Videoconferencing services should store only the data needed to “deliver the service,” Consumer Reports recommended Friday (see 2004090019). This would mean limiting how data is shared with third parties and restricting data storage to what's used for improving products, the organization said. CR recommended companies turn on by default the “most secure settings” for users. It said Zoom isn't the only such service with privacy issues. CR also examined privacy policies of Cisco’s Webex, Microsoft’s Skype and Teams and Google’s Meet, Duo and Hangouts.
Josh.ai received $11 million in Series A funding to be used to expand its team, distribution and hardware and software offerings “with a focus on privacy,” said the company Thursday. The Josh.ai system allows clients to choose to store data locally for a period of time to assist in learning, or not to store commands at all, it said.
The FCC seeks comment on how to curb one-ring scams in Tuesday's Daily Digest. The NPRM asked how the FCC "can work effectively with federal, state, and foreign law enforcement and other government agencies to combat one-ring scams." It wants to know how to help consumers avoid the scams, how to encourage voice service providers to block the calls, how to work with entities that provide call-blocking services, and what obligations international gateway providers should have. The FCC wants commenters to consider suggestions' cost-effectiveness. The item in docket 20-93 was in the notice of inquiry stage when it circulated earlier this month (see 2004100054). "That’s hardly moving with the urgency that a growing scam like this requires," Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said. "So I am pleased that my colleagues agreed to my request to fast track this effort and turn it into" an NPRM. Commissioner Geoffrey Starks also issued a statement of support.
Entercom said its expanded relationship with Sonos via Sonos Radio will "soon" allow Sonos users to find its Radio.com stations such as WINS(AM) New York, KROQ(FM) Pasadena and WFAN(AM-FM) New York by entering a ZIP code or searching for stations by name. Access to Radio.com stations will be free as part of Sonos’ curated local radio offerings, it said Thursday. This month, Sonos updated its data and privacy policy for users as part of the Sonos Radio add to its feature set. It’s collaborating with music services to make sure listeners have access to favorite playlists and can discover new artists, it said, or get “high responsive customer support when something goes wrong.” Sonos collects data only “for clearly defined purposes,” it said, adding, “We do not and will not sell your personal data to third parties.” For users who elect to use Sonos Radio, the company will share “pseudonymized and anonymized data” with third-party advertising companies to present, via Sonos Products, “interest-based ads for features, products, and services that might be of interest to you.” It shares with advertisers location, language and genre of the station listened to, “which is not based on your overall listening history.” Sonos will share anonymous information with advertisers that describes the overall listening audience in general, it said. “We may also share limited location information (i.e. an IP address and anonymized ID) with some of our third party radio content partners who may run ads on their stations,” it said. Sonos doesn't use information that personally identifies users to present interest-based ads, it said. The company didn't comment.
The Consumer Bankers Association told the FCC the need for action is growing on its March petition seeking clarification that banks, credit unions and financial service providers can use automatic telephone dialing systems, prerecorded messages and artificial voice for COVID-19 calls (see 2004060009). The filing was posted Monday in docket 02-278.
FCC rules requiring originating and terminating voice service providers implement the secure telephone identity revisited (Stir) and secure handling of asserted information using tokens (Shaken) caller ID authentication framework in the IP portions of their networks by June 30 take effect May 21, says Tuesday's Federal Register. Commissioners approved rules electronically before their meeting last month (see 2003310067). For an accompanying NPRM on further changes to the rules, comments are due May 15, replies May 29. Dockets include 20-67.
A "yes" response to a query in the new FCC reassigned numbers database means the phone number exists in the database as a permanent disconnect, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau said in a public notice in Friday's Daily Digest. Callers who dial such numbers won't be eligible for safe harbor. A "no" response means callers may be eligible. "No data" responses don't offer such shelter.
Tech-assisted contact tracing apps pose privacy, civil rights and civil liberties risks, the American Civil Liberties Union said Thursday, outlining principles for government and industry (see 2004100037). The ACLU requested the Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention release records concerning conversations with the “tech industry and plans for using location tracking technology to address the COVID-19 crisis.” The organization recommended apps be voluntary and that companies store data on “an individual’s device rather than in a centralized repository.” It backed use limitations, data minimization, data deletion and transparency, and opposed “mission creep,” meaning the tracking shouldn’t continue after COVID-19.
Citing logistical issues due to the pandemic, Dish Network asked the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for an extra 30 days to petition for rehearing and rehearing en banc of the appellate court's decision in the company's appeal of a $280 million lower court verdict against it for Telephone Consumer Protection Act violations, in a docket 17-3111 motion (in Pacer) Tuesday. The deadline would be June 10. The 7th Circuit decision by Judges Frank Easterbrook, Michael Kanne and Michael Brennan, penned by Easterbrook, affirmed the lower court's verdict against Dish except for its holding that dish was liable for "substantially assisting" order-entry retailer Star Satellite. That judgment and Star Satellite's measure of damages was vacated and that portion of the case was remanded for further proceedings.
The Scripps Research Institute and Stanford Medicine are working with Fitbit, using the wearable maker’s data to help detect, track and contain infectious diseases like COVID-19, said the company Tuesday. They are inviting other institutions to join the effort and share learning with researchers. Early evidence shows wearables can help predict the onset of an infectious disease like the flu before symptoms start, Fitbit said, and the consortium's goal is "to unlock similar potential via leading research institutions in response to COVID-19." Scripps recently launched an app-based research program to analyze participants’ wearable health data to detect the emergence of the flu, coronavirus and other fast-spreading viral illnesses.