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Facebook , Google and seven other major Internet companies are allowing the National Security Agency direct access to a wealth of users' data, according to a report. Called PRISM, the program involves the NSA accessing the emails, documents, photographs and other sensitive data of users from all nine involved companies, according to a PowerPoint presentation obtained by The Washington Post and The Guardian . The PowerPoint was provided by a whistleblower in the intelligence services. Microsoft, Yahoo, PalTalk, AOL, Skype, YouTube and Apple are also party to the program, the report alleges. Dropbox is reportedly "coming soon," while the PowerPoint document reveals that Apple held out for five years before finally relenting. A Google spokesperson told both newspapers that "Google does not have a back door for the government to access private user data," but did admit that the company discloses "user data to government in accordance with the law, and we review all such … [Read more...] about NSA Leak: Internet Giants Let Government Tap Your Data

Internet search giant Google has rolled out a new set of updates to Pixel smartphone users today. As part of an update, the company has rolled out five new features to Pixel users . Here’s a bit more detail of each of them individually: Share recording easily Pixel users will be able to share links to your Recorder audio files even with non-Pixel users. Users will be able to hear recording on recorder.google.com, see transcripts and also search through files. Capture better quality underwater pictures This update will allow users to click high quality images underwater using a “custom integration that combined Pixel’s camera with a case made for diving.” Pixel users will be able to use their Pixel camera with the Kraken Sports’ Universal Smart Phone Housing case to use features like Night Sight, Portrait and Motion Photos underwater. New wallpapers The new update also brings wallpapers, which as per Google, “celebrates different cultural moments … [Read more...] about 5 new features Google is rolling out to Pixel users

Internet search giant Google has started rolling out the redesigned Google Chat website to free accounts, as per a report by 9to5Google. The company is migrating classic Hangouts users to Chat, suggests the report and now those who have personal Google Accounts can now download the Chat apps on Android or iOS, as well as the web client. The new URL on which chat.google.com is redirecting users to is mail.google.com/mail/u/0/chat/#chat/welcome. The UI of the new webpage looks like a Gmail web app with a top bar featuring the search bar, settings, and a dropdown to show if you’re “Active” or “Away.” There is a navigation drawer that lists Chat conversation which includes both one-on-one and group conversations. In related news, Gmail rolled out a new feature for its users that showed them all emails related to a specific address, including any aliases, when they search. “An email alias is an alternate address for receiving mail, used in addition to a … [Read more...] about Google starts rolling out redesigned Chat window rolls out for free accounts

Communications Minister Paul Fletcher last week put forward Australia's new Online Safety Bill, which the government touted would further empower the eSafety Commissioner to request the removal of harmful material from websites and social media platforms, as well as introduce minimum standards for service providers to comply with. Free PDF Australia’s encryption laws: An insider’s guide Australia now has world-first encryption laws. This guide explains what the laws can do, what they cannot do, and how Australia ended up here. Read More The Online Safety Bill 2021 entered Parliament on Wednesday , eight business days after consultation on the draft legislation closed. Submissions made to the draft consultation are yet to be released, but Fletcher said it has received 370 submissions. The Bill is before the House of Representatives and was referred to the Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications last Thursday. Submissions to the … [Read more...] about Google joins call for clarification on much of Australia’s ‘rushed’ Online Safety Bill

The NSA is not the only government agency asking tech companies for help in cracking technology to access user data. Sources say the FBI has a history of requesting digital backdoors, which are generally understood as a hidden vulnerability in a program that would, in theory, let the agency peek into suspects' computers and communications. In 2005, when Microsoft was about to launch BitLocker , its Windows software to encrypt and lock hard drives, the company approached the NSA, its British counterpart the GCHQ and the FBI, among other government and law-enforcement agencies. Microsoft's goal was twofold: get feedback from the agencies, and sell BitLocker to them. See also: Is It the Dawn of the Encryption App? But the FBI, concerned about its ability to fight crime — specifically, child pornography — apparently repeatedly asked Microsoft to put a backdoor in the software. A backdoor — or trapdoor — is a secret vulnerability that can be exploited to break or … [Read more...] about Did the FBI Lean On Microsoft for Access to Its Encryption Software?