Key Points
- Google introduces AI-powered age-estimation system to protect minors
- UK’s age-verification law met with VPN downloads and criticism
- Russia’s Turla hacking group uses spyware to access foreign officials’ information
- Google fixes vulnerability in Refresh Outdated Content tool
- Army revokes former CISA Director’s West Point appointment after criticism
- Bipartisan bill could let lawmakers censor online posts showing home addresses or travel plans
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Age Verification Efforts
The United Kingdom has begun requiring residents to verify their ages before accessing online pornography and other adult content. However, this has led to a surge in virtual private network (VPN) downloads, allowing users to circumvent age verification.
Google is rolling out an AI-powered age-estimation system to apply content protections to Search and YouTube, even for users who haven’t provided their age. The system will launch in the EU, where digital safety regulations mandate that platforms take steps to protect minors from potentially harmful content.
Security and Privacy Concerns
Russia’s state-backed hacking group Turla is using its access to the country’s internet providers to trick foreign officials into downloading spyware that breaks encryption, allowing Turla’s hackers to access their private information.
A vulnerability in Google’s Refresh Outdated Content tool allowed bad actors to selectively scrub individual URLs from search results. Google has confirmed the flaw and quietly rolled out a fix.
Political Backlash and Censorship
The Army revoked former CISA Director Jen Easterly’s West Point appointment after far-right criticism. A bipartisan bill from US senators Amy Klobuchar and Ted Cruz could let lawmakers demand the removal of online posts showing their home addresses or travel plans, sparking concerns over censorship and press accountability.
Source: wired.com