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Online Safety stories

BSI urges existing age standard for social media ban
Data Protection

BSI urges existing age standard for social media ban

Adopting an existing age assurance standard could let ministers enforce under-16 social media limits without forcing children to hand over extra data.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • 3 days ago
Gen Z tempted by unofficial World Cup ticket scams
Payment Technologies

Gen Z tempted by unofficial World Cup ticket scams

Younger adults are more exposed to fake ticket offers, with 19% of Gen Z saying they would buy World Cup seats from unofficial websites.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • 4 days ago
UK VPN searches jump after under-16 social media plan
Data Protection

UK VPN searches jump after under-16 social media plan

Search interest surged as ministers' under-16 social media plan prompted privacy fears, with UK VPN queries hitting their highest since early August.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last week
AI scams erode trust in online identity, Malwarebytes warns
Data Protection

AI scams erode trust in online identity, Malwarebytes warns

One in three daily AI users say explicit images of people they know are acceptable, as confidence in online evidence and scams worsens.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Last week

Global Stories

Online Safety stories

W Social launches beta with EU leaders in Brussels
Data Protection

W Social launches beta with EU leaders in Brussels

European institutions and top officials are testing a new social network, giving W Social early credibility as it seeks to build a trusted public forum.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Yesterday
Bitdefender launches RealCheck app to spot deepfakes
Data Protection

Bitdefender launches RealCheck app to spot deepfakes

Growing deepfake scams are pushing consumers towards paid verification tools, as Bitdefender's app checks videos for manipulation and malicious intent.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Yesterday
Google sues Chinese phishing network over fake texts
Multi-factor authentication

Google sues Chinese phishing network over fake texts

The scam network's fake texts may have reached millions of Android users, with authorities linking it to major card theft and losses.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 5 min read • 3 days ago
UK & US consumers question message legitimacy, survey finds
Data Protection

UK & US consumers question message legitimacy, survey finds

Older adults are far more likely to doubt digital messages, as a survey finds 41% of UK and US consumers question if they are genuine.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last week
The parent's guide to AI: Risks, benefits and safety
Data Protection

The parent's guide to AI: Risks, benefits and safety

Parents are being urged to talk to children about AI use, as chatbots can aid homework but also expose them to misinformation and privacy risks.

By David Shilovsky • 4 min read • Last week
Illegal streaming users in Asia-Pacific face cybercrime
Malware

Illegal streaming users in Asia-Pacific face cybercrime

Nearly half of illicit streaming apps tested in Asia-Pacific contained malware, heightening risks of fraud, identity theft and device compromise.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last week
Fans warned over World Cup cyber scams & fake tickets
Malware

Fans warned over World Cup cyber scams & fake tickets

Fans buying tickets or streams for the FIFA World Cup face fake sites, rogue apps and QR-code traps that can steal payment details.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 5 min read • Last week
ICO fines rise 370% as watchdog targets big breaches
Data Protection

ICO fines rise 370% as watchdog targets big breaches

Larger data breach sanctions are becoming the norm as the ICO issues fewer penalties, but targets cases involving children's privacy and cyberattacks.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • This month

Stories from Other Regions

Online Safety stories

Randy Segal wins US patent for cognitive signal detector
Generative AI

Randy Segal wins US patent for cognitive signal detector

A consumer app could soon bring real-time alerts on audio and video patterns that may influence viewers, after a US patent was granted.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • 3 days ago
Ion files patent to block harmful AI video at source
Generative AI

Ion files patent to block harmful AI video at source

Unsafe AI-generated clips could be stopped before playback under Ion's Australian patent filing, aimed at blocking deepfakes and other harmful video at source.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • 3 days ago
Irish adults back ban on public sector ransom payments
Data Protection

Irish adults back ban on public sector ransom payments

Most Irish adults want ministers to stop public bodies paying cyber ransoms, though concern rises sharply if citizens' data could be exposed.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Last week
Tech Users NZ calls for long-term digital strategy
Digital Transformation

Tech Users NZ calls for long-term digital strategy

A cross-party plan is being urged to give businesses and public services certainty over digital investment, skills and online safety beyond election cycles.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last week
Canada unveils Bill C-36 to tighten private sector data rules
Data Protection

Canada unveils Bill C-36 to tighten private sector data rules

The bill would give Canadians stronger control over personal data, as Ottawa seeks tougher oversight of AI, children's privacy and surveillance pricing.

By Jake MacAndrew • 3 min read • Last week