Intel’s Testing of China-Linked Chipmaking Tools Raises U.S. National Security Concerns 
noyb Files GDPR Complaints Against TikTok, Grindr, and AppsFlyer Over Alleged Illegal Data Tracking. 
Trump Administration Reviews Nvidia H200 Chip Sales to China, Marking Major Shift in U.S. AI Export Policy 
Jared Isaacman Confirmed as NASA Administrator, Becomes 15th Leader of U.S. Space Agency 
SUPERFORTUNE Launches AI-Powered Mobile App, Expanding Beyond Web3 Into $392 Billion Metaphysics Market 
Apple Explores India for iPhone Chip Assembly as Manufacturing Push Accelerates 
SpaceX Edges Toward Landmark IPO as Elon Musk Confirms Plans 
SoftBank Shares Slide as Oracle’s AI Spending Plans Fuel Market Jitters 
SpaceX Insider Share Sale Values Company Near $800 Billion Amid IPO Speculation 
Republicans Raise National Security Concerns Over Intel’s Testing of China-Linked Chipmaking Tools 
Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban Sparks Global Debate and Early Challenges 
Amazon in Talks to Invest $10 Billion in OpenAI as AI Firm Eyes $1 Trillion IPO Valuation 
MetaX IPO Soars as China’s AI Chip Stocks Ignite Investor Frenzy 
Apple App Store Injunction Largely Upheld as Appeals Court Rules on Epic Games Case 
Oracle Stock Slides After Blue Owl Exit Report, Company Says Michigan Data Center Talks Remain on Track 
Tech companies like Facebook and Google have been forced to revise their privacy policies in order to comply with the new laws put down by the EU. However, a new report suggests that these companies are now trying to trick users into giving up their private data instead. In some examples, the option to refuse certain features are intentionally hidden so that users are just forced to agree.
The report came via the Norwegian Consumer Council, which cites a study that looked into the matter. Titled “Deceived By Design,” it highlights the tactics used by tech companies to manipulate users into giving up their private information. Suffice it to say, calling such methods underhanded wouldn’t be a stretch.
“The findings include privacy intrusive default settings, misleading wording, giving users an illusion of control, hiding away privacy-friendly choices, take-it-or-leave-it choices, and choice architectures where choosing the privacy-friendly option requires more effort for the users,” the report reads.
In other words, tech giants are now using blunt force in order to gain the data they need from users to keep making money. Whereas they were employing tactics that were more about stealth previously, the EU’s new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) forced a change of strategy. The result is an in-your-face approach where users are more directly deceived or downright pressured.
As noted by Fortune, such tactics are not new. Many instances of tech companies using manipulative methods have been observed before. One example is how Facebook’s facial recognition feature makes it quite difficult to refuse the option of having the faces of users scanned. Whereas the option to agree is highlighted as a bright blue box, the option to refuse involves fiddling with the “manage data settings.”
In response to these complaints, tech companies can only say that their methods are in compliance with the laws. Sadly, this might be the only thing they need to point out in order to get away with such tactics.
