Privacy Digest 15/26
New Surveillance System Could Track Both Cars And The People Inside Them
A surveillance company is marketing SignalTrace, a system that expands traditional license plate readers by collecting identifiers from nearby phones, Bluetooth devices, vehicle systems, RFID tags, and other wireless electronics. By linking these signals to a vehicle's movements over time, the technology can create persistent digital fingerprints that may identify drivers or passengers, even if they switch cars or replace license plates. Privacy advocates argue the approach crosses into person-level surveillance without a clear legal basis, raising concerns about warrantless tracking, mass data collection, and the rapid expansion of law enforcement monitoring capabilities.
techdirt.com
Meta Ditches Muse Image AI Feature Because It ‘Misses The Mark’ On Users’ Privacy
Meta has discontinued its new Muse Image AI feature just days after launch following widespread criticism over how it used public Instagram photos. The tool, enabled by default, allowed AI-generated images to reference content from public accounts, raising concerns that people had not meaningfully consented to their images being used. Critics warned the feature could enable nonconsensual digital replicas and other forms of misuse. Meta said the feature "missed the mark" on user expectations and removed it after receiving feedback.
theguardian.com
Researchers Say Apple's Hide My Email Can Reveal Your Real Address
Security researchers have discovered a vulnerability that may allow attackers to uncover the real email address behind Apple's Hide My Email aliases. 404 Media independently verified the flaw, which researchers say was reported to Apple more than a year ago but remains exploitable. Hide My Email is designed to protect users from sharing their primary email address with websites and online services, making the issue particularly concerning for those who rely on it to reduce tracking, spam, or unwanted profiling. Apple says it is still investigating the problem.
mashable.com
California Steps Back From Dangerous Expansion Of Its Age-Gating Law
Lawmakers in California have removed provisions from a proposed bill that would have expanded the state's age-gating framework to websites and browsers after concerns were raised about its impact on privacy, security, and free expression. The revised bill also exempts open-source operating systems. However, critics argue the state's underlying age-gating law could still drive widespread age verification, increasing pressure for ID checks, biometric scanning, and the collection of sensitive personal data while undermining online anonymity and restricting access to lawful online content.
eff.org