A recent study by Surfshark reveals that one in ten smart home apps track user data, raising privacy concerns. Tech giants like Amazon and Google are the worst offenders, collecting extensive data on user location, contact information, and browsing history. This data collection can be exploited for targeted advertising or malicious purposes. Users are urged to be vigilant about their privacy settings and the potential risks associated with smart home devices.
Amidst scorching heatwaves across India, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is closely monitoring the health impact on a national scale. The health ministry has trained district officials to identify and report health complications related to extreme heat. The NCDC has also advised states to establish task forces and implement heat-health action plans, which will be integrated into the State Action Plan for Climate Change and Human Health. The Union Health Minister has emphasized the significance of real-time data collection and timely action to minimize the adverse effects of heatwaves. The India Meteorological Department has conducted an analysis to assess vulnerability zones and forecast heatstroke patterns.
The U.S. Senate has passed a bill that would ban TikTok from operating in the United States unless it is sold off by its Chinese owner, ByteDance. The move comes amid concerns that the app poses a national security risk by collecting data on American users. ByteDance has denied these allegations. If the ban goes into effect, TikTok would not disappear from users’ phones but updates and new downloads would not be available from U.S. app stores. The bill is expected to face legal challenges.
Dating apps are under scrutiny for their data collection practices, with a new study from Mozilla highlighting the extent to which these apps collect and share user data. The report, which reviewed 25 apps, found that 80% may share or sell personal data for advertising purposes, and that many apps collect precise geolocation data from users. Mozilla emphasized the importance of dating apps protecting user data from exploitation, especially as the use of AI in these apps increases.
