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Showing posts with label privacy laws. Show all posts
private browsing
Data Safety User Data enhanced user privacy Online Privacy paid VPNs Privacy privacy laws private browsing

VP.NET Launches SGX-Based VPN to Transform Online Privacy

 

The virtual private network market is filled with countless providers, each promising secure browsing and anonymity. In such a crowded space, VP.NET has emerged with the bold claim of changing how VPNs function altogether. The company says it is “the only VPN that can’t spy on you,” insisting that its system is built in a way that prevents monitoring, logging, or exposing any user data. 

To support its claims, VP.NET has gone a step further by releasing its source code to the public, allowing independent verification. VP.NET was co-founded by Andrew Lee, the entrepreneur behind Private Internet Access (PIA). According to the company, its mission is to treat digital privacy as a fundamental right and to secure it through technical design rather than relying on promises or policies. Guided by its principle of “don’t trust, verify,” the provider focuses on privacy-by-design to ensure that users are always protected. 

The technology behind VP.NET relies on Intel’s SGX (Software Guard Extensions). This system creates encrypted memory zones, also called enclaves, which remain isolated and inaccessible even to the VPN provider. Using this approach, VP.NET separates a user’s identity from their browsing activity, preventing any form of link between the two. 

The provider has also built a cryptographic mixer that severs the connection between users and the websites they visit. This mixer functions with a triple-layer identity mapping system, which the company claims makes tracking technically impossible. Each session generates temporary IDs, and no data such as IP addresses, browsing logs, traffic information, DNS queries, or timestamps are stored. 

VP.NET has also incorporated traffic obfuscation features and safeguards against correlation attacks, which are commonly used to unmask VPN users. In an effort to promote transparency, VP.NET has made its SGX source code publicly available on GitHub. By doing so, users and researchers can confirm that the correct code is running, the SGX enclave is authentic, and there has been no tampering. VP.NET describes its system as “zero trust by design,” emphasizing that its architecture makes it impossible to record user activity. 

The service runs on the WireGuard protocol and includes several layers of encryption. These include ChaCha20 for securing traffic, Poly1305 for authentication, Curve25519 for key exchange, and BLAKE2s for hashing. VP.NET is compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux systems, and all platforms receive the same protections. Each account allows up to five devices to connect simultaneously, which is slightly lower than competitors like NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN. Server availability is currently limited to a handful of countries including the US, UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Japan. 

However, all servers are SGX-enabled to maintain strong privacy. While the company operates from the United States, a jurisdiction often criticized for weak privacy laws, VP.NET argues that its architecture makes the question of location irrelevant since no user data exists to be handed over. 

Despite being relatively new, VP.NET is positioning itself as part of a new wave of VPN providers alongside competitors like Obscura VPN and NymVPN, all of which are introducing fresh approaches to strengthen privacy. 

With surveillance and tracking threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, VP.NET’s SGX-based system represents a technical shift that could redefine how users think about online security and anonymity.
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Privacy Lawsuit
Alexa Amazon Customer Data Data collection Data Privacy Data Privacy Laws Data Safety User Data Personal Data Privacy privacy laws Privacy Lawsuit

Federal Judge Allows Amazon Alexa Users’ Privacy Lawsuit to Proceed Nationwide

 

A federal judge in Seattle has ruled that Amazon must face a nationwide lawsuit involving tens of millions of Alexa users. The case alleges that the company improperly recorded and stored private conversations without user consent. U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik determined that Alexa owners met the legal requirements to pursue collective legal action for damages and an injunction to halt the alleged practices. 

The lawsuit claims Amazon violated Washington state law by failing to disclose that it retained and potentially used voice recordings for commercial purposes. Plaintiffs argue that Alexa was intentionally designed to secretly capture billions of private conversations, not just the voice commands directed at the device. According to their claim, these recordings may have been stored and repurposed without permission, raising serious privacy concerns. Amazon strongly disputes the allegations. 

The company insists that Alexa includes multiple safeguards to prevent accidental activation and denies evidence exists showing it recorded conversations belonging to any of the plaintiffs. Despite Amazon’s defense, Judge Lasnik stated that millions of users may have been impacted in a similar manner, allowing the case to move forward. Plaintiffs are also seeking an order requiring Amazon to delete any recordings and related data it may still hold. The broader issue at stake in this case centers on privacy rights within the home.

If proven, the claims suggest that sensitive conversations could have been intercepted and stored without explicit approval from users. Privacy experts caution that voice data, if mishandled or exposed, can lead to identity risks, unauthorized information sharing, and long-term security threats. Critics further argue that the lawsuit highlights the growing power imbalance between consumers and large technology companies. Amazon has previously faced scrutiny over its corporate practices, including its environmental footprint. 

A 2023 report revealed that the company’s expanding data centers in Virginia would consume more energy than the entire city of Seattle, fueling additional criticism about the company’s long-term sustainability and accountability. The case against Amazon underscores the increasing tension between technological convenience and personal privacy. 

As voice-activated assistants become commonplace in homes, courts will likely play a decisive role in determining the boundaries of data collection and consumer protection. The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for how tech companies handle user data and whether customers can trust that private conversations remain private.
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South Korea
AI Apps AI technology Data Privacy data security DeepSeek Privacy privacy laws South Korea

South Korea Blocks DeepSeek AI App Downloads Amid Data Security Investigation

 

South Korea has taken a firm stance on data privacy by temporarily blocking downloads of the Chinese AI app DeepSeek. The decision, announced by the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC), follows concerns about how the company collects and handles user data. 

While the app remains accessible to existing users, authorities have strongly advised against entering personal information until a thorough review is complete. DeepSeek, developed by the Chinese AI Lab of the same name, launched in South Korea earlier this year. Shortly after, regulators began questioning its data collection practices. 

Upon investigation, the PIPC discovered that DeepSeek had transferred South Korean user data to ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. This revelation raised red flags, given the ongoing global scrutiny of Chinese tech firms over potential security risks. South Korea’s response reflects its increasing emphasis on digital sovereignty. The PIPC has stated that DeepSeek will only be reinstated on app stores once it aligns with national privacy regulations. 

The AI company has since appointed a local representative and acknowledged that it was unfamiliar with South Korea’s legal framework when it launched the service. It has now committed to working with authorities to address compliance issues. DeepSeek’s privacy concerns extend beyond South Korea. Earlier this month, key government agencies—including the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, as well as Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power—temporarily blocked the app on official devices, citing security risks. 

Australia has already prohibited the use of DeepSeek on government devices, while Italy’s data protection agency has ordered the company to disable its chatbot within its borders. Taiwan has gone a step further by banning all government departments from using DeepSeek AI, further illustrating the growing hesitancy toward Chinese AI firms. 

DeepSeek, founded in 2023 by Liang Feng in Hangzhou, China, has positioned itself as a competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, offering a free, open-source AI model. However, its rapid expansion has drawn scrutiny over potential data security vulnerabilities, especially in regions wary of foreign digital influence. South Korea’s decision underscores the broader challenge of regulating artificial intelligence in an era of increasing geopolitical and technological tensions. 

As AI-powered applications become more integrated into daily life, governments are taking a closer look at the entities behind them, particularly when sensitive user data is involved. For now, DeepSeek’s future in South Korea hinges on whether it can address regulators’ concerns and demonstrate full compliance with the country’s strict data privacy standards. Until then, authorities remain cautious about allowing the app’s unrestricted use.
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privacy laws
Cyber Security Data Privacy data security Elon Musk Email OPM data breach privacy laws

Federal Employees Sue OPM Over Alleged Unauthorized Email Database

 

Two federal employees have filed a lawsuit against the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), alleging that a newly implemented email system is being used to compile a database of federal workers without proper authorization. The lawsuit raises concerns about potential misuse of employee information and suggests a possible connection to Elon Musk, though no concrete evidence has been provided. The controversy began when OPM sent emails to employees, claiming it was testing a new communication system. Recipients were asked to reply to confirm receipt, but the plaintiffs argue that this was more than a routine test—it was an attempt to secretly create a list of government workers for future personnel decisions, including potential job cuts.

Key Allegations and Concerns

The lawsuit names Amanda Scales, a former executive at Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, who now serves as OPM’s chief of staff. The plaintiffs suspect that her appointment may be linked to the email system’s implementation, though they have not provided definitive proof. They claim that an unauthorized email server was set up within OPM’s offices, making it appear as though messages were coming from official government sources when they were actually routed through a separate system.

An anonymous OPM employee’s post, cited in the lawsuit, alleges that the agency’s Chief Information Officer, Melvin Brown, was sidelined after refusing to implement the email list. The post further claims that a physical server was installed at OPM headquarters, enabling external entities to send messages that appeared to originate from within the agency. These allegations have raised serious concerns about transparency and data security within the federal government.

The lawsuit also argues that the email system violates the E-Government Act of 2002, which requires federal agencies to conduct strict privacy assessments before creating databases containing personal information. The plaintiffs contend that OPM bypassed these requirements, putting employees at risk of having their information used without consent.

Broader Implications and Employee Anxiety

Beyond the legal issues, the case reflects growing anxiety among federal employees about potential restructuring under the new administration. Reports suggest that significant workforce reductions may be on the horizon, and the lawsuit implies that the email system could play a role in streamlining mass layoffs. If the allegations are proven true, it could have major implications for how employee information is collected and used in the future.

As of now, OPM has not officially responded to the allegations, and there is no definitive proof linking the email system to Musk or any specific policy agenda. However, the case has sparked widespread discussions about transparency, data security, and the ethical use of employee information within the federal government. The lawsuit highlights the need for stricter oversight and accountability to ensure that federal employees’ privacy rights are protected.

The lawsuit against OPM underscores the growing tension between federal employees and government agencies over data privacy and transparency. While the allegations remain unproven, they raise important questions about the ethical use of employee information and the potential for misuse in decision-making processes. As the case unfolds, it could set a precedent for how federal agencies handle employee data and implement new systems in the future. For now, the controversy serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding privacy and ensuring accountability in government operations.

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unauthorized software
ChatGPT risks Cybersecurity Data Leaks Data protection Digital Assets Information Security privacy laws server vulnerabilities Shadow IT Technology unauthorized software

Mitigating the Risks of Shadow IT: Safeguarding Information Security in the Age of Technology

 

In today’s world, technology is integral to the operations of every organization, making the adoption of innovative tools essential for growth and staying competitive. However, with this reliance on technology comes a significant threat—Shadow IT.  

Shadow IT refers to the unauthorized use of software, tools, or cloud services by employees without the knowledge or approval of the IT department. Essentially, it occurs when employees seek quick solutions to problems without fully understanding the potential risks to the organization’s security and compliance.

Once a rare occurrence, Shadow IT now poses serious security challenges, particularly in terms of data leaks and breaches. A recent amendment to Israel’s Privacy Protection Act, passed by the Knesset, introduces tougher regulations. Among the changes, the law expands the definition of private information, aligning it with European standards and imposing heavy penalties on companies that violate data privacy and security guidelines.

The rise of Shadow IT, coupled with these stricter regulations, underscores the need for organizations to prioritize the control and management of their information systems. Failure to do so could result in costly legal and financial consequences.

One technology that has gained widespread usage within organizations is ChatGPT, which enables employees to perform tasks like coding or content creation without seeking formal approval. While the use of ChatGPT itself isn’t inherently risky, the lack of oversight by IT departments can expose the organization to significant security vulnerabilities.

Another example of Shadow IT includes “dormant” servers—systems connected to the network but not actively maintained. These neglected servers create weak spots that cybercriminals can exploit, opening doors for attacks.

Additionally, when employees install software without the IT department’s consent, it can cause disruptions, invite cyberattacks, or compromise sensitive information. The core risks in these scenarios are data leaks and compromised information security. For instance, when employees use ChatGPT for coding or data analysis, they might unknowingly input sensitive data, such as customer details or financial information. If these tools lack sufficient protection, the data becomes vulnerable to unauthorized access and leaks.

A common issue is the use of ChatGPT for writing SQL queries or scanning databases. If these queries pass through unprotected external services, they can result in severe data leaks and all the accompanying consequences.

Rather than banning the use of new technologies outright, the solution lies in crafting a flexible policy that permits employees to use advanced tools within a secure, controlled environment.

Organizations should ensure employees are educated about the risks of using external tools without approval and emphasize the importance of maintaining information security. Proactive monitoring of IT systems, combined with advanced technological solutions, is essential to safeguarding against Shadow IT.

A critical step in this process is implementing technologies that enable automated mapping and monitoring of all systems and servers within the organization, including those not directly managed by IT. These tools offer a comprehensive view of the organization’s digital assets, helping to quickly identify unauthorized services and address potential security threats in real time.

By using advanced mapping and monitoring technologies, organizations can ensure that sensitive information is handled in compliance with security policies and regulations. This approach provides full transparency on external tool usage, effectively reducing the risks posed by Shadow IT.
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