Privacy Digest 10/26
Proton CEO warns global age verification push will mean "the death of anonymity online"
Andy Yen of Proton argues that widespread age verification laws risk eroding online anonymity by forcing users to submit sensitive personal data. Centralized databases holding IDs and biometric information create attractive targets for hackers, as recent breaches have shown. He also warns that Big Tech could exploit these systems to expand control over users. As an alternative, he advocates for privacy-first approaches such as on-device verification, encryption, and open-source transparency. Ultimately, he stresses that minimizing data collection is the safest path forward.
techradar.com
AI Company Deleted OKCupid User Photos, Data After FTC Scrutiny
Clarifai deleted millions of user photos and related facial-recognition models after scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission over data obtained from OkCupid. The data, originally shared in 2014, violated privacy policies and was used to train AI systems capable of identifying personal attributes. While the deletion was welcomed by some lawmakers, critics argue the settlement lacked strong enforcement. The case highlights ongoing concerns around consent, data reuse, and the growing role of AI in handling sensitive personal information.
reuters.com
Metalenz Has Figured Out a Way to Make Face ID Invisible
A new generation of under-display facial recognition could make visible camera cutouts a thing of the past. Developed by Metalenz, the system uses metasurfaces and polarization data to authenticate users securely while remaining hidden beneath the screen, unlike traditional setups such as Face ID on devices like the iPhone 14. While the seamless design improves user experience, it also raises deeper privacy concerns. As biometric systems become less noticeable, questions around transparency, informed consent, and the handling of sensitive facial data become harder to ignore.
wired.com
Ghostery Private Search Moves To Closed Beta - What It Means For You
Ghostery Search is moving to a closed beta starting June 1 to better manage the costs of running a private search experience without tracking. Development continues in a more controlled environment, focusing on sustainability and performance. In the meantime, users can rely on features like Tracker Preview and search redirect protection to reduce tracking when browsing. Privacy-focused alternatives such as Brave Search offer a practical option today, while future updates may further integrate search-related protections directly into the Ghostery extension experience.
ghostery.com