ban
Russia blocks FaceTime and Snapchat for alleged use by terrorists
Russian telecommunications watchdog Roskomnadzor has blocked access to Apple’s FaceTime video conferencing platform and the Snapchat instant messaging service, claiming they’re being used to coordinate terrorist attacks. Roskomnadzor said that the two platforms are also being used to recruit criminals and to commit fraud and various other crimes targeting Russian citizens. “According to law enforcement […]
Russia blocks Roblox over distribution of LGBT “propaganda”
Roskomnadzor, Russia’s telecommunications watchdog, has blocked access to the Roblox online gaming platform for failing to stop the distribution of what it described as LGBT propaganda and extremist materials. “Roskomnadzor has restricted access to the American Internet service Roblox in connection with the revealed facts of mass and repeated dissemination of materials with propaganda and […]
Hikvision Canada ordered to cease operations over security risks
The Canadian government has ordered Hikvision’s subsidiary in the country to cease all operations following a review that determined them to pose a national security risk. The order was forwarded to Hikvision last Friday, and the matter was made public over the weekend by Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “Following a National […]
US House bans WhatsApp on staff devices over security concerns
The U.S. House of Representatives has banned the installation and use of WhatsApp on government-issued devices belonging to congressional staff, citing concerns over how the app encrypts and secures data. The ban covers mobile phones, laptops, desktop computers, and any web browsers used on those devices. Congressional staff are still free to use WhatsApp on […]
Australia bans all Kaspersky products on government systems
The Australian government has banned all Kaspersky Lab products and web services from its systems and devices following an analysis that claims the company poses a significant security risk to the country. “After considering threat and risk analysis, I have determined that the use of Kaspersky Lab, Inc. products and web services by Australian Government […]
TikTok shuts down in the US as Trump throws the company a lifeline
TikTok shut down in the U.S. late Saturday night following the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the law that banned the company over national security concerns. However, the ban may be shortlived as Trump announced today that he would issue an executive order when he takes office on Monday to give TikTok an additional 90 […]
US considers banning TP-Link routers over cybersecurity risks
The U.S. government is considering banning TP-Link routers starting next year if ongoing investigations find that their use in cyberattacks poses a national security risk. According to a Wall Street Journal report, the U.S. Departments of Justice, Commerce, and Defense are looking into the issue, with at least one Commerce Department office having already subpoenaed the […]
Russia blocks Viber in latest attempt to censor communications
Russian telecommunications watchdog Roskomnadzor has blocked the Viber encrypted messaging app, used by hundreds of millions worldwide, for violating the country’s legislation. “Access to the Viber service is restricted due to the violation of the requirements of Russian legislation for organizers of information dissemination,” Russia’s internet regulator said in a press statement. “Compliance with the […]
FTC bans data brokers from selling Americans’ sensitive location data
Today, the FTC banned data brokers Mobilewalla and Gravy Analytics from harvesting and selling Americans’ location tracking data linked to sensitive locations, like churches, healthcare facilities, military installations, and schools. The FTC says Mobilewalla and Gravy Analytics unlawfully collected and sold location data collected from consumers, including data linked to their visits to places of worship and health-related locations. […]
Russia blocks Signal for ‘violating’ anti-terrorism laws
Russia’s telecommunications watchdog Roskomnadzor has restricted access to the Signal encrypted messaging service for what it describes as violations of Russian anti-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation. “User access to the messenger Signal is restricted due to violations of the requirements of the Russian legislation whose fulfillment is necessary to prevent the use of the messenger for […]