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Why Google is phasing out tracking cookies

Jan 5, 2024
These cookies follow you around the internet — a major privacy issue, advocates say. But getting rid of them won't get rid of targeted ads.
Google will roll out a set of new tools that still track your behavior online — so we'll still be getting those targeted ads.
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Google faces $5 billion lawsuit over allegations of tracking private browsing activity

The lawsuit accuses the company of violating users’ privacy during incognito browsing sessions.
The lawsuit says Google gathers data, even in incognito mode, through third-party apps like Google Analytics and Google Ad Manager.
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5G networks could pose a cybersecurity risk. So who's in charge of making sure they don't?

Jan 31, 2019
And what role should the Federal Communications Commission have?
"If cybersecurity is one of the principal challenges that will define the remainder of the 21st century, then let's have a Manhattan Project to make sure we've got that security," says former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler.
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

Your social media posts are likely way more predictable than you think

Jan 28, 2019
A new study shows your friends' posts can indicate what you're likely to say on social media.
"If I choose to use one of these platforms and I'm giving it useful information about myself, then our research suggests that, in principle, I'm also giving it useful information about my friends," said Jim Bagrow, a professor at the University of Vermont who led a study about Twitter privacy.
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A not-so-secret war for control of the internet

May 4, 2018
Governments recognize that control of the internet has become a proxy for political power.
Who makes the rules for what can and can't happen on the internet gets complicated.
LARS HAGBERG/AFP/Getty Images

Your internet data may be up for sale

Mar 27, 2017
The U.S. Senate voted to kill the FCC's broadband privacy rules. The House will vote Tuesday.
The House of Representatives will vote on repealing the Federal Communications Commission's broadband privacy rules on Tuesday after Senate approval last week.
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Senate votes to end Obama-era privacy rules

Mar 24, 2017
Most congressional headlines are focused on health care this week, but another bill is on the move that could kill off internet privacy protections. The Senate voted Thursday to put a stop to Obama administration privacy rules that would prevent internet providers like Comcast and Verizon from selling consumer browsing information. The bill looks likely […]

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How the U.S. requests user data from Google

Dec 23, 2015
A transparency report shows how the company gets data requests from the government.