YouTube Removes Videos, Disables Comments Linked to Pedophiles

YouTube, scrambling to respond to its latest brand-safety crisis involving videos with children that drew sexually inappropriate comments, says it has taken focused action to address the problem. In the past week, YouTube said, it has removed more than 150,000 videos featuring children that had been targeted by pedophiles in the comments section, and also disabled comments for over 625,000 videos.

EU to Publish Guidelines on Resolving High-Tech Patent Disputes

The European Union is seeking to play peacemaker in the patent-licensing wars that have embroiled technology giants such as Qualcomm Inc. and Apple Inc., according people familiar with the matter. The European Commission will publish guidelines to help navigate disputes between the makers and users of key technology as more gadgets get connected to the Internet.

Illegal Drug Sales Growing on Dark Web, Two EU Agencies Warn

The illegal drug trade on the dark web is growing rapidly, despite authorities shutting down major market sites like AlphaBay, as crime gangs diversify and seek new clients online, a report by two European Union agencies warned. The report, which is the first of its kind to analyze the drug trade in Europe on the dark web, showed that online markets are becoming increasingly sophisticated and offering growing numbers of illegal products to buyers.

German Official Says Constitution Limits Response Against Hackers

Germany may need to change its constitution to allow it to strike back at hackers who target private computer networks and it hopes to complete any legal reforms next year, a top Interior Ministry official said. The plan could include disarming servers used in attacks and reflects growing concern about the frequency and intensity of such attacks.

Lawmakers Ask Uber Why It Didn't Quickly Disclose Data Breach

Uber is facing fresh questions from the U.S. Congress after it initially suppressed details about a data breach that affected more than 57 million of its drivers and riders in 2016. In a series of letters sent to the ride-hailing company, Democrats and Republicans alike pressed Uber to detail why it hadn’t informed customers sooner, whether it has spoken with law enforcement agencies about the matter and what exactly it’s doing to help drivers whose sensitive data was stolen.

Three Linked to Chinese Cyber Security Firm Indicted for Hacking

A U.S. jury has indicted three people affiliated with a Chinese cyber security firm on computer fraud charges, saying they hacked into the networks of Siemens AG, Trimble Inc and Moodys Analytics. The indictment charged that three defendants and others participated in “coordinated and unauthorized” cyber attacks in order to steal confidential business information and intentionally cause damage to those computer systems.

FBI Failed to Warn U.S. Officials of Russian Hacking Attempts

The FBI failed to notify scores of U.S. officials that Russian hackers were trying to break into their personal Gmail accounts despite having evidence for at least a year that the targets were in the Kremlin’s crosshairs, The Associated Press has found. Nearly 80 interviews with Americans targeted by Fancy Bear, a Russian government-aligned cyberespionage group, turned up only two cases in which the FBI had provided a heads-up. 

N.Y. Attorney General Criticizes FCC Over Fake Net Neutrality Comments

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and the Federal Communications Commission traded barbs over an investigation into a suspected scheme to manipulate the process through which Americans can weigh in on the FCC's move to repeal net neutrality rules. Schneiderman, in an open letter, said an enormous number of fake comments were sent to the FCC about its move to repeal net neutrality rules. 

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EU Agrees to End 'Geoblocking' to Encourage Digital Transactions

The European Union has agreed a plan obliging online retailers operating in the bloc to make electrical goods, concert tickets or car rental available to all EU consumers regardless of where they live. Putting an end to “geoblocking”, whereby consumers in one EU country cannot buy a good or service sold online in another, has been a priority for the EU as it tries to create a digital single market with 24 legislative proposals.

Iraqi Hackers Put Pornography on ISIS Websites

A group of young Iraqi hackers launched an online operation against the Islamic State by sticking pornography into the terrorist group’s propaganda.   The group called Daeshgram, a play on the word Instagram and the acronym many use for ISIS, is making ISIS supporters doubt whether they can trust the group's information channels by infiltrating messaging and media sites and spreading fake information.

FCC Announcement on Net Neutrality Reignites Debate

The Federal Communications Commission announced that it planned to dismantle landmark regulations that ensure equal access to the internet, clearing the way for companies to charge more and block access to some websites. The action immediately reignited a loud and furious fight over free speech and the control of the internet, pitting telecom giants like AT&T against Internet giants like Google and Amazon, who warn against powerful telecom gatekeepers. 

Apple Removes Skype from Store in China to Comply with Law

Apple Inc. said it has removed several apps including Skype, Microsoft Corp.’s Internet phone call and messaging service, from its app store in China after the country’s government pointed to violations of local laws. “We have been notified by the Ministry of Public Security that a number of voice over internet protocol apps do not comply with local law, therefore these apps have been removed from the App Store in China,” an Apple spokeswoman told Reuters.

Hackers Stole Data on 57M Customers at Uber, Which Hid Theft

Hackers stole the personal data of 57 million customers and drivers from Uber Technologies Inc., a massive breach that the company concealed for more than a year. This week, the ride-hailing firm ousted its chief security officer and one of his deputies for their roles in keeping the hack under wraps, which included a $100,000 payment to the attackers.

More Travelers Say TripAdvisor Silenced Reports of Crime

An investigation by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel — published Nov. 1 — revealed that TripAdvisor had deleted reports of rapes, blackouts and other injuries and deaths among travelers vacationing in Mexico. Since then, dozens of more people who have traveled around the world have told the Journal Sentinel that TripAdvisor silenced their reports of disturbing, sometimes terrifying experiences.

Kremlin May Pursue Google if Russian News Sites Ranked Lower

The Kremlin will take action against Alphabet Inc.’s Google if articles from Russian news websites Sputnik and Russia Today are placed lower in search results, the Interfax news service cited Russia’s chief media regulator as saying. Alexander Zharov, head of media regulator Roskomnadzor, said his agency sent a letter to Google requesting clarification on comments Saturday by Alphabet Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt about how the Russian websites would be treated in search, according to Interfax.