hatingfedizen

Signal registration without a phone number now available in Android beta (but payment required!) Signal has started rolling out Signal Login, an optional registration method that allows users to create a Signal account without providing a phone number. The feature will be rolled out first on Android and will come to iOS later. As we previously reported, Signal Login is not a free alternative registration method. Signal requires users who choose to register without a phone number to make a one-time payment. The price at launch is $2.99 / € 3.49, although this may vary by region and currency.

Next Tuesday, a dirty deal on #ChatControl 2.0 looms, allowing PERMANENT mass scanning of our private chats (so-called #SearchPlans). digitalcourage.social/…/117331480393548354

EU Member States plan “digital expropriation” of Europeans in the interest of AI companies cross-posted from: lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/75822925 In a leaked document, the Irish Presidency proposes to EU Member States that the interest of OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta and SpaceX to make profits should take precedence over the fundamental right to data protection. Use of personal data “in the context of AI” should automatically be lawful. There seems to be wide informal agreement by many Member States. In particular, Big Tech would be able to use all personal data collected over the past decades with virtually no restrictions, as long as this happens “in the context” of AI. Schrems: “Under these proposals, the profits of AI companies would trump European’s fundamental right to privacy. This is nothing but a digital expropriation of Europeans.” All this is happening despite the key figures of AI corporations actively warn about the enormous risks associated with their own products.

EU Commission still seeking controversial police agreement with Israel, despite warnings - Statewatch cross-posted from: lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/74883380 In 2022, negotiations on a police agreement between the European Union and the Israeli government reportedly came to a halt over concerns related to Israel’s occupation of Palestine.1 Yet, an investigation by Statewatch shows discussions have continued—and involve a standoff between the European Commission and the Council of the European Union. Statewatch has learned that not only could the agreement be in breach of international law, but that the Commission kept negotiating even during the ongoing genocide against the Palestinians. If adopted, the deal may allow for the exchange of sensitive personal data between the EU and Israel, which could be used in occupied territories. Experts warn this could lead to state-sanctioned human rights violations against both Palestinians and Israelis. Drawing on leaked documents and internal files, Statewatch has reconstructed what led to the standoff between the European governing bodies, what has happened since, and what the proposed agreement entails.

They have been trying for years, and the last EU elections really shifted the whole congress towards the right. With EPP having so much power, it will really be difficult to defend any kind of rights against Big Tech or any corporation rich enough to shower them in lobby money.