Vizio faces lawsuit over spying Smart TVs used to gather personal info that’s sold to advertisers
It wasn’t long ago that the notion of TVs capable of spying on its viewers was considered but a mere conspiracy theory. Today, however, the concept is well known, and arguably, even accepted. However, one woman decided to fight back against a popular multi-billion dollar electronics company for its invasive spying. A California woman filed a lawsuit Read More
Facebook now discriminating against Vietnamese users with non-English names
A Facebook post by a 23-year-old man named Phuc Dat Bich, pronounced “Phoo Da Bic,” has gone viral on social media. The Australian of Vietnamese descent claims his account has been shut down multiple times by the social media network on the grounds that his name is fake and offensive. Facebook has a real name Read More
Walmart’s anti-theft facial recognition software sparks privacy concerns
Walmart has recently tested a facial recognition software, known as FaceFirst, which can purportedly stop shoplifters dead in their tracks. The system alerts security, provides information about the suspect’s profile and recommends appropriate actions. Despite these benefits, however, experts have expressed privacy concerns over this technology. Joe Rosenkrantz, CEO of FaceFirst, told sources that this technology has the potential Read More
Number of attempted cyber attacks in Britain doubles
Terrorists have long tried to hack nuclear power plants in order to cause chaos and terror. Alarmingly, these attacks have increased in recent months. According to the UK’s Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), major cyber attacks that could decimate Britain’s energy supply have doubled in a year. Spy chiefs report that Britain’s listening post has identified over 200 Read More
New robotics institute to develop machines that can know your thoughts and feelings
The University of California, San Diego, has just launched a robotics institute that intends to create machines capable of interpreting body language, from facial expressions to posture, in order to discern what people are thinking and feeling. The “see, think, do” technology is intended to anticipate and fulfill the daily needs of people, especially the elderly. Most Read More
Senators demand to know why the IRS is using secret cellphone systems
Two distinguished senators are now examining the use of secret cellphone tracking systems by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The systems are often reserved for, and used by, federal and local law enforcement agencies. IRS Commissioner John Koskinen stated that the agency has been using cell-site simulators, also known as StingRays. The revelation came after The Read More
75 percent of 4-year-olds own smartphones, survey finds
Instead of enjoying the great outdoors, feeling nature’s cool breeze and the soft earth beneath their feet, children nowadays have been spending a great amount of time staring at electronic screens, which experts warn may trigger severe health effects, including cancer. While it’s no secret that more and more children are getting cell phones at a Read More
Google’s artificial intelligence will soon be able to answer your email for you
(Cyberwar.news) Some will think it pretty cool while others will likely drop Google as an email provider over fears the tech giant’s artificial intelligence is simply getting too big and too powerful. As reported by Popular Mechanics, a few months ago Google began in earnest demonstrating its newest secret weapon, so to speak: A robot Read More
Cyber segregation no longer a thing of the past: Software developed to block users based on race
Software which can block content from users based on their ethnic background has finally been developed. Like something out of an authoritarian’s fantasy world, the program will literally allow a content promoter to block and limit the exposure of a video, message or picture, based on the lack of “correct heritage”. The program will essentially pull Read More
AT&T customers relentless in their efforts to sue NSA for government’s illegal mass surveillance program
Represented by digital-rights watchdog Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), five AT&T customers are suing the National Security Agency (NSA), and others involved in the illegal mass surveillance of the American public, which was exposed when former CIA employee Edward Snowden blew the whistle on the U.S. government’s secret spy program. “Filed in 2008, Jewel v. NSA Read More