 2020 evaluated top social media platforms on ten categories of media responsibility.

In a shot across the bow at Big Tech, Maryland is the first U.S. state to tax digital ad services. Companies making between $1M – $100M will pay 2.5% and those making over $15B, like Google and Facebook, will pay 10%. The state’s premise is that tech companies profit by collecting ad data on its residents so they should pay their fair share. Other states, including Connecticut and Indiana, may soon follow.

This follows Apple’s recent announcement that it plans to ask iPhone users’ consent to track their data, so the company can offer personalized ads. Facebook has raised concern this may be anti-competitive behavior, since Apple’s personalized ad platform wouldn’t have to provide users an opt-in for tracking by third parties.

A new bill introduced by Senate Democrats proposes to change Section 230, core U.S. legislation that shields social media and Internet providers from liability for publishing false or misleading information and from responsibility for the user content they publish. Section 230, which the New York Times quoted President Biden as saying should be "immediately revoked," gives the Internet companies unique immunity not granted to publishers or other media. The SAFE TECH Act would make an exception "when the provider or user has accepted payment to make the speech available," which would impact not only advertising but other kinds of paid services, including for premium web hosting. On the upside, the change would require more accountability from companies and would provide recourse to victims of cyberstalking and Internet harassment.

Virginia is now the second U.S. state to pass a comprehensive data privacy law. The Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA) provides consumers the right to know what data is being collected, to opt-out of collection and to refuse use of their information for targeting, profiling, or for sale. However, it does not give consumers private right of action, a choice that eased passage and may make it a model for other legislation.

Cisco’s survey of more than 4,700 security professionals from 25 countries found the average privacy budget doubled from $1.2M last year to $2.4M this year. This was true for organizations of different sizes. Additionally, 93% said privacy teams played a significant role in helping to manage corporate changes caused by the pandemic. Seventy-nine percent viewed the world’s developing privacy laws as having a positive impact.