Privacy

Etsy Privacy Blunder Reveals Users’ Full Names, Dildo Preferences, and Other Less Embarrassing Purchase Information

Oh Etsy, Etsy Etsy, what have you done? Well, to begin with, this: you introduced “People Search,” a new tool that makes your users (and their feedback histories) searchable by their real names, without giving anyone any real heads up that you were doing so. Uh oh. Basically, anyone whose real name is associated with…

Privacy & Security Kyle VanHemert

Facebook Tips and Tricks: The Ultimate Guide

You’re on Facebook. So is the guy sitting next to you on the bus. Your brothers, best mates, old classmates, demented neighbors, former coworkers, your grandma – they’re all on Facebook. The social networking behemoth now boasts over 500 million (active) members (that’s 1 in every 13 people on earth) and everything from your Mountain…

Social Media Amber Bouman - MaximumPC

Privacy Could Headline Google Circles Social Network Reveal Later Today (Updated)

When the purported launch of your social network is co-hosted by the ACLU, there’s really no secret about what the cornerstone of said service might be. This is the case with Google Circles, rumored to launch at SXSW this evening. While the swirling rumors indicate this might not be a finished product, there is almost…

Tech News Jack Loftus

The Department of Homeland Security’s Plans to Digitally Strip Search You Nearly Everywhere

This is nefarious-sounding: The Department of Homeland Security “spent millions of dollars on mobile body scanner technology that could be used at railways, stadiums, and elsewhere,” according to a trove of documents obtained via FOIA by the Electronic Privacy Information Center. The documents, beginning with one titled “Rail Security Pilot Study Phase II at PATH,”…

Privacy & Security Matt Buchanan

China Wants to Track Its Citizens By Tapping Into Their Cell Phones

In yet another frightening instance of China manipulating technology for their purpose, China is looking to track 17 million Chinese citizens by tapping into their cell phone’s location. The ‘research’, as China would like their people to think of it, is part of an initiative to improve Beijing’s public transportation system. The general idea is…

Privacy & Security Casey Chan

Why Is Google Collecting the Last Four Digits of Kids’ Social Security Numbers?

Google has an annual contest for kids called Doodle-4-Google. But for submissions to be accepted this year, Google required parents to submit their child’s city of birth, date of birth and the last four digits of their Social Security number. In an article for the Huffington Post, Bob Bowdon, who directed a documentary on the…

Tech News Adrian Covert

Would You Reveal Your Facebook Password to Get a Job?

Had I been in Officer Robert Collins‘ shoes, nervously answering questions whilst I sat in Maryland’s Department of Corrections office, the blood would’ve rushed to my head if asked for my Facebook password. Not because I have anything to hide, but that’s beside the point. It’s no wonder that the American Civil Liberties Union is…

Social Media Kat Hannaford

What Data of Mine Does Chrome Send to Google?

Dear Lifehacker, I dig Chrome for its speed and its many small but handy features. But I’m also wondering how much privacy I’m trading for the convenience and quickness. What, exactly, does Chrome know about me, and what does it share with its corporate creator? Sincerely, Concerned Chrome Convert Dear Concerned, We know how you…

Tech News Kevin Purdy

California Stores Can’t Ask For Your Zip Code Anymore

A California court says retailers cannot ask for your ZIP code when you’re buying something. That means Radio Shack, Fry’s and anybody else I’m leaving out (Best Buy?) will have to collect marketing data another way. Hurray privacy. [LATimes]

Privacy & Security Jason Chen

eHarmony.com Hacked Just In Time for Valentine’s Day

According to security expert Brian Krebs, the dating site eHarmony.com has been hacked. Krebs found a hacker offering up email addresses and user databases to eHarmony for $2,000 on an underground message board. Turns out the guy who perpetrated the hack was the same one who recently broke into dating site Plenty of Fish. So,…

Privacy & Security Adrian Chen

‘Dating’ Site Copied 250,000 Facebook Profiles Without Permission

How does an unknown dating site—with the absurd intention of destroying Facebook—launch with 250,000 member profiles on its first day? Simple: It copies data directly from Facebook. At least, that’s the approach taken by two provocateurs who launched LovelyFaces.com this week, with profiles – names, locations and photos – scraped from publicly accessible Facebook pages.…

Social Media Ryan Singel - Wired

Parking Garage Car Detector Sparks Privacy Panic

Searching for your lost car in the mall parking lot ranks high on the list of modern hells. But a new system, built from a mesh of networked cameras, tracks the vehicles of confused shoppers. Super convenience or ORWELLIAN NIGHTMARE? The surveillance system, deployed at shopping center Santa Monica Place, records your car’s license plate,…

Privacy & Security Sam Biddle

Court Says Attorney-Client Privilege Doesn’t Apply to Your Work Email

Suing or getting sued by your employer? Good luck! But also, don’t use your work email account—a California court of appeals says any exchange between you and your lawyer can be used as evidence against you in court. The case in question, that of a woman who sued her former employer over alleged “severe emotional…

Privacy & Security Sam Biddle

Third-Party Facebook Apps Could Have Access to Your Address and Phone Number

Starting now, you better pay pretty close attention to the dialog boxes that pop up when you try add third-party apps to Facebook. If you don’t, you might end up giving them your address and phone number. Facebook, in its infinite wisdom, has decided to allow third-party apps access to contact information (that is, whatever…

Social Media Max Read

Creep Used Women’s Facebook Info to Hack E-Mail Accounts and Steal Nude Pics

George Bronk, a 23-year-old guy, scoured Facebook profiles to hack e-mail accounts of dozens of women. He would then send any nude pictures he found to the women’s entire address book because he thought “it was funny”. The stuff Bronk did was pretty nasty. He would target female Facebook users who happened to have public…

Social Media Casey Chan

Lawsuit Filed Against Apple and iOS App Makers Over Secret User Tracking

Apple and a number of iPhone app makers including Pandora and Dictionary.com were sued Monday for allegedly helping advertisers secretly create profiles of iPhone users, including their location, without their consent. The suit, filed in federal court in Northern California, seeks both a court order to stop the profiling and monetary damages. At issue is…

Tech News Ryan Singel - Wired

Man Faces Five Years in Jail—For Reading Wife’s Emails

This case is a bit Jerry Springer, but interesting nonetheless. Rochester Hills man Leon Walker has been charged with unlawfully reading his wife’s emails—which showed she was having an affair with her violent second husband. Walker forwarded the emails to the woman’s first husband, who is the father of her son, out of a sense…

Privacy & Security Gary Cutlack

Santa’s Privacy Policy

At Santa’s Workshop, your privacy is important. What follows is an explanation of how Santa’s Workshop collects and safeguards your personal information; the kind of information it collects; and your choices regarding the use and disclosure of this information. Why Do We Need This Information? Santa Claus requires your information in order to compile his…

Privacy & Security Laurence Hughes - McSweeney's

Google Street View Panty Incident Leads to Lawsuit

Google Street View, long a peddler of naked men in car trunk spy shots and other such tomfoolery, was recently sued by a Japanese woman because the image-based navigation tool snapped some saucy pics of her underwear. On her clothesline. So overwhelmed at seeing her unmentionables on a clothesline was this woman that she quit…

Tech News Jack Loftus

Facebook Adding Facial Recognition to its List of Frightening Features

Facebook has announced its latest plans to assimilate our lives—facial recognition. In a few weeks, the social network will scan pics you upload and attempt to identify your friends—then tag them. It’s OK, you can turn it off. The feature will attempt to “suggest the name of the friend” in your photos if it can…

Social Media Gary Cutlack

Etsy Privacy Blunder Reveals Users’ Full Names, Dildo Preferences, and Other Less Embarrassing Purchase Information

Facebook Tips and Tricks: The Ultimate Guide

Privacy Could Headline Google Circles Social Network Reveal Later Today (Updated)

The Department of Homeland Security’s Plans to Digitally Strip Search You Nearly Everywhere

China Wants to Track Its Citizens By Tapping Into Their Cell Phones

Why Is Google Collecting the Last Four Digits of Kids’ Social Security Numbers?

Would You Reveal Your Facebook Password to Get a Job?

What Data of Mine Does Chrome Send to Google?

California Stores Can’t Ask For Your Zip Code Anymore

eHarmony.com Hacked Just In Time for Valentine’s Day

‘Dating’ Site Copied 250,000 Facebook Profiles Without Permission

Parking Garage Car Detector Sparks Privacy Panic

Court Says Attorney-Client Privilege Doesn’t Apply to Your Work Email

Third-Party Facebook Apps Could Have Access to Your Address and Phone Number

Creep Used Women’s Facebook Info to Hack E-Mail Accounts and Steal Nude Pics

Lawsuit Filed Against Apple and iOS App Makers Over Secret User Tracking

Man Faces Five Years in Jail—For Reading Wife’s Emails

Santa’s Privacy Policy

Google Street View Panty Incident Leads to Lawsuit

Facebook Adding Facial Recognition to its List of Frightening Features

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia Adds ‘Succulent Chinese Meal’ Guy

Feds Sniffing Around Polymarket After Suspicious Bets

DJI Osmo 360 Review: The Best 360 Camera for the DJI-Pilled

Don’t Get Too Attached to Any AI App

‘Paradise’ Writer Teases What’s Coming in Season 3 After That Huge Twist

Trump’s New White House App Is Mildly Concerning and Weird for a Lot of Reasons

Bloodsucking Ticks Can Survive Inside Your Home Longer Than You Might Think

The Best New Toys of March 2026

Aqara Smart Lock U400 Review: Hands-free Unlocking at Its Best

MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ Review: A Solid 2-in-1 Laptop With Some Glaring Flaws

Sonos Play Review: Call It a Comeback

Sonos Era 100 SL Review: The Cheapest Way Into Wired Sonos Sound

Asus ROG’s Massive Swift OLED Gaming Monitor Epitomizes Excess in the Best Way

The Ikea Varmblixt Smart Lamp Fills a Donut Hole in My Life

Nothing Headphone A vs. Headphone 1: Which Pair of ANC Wireless Headphones Wins?

Asus ROG’s Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds Might Be Better Than Wearing a Headset

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