Privacy Transformation - Issue 46
PRIVACY
HSE says smartphone app to facilitate contact tracing to be rolled out
The Health Service Executive has said it is likely that a smartphone app to facilitate contact tracing will be rolled out in the next 10 days. When the owner of a device with this app installed tests positive for Covid-19, this data may enable the contact tracing process to take place more efficiently and more quickly.
A similar effort is underway in the UK.
WHO’s Dr Michael Ryan raises privacy concerns arising from coronavirus tech
Michael Ryan of the WHO said that while using technology to tackle the coronavirus pandemic is crucial, data privacy can’t be ignored.
Hansel and Gretel and the Virus: Privacy Conscious Contact Tracing
This piece by Jaap-Henk Hoepman explores the problem posed by many digital contact tracing methodologies, and explores a privacy conscious protocol approach as a possible solution.
SECURITY & TECH
The Digital Response to the Outbreak of COVID-19
Undeniably, we need to use technology as part of disaster response, but the regulatory immaturity of the industry makes technology companies risky allies, even in the best of circumstances.
Zoom faces a privacy and security backlash as it surges in popularity
Zoom risks becoming the victim of its own success as it faces a privacy and security backlash. A growing number of concerns have been raised in recent weeks, just as many consumers turn to Zoom to connect to friends, family, and coworkers around the world.
Among those concerns are that Zoom meetings aren't end-to-end encrypted, as Zoom's marketing would lead you to believe.
Zoom's CEO has issued a statement apologising for recent privacy and security issues that have come to light.
How Russia is using authoritarian tech to curb coronavirus
Russia under President Vladimir Putin has pioneered authoritarian tech: Last year, the Kremlin leader approved measures that would enable the creation of a "sovereign" Russian internet, able to be firewalled from the rest of the world.
Microsoft pulls its smaller investments in facial recognition tech
Microsoft has been vocal about setting limits on facial recognition, and it's now backing that up with its financial support, or lack thereof. The company is ending minority investments in facial recognition startups.
With New Surveillance Technology, Are Encryption Backdoors Still Needed?
With the use of surveillance technology by law enforcement to target suspected criminals and terrorists, is the argument for encryption backdoors still valid?
DATA BREACH
Data of 9,735 teachers shared after 'phishing' email breach
A data breach at the Teaching Council has led to personal information relating to 9,735 teachers being shared.
Morrisons ‘not liable’ for actions of rogue employee over data leak
The Supreme Court's ruling has widespread implications for data protection controllers across the country.
The judgement can be found here.
Data leak exposes 337K Maltese voters' records
A database containing personal information of 337,384 Maltese voters has been exposed online.
ENFORCEMENT
Polish court overturns DPA's first GDPR fine
On Dec. 11, 2019, the Polish Regional Administrative Court in Warsaw overturned the decision of the Polish data protection authority with regard to the first financial penalty imposed on a company under the EU General Data Protection Regulation.
Google’s Right-to-Be-Forgotten Fine Toppled by French Court
Google won a battle over the right to be forgotten after France’s top administrative court canceled a fine of 100,000 euros for failing to remove contentious search results globally.
The latest GDPR enforcement notices can be found on:
GUIDANCE
Saving lives & respecting data protection - The Council of Europe
The Council of Europe has developed a series of recommendations and guidelines that can help governments, authorities, employers, etc. for their decision in the current circumstances.