Hashtag Trending – Concerns over Instagram, Facebook, Apple confirm malware attack, and California to ban weak passwords

Concerns rise over Instagram’s latest testing of a new location tracking feature, Facebook and Apple confirm they got hit with a software attack, and California aims to ban weak passwords in 2020.

Hashtag Trending on Amazon Alexa Google Podcasts badge - 200 px wide

On Reddit – Weeks after Instagram’s co-founders resigned from the company thanks to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s handling of the service, it turns out Instagram is testing a feature that would allow it to share your location data with Facebook – even when you’re not using the app. TechCrunch reports the new privacy setting would help Facebook target you with ads and recommend you relevant content. A Facebook spokesperson has confirmed that the location settings have not been updated, and that if any changes are made, people will know about it.

Trending on Flipboard on the heels of of a bombshell report about a Chinese supply-chain attack on Apple and Amazon through the server manufacturer Supermicro, a second story suggests bad actors also infiltrated Apple and Facebook with malware. Facebook says that it was made aware of servers with compromised firmware in 2015 on a select number of Supermicro hardware, but that it didn’t affect users. Apple, which also strongly denied Bloomberg’s reporting about malicious chips in its data centres, followed up by saying it discovered malware on a single server in 2016.

And lastly, also on Reddit – The state of California has passed a law that demands all net-connected gadgets be given a unique password when it’s made. The Information Privacy: Connected Devices bill requires that electronics manufacturers equip their products with “reasonable” security features, such as a unique password or a start-up procedure that forces users to create their own code. The bill also lets customers sue for damages when a company ignores the law.

Would you recommend this article?

Share

Thanks for taking the time to let us know what you think of this article!
We'd love to hear your opinion about this or any other story you read in our publication.


Jim Love, Chief Content Officer, IT World Canada

Featured Download

Alex Coop
Alex Coophttp://www.itwc.ca
Former Editorial Director for IT World Canada and its sister publications.

Featured Articles

Cybersecurity in 2024: Priorities and challenges for Canadian organizations 

By Derek Manky As predictions for 2024 point to the continued expansion...

Survey shows generative AI is a top priority for Canadian corporate leaders.

Leaders are devoting significant budget to generative AI for 2024 Canadian corporate...

Related Tech News

Tech Jobs

Our experienced team of journalists and bloggers bring you engaging in-depth interviews, videos and content targeted to IT professionals and line-of-business executives.

Tech Companies Hiring Right Now