Stamping out the hanko: Japan set to launch new digitalization agency in September
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's government hopes to accelerate digitalization in the central and local governments to improve the quality of services.
Data from 500 million Facebook accounts posted online, reports say
Data affecting more than 500 million Facebook users that was originally leaked in 2019, including email addresses and phone numbers, has been posted on an online hackers forum, according to media reports and a cybercrime expert. "All 533,000,000 Facebook records were just leaked for free," ...
Out of my mind: Advances in brain tech spur calls for 'neuro rights'
Scientists and lawmakers are working to rein in the potential abuses of neuroscience by companies from tech giants to wearable startups.
China using surveillance firms to help write ethnicity-tracking specs
Concern over racial detection in facial recognition systems is growing globally.
QR codes and health passports: China's anti-viral tech raises privacy questions
Daily life in China follows a rhythm of digital check-ins with QR codes at offices, malls and transport hubs.
Verkada workers had extensive access to private customer cameras
It is unclear whether most Verkada customers knew its employees could peer through the cameras they purchased from the company.
Clubhouse chats are breached, raising concerns over security
A week after popular audio chatroom app Clubhouse said it was taking steps to ensure user data couldn’t be stolen by malicious hackers or spies, at least one attacker has shown that the platform’s live audio can be siphoned. An unidentified user was able to ...
Tech giants and startups are offering solutions that include computer vision detection of vital signs to wearables that can offer early indications of the onset of COVID-19
Glitches and design flaws limit value of Japan's COVID-19 tracing app
As a third wave of infections overwhelms contact tracers at public health centers, many are leaning more heavily on the state-developed COCOA app. But is it up to the task?
Governments exploit COVID-19 tracing data for other uses, risking backlash
In Singapore, public support for a contact tracing app took a hit after authorities disclosed in January that police had used the app’s data in a murder investigation.
China's growing use of emotion recognition tech raises rights concerns
Technology that measures emotions based on biometric indicators such as facial movements, tone of voice or body movements is increasingly being marketed in China, researchers say, despite concerns about its accuracy and wider human rights implications. Drawing upon artificial intelligence, the tools range from cameras ...
Mizuho to become first Japanese bank to sell consumer data
The new business is being made possible by deregulation aimed at shoring up the country’s struggling banking industry.
