Privacy Digest 22/25
Google Has Officially Pulled the Plug on Its "Privacy Sandbox"
Google Vice President Anthony Chavez has announced that the company was sunsetting the remaining technologies developed for Privacy Sandbox due to their "low levels of adoption."
engadget.com
This ‘Privacy Browser’ Has Dangerous Hidden Features
Researchers have uncovered that the Universe Browser, believed to be downloaded millions of times, poses serious privacy and security risks. Promoted as a “privacy browser,” it secretly routes users’ traffic through servers in China and installs hidden programs resembling malware, including keylogging and covert network manipulation. A report from Infoblox and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime links the browser to Vault Viper, a cybercrime network tied to Chinese online gambling giant BBIN, connected to money laundering, human trafficking, and large-scale scams across Southeast Asia. Reverse-engineering revealed the browser disables critical security features and collects detailed user data, potentially exposing gamblers and other users to criminal surveillance. Despite claims of safety, Universe Browser operates as a tool within a vast cybercrime ecosystem built around illegal gambling operations. Experts warn the case illustrates how criminal groups in Asia are evolving technologically, blending fraudulent online casinos with sophisticated malware tactics.
wired.com
Meta Layoffs Included Employees Who Monitored Risks to User Privacy
Meta has laid off more than 100 employees from its risk and privacy review teams, raising concerns about weakened oversight of user data protection. The cuts, part of a broader restructuring effort, accompany 600 layoffs in the company’s A.I. division. According to internal memos, Meta will replace many manual privacy and compliance reviews with automated systems to accelerate product development. Chief Privacy Officer Michel Protti said automation would deliver “more accurate and reliable compliance outcomes,” but insiders described the move as a “gutting” of key privacy roles. These teams had been responsible for ensuring Meta’s products complied with the Federal Trade Commission’s 2019 consent order and international privacy laws. Current and former employees fear the shift could erode safeguards that prevent misuse of user data. As CEO Mark Zuckerberg pushes for faster innovation, critics worry privacy protections may become an afterthought.
nytimes.com
Tinder Launches Mandatory Facial Verification to Weed Out Bots and Scammers
Tinder is introducing mandatory facial verification for new U.S. users to combat fake profiles, scams, and bots. The new tool, Face Check, requires a short video selfie during sign-up to create an encrypted “facial hash,” a mathematical map of facial data used to detect duplicate accounts. Tinder emphasizes that it does not store facial images, only encrypted data points, to reduce privacy risks. According to Yoel Roth, Match Group’s head of Trust and Safety, Face Check sets “a new benchmark for trust and safety” and is difficult for scammers to evade since “you can’t really get a new face.” While privacy concerns remain, Tinder claims the system significantly reduces fraudulent activity, reporting a 40% drop in bad actor reports in regions where it’s already active. The technology, developed with FaceTec, will expand to other Match Group apps in 2025 as part of a broader safety initiative.
wired.com
Ghostery and Pie Adblocker: Do They Really Compare?
As Ghostery users, you already understand how essential ad blockers are for a safe, clean browsing experience - but not all share the same philosophy. Pie Adblock pays users to watch select ads, combining ad blocking with an incentive model. Ghostery, on the other hand, is founded on a clear principle: your personal information belongs to you. By blocking both ads and hidden trackers, Ghostery keeps your privacy front and center. We took a closer look at Pie Adblock and put together this comparison to help you stay informed.
ghostery.com