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[T]his loaded gun is a ban in all but name, and banning TikTok is obviously unconstitutional.
- Ramya Krishnan, staff attorney at Columbia University
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Welcome to Snippets đź“ą Airbnb announced a full ban on all indoor security cameras, even if they're disclosed in a rental's listing. A spokesperson noted the move was meant to reflect the company's continued commitment to protecting guests' privacy.
In other news, TikTok may face a nationwide ban in the U.S., the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing revealed troubling trends in global cybersecurity, Kentucky inches closer to a comprehensive privacy law, and more.
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Airbnb bans indoor security cameras
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Carl Court/Getty Images
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In a significant policy update, Airbnb has banned indoor security cameras across its global listings, following multiple reports of hosts discreetly recording their guests.
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- Though the majority of Airbnb’s 7 million+ listings don’t have indoor cameras, the short-term rental giant has chosen to err on the side of caution and prioritize guests’ privacy.
- Under the new policy, security cameras are barred from all indoor areas of the property, including common areas, where owners could previously install them with a disclosure.
- Other monitoring devices, such as decibel meters, must be disclosed to guests before they book the property. Outdoor cameras may be used, as long as they’re disclosed.
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🌟 Ron De Jesus joins Transcend as the first-ever Field Chief Privacy Officer
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Transcend is proud to welcome Ron De Jesus to the team as the first-ever Field Chief Privacy Officer (FCPO)! As the former Chief Privacy Officer at Grindr, Ron pioneered initiatives to safeguard user privacy within one of the world's largest social networking platforms for the LGBTQ+ community.
In his new role, Ron will embody Transcend's mission to strengthen the privacy community and drive competitive advantages for customers that range from the world’s most advanced technology companies to household consumer brands.
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House passes bill that could ban TikTok
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Matt Cardy/Getty Images
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On Wednesday, the U.S. House passed a bill that could potentially lead to a nationwide ban on TikTok. Supporters argue the bill addresses legitimate concerns over national security and data privacy, while opponents contend it infringes on free speech.
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- Though the bill passed the House with a significant majority, it faces uncertainty in the Senate due to concerns about its constitutionality and potential impact on first amendment rights.
- TikTok users have mobilized in protest against the bill, arguing it violates their constitutional rights and could harm creators. The outcry led to a surge in lobbying efforts and temporary shutdowns of congressional phone lines.
- Supporters of the bill stress it's not a complete ban, but rather a measure to address national security concerns—drawing parallels to historical efforts to prevent foreign ownership of US assets, particularly in critical sectors.
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US Intelligence chiefs identify multiple threats to global cybersecurity
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Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
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Monday’s Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, where the directors of the FBI, NSA, CIA, and other agencies presented their Annual Threat Assessment, revealed several key trends on the current state of global cybersecurity.
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- Between 2011 and 2023, the intelligence community identified at least 74 countries that contracted with private companies, like NSO Group and Intellexa, in the commercial spyware industry.
- The report identified increasingly advanced ransomware as a significant risk to critical infrastructure—one the committee feels will continue until hostile nations stop providing “a safe haven.”
- Within the US, spy agencies are buying up vast amounts of Americans’ data from brokers, a trend that will continue until Congress enforces limits on buying commercially available data.
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- Block Party launches new product following X’s API update.
- Biden’s State of the Union highlights children’s privacy again.
- EU violates its own data protection rules by using Microsoft 365.
- Is the criticism of Google’s Privacy Sandbox warranted?
- Court upholds Worldcoin’s temporary ban from collecting data.
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Opinion remains divided as Kentucky edges closer to privacy law
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Kentucky’s new privacy law, House Bill 15 (HB 15), has a clear path to enactment following unanimous passage through the Senate, but opinion remains divided on the efficacy of the framework that’s guiding the bill’s provisions.
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- Modeled after Virginia’s privacy law, HB 15 proposes similar coverage thresholds, while requiring the provision of opt-outs from targeted advertising.
- HB 15’s success came at the expense of Senate Bill 15, which had lower thresholds for coverage, proposed universal opt-outs, and provided a broader definition of targeted advertising.
- Critics of HB 15 note its business-friendly provisions, including the narrow definition of consumers, data type exemptions, and a 30-day cure period with no sunset.
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Microsoft yet to contain Russian state hack
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JOAN MATEU PARRA—AP IMAGES
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Microsoft announced it is yet to contain the fallout of an attack by Russian state hackers, who accessed the email accounts of senior company executives last November.
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- Hackers from SVR, the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation, used the data obtained from the hack to infiltrate source-code repositories and internal systems.
- Though Microsoft wouldn’t clarify the nature of the source code, it said the hackers stole “secrets” from executives' emails, including passwords, certificates, and authentication keys.
- Experts have decried the government’s over-reliance on Microsoft’s systems, with one stating, “The Russians can now leverage supply chain attacks against Microsoft’s customers.”
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🎪 Join Transcend at the IAPP Global Privacy Summit in D.C.
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IAPP's Global Privacy Summit in Washington D.C. is right around the corner. As always, this conference brings together some of the sharpest minds in privacy and tech to share insights and build stronger in-person connections.
Come find Transcend at Booth #169 to level up your technical knowledge with one of our interactive workshops, get a live demo, expand your AI governance toolkit at our tactical panel, and of course—grab some goodies to take home!
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Snippets is delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning by Transcend. We're the platform that helps companies put privacy on autopilot by making it easy to encode privacy across an entire tech stack. Learn more.
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You received this email because you subscribed to Snippets. Did someone forward this email to you? Head over to Transcend to get your very own free subscription! Curated in San Francisco by Transcend.
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