News/Privacy
How to protect your digital privacy from AI data collection
The AI opt-out conundrum: Despite growing concerns about artificial intelligence's impact on online experiences, completely opting out of AI systems on the internet has become virtually impossible. A recent viral Instagram message claiming to opt users out of Meta's AI had no legal effect, highlighting the misconceptions and challenges surrounding AI avoidance. While making social media accounts private can prevent some AI training on personal data, this approach significantly limits users' online reach and engagement. Some platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn offer opt-out options in their privacy settings, but these features are often difficult to locate and may...
read Oct 3, 2024Data goldmine: People are sharing their most intimate secrets with AI chatbots
AI chatbots: The new confessional of the digital age: As AI chatbots like ChatGPT gain popularity, users are increasingly sharing intimate personal details, raising concerns about privacy and data exploitation. The allure of AI confidants: Users are drawn to AI chatbots for their non-judgmental nature and perceived confidentiality. People feel more comfortable sharing personal information with AI than with human friends, as noted by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The absence of social evaluation by machines encourages users to be more open and vulnerable. Chatbots' ability to provide tailored responses incentivizes users to share more specific details about their lives. Privacy...
read Oct 2, 2024Training an AI model? Mostly AI will take your real data and privacy-proof it
AI privacy innovation: Mostly AI has launched a synthetic text functionality that generates privacy-protected data for training enterprise AI models, addressing concerns about using real customer data containing personally identifiable information. The new tool automates the process of creating synthetic data while preserving the patterns of original datasets, allowing businesses to leverage customer insights without risking privacy. Synthetic data can also be used to rebalance datasets, remove bias, and generate mock data for software testing. How the technology works: Mostly AI's platform allows companies to upload proprietary datasets and fine-tune generators to create privacy-protected, synthesized versions of their data. Users...
read Oct 1, 2024Meta won’t say whether it uses Ray-Ban photos to train AI models
Meta's Vague Stance on AI Training with Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Data: Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has refused to provide a clear answer on whether it plans to use photos and videos captured by Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses to train its artificial intelligence models. When questioned by TechCrunch, Meta representatives responded with evasive statements, saying they're "not publicly discussing" the topic and that it's "not something we typically share externally." Meta spokesperson Mimi Huggins further added, "we're not saying either way," when pressed for clarification. This lack of transparency raises concerns about user privacy and data usage, especially given...
read Sep 28, 2024How AI startup Veritone is using AI to enhance public safety
Veritone expands Midwest reach through strategic partnership: California-based AI company Veritone has formed a product access agreement with Illinois-based Midwest Public Safety to offer its AI-powered applications for law enforcement and judicial agencies across the Midwest region. The partnership will make Veritone's complete line of AI-powered applications available to Midwest Public Safety's clients and potential customers in the region. Key products highlighted in the deal include Veritone Investigate, a digital evidence management tool, and Veritone Redact, software for video and audio redaction. These products are designed to help law enforcement agencies streamline and better manage critical police tasks. Addressing growing...
read Sep 25, 2024AI privacy hoax spreads on Facebook: what users need to know
The rise of AI-related privacy concerns: A viral copypasta claiming to protect users from Meta's AI has spread across social media platforms, highlighting growing anxieties about personal data and AI training. The "Goodbye Meta AI" copypasta, featuring legal-sounding language and urgent calls to action, has been shared thousands of times on Facebook and Instagram. Notable figures, including Tom Brady and James McAvoy, have reportedly shared the copypasta in their Instagram Stories. This trend echoes similar viral posts from over a decade ago, which also claimed to protect users' data through pseudo-legal declarations. Debunking the copypasta's claims: Despite its widespread circulation,...
read Sep 23, 2024LinkedIn AI Backlash Highlights Need for EU-Like Privacy Protections
LinkedIn's AI training sparks privacy concerns: LinkedIn's decision to use user data for training its AI tools has ignited a debate about data privacy and user consent in the tech industry. The professional networking platform has begun using member data to improve its AI capabilities, a move that has drawn criticism from users concerned about privacy and transparency. This decision follows similar actions by other tech giants like Meta (Facebook, Instagram) and X (Twitter), who have also leveraged user data for AI development. Notably, LinkedIn has excluded users in the European Union, European Economic Area, and Switzerland from this data...
read Sep 23, 2024AI-Driven Internet Freedom Alliance Grows to 41 Nations
Freedom Online Coalition's mission and growth: The Freedom Online Coalition, a group of democratic nations committed to safeguarding internet freedom, has expanded its membership and influence in recent years. The coalition has grown from 32 to 41 members since 2021, with recent additions including Cabo Verde, Slovenia, Colombia, and Taiwan as an observer. This growth reflects an increasing recognition among democracies of the importance of protecting digital rights and freedoms. The United States has played a key role in reinvigorating the coalition, as part of its broader commitment to defending democracy globally. Key initiatives and achievements: The coalition has undertaken...
read Sep 23, 2024Cloudflare Launches AI Bot Detection Tools to Empower Website Owners
Cloudflare's new AI bot detection and blocking tools mark a significant shift in the landscape of web content protection and AI data acquisition. This development empowers website owners with unprecedented control over AI bot access to their content, potentially reshaping the dynamics between content creators and AI companies. Revolutionary web protection: Cloudflare has introduced free AI auditing tools called Bot Management, available to all customers, including its 33 million free users. The tools enable real-time monitoring of AI crawlers visiting websites and scraping data, providing website owners with valuable insights into AI bot activity. Customers can selectively block AI bots...
read Sep 21, 2024LinkedIn Halts UK Data Use for AI Training Amid Privacy Concerns
AI training suspended for UK LinkedIn users: LinkedIn has halted the use of UK user data for training its artificial intelligence models following concerns raised by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). The Microsoft-owned professional networking platform had previously included users worldwide in its AI training data collection without explicit consent. Stephen Almond, executive director of the ICO, expressed satisfaction with LinkedIn's decision to pause the use of UK users' information for AI training purposes. LinkedIn stated its willingness to engage further with the ICO on this matter. The broader context of AI data collection: Many tech giants, including LinkedIn, are...
read Sep 20, 2024LinkedIn is Training its AI Models on Your Data — Here’s How to Opt Out
LinkedIn's AI training initiative: LinkedIn has implemented a new policy that allows the company to use user data for training generative AI models, with users automatically opted in without explicit consent. The professional networking platform introduced a new privacy setting and opt-out form before updating its privacy policy to reflect this change. LinkedIn states that it uses generative AI for features such as writing assistance, but the extent of data usage and potential applications remains unclear. This move follows a recent admission by Meta that it has been scraping non-private user data for AI model training since 2007. Opting out...
read Sep 19, 2024Sam Altman-Backed Worldcoin Launches Competitor to Apple’s Face ID
Worldcoin's new Face Auth feature: Worldcoin, the biometric cryptocurrency project backed by OpenAI's Sam Altman, has introduced a facial comparison program called Face Auth, aiming to enhance online security and combat digital fraud. Face Auth is designed to work in conjunction with Worldcoin's existing "World ID" system, which uses iris scans to verify a person's identity. The new feature adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to take a selfie on their phone, which is then matched against the scan taken by Worldcoin's proprietary biometric device, The Orb. Damien Kieran, Chief Privacy Officer at Tools for Humanity (Worldcoin's...
read Sep 19, 2024AI Home Surveillance Study Reveals Alarming Biases and Inconsistencies
AI-powered home surveillance raises concerns: A new study by researchers from MIT and Penn State University reveals potential inconsistencies and biases in using large language models (LLMs) for home surveillance applications. The study analyzed how LLMs, including GPT-4, Gemini, and Claude, interpreted real videos from Amazon Ring's Neighbors platform. Researchers found that these AI models often recommended calling the police even when videos showed no criminal activity. The models frequently disagreed with each other on which videos warranted police intervention, highlighting a lack of consistency in their decision-making processes. Inconsistent application of social norms: The study uncovered a phenomenon researchers...
read Sep 17, 2024Snapchat’s AI Selfies Put Your Face in Personalized Ads — Here’s How to Prevent It
Snapchat introduces AI-generated selfie ads with privacy concerns: Snapchat's new My Selfie feature allows users to create AI-generated images of themselves, but it comes with a controversial setting that enables the company to use these selfies in personalized ads. Key features and implications: The My Selfie feature on Snapchat enables users to generate AI-powered images of themselves based on photos shared with the platform. Users are prompted to agree to terms that allow Snapchat to use their likeness in "personalized sponsored content and ads" visible only to the user. The feature includes AI-generated images with branding or advertising content from...
read Sep 16, 2024Larry Ellison Thinks Omnipresent AI Surveillance Will Ensure Good Behavior
Oracle co-founder envisions AI-powered surveillance future: Larry Ellison, during a company financial meeting, outlined a world where artificial intelligence systems would constantly monitor citizens through cameras and drones to ensure compliance with laws. The surveillance ecosystem: Ellison described a comprehensive network of AI-powered monitoring devices that would permeate everyday life, creating an environment of constant observation. AI models would analyze footage from various sources, including security cameras, police body cams, doorbell cameras, and vehicle dash cams. AI-controlled drones would replace police vehicles in high-speed pursuits, potentially reducing risks associated with traditional car chases. This extensive surveillance network aims to promote...
read Sep 15, 2024EU Watchdog Probes Google’s AI Data Use for GDPR Compliance
EU privacy watchdog investigates Google's AI data practices: The European Union's data protection authority has launched an inquiry into Google's use of personal data for training its artificial intelligence model, PaLM 2. Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC), which enforces the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), is spearheading the investigation. The inquiry focuses on whether Google has breached GDPR obligations in processing personal data of EU and European Economic Area citizens. This investigation is part of a broader trend of increased scrutiny on Big Tech companies' AI development practices. Key concerns and regulatory requirements: The investigation centers on Google's compliance...
read Sep 14, 2024Apple’s New AI Model Boosts On-Device User Intent Understanding
Advancing on-device AI for user intent understanding: Apple researchers have introduced UI-JEPA, a novel architecture designed to enable lightweight, on-device user interface understanding, potentially paving the way for more responsive and privacy-preserving AI assistants. UI-JEPA builds upon the Joint Embedding Predictive Architecture (JEPA) introduced by Meta AI in 2022, combining a video transformer encoder with a lightweight language model. This innovative approach aims to enhance AI's ability to interpret user actions and intentions directly on the device, aligning with Apple's strategy of improving on-device AI capabilities while maintaining user privacy. Benchmark datasets for UI understanding: To evaluate the effectiveness of...
read Sep 13, 2024Sam Altman’s Worldcoin Wants to Scan Your Eyeballs to Prove Personhood
Worldcoin's ambitious vision for digital identity: Sam Altman's Worldcoin project aims to create a global digital identity system using iris scanning technology, with potential implications for online verification and cryptocurrency distribution. Worldcoin, co-founded by OpenAI's Sam Altman, is developing a system to scan people's irises and create unique digital IDs called World ID. The project utilizes specialized "orbs" to perform the iris scans, with the company claiming to prioritize privacy by not storing personal information and deleting iris images after verification. Worldcoin's long-term vision includes using these digital IDs as a foundation for a universal basic income system distributed through...
read Sep 13, 2024Meta Announces Plans to Train AI on UK User Data
Meta expands AI training data to include UK user content: The tech giant announces plans to incorporate public posts, comments, and photos from British Facebook and Instagram users into its AI training datasets. Meta aims to leverage this data to accelerate the development and deployment of its generative AI products in the UK market. The company states that this initiative will help its AI systems better reflect "British culture, history, and idiom," though the specifics of this goal remain unclear. The data collection process will commence in the coming months, affecting adult accounts on both Facebook and Instagram platforms. Data...
read Sep 13, 2024Election Deniers Want AI Cameras to Monitor Ballot Boxes
Controversial surveillance plan targets ballot dropboxes: A group of election deniers is proposing to install AI-powered cameras to monitor ballot dropboxes in key swing states, raising concerns about voter intimidation and the spread of misinformation. The initiative's key players and their claims: True the Vote, an organization led by Catherine Engelbrecht and Gregg Phillips, is spearheading this contentious project, which they claim will prevent voter fraud in the 2024 election. The group was previously responsible for the widely debunked conspiracy film "2000 Mules," which alleged widespread ballot harvesting in the 2020 election. Engelbrecht asserts that the organization is collaborating with...
read Sep 12, 2024If You Didn’t Set Your Photos to Private, Meta Probably Trained Its AI on Them
Meta's extensive data usage for AI training: Meta has confirmed that it has been using public posts and photos from adult Facebook and Instagram users since 2007 to train its artificial intelligence models. The revelation came during an Australian government inquiry into AI adoption, where Meta's global privacy director, Melinda Claybaugh, initially denied but later confirmed the extent of data usage. This practice includes all public text and photo content posted by adult users on Facebook and Instagram over the past 17 years. Users who have not explicitly set their posts to private have had their data included in Meta's...
read Sep 12, 2024EU Watchdog Probes Google’s AI Model for Privacy Risks
EU privacy watchdog scrutinizes Google's AI model: The European Union's data protection authorities have launched an inquiry into Google's Pathways Language Model 2 (PaLM2), raising concerns about its compliance with the bloc's stringent data privacy regulations. The Irish Data Protection Commission, acting as Google's lead regulator in the EU due to the company's European headquarters being in Dublin, is spearheading the investigation. The inquiry is part of a broader initiative by EU regulators to examine how AI systems handle personal data, reflecting the growing intersection of artificial intelligence and data privacy concerns. The investigation specifically focuses on whether Google has...
read Sep 11, 2024Meta Mines 16 Years of Social Data for AI Training
Meta's extensive data mining for AI training revealed: Meta has admitted to scraping all public posts from Facebook and Instagram since 2007 to train its generative AI model, raising significant privacy concerns and contrasting sharply with Apple's approach to AI development. Scale of data collection: Meta's admission covers a vast trove of user-generated content spanning nearly two decades, encompassing billions of posts, photos, and comments from its social media platforms. The data collection includes all public posts made on Facebook and Instagram since 2007, excluding only content from users under 18 and private accounts. Photos of children posted by parents...
read Sep 11, 2024Facebook Admits to Scraping Australians’ Photos, Posts to Train AI
Facebook's massive data collection for AI training: The social media giant has confirmed it is scraping public data from all Australian adult users on its platform to train AI models, without offering an opt-out option. Facebook is collecting public photos, posts, and other data from Australian adult users' accounts dating back to 2007 for AI training purposes. The company initially denied this practice but later confirmed it when pressed during an inquiry. Data from users under 18 is not scraped, but public photos of children posted on adult accounts are included in the collection. Discrepancy in user privacy options: Facebook...
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