April 16, 2024
Tech News
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is proposing new regulations that would require data brokers to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This move aims to ensure greater accountability for companies that buy and sell consumer data, addressing national security concerns over the potential misuse of Americans’ personal information by foreign adversaries. The proposal follows an executive order by President Joe Biden and is part of broader efforts to protect Americans’ data from foreign threats.
Mark Zuckerberg has successfully avoided personal liability in lawsuits accusing Meta Platforms Inc of addicting children to its products. US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Zuckerberg, as an individual, is not required to disclose safety information about Meta’s products, such as Instagram and Facebook. The lawsuits can proceed against Meta as a company, but not against Zuckerberg personally.
Threads, a social network owned by Meta, is testing a “Recent” filter for sorting search results by the latest posts. This limited test aims to make it easier for users to find relevant, real-time search results. The feature addresses previous concerns about the lack of real-time search capabilities, which could potentially create safety loopholes.
A report by Mozilla and CheckFirst has found that Big Tech’s efforts to provide transparency about the ads they run are insufficient, even after the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) mandated the creation of searchable public ads libraries. The report highlights significant gaps in data and functionality across platforms, including Apple, Google, Meta, TikTok, and X, hindering researchers’ ability to monitor the impact of these platforms on democracy and public safety.
Tech Explained
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) – The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a federal law in the United States that promotes the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of consumer information contained in the files of consumer reporting agencies.
Meta Platforms Inc – Meta Platforms Inc, formerly known as Facebook, is a multinational technology conglomerate that owns various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Real-time search capabilities – Real-time search capabilities refer to the ability to search and retrieve information from a database or network in real-time, providing users with up-to-date and relevant results instantly.
Digital Services Act (DSA) – The Digital Services Act is a legislative proposal by the European Union aimed at regulating digital services and platforms to ensure a safer online environment for users, including measures to increase transparency in online advertising.
