Notices by DuckDuckGo (duckduckgo@mirrored.social)

Firefox users: The latest browser update fixes extensions but may change your default search engine to Google. If that happens to you, you can re-install the DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials add-on from here: /en-US/firefox/addon/duckduckgo-for-firefox/

We're happy to see lawmakers working toward regulation, cracking down "on how big tech companies use & resell their customers' personal info."

@brinaylor explores why regulation is necessary & the discoveries that pushed lawmakers to act. https://www.npr.org/2019/03/13/702619020/targeting-online-privacy-congress-sets-a-new-tone-with-big-tech

Many apps like Holister, Expedia, & Air Canada use "session replay" to record screens to see how users interact, but @zackwhittaker found that this practice is rarely mentioned in privacy policies & can inadvertently expose sensitive data. https://techcrunch.com/2019/02/06/iphone-session-replay-screenshots/

Asking for user consent to overwhelming privacy policies is unjust. @nytimes calls for gov't regulation to protect people online.

"The avg person would have to spend 76 working days reading all of the digital privacy policies they agree to in a year." https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/02/opinion/internet-facebook-google-consent.html

A new study from @Stanford & @nyuniversity found that after a month w/out Facebook, subjects "improved their subjective wellbeing, increased the amount of time they spent doing offline activities, & led to a significant reduction of FB use post-study." https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/wjmddq/study-finds-that-leaving-facebook-makes-you-happier-and-less-informed

Using DNA testing companies creates "a real risk that this information could be used in ways that are harmful to the person who submitted their data for testing or even to their relatives."

@kevloria on how to delete your data from genetic databases. https://www.consumerreports.org/health-privacy/how-to-delete-genetic-data-from-23andme-ancrestry-other-sites/

RT @ashk4n
The intersection of privacy and competition policy is probably the most important technology policy issues of our decade. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/07/technology/germany-facebook-data.html