2# Innovation in Privacy and Surveillance: The Battle for control over our Data.

?????Privacy, Surveillance and National Security

"U.S. Bans Kaspersky Software, Citing National Security Risks"— The Hacker News

• U.S. Bans Kaspersky Software: The U.S. Department of Commerce has banned Kaspersky Lab's U.S. subsidiary from offering its security software in the country.
• National Security Risk: The ban is due to concerns that Kaspersky's operations in the U.S. posed a national security risk due to potential influence from the Russian government.
• Manipulation of Software: The BIS cites the risk of data theft, espionage, and system malfunction due to potential manipulation of Kaspersky software.
• Ban Details: Kaspersky will be barred from selling its software to new U.S. customers starting July 20, 2024. Existing customers can receive updates until September 29, 2024.
• Entity List Addition: Kaspersky has been added to the Entity List for cooperation with Russian military and intelligence authorities.
• Kaspersky's Response: Kaspersky claims the decision is based on theoretical concerns and ignores the company's transparency measures.

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"Wired – UK Train Stations Trialled Amazon Emotion Detection That Could Feed You Adverts"— The Big Brother Watch

• Amazon AI Surveillance Trialed: Eight UK train stations, including major hubs, trialed Amazon's AI surveillance software with CCTV cameras.
• Emotion Detection and Analysis: The software analyzed passengers' age, gender, and emotions, raising privacy concerns.
• Secrecy and Lack of Public Awareness: The trials were conducted without public awareness, raising questions about consent and transparency.
• Data Use for Advertising: Documents suggest the collected data could be used for advertising purposes, further fueling privacy concerns.
• Big Brother Watch Complaint: Big Brother Watch has filed a complaint with the Information Commissioner regarding the trials, citing potential misuse of AI surveillance and disregard for privacy rights.

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"Defendant in Vatican trial takes case to UN, accuses pope of violating his rights with surveillance"— AP News

• Defendant in Vatican financial trial files complaint with United Nations.
• Alleges Pope Francis authorized wide-ranging surveillance, violating his human rights.
• Vatican denies claims, stating investigation followed all laws and international agreements.
• Filing highlights peculiarity of Vatican's criminal justice system and its incompatibility with European and democratic norms.
• Complaint cites secret executive decrees signed by Pope Francis, granting unchecked wiretapping powers and deviating from existing laws.
• U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to review the complaint.
• Defendant, Raffaele Mincione, also pursuing legal action in a British court over reputational harm.

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?????? Privacy in Technological Innovation

"Parfin Creates New Blockchain to Be Used as Privacy Solution for Brazilian CBDC"— Bitcoin News

• New Blockchain for Brazilian CBDC: Parfin, a financial technology company, has developed Rayls, a new blockchain to enhance the privacy of Brazil's CBDC (drex).
• Privacy Solution: Rayls aims to address the privacy concerns that led to the postponement of the drex pilot in May 2024.
• Permissioned and Public: Rayls combines permissioned operation (requiring KYC) with a public chain (Rayls Public Chain) for interaction with open cryptocurrency projects.
• Bridging DeFi and TradFi: Rayls aims to facilitate integration between traditional finance and decentralized finance (DeFi) by connecting public and private blockchains.
• Microsoft ZKP Nova: Rayls will be tested with Microsoft ZKP Nova to enhance privacy protection for drex users.

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"Aleph Zero Introduces The First EVM-Compatible ZK-Privacy Layer with Subsecond Proving Times" — Cryptonomist

• First EVM-Compatible ZK-Privacy Layer: Aleph Zero announces the testnet release of its groundbreaking Layer 2 solution on Ethereum, focusing on privacy with fast zero-knowledge proofs.
• zkOS for Seamless Privacy Integration: Aleph Zero introduces zkOS, a product suite designed to easily integrate on-chain privacy into various Web3 applications.
• Fast and Scalable: The solution boasts subsecond proving times on consumer devices and high throughput, making it suitable for privacy-preserving DeFi, NFTs, gaming, and enterprise solutions.
• Developer Testnet and Roadmap: The Developer Testnet is now live, with Mainnet scheduled for Q3 2024. zkOS MVP and additional features are planned for subsequent quarters.

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"Mozilla Acquires Anonym, A Privacy Tech Startup Founded By Two Top Former Meta Execs"— Ad Exchanger

• Mozilla Acquires Anonym: Mozilla has acquired Anonym, a privacy tech startup founded by former Meta executives.
• Shared Mission: Both companies share a mission to prove that advertising and privacy don't have to be mutually exclusive.
• Privacy-Preserving Technologies: Anonym focuses on developing privacy-enhancing technologies for measurement, targeting, and optimization in digital advertising.
• Lookalike Modeling Tool: One of Anonym's products is a privacy-centric lookalike modeling tool that helps advertisers reach target audiences without leaking user-level data.
• Data Sharing in Trusted Environments: Anonym enables secure data sharing between ad platforms and advertisers within trusted execution environments for attribution and measurement.
• Challenge to Walled Gardens: This approach aims to create a more equitable advertising ecosystem by reducing reliance on walled gardens and mass data collection.
• Focus on Go-to-Market Strategy: Anonym's initial focus within Mozilla will be on the go-to-market strategy, including product expansion and hiring.
• Future Collaboration with Firefox: While no immediate plans exist, there is potential for future collaboration between Anonym and Mozilla's Firefox browser on privacy-focused technologies.

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"Cybersecurity Leaders Join Forces in Protecting Businesses from Growing Threats as PDI Technologies Acquires Nuspire" — PR Newswire

• PDI Technologies acquires Nuspire, expanding cybersecurity expertise and technology.
• Acquisition aims to accelerate delivery of innovative managed security services to various industries including convenience retail, QSR, automotive dealerships.
• PDI to leverage Nuspire's 25+ years of experience in cybersecurity solutions such as MSS, MDR, EDR.
• Combined expertise will address growing cyber threats like ransomware, data breaches, phishing.
• Acquisition will enhance security offerings for PDI's existing customer base and expand into new markets like automotive dealerships.
• Berenson & Company, Harris Williams, Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisors for the transaction.

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"Qonsent Is Merging With A Blockchain Provider To Launch A Full-Stack Privacy Tech Startup" — Ad Exchanger

• New Privacy Tech Startup Precise.ai: Qonsent and Valence Labs merge to form Precise.ai, a full-stack privacy tech startup.
• Co-Founders: Adam Helfgott (former CEO of Madhive) and Jesse Redniss (founder of Qonsent) lead the new venture.
• Full-Stack Solution: Precise.ai aims to combine privacy-compliant consent management with federated machine learning, audience creation, identity verification, data tracking, measurement, and activation.
• Decentralized Data Infrastructure: Utilizes blockchain technology to verify data ownership, track data usage, and attribute value back to sources.
• Interoperability: Will integrate with existing ad buying processes and identifiers (Ramp IDs, UID2s) for smooth adoption.
• Future Plans: Precise.ai plans to introduce a more permissioned ID token structure and expand its data infrastructure capabilities.

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