Cybersecurity, datasec and privacy news in July 2020
Article headlines listed provide a wide-focus look at cybersecurity, datasec and privacy-related news reported online across July 2020, prioritising coverage of the broad Asia-Pacific region where possible.
Items cover issues around data and security breaches, and also the intentions behind them – for instance, in geopolitical terms. In keeping with a wide focus, items range from the small – personal web browser security – to the large – government and state-driven cybersecurity news coverage.
Each headline below is linked directly to its online news article; each item below was also delivered in Startup News Asia’s daily feeds on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, and via our startup news app.
- A brief look at Microsoft’s recent moves in cybersecurity and IoT, likely aiming for a ‘walled garden’ approach to platforms and services
- US Senators propose Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act but “…it fundamentally doesn’t understand how encryption works. You can’t create a backdoor just for ‘good guys'”
- Cybersecurity: Browser extension named Behave! launched to warn you if websites use scripts to scan or attack local and private IP addresses on your network
- Download: 2020 Cyber Defenders – trends, opportunities and high-momentum startups with the potential to shape the future of cybersecurity, from CB Insights (pdf)
- ICYMI: US House Oversight committee wants Apple and Google to step up security on apps with foreign ties, and warn users about associated privacy risks
- Download: Cybersecurity Threatscape Q1 2020, from Positive Technologies – “…22.5 percent more attacks than in Q4 2019” (pdf)
- A dive into the scope and scale of online scamming and hacking related to COVID-19 – 68K COVID-related websites in the first 10 weeks, 214 million spam emails daily
- Cybersecurity: Over 20 million VPN users warned of huge data breach, exposing estimated 1BN records, due to use of white-label service based in Hong Kong
- Hacked Facebook, GMail and Instagram accounts, banking info and driver licences for sale on dark web; identity theft could have life-long consequences for victims
- While the rapid growth of e-mobility has created new ways of travelling, it also presents cyber criminals with fresh targets to exploit
- ICYMI: Verizon 2020 Data Breach Investigations Report available to download, following registration
- Singapore: Aiculus cybersecurity startup raises $670K with API communications system allowing confidential data to be exchanged while maintaining privacy
- Australia: Cyamast cybersecurity startup raises $1.3M with tech focused on securing IoT and internet-connected networks
- Wells Fargo directs employees to remove TikTok from company mobile devices over concerns around the app’s privacy and security controls and practices
- ICYMI: Morgan Stanley has blocked interns in China from logging on remotely to the bank’s virtual network, citing concerns about cybersecurity rules and system vulnerability
- An intro to Nym, working on mix networks – mixnets – to make it impossible to follow the path of an individual when they’re online
- ICYMI: Mozilla, maker of Firefox browser and privacy and security nonprofit, to launch VPN service
- Australia: University of Queensland medical students raise concerns that in-home use of 3rd-party ProctorU software to monitor exams constitutes invasion of privacy
- Australia: Information Commissioner joins UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office in investigation of Clearview AI info-handling, focusing on scraped data and biometrics
- ICYMI: Dfinity to release software to 3rd-party developers, aiming for decentralized ‘internet computer’, software running on the ‘net rather than Big Tech server farms
- An overview of Microsoft’s activities in facial recognition and mass surveillance, across partnership, support, and critical infrastructure
- ICYMI: UK alters Huawei decision; firm’s equipment to be removed from 5G networks by 2027, and no new equipment purchases permitted from year-end
- ICYMI: Indian gov’t bans 59 Chinese apps including TikTok, Helo and WeChat, deeming them ‘prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity…defence…security of state and public order’
- Hong Kong: Telegram messaging app to temporarily refuse data requests from HK authorities until international consensus emerges over new security law concerns
- Australia: Consumers can now choose to share banking data with 3rd party providers following launch of Open Banking under Consumer Data Right Act
- Singapore: Aiculus cybersecurity startup raises $670K with API communications system allowing confidential data to be exchanged while maintaining privacy
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