Privacy

Two U.S. senators recently threw down the privacy gauntlet, proposing bills to give Americans control over their personal data. Sen. Maria CantwellMaria Elaine CantwellThere's a lot to like about the Senate privacy bill, if it's not watered down Hillicon Valley: House passes anti-robocall bill | Senators inch forward on privacy legislation | Trump escalates fight over tech tax | Illinois families sue TikTok | Senators get classified briefing on ransomware Senators want FERC to protect critical infrastructure from Huawei threats MORE (D-Wash.) introduced a bill containing the Democrats’ privacy wish list, while Sen. Roger WickerRoger Frederick WickerThere's a lot to like about the Senate privacy bill, if it's not watered down Trade deal talks expand as Congress debates tech legal shield Hillicon Valley: House passes anti-robocall bill | Senators inch forward on privacy legislation | Trump escalates fight over tech tax | Illinois families sue TikTok | Senators get classified … [Read more...] about Let’s enact a privacy law that advances economic justice

I’m Business columnist David Lazarus, with a look today at kids’ privacy.A coalition of nearly three dozen consumer and medical groups submitted a letter to the Federal Trade Commission last week calling for a review of how companies are marketing to children and tracking them online. They also want more transparency about what information is being collected and how it’s being stored.“Advertising to children is a lucrative, booming business, and not enough is understood about these new methods of surveilling and monetizing children, or the impact that it has on their privacy and well-being,” the letter says.Among other practices cited by the groups is the growing trend of “playable” ads — that is, ads that are presented as video games, blurring the line between marketing and entertainment. Advertisement “What is the likely impact of these new methods on children’s psycho-social development, and what is the impact on the … [Read more...] about Newsletter: Privacy-minded consumer groups say the kids aren’t all right

File photo. (REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz) For big tech companies, data is money. Their goal is to collect as much info about you as they can, and try as we might, there’s no surefire way to shut them out entirely. There are steps you can take to limit what advertisers know about you, though. It all starts with your Facebook settings. Tap or click here for 7 ways to delete yourself from the internet. As consumers demand more privacy, tech companies — including smartphone manufacturers — are slowly responding. Apple’s latest iPhone operating system, iOS 13, has several new privacy settings you need to start using if you aren’t already. The OS brings hundreds of other changes too, like improved camera settings and a quicker way to type messages. Tap or click for 9 iPhone features you’ll use time and time again. Once your phone is up to date, it’s time to control how often companies track you and get data from your Apple devices. Keep tech companies … [Read more...] about Companies can track your phone — unless you change these security settings

Welcome to The Hill’s Morning Report. Happy Tuesday! Our newsletter gets you up to speed on the most important developments in politics and policy, plus trends to watch. Co-creators are Alexis Simendinger and Al Weaver (CLICK HERE to subscribe!). On Twitter, find us at @asimendinger and @alweaver22.Although he continues to sit on the sidelines of the 2020 fray, former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenBiden: Buttigieg 'doesn't have significant black support even in his own city' Biden: 'I'd add' Warren to my list of potential VP picks How can top Democrats run the economy with no business skill? MORE remained the party’s No. 1 talking point Monday after a second woman in a matter of days accused him of improper contact.As Alexander Bolton and Amie Parnes write, Biden is facing a crisis after Amy Lappos accused the Democratic presidential front-runner of inappropriate touching at a 2009 fundraiser in Greenwich, Conn., adding to the scrutiny of Biden’s past behavior and … [Read more...] about The Hill’s Morning Report – Dems debate if Biden’s conduct with women disqualifying

Fifteen years ago, the hazing death of University of Colorado freshman Gordie Bailey upended the school’s Greek system, forging a rift between the campus and Boulder’s fraternities and leaving diverging views on whether students are any safer. The fraternities severed ties with the Boulder campus in the wake of the 2004 alcohol-poisoning death rather than accept stricter oversight. Their chief advocate argues fraternity members and their pledges are safer now than they were while affiliated with the university. “Fifteen years later, we got no dead kids and no badly hurt kids,” said Marc Stine, the independent Greek advocate who works with the student-run Interfraternity Council on the Hill.  “I can’t make kids drink less. And when they’re drunk, they do all kinds of things. Sexual harassment and all of that. But I can get a bystander to call 911.” Bailey’s stepfather, Michael Lanahan, suggests that is not enough.“They can … [Read more...] about 15 years after pledge’s hazing death, relationship between CU and Boulder’s fraternities “nonexistent”