Legislation
HP’s Toner-Blocking Settlement
HP has (quietly) settled a class action lawsuit over claims it deliberately blocked customers from using third-party toner cartridges in its printers, without paying a penny in damages. Locking Out Third-Party Toner The lawsuit centred on HP’s controversial Dynamic Security feature, i.e. software designed to detect and reject toner cartridges not produced by HP itself.…
Read MorePublic Hearing Demanded For Apple’s UK Encryption
Privacy advocates are calling for Apple’s legal challenge against a secret UK government order to be heard in public, arguing that millions of users’ privacy rights are at stake. Could Set Precedent The case, currently set to be conducted behind closed doors, could set a major precedent for the future of encryption and government surveillance.…
Read MoreMozilla Backtracks on Terms of Use After Backlash
Non-profit web tech organisation Mozilla has rewritten Firefox’s Terms of Use after widespread criticism from users who feared the company was overreaching with its data policies. Vague Wording? It seems that the backlash stemmed from vague and broad wording in the updated terms, which many believed gave Mozilla rights over any data entered into the…
Read MoreBanks to Pay Millions After IT Failures Leave Customers Stranded
UK banking customers who have faced repeated IT failures are set to receive millions in compensation, following a damning Treasury Committee investigation into the scale and impact of these outages. Nine Banks The inquiry revealed that in the past two years alone, nine major banks and building societies have suffered more than a month’s worth…
Read MoreMusicians Unite in Silence, Protesting AI Copyright Reforms
Over 1,000 musicians have released a silent album, Is This What We Want?, in protest against UK copyright law changes that would allow AI companies to use copyrighted material without creators’ permission. A Symbolic Protest The album, comprising 12 tracks of ambient studio sounds, symbolises the artists’ concerns about the potential erosion of their rights and…
Read MoreLaw Firm Restricts AI Access After Surge in Usage
It’s been reported that international law firm Hill Dickinson has introduced new restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools following a sharp increase in staff engagement with the technology. What Happened? The development was first reported by the BBC after it allegedly obtained an internal email from Hill Dickinson’s senior management. The email…
Read MoreUK Government Demands Apple Reveal Your Data
The UK government has reportedly ordered Apple to grant it access to encrypted data stored in iCloud by users worldwide, a move that has sparked fierce debate over privacy, security, and government surveillance. IPA The demand, issued under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA), represents one of the most significant clashes between a government and…
Read MoreUK Employers Ramp Up Workplace Surveillance
Workplace surveillance is becoming an inescapable reality for employees across the UK, with new research showing that 85 per cent of employers now monitor their staff’s online activity. What’s Going On? While businesses argue that these measures are essential for productivity and security, research indicates that employees are increasingly feeling the strain, leading to stress,…
Read MoreJohn Lewis Introduces New AI Verification For Online Knife Sales
John Lewis has unveiled a groundbreaking AI tool to verify the age of customers purchasing knives online, marking a shift in how retailers address legal requirements for the sale of bladed items. According to the AI provider, their AI (which estimates the age of the user from their image) is “Better Than Human Judgement”. Why…
Read MoreUK To Get Digital Driving Licences In 2025
According to a recent report from The Times, the UK is set to roll out digital driving licences in 2025, as a voluntary initiative, accessible via a government smartphone app. What Are Digital Driving Licences? Digital driving licences are virtual versions of the traditional photocard driving licence. Stored on a secure government app, they will serve…
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