Encrypted message app Signal in privacy row over Online Safety Bill
- The head of ‘Signal’ has threatened to pull the messaging app from Britain if the Online Safety Bill becomes law.
- Signal uses end-to-end encryption, therefore only users know the contents of their messages.
- However, the Online Safety Bill would allow companies to introduce technology which scans messages to detect and remove child abuse and terrorism.
- Failure to comply with the Online Safety Bill would result in a fine of up to 10 percent of worldwide company revenue.
- The NSPCC would like companies to invest in technology which would protect privacy yet identify abuse, given that private messaging apps are the “front line of child sexual abuse.”
- This has resulted in great concern among many Signal users who rely on the “end-to-end” encryption to communicate in a safe manner.
- For more on this story, please visit the Times website.
Cost of living crisis creating opportunities for fraudsters, experts warn.
- Internet safety experts are warning shoppers that sophisticated websites and profiles could lure budgeting shoppers into making unsafe purchases.
- Research By Get Safe Online highlighted that 3 in 10 people have noticed an increase in fake websites and sellers.
- Fraud is committed by highly skilled and organised people who use resources to give the appearance of a legitimate company.
- Internet scams can be hard to spot and falling for purchasing scams is easier than you may realise.
- For more on this story, please visit the Independent’s website.
UK Officials call for TikTok ban after new EU restrictions
- The UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under pressure to ban Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok, from being used on Government issued devices.
- Last week, EU officials asked Government employees to remove the app from their devices amid cybersecurity concerns.
- There is a growing fear that the social media platform’s data is being accessed by Beijing.
- In the US, TikTok is currently banned on Government phones in 26 states.
- The question is, when does this concern extend from government officials to the public.
- For more on this story, please visit Social Media Today’s website.
Legal age marriage rises to 18 in England and Wales
- From today, a new law has raised the legal age of marriage to 18 in England and Wales.
- 16 and 17-year -olds will no longer be able to get married or enter into a civil partnership even with parental consent.
- Under the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act, it is now a crime to exploit vulnerable children to marry under any circumstances.
- This law will also cover non-legally binding “traditional” ceremonies which would culturally be viewed as marriage by the parties and their families.
- Conservative MP Pauline Latham, who introduced the Bill, said that “Child marriage destroys lives and through this legislation we will protect millions of boys and girls.”
- For more on this story, please visit the Independent’s website.
Schoolchildren protest over ban on skirts and toilet restrictions
- Schools across England protested over uniform changes and toilet policies.
- Damage was caused at Penrice Academy as they wanted girls who are having their period to use a “red card pass” to go to the toilet during class time.
- Pupils at the school were said to have flipped tables and chanted in protest to these red card rules.
- Another school in Oxfordshire had to close early after pupils protested their new gender-neutral uniform that will prevent them from wearing skirts in September.
- Regarding the gender-neutral uniforms, one parent has said that “girls are getting the message that this is your fault because of how you dress”.
- For more on this story, please visit the Times website.
