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.
law enforcement
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.
Nuisance calls could lead to multimillion-pound fines in UK
Multimillion-pound fines could be imposed for nuisance or fraudulent calls and texts under a proposed overhaul of the UK’s data rules.
GDPR Fines – Trends In Enforcement
Since 2020 there has been noted an impressive rise in the amounts of GDPR fines.
How Facebook Undermines Privacy Protections for Its 2 Billion WhatsApp Users
WhatsApp assures users that no one can see their messages, but the company has an extensive monitoring and regularly shares information with prosecutors.
ProtonMail logged IP address of French activist after order by Swiss authorities
ProtonMail has been facing criticism after a police report showed that French authorities managed to obtain the IP address of a French activist who was using it.