Tag Archive for: fears

TikTok users shrug at China fears: ‘It’s hard to care’

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  • By Natalie Sherman
  • Business reporter, New York

Image caption,

Liz Barr says she was annoyed when her university blocked TikTok, but it hasn’t stopped her using it

TikTok has been banned on government networks and devices in the US, Canada and the European Union. But are the moves having any effect?

When TikTok would not load on her university’s wi-fi network earlier this year student Liz Barr was stymied – but not for long.

She soon figured ways around the block using personal mobile data or a virtual private network (VPN). The block had been introduced after state officials in Maryland banned the video app on government networks, citing national security concerns.

“I was annoyed, because I live here and I get bored,” says the 18-year-old, who is studying computer science and creative writing at St Mary’s College of Maryland. “But now it works, so it’s not that big of a problem.”

The workaround shows the quandary facing the US and other countries as they threaten to crack down on TikTok, which has exploded in global popularity in recent years offering an endless feed of user-generated makeup tutorials, life hacks, silly dances, and other confessionals curated by algorithm.

Rumbling against the social media platform, which is owned by the Chinese tech giant ByteDance and has more than one billion users globally, has reached new pitch in recent months.

Concerns have been especially loud in the US, where politicians from across the ideological spectrum are urging steps to curtail its reach, arguing that the data TikTok collects could be used by the Chinese government to spy on Americans or influence political debates.

Video caption,

Watch: Ros Atkins on… The creeping TikTok bans

Dozens of states, like Maryland, have banned TikTok on government networks and devices, moves that affect access in public libraries, universities and elsewhere.

TikTok’s chief executive is due to appear this month in Congress, which is debating various proposals that could result in a wider national ban, while the company remains in a years-long negotiation with the White House about what changes it could make to satisfy the…

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Baby formula milk companies ‘exploit’ parents’ fears to boost sales, analysis alleges

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Many baby formula milk companies allegedly exploit parents’ emotions and “manipulate” scientific data to boost sales, according to a major new analysis published in The Lancet.

The analysis, led by Professor Nigel Rollins of the World Health Organization, said urgent clampdowns are needed to address misleading claims made by the industry.

It comes on the heels of the formula crisis in the U.S. last year, which saw parents struggling to find formula due to global supply chain issues exacerbated by a large recall of Abbott baby formula after two infants died.

“Part of what we’re exploring in The Lancet breastfeeding series is that the system of influence that commercial formula companies are engaged in is much, much more pervasive and much more influential than maybe previously thought.” study co-author Dr. Cecília Tomori, a breastfeeding expert and associate professor at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, told ABC News.

Scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports breastfeeding newborns, if possible and desired. Breastfeeding has well-documented health benefits for both the parent and the baby.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, babies who are breastfed are at lower risk of illnesses and diseases including asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes and sudden infant death syndrome.

PHOTO: Hand spooning baby food.

Hand spooning baby food.

STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images

Babies can also receive antibodies from the mother’s breast milk, which boosts their immune systems and helps protect them from disease.

Meanwhile, mothers who breastfeed lower their risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

The authors say while many new parents breastfeed, many choose not to, and all choices should be supported.

According to the analysis, formula milk companies use exploitative tactics to sell products such as preying on parents’ fears about their children’s health and development.

For example, companies have said it’s important to introduce formula to help settle the behaviors of babies, such as disrupted sleep and persistent crying, implying that breast milk alone is not enough.

“The formula milk industry uses poor science to suggest, with little supporting evidence, that their products are…

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UK restricts Chinese cameras in government buildings over security fears

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Surveillance cameras manufactured by Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. are mounted on a post at a testing station near the company’s headquarters in Hangzhou, China, on May 28, 2019.

Qilai Shen | Bloomberg | Getty Images

The British government on Thursday told its departments to stop installing Chinese-linked surveillance cameras at sensitive buildings, citing security risks.

The decision comes after a review of “current and future possible security risks associated with the installation of visual surveillance systems on the government estate,” cabinet office minister Oliver Dowden said in a written statement to parliament.

“The review has concluded that, in light of the threat to the UK and the increasing capability and connectivity of these systems, additional controls are required,” Dowden said.

The British directive applies to cameras made by companies subject to Chinese security laws and includes guidance for departments to disconnect such devices from core computer networks and to consider removing them altogether.

It comes months after dozens of lawmakers called for a ban on the sale and use of security cameras made by Hikvision and Dahua, two partly state-owned Chinese firms, over privacy fears and concerns of the companies’ products being linked to human rights abuses in China.

Hikvision in a statement to Reuters denied the claims, saying the company will further seek to engage with British authorities to understand the decision.

“Hikvision cannot transmit data from end-users to third parties, we do not manage end-user databases, nor do we sell cloud storage in the UK,” a company spokesperson said.

The British office of Dahua did not immediately respond to emails from Reuters seeking comment.

The United States has slapped trade and usage restrictions for cameras made by Hikvision, Dahua and other Chinese firms.

A majority of British public bodies use surveillance cameras made by Hikvision or Dahua, privacy advocacy group Big Brother Watch said in July.

A number of government departments including the interior and business ministries have had Hikvision cameras visibly in use on the front of their buildings, the group had said.

Dowden’s statement said that following the…

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Apple ‘tight-lipped’ on security threat amid device hacking fears

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Major security flaws have been detected in Apple devices that could let hackers take complete control without users knowing.

Users are being urged to update their iPhones, iPads, Apple watches and Mac computers immediately over fears criminals may have already “exploited” the weaknesses.

The vulnerabilities could allow criminals to view a user’s location, read their messages, see their contacts and potentially even access the camera and microphone.

It is not the first time the tech giant has admitted to finding bugs within its operating system, having already issued five separate warnings so far this year.

Previous flaws have been exploited by spyware firms to target high-profile figures such as journalists and human rights activists across Europe and dozens of other countries.

Update your iPhone now.
Camera IconUpdate your iPhone now. Credit: Supplied – CNBC

However ordinary users have been encouraged to “stay calm” and protect themselves by installing the latest software update.

On Wednesday, Apple released security reports for two separate bugs that were flagged to the company by an “anonymous researcher”.

One was discovered within the “kernel”, which is at the core of the operating system that all devices have in common.

The other was found in “WebKit”, the key software that turns code into what we see on our screens.

Apple said it was aware both flaws “may have been actively exploited” – meaning an attacker may have already used them against one or more devices.

Experts warned it would give hackers “full admin access” to the device, allowing them to impersonate its owner and then run any software in their name.

Those in the public eye such as activists, politicians and journalists should act quicker due to previously becoming targets of nation-state spying.

Jake Moore, global cybersecurity advisor at ESET Internet Security, told MailOnline: “Attackers would be able to see your location, read messages, view contacts lists and potentially even access the microphone and camera.

“Everyone should err on the side of caution by updating their devices but those in the public eye such as activists, politicians and journalists should act quicker due to previously becoming targets of…

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