News Publishers Linked to Misinformation Received More Facebook Traffic

A new study of user behavior on Facebook around the 2020 election is likely to bolster critics’ long-standing arguments that the company’s algorithms fuel the spread of misinformation over more trustworthy sources. The forthcoming peer-reviewed study by researchers at New York University and the Université Grenoble Alpes in France has found that from August 2020 to January 2021, news publishers known for putting out misinformation got six times the amount of likes, shares, and interactions on the platform as did trustworthy news sources, such as CNN or the World Health Organization.

GoDaddy Terminates Service for Abortion-Reporting Website in Texas

Website hosting service GoDaddy said it will terminate services for the owner of an anti-abortion website that allows people to report suspected abortions in response to a new Texas law that imposes a near-total ban on abortion. “Last night we informed prolifewhistleblower.com they have violated GoDaddy’s terms of service and have 24 hours to move to a different provider,” the company said in a statement.

  • Read the article: CNBC

Amazon to Take More Proactive Approach to Web Content Violations

Amazon.com Inc. plans to take a more proactive approach to determine what types of content violate its cloud service policies, such as rules against promoting violence, and enforce its removal, according to two sources, a move likely to renew debate about how much power tech companies should have to restrict free speech. Over the coming months, Amazon will hire a small group of people in its Amazon Web Services (AWS) division to develop expertise and work with outside researchers to monitor for future threats, one of the sources familiar with the matter said.

Streaming TV App Locast Shuts Down After Losing Court Ruling

The streaming TV app Locast is shutting down for now, after losing a critical court ruling in a case brought by the broadcast networks, including CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox. “As a non-profit, Locast was designed from the very beginning to operate in accordance with the strict letter of the law, but in response to the court’s recent rulings, with which we respectfully disagree, we are hereby suspending operations, effective immediately,” the company wrote in an email message to users.

Reddit Bans Anti-Vaccine Forum, Others Linked to Coronavirus Denial

Reddit banned an anti-vaccine forum and limited the visibility of 54 other subreddits associated with coronavirus denial after several moderators protested the platform’s approach to health misinformation. The subreddit r/NoNewNormal was banned for breaking Reddit's rules around intentionally targeting conversations elsewhere on the platform.

Russia's Internet Censor Threatens Fines Against Google, Apple

Russia’s Internet censor threatened to fine Google and Apple if they don’t remove an app built by opposition leaders that encourages voters to cast ballots against the party of President Vladimir Putin, saying the companies are interfering in the nation’s electoral processes. The move follows weeks of private demands by the censorship agency, Roskomnadzor, to both companies, ahead of legislative elections that begin Sept. 17.

WhatsApp Fined $270 Million for Violating EU Data Privacy Law

Facebook’s WhatsApp messaging service was fined nearly $270 million by Irish authorities for not being transparent about how it uses data collected from people on the service, in a case that represents a big test of Europe’s ability to enforce its landmark data privacy law. The 265-page decision is the first major ruling against Facebook under the European Union’s far-reaching General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, a three-year-old law that many have criticized for not being properly enforced. Irish regulators said WhatsApp was not clear with users about how data was shared with other Facebook properties like its main social network and Instagram.

Judge Allows Class-Action Privacy Suit Against Apple Over Siri

A federal judge said Apple Inc. must face nearly all of a proposed class action lawsuit claiming that its voice-activated Siri assistant violates users' privacy. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White said the plaintiffs could try to prove Siri routinely recorded their private conversations because of "accidental activations," and that Apple disclosed these conversations to third parties, such as advertisers.

SEC Files Fraud Suit Against Founder of Cryptocurrency Exchange BitConnect

The top U.S. securities regulator sued the founder of the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange platform BitConnect over his alleged role in fraudulently raising about $2 billion from thousands of retail investors. Expanding a civil case announced in May, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged BitConnect founder Satish Kumbhani, an Indian citizen, with lying about BitConnect's ability to generate profits, and violating registration laws meant to protect investors.

Justice Department Preparing Second Antitrust Lawsuit Against Google

The U.S. Justice Department is readying a second monopoly lawsuit against Alphabet Inc-owned Google over the internet search giant's digital advertising business, Bloomberg News reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. The Justice Department sued Google in October, accusing the $1 trillion company of illegally using its market muscle to hobble rivals. A trial was set for September 2023.

FTC Votes to Ban 'Stalkerware App Company' from Surveillance Business

The Federal Trade Commission voted unanimously to ban what it called a “stalkerware app company” and its CEO from the surveillance business, the agency announced. This marks the first time the FTC has obtained such a ban, the commission said in a press release touting the proposed settlement. The agency made clear it likely won’t be the last.

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Federal Agencies Warn of Ransomware Attacks Around Labor Day Weekend

Federal agencies are warning of potential ransomware attacks targeted at U.S. organizations ahead of Labor Day weekend following cyberattacks during previous holidays this year. The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an alert outlining their concerns, noting that while there was no intelligence around specific threats, other holiday weekends had given cybercriminals opportunities for attacks.

Schools in Larger States Suffer More Ransomware Attacks, Study Says

Comparitech has released a new study on the number of ransomware attacks affecting schools, colleges and universities since 2018, finding the most amount of attacks in the country's most populous states like Texas, New York, California and Louisiana. Researchers Rebecca Moody and George Moody found that there have been a total of at least 222 ransomware attacks affecting 3,880 schools and colleges since 2018.

Companies Face Greater Scrutiny in How They Respond to Cyberattacks

Companies must pay closer attention to what they say after hackers strike, lawyers warn, as regulators crack down on inaccurate disclosures and Congress debates mandatory reporting of cybersecurity breaches. Several regulatory actions in recent weeks have focused on breach notifications, media statements and investor communications issued by companies after incidents that watchdogs say were deceptive.

Twitch Channels Going Dark to Bring Attention to Hate, Harassment

A number of channels on Twitch will go dark as streamers participate in #ADayOffTwitch, a walkout designed to bring attention to the ongoing hate and harassment that’s plagued the platform for the last several weeks. Created by Twitch streamers ShineyPen, Lucia Everblack, and RekitRaven, the walkout aims to bring greater awareness to the problems creators are suffering on Twitch.

South Korea Requires App Stores to Offer Alternative Payment Systems

South Korean lawmakers passed the world’s first law to force tech giants such as Google and Apple to offer alternative payment systems on their app stores, a move critics of the companies say will loosen their stranglehold over profits derived from the lucrative online marketplaces. Washington lawmakers who favor more regulation of tech companies immediately hailed the action and urged passage of a similar proposal that a bipartisan cast of lawmakers introduced this month.

Google, Facebook, Microsoft Among Top Lobbyists in EU, Study Shows

Alphabet Inc.'s Google unit, Facebook Inc. and Microsoft Corp. are the three biggest lobbying spenders in Europe in a battle against tough new laws aimed at curbing U.S. tech giants' powers, a study showed. Such efforts should be a wake-up call to EU policymakers to further beef up the draft laws and lobbying rules, the study by campaign groups Corporate Europe Observatory and LobbyControl warned.

The GigaLaw Firm helps companies of all sizes protect their brands online, using domain name dispute policies – such as the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) – and other legal tools available to copyright and trademark owners on the Internet.