Big Tech gives EU access to thousands of user accounts each year
Governments are increasingly turning to Big Tech for assistance in accessing confidential consumer information.
law enforcement
OECD adopts landmark agreement on safeguarding privacy in law enforcement and national security data access
OECD countries adopted the first agreement on safeguarding privacy when accessing personal data for national security and law enforcement purposes.
ICO calls for police to end ‘excessive collection’ of personal data from rape and assault victims
The ICO has called for police and prosecutors to immediately stop collecting vast amounts of sensitive personal information from victims of rape.
Clearview AI predicts 100 billion photos will give it worldwide facial recognition ability
The facial recognition company Clearview AI is telling investors it’s on track to have 100 billion facial photos in its database within a year.
ICO investigates police use of app to covertly record calls from mobile phones
The watchdog has begun an investigation into the widespread use of a mobile phone app by police forces to covertly record phone calls on their mobile phones.
Cross-Border Access to User Data by Law Enforcement: 2021 Year in Review
Law enforcement around the world is apparently getting easier access to data in other countries, thanks to the Council of Europe’s adoption of a flawed new protocol to the Budapest Convention.
As critics warn of genetic ‘surveillance’, RCMP explores use of DNA matching in criminal probes
The RCMP says it’s reviewing the legitimacy of using genetic genealogy to solve cases, but is still using the controversial DNA matching technique in the meantime.
EU accused of disregarding human rights when supporting law enforcement abroad
The EU has been accused of contributing to the development of ‘surveillance’ capacities in third countries without considering fundamental rights and data protection.
French privacy watchdog takes action on government fingerprint database issues
CNIL has decided to call the Ministry of the Interior to order after observing several failures in the proper maintenance of the automated fingerprint file.
How the N.Y.P.D. Is Using Post-9/11 Tools on Everyday New Yorkers
Two decades after the attack on New York City, the Police Department is using counterterrorism tools and tactics to combat routine street crime.
What Police Can Do With Social Media Spy Tool ShadowDragon
The tool is the product of a growing industry whose work is usually kept from the public and utilized by police.
Ireland fails to enforce EU law against Big Tech
Irish regulator has not resolved 98% of 164 significant data protection complaints.