Smile! You’re on cam at the airport
Be on the lookout for face-scanning tech next time you fly. Airports in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando and a few other cities are using facial recognition to speed up the security process. Worth it or invasive? Depends on who you ask.
Hurry up and wait
That’s the name of the game when it comes to travel. Wait times are out of control, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says facial recognition tech will make the TSA process much more efficient.
Instead of handing your ID to a person to check, you’ll insert your driver’s license or passport into a card reader. A camera will compare your face to the one on your ID. An agent approves once the screen is done and you are on your merry way.
🛑 Hold on there
TSA says it won’t be required, but several U.S. Senators are still worried about privacy. Senators Jeffrey Merkley, Edward Markey, Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders wrote an open letter.
Regardless of politics, I think they make a good point: Most people won’t know they can opt out of the process or know how. They say facial recognition also lacks transparency, consent and encryption.
What happens if that database is breached?
You better believe it’s going to be a prime target for hackers. I’m all for convenience (I hate lines, too), but let’s make sure the process is safe and secure, too.
Don't miss your chance to shape the future of AI policy in the U.S.
It’s not every day that regular folks like you and me have the opportunity to influence the course of history. But thanks to a recent request for comment from the U.S. government, we have the power to help shape the future of AI. That means you can tell Uncle Sam if you think it’s time to put the brakes on AI. Here’s how.
Do you use these popular apps with ties to China?
While the U.S. government is busy contemplating a ban on TikTok, another popular app has flown under the radar. Turbo VPN has been downloaded over 100 million times — and has had multiple Chinese nationals as directors.
Is your salary posted online for anyone to see? Check this creepy site now
Sometimes, trying to protect your information is like playing Whack-a-Mole. Say one day you find out that some invasive site posted your full name, address and date of birth online. Tap or click here to stop strangers from learning where you live — and tracking you down on Google Maps.
Free online tools that reveal if you're overpaying on hospital bills
Medical debt is squashing American families across the country. In 2017, 19% of households who received care couldn’t afford to pay for it upfront, the U.S. Census Bureau found. They were in debt for an average of $2,000.
Amazon is banning books and films they don’t like
Big Tech companies have so much power that even a small step creates an earthquake that ripples throughout the world. For instance, Amazon has quietly adopted a new policy against any books or movies with material it considers hate speech.
Use this site to see what Amazon, Facebook, Twitter and other sites know about you
If you’re using tech devices that access apps or the internet, your data is being tracked. That isn’t always a bad thing — some data gathering tools are used to help tailor your user experience to your preferences.
Facebook is paying users to QUIT before the election
We’ve been saying that you should take a break from Facebook for some time now, but it’s no longer just data and privacy issues you need to worry about. There’s now a financial incentive to cut down your use.
Recently, Facebook announced that it would be reserving its right to delete or block any content that can potentially put it in legal trouble. The exact specifics of this are vague — and probably intentional. Tap or click here to see the changes Facebook made.
Would you pay to use Twitter? You might have to
Twitter occupies a strange place in the constellation of social media sites. On one hand, it’s not even the biggest platform you can use — that dubious honor goes to Facebook. On the other, it’s home to some of the most important public figures on the planet, such as industry leaders, celebrities and even the President of the United States himself.
eBay secretly probes your computer - here's how to stop it
Millions of Americans have turned to online shopping for sheer convenience and more recently, as a means to stay safe from COVID-19. It just makes more sense to order online than taking the risk of exposure at a store.
Working from home? 8 tips for managing remote employees
The coronavirus pandemic has turned the world upside down. Millions of people are trying to help flatten the curve by practicing social distancing, among other things.
While this is a great way to help slow the spread of the virus, it’s taking a huge toll on the economy. Companies have seen a sharp decline in business and some have even had to close their doors. Others have been asking employees to work from home (WFH).
Facebook will now alert you when another company accesses your data
It’s hard to imagine the modern internet without the presence of Facebook — or should we say “omnipresence?” It’s everywhere you look on the web, and the login buttons that connect websites and apps with the platform are still a common sight.
Worst companies for data privacy? You've got to see this list
At Komando.com, we’re always on the lookout for new information that will help you protect your online privacy. The digital world is constantly changing, and making informed decisions about where you share your data is critical in this day and age. With so many platforms to socialize and do business with, knowing safe places from unsafe ones can mean the difference between browsing in peace versus facing down hackers, targeted advertising, or worse.