Consumer Protection – Purism https://puri.sm/ High-quality computers that protect your freedom and privacy Wed, 01 Oct 2025 18:29:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.28 https://puri.sm/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/cropped-purism-logo-rectangle-1-32x32.png Consumer Protection – Purism https://puri.sm/ 32 32 Who Owns Your Digital Self? https://puri.sm/posts/who-owns-your-digital-self/ Wed, 01 Oct 2025 14:52:09 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84608 The lawsuits now circling Apple are not just about stolen phones. They are about stolen selves—stolen data, stolen memories, stolen identities.

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]]> Safety Without Surveillance: Designing Digital Sovereignty for All Ages https://puri.sm/posts/safety-without-surveillance-designing-digital-sovereignty-for-all-ages/ Thu, 25 Sep 2025 14:41:11 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84574 In September, a single misconfiguration in Life360’s Android API turned a “family safety” app into a map of human lives exposed. More than 442,000 users had their precise GPS trails, names, and phone numbers dumped online by a threat actor known as Emo.

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]]> Secret Service Telecom Bust Exposes Cellular Weaknesses https://puri.sm/posts/secret-service-telecom-bust-exposes-cellular-weaknesses/ Tue, 23 Sep 2025 19:31:07 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84546 The Secret Service’s disruption of a massive SIM-server network near the U.N. is proof that the threats to our communications are real, organized, and capable of overwhelming public safety systems.

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]]> Purism Approach vs. Google Model https://puri.sm/posts/purism-approach-vs-google-model/ Tue, 23 Sep 2025 14:24:00 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84519 The Justice Department and a coalition of states are pursuing antitrust action against Google, accusing it of running monopolistic ad-tech systems that exploit users and lock out competition. Regulators are weighing remedies that could force structural changes to Google’s ad empire.

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]]> Freedom by Design: Why Purism Rejects Big IT Status Quo https://puri.sm/posts/freedom-by-design-why-purism-rejects-big-it-status-quo/ Fri, 19 Sep 2025 17:05:52 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84487 Three recent IT‑privacy headlines tell the same unsettling story: that consumer trust is being squandered

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]]> When “Efficiency” Becomes Exposure: How DOGE Put America’s Identity at Risk https://puri.sm/posts/when-efficiency-becomes-exposure-how-doge-put-americas-identity-at-risk/ Fri, 19 Sep 2025 17:03:10 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84476 Every American should be alarmed.  It was recently reported that a whistleblower from inside the Social Security Administration, Chief Data Officer Charles Borges, has revealed that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) copied a live, full-fidelity version of the nation’s Social Security database onto an Amazon-hosted cloud environment that allegedly lacked independent security oversight. This affects any American who’s ever filled out a Social Security form,

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]]> Spotify “Panama” Leak Is a Wake-Up Call for Digital Privacy https://puri.sm/posts/spotify-panama-leak-is-a-wake-up-call-for-digital-privacy/ Fri, 19 Sep 2025 17:00:10 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84360 The New York Times recently reported that a hacker using the pseudonym “Tim” scraped publicly available data from Spotify and published it on his own website. Using automated bots, “Tim” harvested user playlists — many of them tied to identifiable names, locations, and even personal notes in titles or descriptions.

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]]> When Technology Policy Defends Human Dignity https://puri.sm/posts/when-technology-policy-defends-human-dignity/ Thu, 18 Sep 2025 18:36:39 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84366 In late August, Italy took a decisive step to protect women from one of the most insidious forms of online abuse: the non‑consensual sharing of intimate or misappropriated images. After years of complaints, activism, and public outrage, a notorious website — home to thousands of stolen photos of women, from ordinary citizens to public figures — was forced offline following a wave of legal and political pressure.

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]]> The NYPD’s $3B “Domain Awareness System” isn’t just a New York problem—it’s a warning for every American https://puri.sm/posts/the-nypds-3b-domain-awareness-system-isnt-just-a-new-york-problem-its-a-warning-for-every-american/ Thu, 18 Sep 2025 17:48:28 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84454 In her September 15, 2025, New York Times opinion piece, Elizabeth Daniel Vasquez lays bare a reality too many Americans have ignored: the New York Police Department has quietly built one of the most expansive, integrated surveillance systems in the nation’s history.

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]]> Living in the Regulatory Future: Purism, the EU Data Act, and America’s Patchwork Privacy Laws https://puri.sm/posts/living-in-the-regulatory-future-purism-the-eu-data-act-and-americas-patchwork-privacy-laws/ Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:55:30 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84425 Recently, the EU Data Act was officially enacted — and with it, a new era of enforceable digital rights. Where the GDPR set the policy framework, the Data Act demands proof: verifiable, auditable systems that deliver true data portability, secure interoperability, and privacy‑by‑design across sectors.

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]]> Google Mishandling School Children’s Data https://puri.sm/posts/google-mishandling-school-childrens-data/ Fri, 12 Sep 2025 18:31:21 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84364 When Google agreed to pay $30 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over its unauthorized collection of children’s data on YouTube, it wasn’t a revelation—it was a confirmation. A confirmation that Google’s public posture of compliance often masks a deeper, more calculated strategy: delayed monetization through long-tail data mining.

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]]> Invisible Dependencies, Visible Damage: The Case for Supply Chain Hygiene https://puri.sm/posts/invisible-dependencies-visible-damage-the-case-for-supply-chain-hygiene/ Fri, 12 Sep 2025 09:13:20 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84291 On September 8th, Check Point Research confirmed what many of us in the privacy and security trenches have been warning about for years: the weakest link in your security posture may not be your systems at all — it may be the invisible web of third-party integrations you’ve tacitly approved, often without full visibility into their downstream dependencies.

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]]> From Typhoon to Action: A Purism Playbook for Hardening Your Defenses https://puri.sm/posts/from-typhoon-to-action-a-purism-playbook-for-hardening-your-defenses/ Thu, 11 Sep 2025 12:00:17 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84293 When the FBI, CISA, and NSA release joint advisories, it’s not theory — it’s reality. The latest warnings about Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon should be read as a weather alert: the storm isn’t “out there,” it’s already in progress. These campaigns target infrastructure, communications, and supply chains with patience and persistence.

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]]> Apple’s Latest iPhone: Sleeker Walls, Same Garden https://puri.sm/posts/apples-latest-iphone-sleeker-walls-same-garden/ Wed, 10 Sep 2025 17:43:14 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84301 Yesterday, Apple unveiled the latest iPhone lineup adding an iPhone Air — described by them as their thinnest, lightest yet. The headlines were predictable fanfare while missing the larger points.

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]]> California’s New Privacy Rules Are a National Signal https://puri.sm/posts/californias-new-privacy-rules-are-a-national-signal/ Sun, 07 Sep 2025 19:21:41 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84134 California’s New Privacy Rules Are a National Signal The California Privacy Protection Agency’s latest regulations redraw the playing field. This is the first set of rules in the U.S. to require: Annual, independent cybersecurity audits for high-risk businesses Comprehensive risk assessments for key data processing activities Bias and privacy impact reviews for automated decision-making systems […]

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]]> Google’s New Sideloading Restrictions: Why Purism Thinks Differently https://puri.sm/posts/googles-new-sideloading-restrictions-why-purism-thinks-differently/ Thu, 28 Aug 2025 21:52:46 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84185 Google’s New Sideloading Restrictions: Why Purism Thinks Differently Google is introducing a new developer verification system claiming to increase security and combat malware (in the name of controlling users).  Google’s “security” push is a double-edged sword. It may help fight a certain type of malware. But it also reminds us all that Android’s identity is […]

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]]> A Privacy Shield in the Wake of AT&T Data Breaches https://puri.sm/posts/a-privacy-shield-in-the-wake-of-att-data-breaches/ Tue, 26 Aug 2025 19:55:51 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84140 Purism AweSIM: A Privacy Shield in the Wake of AT&T Data Breaches AT&T was found liable to pay customers an estimated $177M to resolve multiple lawsuits stemming from two separate data breaches – March 30 and July 12, 2024. Both breaches exposed huge amounts of Personal Identifiable Information (PII) to the public. These two breaches […]

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]]> FTC Issues Letters to Big Tech: No Back Doors https://puri.sm/posts/ftc-issues-letters-to-big-tech-no-back-doors/ Mon, 25 Aug 2025 21:07:47 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84107 FTC to Big Tech: No Back Doors — Purism Was Already There Protecting against Jurisdictional Arbitrage When the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) makes a determined move like this, it’s not a casual policy tweak — it’s a line drawn in permanent ink. On August 21, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson sent formal notices to over a […]

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]]> AI, Big Tech, and the Fight for Digital Freedom: Purism’s Role https://puri.sm/posts/ai-big-tech-and-the-fight-for-digital-freedom-purisms-role/ Wed, 13 Aug 2025 01:45:12 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84006 We are living through a pivotal moment in the digital age—one where artificial intelligence and corporate consolidation are colliding with the fundamental rights of individuals. AI is no longer just a tool for innovation; it’s become the engine behind mass surveillance, behavioral profiling, and algorithmic manipulation. And the companies driving this transformation—Amazon, Apple, Meta, Google—are not just shaping technology. They’re shaping society.

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]]> Instagram’s Mapping Feature: A Privacy Wake-Up Call https://puri.sm/posts/instagrams-mapping-feature-a-privacy-wake-up-call/ Wed, 13 Aug 2025 01:38:59 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=84003 Instagram’s latest update introduces a mapping feature that quietly turns your location into a public breadcrumb trail. While it may seem like a harmless way to tag your favorite coffee shop or scenic overlook, the reality is more insidious: this feature keeps your location sharing always-on by default. That means every time you post, you’re potentially broadcasting your whereabouts—not just to friends, but to advertisers, data brokers, and anyone else watching. It’s a textbook example of how convenience is weaponized against privacy.

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]]> Ethics over Exploits – Use PureOS over Android/iOS https://puri.sm/posts/ethics-over-exploits-use-pureos-over-android-ios/ Wed, 06 Aug 2025 22:07:12 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=83951 As Purism has been saying for years, the battleground for digital privacy has shifted squarely into our pockets in the form of smartphones. Mobile devices are now (more than ever) the prime targets for sophisticated cyber threats, having a duopoly with centralized control from two vendors; Apple and Google; the problem gets exacerbated.

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]]> Fairness Isn’t Just a Feature—It’s the Future https://puri.sm/posts/fairness-isnt-just-a-feature-its-the-future/ Wed, 06 Aug 2025 14:48:03 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=83942 The European Union is making bold moves to reshape the digital landscape—and if you're a consumer, developer, or platform operator, you’ll want to pay attention. Two major regulatory shifts are now underway: the proposed Digital Fairness Act and the activation of key provisions in the EU AI Act. Together, they signal a new era of transparency, accountability, and ethical design in the digital economy.

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]]> AI Puts Your Personal Privacy at Risk https://puri.sm/posts/ai-puts-your-personal-privacy-at-risk/ Wed, 30 Jul 2025 16:44:20 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=83733 The proliferation of AI models across consumer platforms has ushered in a new era of convenience—but it’s also accelerated the erosion of personal privacy.
Large language models (LLMs) are trained on staggering volumes of data, including publicly available content and, in some cases, personally identifiable information (PII). That means sensitive metadata—everything from search history and location trails to voice recordings and biometric markers—can be folded into systems that behave like omniscient assistants, but without full user transparency or consent. In the monolithic culture of big tech, “innovation” often comes at the cost of ethical boundaries.

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]]> Hidden Operating Systems in Chips vs. Secure, Auditable OSes: A Cybersecurity Comparison https://puri.sm/posts/hidden-operating-systems-in-chips-vs-secure-auditable-oses-a-cybersecurity-comparison/ Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:18:36 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=83347 The Threat Beneath: The Invisible Operating Systems Inside Your Devices Beneath the surface of nearly every modern computer lies a hidden threat—one most users never see or control. Today’s Intel and AMD processors ship with embedded subsystems like the Intel Management Engine (ME) and AMD’s Platform Security Processor (PSP)—proprietary, low-level firmware environments that operate outside and below your main operating system.

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]]> Privacy on Trial: Meta’s DOJ Battle vs. Purism’s User-Centric Philosophy https://puri.sm/posts/privacy-on-trial-metas-doj-battle-vs-purisms-user-centric-philosophy/ Tue, 29 Apr 2025 20:12:46 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=83000 The Department of Justice's (DOJ) current lawsuit against Meta spotlights a crucial discourse in the tech world, highlighting the fundamental right to privacy in the digital age.

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]]> The Importance of Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) https://puri.sm/posts/the-importance-of-software-bill-of-materials-sbom/ Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:02:56 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=82807 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been at the forefront of enhancing software supply chain security through its Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) initiatives. The SBOM is a comprehensive inventory of all components, libraries, and dependencies used in software development. This transparency is crucial for identifying potential vulnerabilities and mitigating risks associated with software supply chains.

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]]> Freedom of Choice vs. Oppression of Big Tech https://puri.sm/posts/freedom-of-choice-vs-oppression-of-big-tech/ Wed, 06 Nov 2024 17:13:31 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=82572 The modern smartphone landscape is dominated by a handful of technology giants, whose influence extends far beyond their own ecosystems. Unlike in the heyday of the PC revolution where multiple companies fought tooth and nail for market share by differentiating on feature functionality as well as price – offering a plethora of alternatives – today’s smartphone landscape is dominated by two main players: Apple’s IOS and Google’s Android.

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]]> Smartphones Leaking Data https://puri.sm/posts/smartphones-leaking-data/ Wed, 18 Sep 2024 19:45:36 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=82417 When you use smartphones from big tech companies, you’re often trading your privacy for convenience. These devices are designed to collect vast amounts of data about you, from your location to your browsing habits, and even your conversations. This data is then used to build detailed profiles that are sold to advertisers, used to exploit you, and even handed over to government agencies without your knowledge nor consent.

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]]> SXSW 2024 Day 5- AI And Privacy In The News, So I Thought? https://puri.sm/posts/sxsw-2024-day-5-ai-and-privacy-in-the-news-so-i-thought/ Wed, 13 Mar 2024 17:35:44 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=81526 I attended a session titled “AI and Privacy” yesterday and was under the impression that the discussion was going to be about AI the threat to privacy. Although the subject matter was addressed by the panel somewhat, the discussion seemed to be more focused on how an alarm company partnered with Google protects their alarm […]

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]]> Missing from Privacy Legislation- The Abolishment of Surveillance Capitalism (Predatory & Harmful Surveillance Business Practices)! https://puri.sm/posts/missing-from-privacy-legislation-the-abolishment-of-surveillance-capitalism-predatory-harmful-surveillance-business-practices/ Wed, 07 Feb 2024 14:25:35 +0000 https://puri.sm/?p=81449 Surveillance capitalism is predatory data mining typically via addictive and harmful sites and applications with social validation feedback loops/intermittent variable rewards along with manipulative targeted advertising based on one’s personal identity and gathered preferences. I am a former app/platform developer, and I have been an advisor to numerous lawmakers regarding tech congressional hearings dating back […]

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