Encrypted Messaging Apps are in High Demand | Yaël Ossowski on DC News Now
A surge in downloads for an encrypted messaging app raises questions about growing concerns around data privacy and digital surveillance in the US. In this video, Yaël Ossowski from CCC breaks down the reasons behind this sudden increase, what it says about user behavior in 2025, and how encrypted apps are shaping the future of […]
FTC v. Meta Is All About Politics, Not Antitrust Law
Meta had its first day in court against the Federal Trade Commission in what will be the second-largest antitrust trial of the decade. At stake is Meta’s ownership of both Instagram and WhatsApp, and the viability of Mark Zuckerberg’s company as traditional social media enters the era of AI. Say what you will about the political influence […]
FTC vs Meta: Another Weak Antitrust Case Ignoring Consumers
THERE IS (STILL) NO SOCIAL MEDIA MONOPOLY WASHINGTON, D.C. – Meta stands down the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today in the most critical antitrust trial in the history of Mark Zuckerberg’s powerhouse social media company. On the line is Meta’s ownership of Instagram and WhatsApp as part of the Facebook ecosystem. Launched 6 years ago by the […]
Österreich: Die Koalition muss die Überwachung von verschlüsselten Nachrichten-Apps ablehnen
WIEN – Diese Woche enthüllte Innenminister Gerhard Karner von der ÖVP, dass er einen Gesetzesentwurf “schnell” durchsetzen möchte, der der Regierung die Befugnis geben würde, verschlüsselte Kommunikation in Nachrichten-Apps zu überwachen. Obwohl Karner betont hat, dass die neuen Befugnisse nur sehr gezielt eingesetzt würden, ist unklar, ob die Entwickler und Anbieter von Nachrichten-Apps gezwungen werden […]
How Donald Trump Can Beat Europe’s Tech Regulations
If there is one bright spot in Trump’s trade threats, it is that the conversation on how to improve the global regulatory space for the average consumer has been recalibrated. President Trump’s tariff-heavy trade agenda is quickly proving unpopular with Americans, which might explain why the administration worked overtime to rebrand tariffs as “liberation” from foreign partners who treated […]
Experts Slam Government After “Disastrous” Apple Encryption Move
Security and consumer rights experts have urged lawmakers to hold the UK government to account, after Apple removed end-to-end encryption (E2EE) in iCloud following data access demands from the Home Office. Although the access request was made in secret under the controversial Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), also dubbed the ‘Snooper’s Charter’, it was widely reported as happening earlier […]
Steering away from dangerous Brussels digital bureaucracy is essential for economic growth
The beginning of a new year always marks some sort of introduction of a new regulatory framework. The EU welcomed Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Zone, and the common charger policy went live (including in Northern Ireland, raising concerns of a BINO again). In the UK however, we had one of the most consequential […]
Apple axes data protection tool after government security row
Apple has removed its advanced data protection (ADP) feature from the UK, following a dispute with the UK government over encryption and access to user data. This comes after the Home Office requested access to encrypted iCloud data under the investigatory powers act (IPA), a law that requires leading tech firms to provide information to […]
Die Spionageanfragen der britischen Regierung zwingen Apple, die Verschlüsselung für Benutzer schrittweise einzustellen
As of 15:00, new Apple users in the UK can no longer enable Advanced Data Protection (APD) of their data, an end-to-end encrypted backup. In response to the government’s requests to secure a backdoor to Apple’s encrypted ecosystem, the company has decided to abandon this feature, and will still only provide data with law enforcement, if […]
Die Royals greifen die Meinungsfreiheit in Amerika an
The British royals are coming after American free speech, just days before Donald Trump is set to take office as president for the second time. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle expressed outrage that Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, changed policy to rely on community notes versus a dedicated fact-checking department. Ironically, the pair suggested […]
Einzigartig in Europa: das Emblem eines untergehenden Kontinents
L’UE célèbre l’arrivée du chargeur unique, mais à quel prix ? Le premier janvier, la règle de l’UE sur les chargeurs communs est entrée en vigueur, ce qui signifie que tous les nouveaux téléphones mobiles, tablettes, appareils photo numériques, écouteurs, haut-parleurs, claviers et de nombreux autres appareils électroniques vendus dans l’UE devront être équipés d’un port […]
Verbraucher werden durch Virginias Social-Media-KYC-Gesetz nicht geschützt
To the Delegates of the Virginia General Assembly, As a consumer advocacy group representing consumers and Internet users who favor tech innovation, lifestyle freedom, and freedom of choice, we write to you with reservations about the bill you are soon to consider. HB1624 requires that social media networks identify their users to classify those under […]
