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Australia needs a robust cybersecurity overhaul – not whack-a-mole bans on apps like TikTok

Retrieved on:

Saturday, April 15, 2023

The rationale was based on security fears and, in particular, the risk the platform will be used for foreign interference operations by China.

Key Points:

The rationale was based on security fears and, in particular, the risk the platform will be used for foreign interference operations by China.
TikTok is a video-sharing platform operated by ByteDance, a company headquartered in Beijing, but incorporated in the Cayman Islands.
Like similar sites, TikTok’s privacy policy indicates an expansive approach to the collection and use of personal information.

The problem with focusing on only one app

Given the ban only affects government devices, couldn’t the same people be susceptible to foreign interference through their use of TikTok on personal devices?
What about other apps, such as Facebook, that collect significant amounts of user data – are these more secure than TikTok?
In other words, the problem of digital security and foreign interference is bigger than just one app or the use of government devices.

A new, more effective cybersecurity strategy

A discussion paper on the new strategy was released earlier this year, with submissions due this week.
This process will hopefully result in a more holistic strategy on how to manage the cybersecurity and foreign interference concerns that led to the TikTok ban.

This kind of strategic approach, particularly on the education side, would give Australians better tools to arm themselves against foreign interference online, which as Home Affairs emphasises, is the “best defence” available.

A stronger privacy act could help, too

Another relevant policy development is the government’s review of the Privacy Act, which is the primary Australian law on data protection.
Changing the rules about how data is collected and used by platforms could provide less fodder for those running foreign interference operations.

What is needed is a strategy, not tactics

Beyond Australia, at the United Nations level, some questions about whether international law can be applied to cyberspace have been resolved, while others remain open.
Ultimately, what is needed is a strategy, rather than tactics, and better coordination of relevant policies across government.
The TikTok example also highlights a truism that we shouldn’t think in terms of privacy or security, but rather privacy and security.

The parallel economy: the rightwing movement creating a safe haven for deplatformed conservative influencers

Retrieved on:

Saturday, April 15, 2023

One byproduct of this is a rightwing movement in the tech and economic spaces, known as the “parallel economy”.

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One byproduct of this is a rightwing movement in the tech and economic spaces, known as the “parallel economy”.
The parallel economy is a system of financial services, e-commerce websites and social media targeting communities with rightwing political values, mainly in the US and Europe.
Advocates for the parallel economy view mainstream media and tech firms as oppressors of conservative voices.
In response, they are creating and supporting alternative platforms that align with their conservative values.

Deplatformed and demonetised

The YouTube Partner Programme has been a vital revenue source for content creators, including some conspiracy theorists and extremists.
This means banning users from the ad revenue sharing programme altogether, although demonetised creators and their content may still be visible to users.
Self-proclaimed free speech advocates have launched a number of alternative platforms, providing refuge to the deplatformed.
Rumble, a Canadian company, has become home to numerous “mega influencers” considered controversial or who have been deplatformed by major social media platforms.

Making money in the parallel economy

PayPal has deplatformed several conservative alt-tech platforms including Gab, known as the free speech Twitter alternative.
In response, Gab launched its own payment processor, GabPay, to enable financial transactions with and between users.
American conservative political commentator Jeremy Boreing is a vocal advocate for the parallel economy.
The parallel economy capitalises on a sense of ideological victimhood that many on the political right are feeling.

We asked Sikh men in Britain what the turban means to them – here’s what they told us

Retrieved on:

Saturday, April 15, 2023

They told us that they hoped the recent visibility of the turban in fashion collections, police uniform and advertising campaigns would help to dilute the stigma surrounding the turban.

Key Points:

They told us that they hoped the recent visibility of the turban in fashion collections, police uniform and advertising campaigns would help to dilute the stigma surrounding the turban.
In recent years, several projects have sought to promote Sikhism positively in an effort to reclaim narratives around the turban.
The Sikh code of discipline – the Rehat Maryada – states that Sikh men must cover their heads.
While most Sikhs in the UK and around the world do not wear the turban, it remains the most recognisable article of faith for adult Sikh men and women.
There has been a Sikh presence in Britain for almost 160 years, but Sikh migration to the UK mostly started in the 1950s.
When I meditate with my turban on my head, I feel happy and very good, the turban concentrates those happy feelings.
When I meditate with my turban on my head, I feel happy and very good, the turban concentrates those happy feelings.

FTC and DOJ use new law to challenge COVID claims for nasal spray

Retrieved on:

Thursday, March 30, 2023

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FTC Issues Orders to Social Media and Video Streaming Platforms Regarding Efforts to Address Surge in Advertising for Fraudulent Products and Scams

Retrieved on:

Saturday, March 18, 2023

The amount of money consumers have reported losing to fraud that originated on social media platforms has skyrocketed since 2017.

Key Points:

The amount of money consumers have reported losing to fraud that originated on social media platforms has skyrocketed since 2017.
The Commission also is seeking information about how the social media and video streaming companies ensure that consumers are able to identify commercial advertising on their platforms as advertising.
The Commission voted 4-0 during an open meeting to issue the 6(b) orders to the eight social media and video service services.
Follow the FTC on social media, read consumer alerts and the business blog, and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts.

FTC Issues Orders to Social Media and Video Streaming Platforms Regarding Efforts to Address Surge in Advertising for Fraudulent Products and Scams

Retrieved on:

Saturday, March 18, 2023

The amount of money consumers have reported losing to fraud that originated on social media platforms has skyrocketed since 2017.

Key Points:

The amount of money consumers have reported losing to fraud that originated on social media platforms has skyrocketed since 2017.
The Commission also is seeking information about how the social media and video streaming companies ensure that consumers are able to identify commercial advertising on their platforms as advertising.
The Commission voted 4-0 during an open meeting to issue the 6(b) orders to the eight social media and video service services.
Follow the FTC on social media, read consumer alerts and the business blog, and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts.

Cure COVID with an herbal beverage? A falsi-tea, says the FTC

Retrieved on:

Saturday, March 4, 2023

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“Amazing Wealth System” not so amazing, alleges the FTC

Retrieved on:

Monday, February 20, 2023

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FTC charges battery maker in first case under Made in USA Labeling Rule

Retrieved on:

Saturday, January 21, 2023

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FTC challenges influencer campaign for Warner Bros.’ Shadow of Mordor game

Retrieved on:

Friday, December 16, 2022

In the FTCs lawsuit against Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, truth in advertising had a nemesis: paid pitches for Shadow of Mordor that Warner Bros. deceptively claimed were independent reviews.

Key Points:

In the FTCs lawsuit against Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, truth in advertising had a nemesis: paid pitches for Shadow of Mordor that Warner Bros. deceptively claimed were independent reviews.
To help launch
Shadow of Mordor, Warner Bros. brought a social media company on board to coordinate a YouTube influencer campaign.
One strategy was to hire influential gamers to post videos promoting Shadow of Mordor videos that ultimately yielded more than 5.5 million YouTube views.
In addition to free game access, Warner Bros. paid the influencers cash ranging from hundreds of dollars to five figures.
Influencers videos were subject to pre-approval and, according to the terms of the agreement, Warner Bros. will be deemed the author and exclusive owner.
Warner Bros. was quite exacting in what else it required of influencers:
- Video will feature gameplay of the
Shadow of Mordorgame.
- Video will not communicate negative sentiment about Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, its affiliates or the game.
Warner Bros. also required One Facebook post or one Tweet by Influencer in support of Video.
And for FTC watchers, thats where the story gets almost as interesting as
Shadow of Mordor.
The complaint charges that Warner Bros. falsely represented that the
Shadow of Mordor gameplay videos reflected the independent opinions or experiences of impartial gamers.
The FTC also alleges that, in many cases, Warner Bros. failed to disclose or failed to adequately disclose influencers material connection to the company.
For future influencer campaigns, the proposed settlement outlines steps Warner Bros. must take to monitor influencers conduct.