13 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Privacy

As gadgets and services get smarter, they need more data, and face the hard problem of keeping it safe. Data privacy has become a huge problem for Google, Facebook, Amazon, and any company using artificial intelligence to power its services — and a major sticking point for lawmakers looking to regulate. Here’s all the news on data privacy and how it’s changing tech.

Apple drops controversial plans for child sexual abuse imagery scanningApple drops controversial plans for child sexual abuse imagery scanning
You deserve more than $2 for running your phone’s data through AmazonYou deserve more than $2 for running your phone’s data through Amazon
Now 1Password remembers sites that use third-party accounts like Google or Facebook to log inNow 1Password remembers sites that use third-party accounts like Google or Facebook to log in
Anker’s Eufy lied to us about the security of its security camerasAnker’s Eufy lied to us about the security of its security cameras
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew explains how US data will be kept out of ChinaTikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew explains how US data will be kept out of China
Meta fined $276 million over Facebook data leak involving more than 533 million usersMeta fined $276 million over Facebook data leak involving more than 533 million users
T.C. Sottek
T.C. Sottek
Another Pixel successfully hunted.

The Markup team brought us this thoroughly-reported story on tax preparers using the Meta Pixel to quietly send users’ sensitive financial information to Facebook, which we’ve co-published this morning. If you prepare your taxes online, you’ll want to take a look.

Tax filing websites have been sending users’ financial information to Facebook

Simon Fondrie-Teitler, Angie Waller and 1 more
Tax filing websites have been sending users’ financial information to Facebook

The Markup found services including TaxAct, TaxSlayer, and H&R Block sending sensitive data.

Simon Fondrie-Teitler, Angie Waller and 1 more
iOS developers say Apple’s App Store analytics aren’t anonymousiOS developers say Apple’s App Store analytics aren’t anonymous
Facebook is making teens’ accounts more private by defaultFacebook is making teens’ accounts more private by default
Wickr’s free encrypted messaging app is shutting down next yearWickr’s free encrypted messaging app is shutting down next year
The 20-year boondoggleThe 20-year boondoggle
Amanda Chicago Lewis
Google agrees to pay $392 million to settle location tracking investigationGoogle agrees to pay $392 million to settle location tracking investigation
The NYPD has joined Amazon’s Ring Neighbors surveillance networkThe NYPD has joined Amazon’s Ring Neighbors surveillance network
Samsung privacy-protecting Maintenance Mode is coming to Galaxy S22s worldwideSamsung privacy-protecting Maintenance Mode is coming to Galaxy S22s worldwide
The Portland Van AbductionsThe Portland Van Abductions
Sarah Jeong and Sergio Olmos
The Trevor Project cuts ties with student surveillance software after online backlashThe Trevor Project cuts ties with student surveillance software after online backlash
In 2023, Google can notify you if personal info pops up in searchIn 2023, Google can notify you if personal info pops up in search
Australia to overhaul privacy laws after massive data breachAustralia to overhaul privacy laws after massive data breach
San Francisco police can now watch private surveillance cameras in real timeSan Francisco police can now watch private surveillance cameras in real time
Google’s making it even easier to remove your personal info from searchGoogle’s making it even easier to remove your personal info from search
Alarms over healthcare cyberattacks are getting louderAlarms over healthcare cyberattacks are getting louder
Flo period tracker launches ‘Anonymous Mode’ to fight abortion privacy concernsFlo period tracker launches ‘Anonymous Mode’ to fight abortion privacy concerns
Proton and DuckDuckGo want Congress to approve tech antitrust reform ‘as soon as possible’Proton and DuckDuckGo want Congress to approve tech antitrust reform ‘as soon as possible’
Ring finally brings end-to-end encryption to its flagship video doorbellsRing finally brings end-to-end encryption to its flagship video doorbells
Signal names Google walkout organizer as new company presidentSignal names Google walkout organizer as new company president
The Disaster ConsultantsThe Disaster Consultants
Nicole Wetsman
The Humiliating History of the TSAThe Humiliating History of the TSA
Darryl Campbell
The security flaws that make Twitter’s insider threat so scaryThe security flaws that make Twitter’s insider threat so scary
California passes sweeping online safety rules for kidsCalifornia passes sweeping online safety rules for kids
FTC sues data broker for letting people track health clinic visitorsFTC sues data broker for letting people track health clinic visitors
Anyone can sign up for DuckDuckGo’s privacy-protecting @duck.com email addressAnyone can sign up for DuckDuckGo’s privacy-protecting @duck.com email address
University can’t scan students’ rooms during remote tests, judge rulesUniversity can’t scan students’ rooms during remote tests, judge rules
Encrypting Messenger could be a ‘grotesque betrayal,’ says top UK politicianEncrypting Messenger could be a ‘grotesque betrayal,’ says top UK politician
Google AI flagged parents’ accounts for potential abuse over nude photos of their sick kidsGoogle AI flagged parents’ accounts for potential abuse over nude photos of their sick kids
Twitter tests a special tag to highlight phone number-verified accountsTwitter tests a special tag to highlight phone number-verified accounts
This site exposes the creepy things in-app browsers from TikTok and Instagram might trackThis site exposes the creepy things in-app browsers from TikTok and Instagram might track
How to encrypt Facebook Messenger chatsHow to encrypt Facebook Messenger chats
Barbara Krasnoff
Signal alerts 1,900 messaging users to a security threat from Twilio hackersSignal alerts 1,900 messaging users to a security threat from Twilio hackers
Why it’s taking so long to encrypt Facebook MessengerWhy it’s taking so long to encrypt Facebook Messenger

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