Italy’s data authority scrutinizes WhatsApp’s updated privacy disclaimer

In a statement Italy’s data protection authority said, Facebook Inc has not clearly communicated its new privacy policy for its messenger app WhatsApp to users. On January 4, 2021, in an update WhatsApp said it reserved the right to share some data, including location and phone numbers, with Facebook and its units including Messenger and…

White House unveils regulatory principles that will govern usage of AI

On Tuesday, the White House proposed regulatory principles to govern the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) aimed at limiting authorities’ “overreach”; it also said, it wants European authorities to follow its lead and avoid aggressive approaches. Producing a fact sheet the White House said, federal agencies should “conduct risk assessment and cost-benefit analyses…

Does “Amazon’s Choice” badge deceive consumers: U.S. Senators

Amazon is being pressured into being more transparent with its system of awarding the “Amazon’s Choice” badge onto certain products. In a development pregnant with multiple outcomes the sum of which may not favor Amazon.com Inc, two U.S. senators have questioned Amazon.com Inc’s Chief Executive Jeff Bezos on how it awards the “Amazon’s Choice” badge…

ZTE follows Huawei’s footsteps, opens cybersecurity lab in Brussels

Huawei and ZTE are striving to increase transparency regarding their products in order to mitigate allegations of espionage. It is not clear whether these lab tests will cover re-routing of data through servers located in China, thus compromising unencrypted data. In a significant development, embattled Chinese telecom vendor ZTE opened a cybersecurity lab in Brussels,…

France’s competition regulator orders review of Google’s Advertisement policies

According to Google, the issue revolves around Amadeus charging consumers for services that are available for free, or for a nominal charge; this practice is against its internal policies which prohibit ads for services that can be obtained for free or at a lower price from the government or another public source. In a significant…

Employees want more oversight and transparency over Google’s Dragonfly project

In 2006, Google had entered China only to leave in 2010 over an escalating dispute with regulators that was capped by what security researchers identified as state-sponsored cyberattacks against Google and other large U.S. firms. According to a transcript of a meeting between Google’s CEO and its employees, the search engine giant is not close…

Commonwealth Bank of Australia to organise launch of blockchain-based bond for World Bank

This development essentially cements blockchain’s future in the coming years. Its adoption will slash costs, boost transparency and will revolutionize the finance industry from what we know it today. In what is likely to be a milestone for blockchain technology, Commonwealth Bank of Australia has won a mandate from the World Bank to organize a…

Switzerland working on regulatory framework for cryptocurrency projects

Of the 250 banks that earlier allowed companies to transact in cryptocurrencies, only two are active. While much of the business has gone to Liechtenstein, Swiss authorities are bent on taking back the crown. Regulators in Switzerland are stepping up their efforts to halt the exodus of cryptocurrency projects from the country. Currently only two…