Weekend Edition 3: Instagram Fined, Google Gears Up & More

Weekend Edition 3: Meta Losing Ground, Instagram Fined, and More

WE 3-1: Instagram Fined $400 Million for Not Protecting Kids’ Data

Regulators in Ireland slam Instagram with big fine due to findings from an investigation intio how they handle kids’ data, specifically relative to teens who were able to start business accounts, where they could publish their personal phone numbers and email addresses. Instagram claims that it has changed settings as of a year ago to help teens stay safer. Instagram will probably try to fight this decision (big shock there), and insist that they mended the error of their ways in the interim, as the investigation started in 2020. We’ll see how much of this fine sticks,a nd how much Instagram/Meta’s attorneys are able to argue away. This regularotry body has already opened and conducted over a dozen investigations into Meta’s portfolio of companies and platforms, including a record setting $225 Million fine for Whatsapp last year. As much as I hate government over reach, sometimes that is the only way to straighten out these transnational behemoths.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/06/tech/instagram-fine-teens-privacy/index.html

WE 3-2: Google Gears Up for Midterm Misinformation

Here we go again. Another week, another Tech Giant marching with jackbooted feet to the cadence of the Shadow Government… smh. Here are their plans:
• highlight media articles and stories from particular locales and regions
• Push info from election officials in terms of dates, methods, and times for voting
• Highlight mainstream media sources on YouTube
◦ squashing dissenting opinions algorithmically
◦ no more videos talking about how the 2020 election was stolen
They actually will remove posts, not just label them as harmful and limit reach and engagement opportunities, like Twitter and Meta. Full throated censorship. All I can say is get off of Google, stop using the search engine, degoogle your phone. Stop using YouTube directly, and see how long it takes for them to notice everyone ceasing to use their tools… how long until it hits them in the pocketbook enough for them to take notice? We don’t even NEED to call it a “boycott”, just stop using it as much as humanly possible. Watch what happens when all of their data collection dries up and the ad revenue goes through the floor.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/01/tech/google-youtube-election-misinformation/index.html

WE 3-3: Facebook’s 3rd party Login Button is No Longer Ubiquitous Across the Web

Well, this is music to my ears. Dell has stopped using it… wow. Enough privacy concerns are aparently enough for Dell and others… Also there has been a decided shift in what users are doing, as they have absorbed the reality that Meta and its platforms and apps are far less safe and worthwhile than they once thought. Not just Dell, but Ford, Nike, Patagonia, and Twitch also have removed their login with Facebook buttons from their sites. Wow. Sounds like Facebook is about to join MySpace and other social media sites in irrelevance, perhaps. That would be welcome. Bring. It. On. Let’s all stop using these honeypot platforms and apps, shall we? I did, nearly a year ago, and I don’t miss them in the least.

https://www.popsci.com/technology/facebooks-login-button-disappears/

WE 3-4: Has Your Phone Been Hacked? Let’s Check the Signs.

Does it take a hacker? No. Even biometric locking can be foiled by a determined enough snoop, they could trigger a face ID scan or a fingerprint reading while you are asleep, and look through your phone… Know anyone who might think about pulling a stunt like this?

Ok, before I get into this any further, let me put you at ease: if you are careful to only download and open files from sources you know, if you make sure that your apps are clean and are actually what they are supposed to be, then you should mostly be ok, here.

What are the signs that perhaps you’ve been hacked?

• Sudden drop in performance
• sudden spike in battery usage
• sudden spike in data usage
• pop-ups that plague your phone all of the sudden
• sudden drop in effective internet speed
• oddball posts on social media or weird emails you wouldn’t nomrally send

How can you defend yourself?
• Keep your device as updated as you can
• Use 2FA (I will opine on this as well)
• Stop tapping every link you come across but didn’t ask for(messages from acquaintences, emails, ads, etc)

Ok, these are good starting places, in terms of improving your digital hygiene, however, there was recently a breach in a major 2FA provider, so 2FA is not a sure thing in terms of protecting yourself and your phone from undesired attention. I would also add that if you stay away from Porn and Piracy, you’ll be safer overall. More or less, don’t do anything stupid online and you’ll be less likely to compromise your security and privacy. Don’t download apps that require ads and a ton of permissions in order to run, as it is often the “free” ad-based apps that will come with the worst payloads in terms of malware.

https://www.foxnews.com/tech/hackers-in-phone-how-to-find-out

WE 3-5: Kids Safety at School

This article heavily calls for the use of AirTags or other smart tags/ tiles to track your kids at school, allegedly in case of emergency. If you care about your child’s privacy, please do not do this. They also strongly suggest packing a kiddie cell phone that has extremely limite functionality (only able to call 4 numbers or something like that) or a smart watch with similar functionality. The concept of intentionally putting trackers on your child that who knows who could access the data from those devices, other than you. Wouldn’t it be simpler to just homeschool your kids, so you can put your nerves at ease? I understand that that is a HUGE sacrifice, my wife and I are doing just that, now. Not due to anxiety, at least on my part, but to promote free thinking and belief in God in our boys. This way, we also do not have to worry about school shootings or shooters, bombings or bombers. It is that simple.

https://www.foxnews.com/tech/tech-keeps-students-safe-school

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