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Privacy & Security

160 million people affected by data breaches in 2012

Posted on December 13, 2012

Data breaches suffered by private companies and public institutions increased by more than 40% year-on-year in 2012, with over 160 million people having their personal information compromised, according to a new study. The auditing company KPMG says there was a total of 835 separate incidences of data breaches this year and deliberate ‘hacking’ of companies accounted for 67% of the data loss.

Privacy & Security

UK public data under threat from US Patriot Act

Posted on December 7, 2012

The USA’s controversial Patriot Act has just got, well, a lot more controversial. A recent study by The University of Amsterdam says US government agencies can secretly request US-based cloud storage companies to hand over data they have on foreign citizens.

Privacy & Security

Oppose the UK's spying bill? You're siding with paedophiles…

Posted on December 3, 2012

The UK’s home secretary, Theresa May, has made her most outrageous defense of the Communications Capabilites Development Programme yet, saying that anyone who opposes the bill - which allows police to monitor email communications and web browsing - is siding with “criminals, terrorists and paedophiles”.

Privacy & Security

Europeans more concerned about online privacy than Canadians?

Posted on November 25, 2012

Two interesting online privacy-related surveys were published earlier this week. One was conducted in Europe by data management company TRUSTe and the other in Canada by the Canadian Advertising Standards industry regulator. Although the two surveys covered slightly different topics, the way they were reported in the press suggested that Europeans are more concerned about online privacy and tracking than Canadians.

Privacy & Security

UK online communications crackdown: A brief round-up

Posted on November 19, 2012

Last week a man was arrested in the UK for posting an image of a burning paper poppy to Facebook, in just the latest incident of what appears to be a growing crackdown on free speech and internet freedoms in the UK.

Privacy & Security

Want to know how much your personal data is really worth?

Posted on November 9, 2012

A recent study from business strategists The Boston Consulting Group, has underscored the growing importance and value of online personal data for businesses. The report titled ‘The Value of Our Digital Identity’, says the total value extracted from European consumers’ personal data in 2011 was 315 billion euros and that figure is predicted to grow to a staggering 1 trillion euros annually by 2020.

Privacy & Security

71% of Brits don't trust government's new cyber security bill

Posted on November 3, 2012

The UK government is edging ever closer to passing its draconian communications data bill, but new research from YouGov shows that the British public do not trust the coalition when it comes to keeping its private online data safe.

Privacy & Security

Top five free online privacy tools

Posted on October 28, 2012

Although maintaining complete anonymity on the internet is very difficult, there are plenty of tools and alternative services out there that can help protect your personal data. Below we’ve listed five of our favorite services and tools that are privacy conscious.