Privacy Transformation - Issue 119
PRIVACY
Watchdog opens new investigation into Public Services Card
The Data Protection Commission has begun a new investigation into the Department of Public Expenditure's use of the Public Services Card. It centres on complaints that the database of personal information underpinning the card is being unlawfully used by the department.
RELATED: Probe into PSC sparked by digital rights ‘mass action’
UK names John Edwards as its choice for next data protection chief as government eyes watering down privacy standards
The UK's Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has said its preferred replacement for UK Information Commissioner is New Zealand’s privacy commissioner, John Edwards.
RELATED: ICO statement on DCMS announcement of next Information Commissioner
UK launches global data plans to become a ‘technological superpower’
The UK government announced plans for international data partnerships and a more innovation-friendly privacy law, which could collide with the EU data protection standards and jeopardise data flows between London and mainland Europe.
RELATED: Oliver Dowden: creating our own data laws is one of the biggest prizes of Brexit (subscriber only)
Government investment in DNA-collecting company Genuity Science loses value
The Ireland Strategic Investment Fund had invested €66m in the private genetics company acquired in a deal announced yesterday.
RELATED: (subscriber only) Why did State put €66m into a private DNA firm instead of national genomics research?
NHS data grab on hold as millions opt out
A plan to share GP data was set to launch in September, but an online summer campaign has prompted widespread dissent.
Analyzing China's PIPL and how it compares to the EU's GDPR
This article analyzes major components of China's newly enacted Personal Information Privacy Law and how it compares to the EU GDPR.
Global Privacy Assembly launches ‘Giovanni Buttarelli Award’
The Chair and Executive Committee of the Global Privacy Assembly (GPA) have announced the launch of a new GPA Award in 2021 in memory of Giovanni Buttarelli, former European Data Protection Supervisor and Executive Committee Member.
SECURITY & TECH
Afghans scramble to delete digital history, evade biometrics
There are fears that government offices and aid agencies may fail to secure databases, leaving people vulnerable to attacks.
RELATED: Beware state surveillance of your lives – governments can change for the worse
Apple reportedly scanned iCloud e-mail for child abuse material since 2019
The latest revelation comes amid fallout over Apple's newly revealed plans to scan for child abuse imagery on some people's devices.
Weekly Threat Report 20th August 2021
The NCSC's weekly threat report is drawn from recent open source reporting.
DATA BREACH
T-Mobile says at least 47M current and former customers affected by hack
At least 7.8 million postpaid current T-Mobile customers are affected, and tens of millions of former customers.
38M Records Were Exposed Online—Including Contact-Tracing Info
Misconfigured Power Apps from Microsoft led to more than a thousand web apps accessible to anyone who found them.
RELATED: New research finds 38 million records exposed online earlier this year.
GUIDANCE
EDPS: Opinion on the Proposal for a Directive on Consumer Credits
The EDPS has published his Opinion on the European Commission’s proposed Directive on consumer credits. The proposal aims to modernise existing consumer credit rules to address changes brought about by digitalisation and other market trends, such as the increased use of online sales channels or new forms of consumer credits, for example short-term high-cost loans.
CONTRIBUTE
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