The Unchained Web #185

If you enjoy and find value in the newsletter, please feel free to donate for its upkeep and independent nature as much as you think is fair:

Monero Wallet Address:

42EkgN23XZoLJXrgMJjrRM7jYpmirk1WvWUWc2SDF6kZAXVzHMGy5XB8JM8Vce3iHGKh9H8ACWF9J6ErrfKCP48mL2yeWcw

Bitcoin Wallet Address: bc1q4283c60tv2p7exfeu2ql7dk2n7utswgl43n2fk

ETH & ERC-20 Address: 0xD16429e3F253f50CfF306B2bE8966ce935332116

BNB & BRC-20 Address: 0xD16429e3F253f50CfF306B2bE8966ce935332116

Reclaim (some) Privacy Webinar Series: Intro to SearXNG & other privacy engines

In April, I am planning my first webinar in a series focused on privacy. The specific webinar will be focused on why Google may not be the best search engine to use and the SearXNG meta search engine and how it can be used to enhance privacy when using a search engine to research or find something to one's interest.

If you are interested in the topic, feel free to click "attend" on the link to the event below: https://www.dhirubhai.net/events/7167975601373458433/about/

EU Extends Mass Surveillance of Private Messages on Facebook, Instagram, Gmail, and Xbox Until April 2026

The European Parliament has extended mass surveillance on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Gmail, and Xbox until April 2026 under the ePrivacy derogation regulation. German MEP Patrick Breyer criticized this continuation of "error-prone bulk chat control scanning" as a failure to protect fundamental rights and ineffective in safeguarding children from abuse. Breyer accuses an international surveillance-industrial network of pushing this extension to bridge a legal gap, despite its lack of significant contribution to protecting abused children or aiding law enforcement. He vows to fight this in court, highlighting the controversy around the intrusive surveillance and its implications for privacy and freedom of expression. Click here for more.

Russia Creates Blacklist of YouTubers

Russia’s Civic Chamber is developing a blacklist of "noncompliant" Russian YouTubers to encourage them to use domestic social media platforms, labeling YouTube as a tool of the West and a threat to Russian values. Alexander Malkevich, a key figure in the commission, criticized these YouTubers for avoiding Russian platforms, suggesting their actions could be due to ignorance, habit, or adversarial influence. This move aligns with Russia's broader strategy to control the digital narrative and promote domestic platforms over international ones, amidst concerns over objectivity and the spread of anti-Russian narratives. Click here for more.

EU Group Looks For Ways To “Overcome” Court Ban on Weakening Encryption

Following a European Court of Human Rights ruling banning the weakening of end-to-end encryption, the EU announced consultations to explore ways to facilitate law enforcement access to data. Critics, including MEP Patrick Breyer, view this as an attempt to undermine encryption and enable mass surveillance, threatening privacy and security online. The High-Level Group's efforts to identify challenges linked to data access are seen as a move towards introducing backdoors in encryption, sparking opposition from privacy advocates and calls for the protection of digital rights in Europe. Click here for more.

UK University Pushes for More “Friction” in Private Messages To Reduce “Misinformation”

Loughborough University's research advocates for introducing "friction" in messaging apps like WhatsApp to combat misinformation, particularly ahead of major elections. The study suggests misinformation warnings are ineffective without designs that force users to reflect on the content. This approach raises concerns about freedom of speech and the role of academic research in influencing tech platforms' policies, especially in the context of election integrity and the spread of information. Click here for more.

Google To Start Running “Prebunk” Ads and Quizzing YouTube Viewers To Fight So-Called “Misinformation”

Google is set to launch a prebunking campaign in Europe, ahead of the EU Parliament vote, featuring animated ads on YouTube and other platforms to educate viewers on identifying misinformation. This initiative, aligned with the EU's Digital Services Act, aims to preemptively address misinformation, particularly related to the "Russia Scare." Critics argue this could lead to censorship and impede free speech, highlighting the balance between combating misinformation and preserving open dialogue online. Click here for more.

Meta Is Expanding Its Controversial “Fact-Checking” Program to Other Platforms

Meta is rolling out a fact-checking program on Threads, its new social platform, despite it distancing itself from politics. This move is part of a broader trend of tech companies implementing speech-restrictive measures in response to misinformation concerns, particularly around elections. The program's implementation, based on matching existing fact-checks to similar content, has raised questions about the effectiveness and implications of such censorship practices on free speech and the digital public sphere. Click here for more.

Signal Introduces the Ability To Show a Username Instead of a Phone Number

Signal has introduced a feature allowing users to replace their phone number with a username in the app, enhancing privacy for users who consider their phone number sensitive information. This update aims to balance the need for privacy with the practical requirements of anti-spam measures, still necessitating a phone number for registration. The change reflects Signal's commitment to secure communication, addressing user feedback on privacy concerns while maintaining robust security protocols. Click here for more.

Google stops new AI tool from generating people, after ‘woke’ backlash

Google's AI tool Gemini faced criticism for refusing to generate images of white people, prompting the company to stop it from creating images of people altogether. Users reported that Gemini would not comply with requests to depict white individuals, offering diverse representations instead and advising against reinforcing harmful stereotypes. Critics argue this demonstrates ideological bias, influencing the tool's output and potentially impacting Google's role in information dissemination. Google acknowledges inaccuracies in historical image generation and pledges to adjust its algorithms to better reflect global diversity, amid discussions on the balance between inclusivity and accuracy in AI technologies. Click here for more.

Encryption and child sexual material: Brussels struggling to digest ECHR ruling

The European Commission faces challenges aligning the European Court of Human Rights' ruling on encryption with its efforts against child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The ruling emphasizes privacy rights, contradicting an EU law proposal requiring message scanning for CSAM, which could weaken encryption. Critics argue the EU's approach infringes on privacy and is ineffective against child abuse, urging a focus on root causes and preventive measures. The EU insists its proposal does not discourage encryption, aiming to balance child protection with privacy and security. Negotiations continue as the EU seeks solutions that respect both digital privacy and the fight against CSAM. Click here for more.

Spyware infestation hits European Parliament defence and security panel

Spyware was found on devices of members and staff of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE), raising concerns over cybersecurity standards and the potential targeting by foreign espionage. The discovery prompts a comprehensive examination of all related devices, highlighting the geopolitical sensitivities of the committee's work. Despite the European Parliament's efforts to enhance security, this incident underscores ongoing vulnerabilities to cyber-attacks and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive information and maintain parliamentary integrity. Click here for more.

Reddit: 'We Are in the Early Stages of Monetizing Our User Base'

Reddit disclosed plans to monetize its user base by selling content for AI training and enhancing its advertising solutions with AI, according to an SEC filing. The company has already secured contracts worth $203 million for data licensing over the next few years, signaling a significant shift towards leveraging user-generated content for revenue. This move comes amid changes to control and sanitize the platform ahead of an IPO, despite concerns about compromising user trust and the platform's volunteer-driven moderation system. The reliance on volunteer moderators and the potential misuse of Reddit data by partners or without license are highlighted as risks in the filing. Click here for more.

Darknet Drug Dealers Arrested After Packages of Meth-Laced Adderall Repeatedly Returned to Sender

Three men were arrested for distributing meth-laced "Adderall" through the darknet and USPS, under the guise of a fictitious business, "Professional Paper Filing Inc." The operation came to light after returned packages containing drugs were repeatedly sent to an unaffiliated business. The affidavit details a sophisticated law enforcement operation tracking the men's activities across multiple states and dark web marketplaces, underscoring the extensive efforts to combat online drug trafficking. The case highlights the challenges and complexities of policing the digital drug trade. Click here for more.

FTC Fines Avast $16.5 Million For Selling Browsing Data Harvested by Antivirus

The FTC fined Avast $16.5 million for selling consumers' browsing data collected through its antivirus software and browser extensions. This practice, uncovered in a 2020 investigation, involved selling the data to over 100 third parties without adequate user consent. The fine and subsequent ban on selling browsing data for advertising highlight significant privacy concerns and the need for transparency in data collection and usage practices. The case reflects growing regulatory attention to the protection of consumer data and the ethical responsibilities of tech companies. Click here for more.

Instacart’s AI Recipes Look Literally Impossible

Instacart's use of AI to generate seemingly impossible recipes, including images and measurements that defy reality, has sparked curiosity and criticism. Despite the company's claims of leveraging AI to enhance user experience, discrepancies in recipe authenticity and the physical impossibility of some suggested dishes raise questions about the reliability of AI-generated content in the culinary domain. The adjustments made to AI-generated images after inquiries suggest a recognition of these issues, yet the ongoing use of such technology underscores the challenges of balancing innovation with user trust and content credibility. Click here for more.

Paris Saint-Germain begins Web3 drive as a new blockchain validator for Chiliz Chain

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is advancing its engagement in Web3 and SportFi by becoming a validator for the Chiliz fan token blockchain. This marks PSG as the first major football club to take on such a role, aiming to create a self-sustaining digital economy for the club and its fans by reinvesting validator revenue in PSG tokens. The partnership with Chiliz, the platform behind over 150 sports teams' fan tokens, signals PSG's broader ambitions in cryptocurrency and Web3, under the guidance of P?r Helgosson, head of Web3 at PSG. The club's proactive steps include planned token buybacks and hosting a blockchain hackathon, positioning PSG as a pioneer in integrating blockchain technology into the sports industry. Click here for more.

South Africa Eyes Stablecoins and Blockchain for Digital Payments

South Africa's Treasury plans to embrace digital payments, including the study of stablecoins and blockchain technology, to enhance the financial inclusion of marginalized communities. The 2024 budget review outlines the intention to classify stablecoins as crypto assets and analyze their potential applications. Additionally, amendments may require reporting crypto transactions over a certain threshold. The government, in partnership with Switzerland's SECO and FinMark Trust, will pilot four digital payments projects aimed at digitizing community and cross-border transactions to support small and informal businesses. This initiative reflects South Africa's commitment to leveraging blockchain for economic and social development. Click here for more.

Coinbase Says It's Still Accessible in Nigeria Despite Reported Crypto Ban

Despite reports of a crypto ban in Nigeria, Coinbase asserts its platform remains accessible within the country. Following claims by the Financial Times and Bloomberg about restricted access to crypto exchanges, Coinbase conducted an initial investigation confirming the continued operation in Nigeria. The report comes amidst Nigeria's broader push towards a cashless society and the adoption of a digital currency, the eNaira, while dealing with inflation and currency devaluation. Coinbase's statement underscores the growing significance of cryptocurrency in Nigeria, despite potential regulatory challenges. Click here for more.

'Fair Value of Bitcoin Is Still Zero,' Say European Central Bank Officials

European Central Bank officials Ulrich Bindseil and Jürgen Schaaf remain skeptical about Bitcoin's value, despite recent approvals of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the U.S. In a blog post, they argue against the perception of Bitcoin as a safe investment, reiterating their stance that Bitcoin's fair value is zero. They criticize Bitcoin for its environmental impact, susceptibility to price manipulation, and inefficiency as a payment system. This stance reflects ongoing debates around Bitcoin's legitimacy and environmental concerns, amidst its increasing mainstream acceptance and market capitalization. Click here for more.

Reddit Discloses Bitcoin and Ether Holdings in IPO Filing

In its IPO filing, Reddit revealed investments in Bitcoin and Ether, positioning itself alongside companies like MicroStrategy and Tesla in holding digital assets. The social media platform plans to go public under the ticker "RDDT" and disclosed its strategy of acquiring cryptocurrencies as part of its cash management and payment for virtual goods. This move reflects Reddit's long-term commitment to integrating blockchain technology and digital assets into its operations, signaling a growing trend of mainstream companies exploring the potential of cryptocurrencies. Click here for more.

ERC20 wallet drainer receives UK business registration

Crypto Grab, the team behind the Nova Drainer wallet phishing software, has registered as a business in the UK, aiming to legitimize its operations and obtain EV SSL certificates. Despite wallet drainers being used to steal cryptocurrencies, Crypto Grab's registration highlights the challenges in distinguishing between legitimate and fraudulent blockchain-related activities. The UK's Companies House listing does not verify the accuracy of information filed, posing potential risks for enforcement and the protection of consumers from scam operations. This development underscores the complexities of regulating and monitoring blockchain and crypto-related businesses. Click here for more.

If you enjoy and find value in the newsletter, please feel free to donate for its upkeep and independent nature as much as you think is fair:

Monero Wallet Address:

42EkgN23XZoLJXrgMJjrRM7jYpmirk1WvWUWc2SDF6kZAXVzHMGy5XB8JM8Vce3iHGKh9H8ACWF9J6ErrfKCP48mL2yeWcw

Bitcoin Wallet Address: bc1q4283c60tv2p7exfeu2ql7dk2n7utswgl43n2fk

ETH & ERC-20 Address: 0xD16429e3F253f50CfF306B2bE8966ce935332116

BNB & BRC-20 Address: 0xD16429e3F253f50CfF306B2bE8966ce935332116

Reclaim (some) Privacy Webinar Series: Intro to SearXNG & other privacy engines

In April, I am planning my first webinar in a series focused on privacy. The specific webinar will be focused on why Google may not be the best search engine to use and the SearXNG meta search engine and how it can be used to enhance privacy when using a search engine to research or find something to one's interest.

If you are interested in the topic, feel free to click "attend" on the link to the event below: https://www.dhirubhai.net/events/7167975601373458433/about/

Brought to you by Alexandros Dolgov CBA? (Study/Bitcoin)