Your telco might be charging you to share your data with Google
Uh…sure looks like it, anyway. The ACCC is taking a look at claims Google is harvesting data from Android phones, and that users are actually funding the process. Oracle, who made the claims in a presentation to the ACCC’s digital platforms inquiry, thinks it could be as much as a gigabyte per device, every month.
As The Register reports though, there’s no love lost between tech giants Oracle and Google who recently ended a long-running legal stoush over Google’s use of Java in Android. So what’s really driving the ACCC presentation and ‘serendipitous’ leak to News Limited? We’ll have to wait to find out.
THE TAKEAWAY:
“According to the Oracle presentation to the ACCC, Android devices send detailed information on searches and what is being viewed. But they can also send precise locations even if location services are turned off, and they do not have a Sim card or apps installed.”
Research: Australians are aware of data sharing practices but want greater control
That’s according to a new survey from the Association for Data-Driven Marketing. The catch? We want something for it. The survey shows 60% of Australians are more aware of how their data is used, but only 34% say they get a better service for the information they give. On the other hand, we also say we only want companies collecting essential data – and we’re not reading privacy policies, either.It’s clear that businesses need to simplify privacy policies to support consumer trust and transparency.
THE TAKEAWAY:
“Australians see the idea of data as a personal asset that can be traded as an appealing concept and 77% would prefer to hold their own data and exchange it when they choose.”
“According to international research, it would take the average person 244 hours per year (six working weeks) to read all privacy policies that apply to them.”
Finally! MyHealth record details revealed…
The Government has released a bunch of information about how you can opt out of your health data being used for secondary services, after two years in the making. Bottom line: your data can’t be used for commercial or non-health purposes.
THE TAKEAWAY:
“The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) will be responsible for “manag[ing] and releas[ing] datasets for the My Health Record Secondary Use of Data Governance Board.”
Facebook is suspending apps after Cambridge fallout
Deleting them, that is. After the Cambridge Analytica scandal the social network is cutting over 200 apps from the platform. But it’s not all good news: a new report claims data scraped by CA was available for anyone to download for several years. This whole thing isn’t over yet.
THE TAKEAWAY:
“There is a lot more work to be done to find all the apps that may have misused people’s Facebook data – and it will take time. We are investing heavily to make sure this investigation is as thorough and timely as possible.”
The open banking plan is getting applause
…from banks and fintechs. Crazy, hey? All the major banks have to make data available by 1 July 2019, and they’re happy about it: banks and fintechs say it will make it easier to compete with new products. One catch: they don’t want speed over safety.
Who can blame them? All the recent worldwide data breaches and regulation mean they want to get this done right.
THE TAKEAWAY:
“Westpac Banking Corp chief executive Brian Hartzer said open banking is an opportunity for the major banks to create better services for customers, but he said its rules must be designed carefully to avoid unintended consequences.”
Until next week,
Team Data Republic