The rumours about #Windows12 are super worrying for everyone who cares about #freedom and #dataprotection in private as well as professional use:

https://www.pcmag.com/news/ive-been-following-windows-12-rumors-whats-next-for-microsofts-os

Especially the expected increase in inbuilt #AI features and even more integration of software with the #cloud are problematic if you're handling sensitive information such as student exams, research data and financial information daily. It's high time that public institutions including #highereducation consider alternatives!

"Members of the Department of Government Efficiency uploaded a copy of a crucial Social Security database in June to a vulnerable cloud server, putting the personal information of hundreds of millions of Americans at risk of being leaked or hacked, according to a whistle-blower complaint filed by the Social Security Administration’s chief data officer.

The database contains records of all Social Security numbers issued by the federal government. It includes individuals’ full names, addresses and birth dates, among other details that could be used to steal their identities, making it one of the nation’s most sensitive repositories of personal information.

The account by the whistle-blower, Charles Borges, underscores concerns that have led to lawsuits seeking to block young software engineers at the agency built by Elon Musk from having access to confidential government data. In his complaint, Mr. Borges said DOGE members copied the data to an internal agency server that only DOGE could access, forgoing the type of “independent security monitoring” normally required under agency policy for such sensitive data and creating “enormous vulnerabilities.”

Mr. Borges did not indicate that the database had been breached or used inappropriately.

But his disclosure stated that as of late June, “no verified audit or oversight mechanisms” existed to monitor what DOGE was using the data for or whether it was being shared outside the agency."

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/us/politics/doge-social-security-data.html

#USA#Trump#DOGE#Musk#SocialSecurity#Privacy#CyberSecurity#DataProtection

"Members of the Department of Government Efficiency uploaded a copy of a crucial Social Security database in June to a vulnerable cloud server, putting the personal information of hundreds of millions of Americans at risk of being leaked or hacked, according to a whistle-blower complaint filed by the Social Security Administration’s chief data officer.

The database contains records of all Social Security numbers issued by the federal government. It includes individuals’ full names, addresses and birth dates, among other details that could be used to steal their identities, making it one of the nation’s most sensitive repositories of personal information.

The account by the whistle-blower, Charles Borges, underscores concerns that have led to lawsuits seeking to block young software engineers at the agency built by Elon Musk from having access to confidential government data. In his complaint, Mr. Borges said DOGE members copied the data to an internal agency server that only DOGE could access, forgoing the type of “independent security monitoring” normally required under agency policy for such sensitive data and creating “enormous vulnerabilities.”

Mr. Borges did not indicate that the database had been breached or used inappropriately.

But his disclosure stated that as of late June, “no verified audit or oversight mechanisms” existed to monitor what DOGE was using the data for or whether it was being shared outside the agency."

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/us/politics/doge-social-security-data.html

#USA#Trump#DOGE#Musk#SocialSecurity#Privacy#CyberSecurity#DataProtection

The rumours about #Windows12 are super worrying for everyone who cares about #freedom and #dataprotection in private as well as professional use:

https://www.pcmag.com/news/ive-been-following-windows-12-rumors-whats-next-for-microsofts-os

Especially the expected increase in inbuilt #AI features and even more integration of software with the #cloud are problematic if you're handling sensitive information such as student exams, research data and financial information daily. It's high time that public institutions including #highereducation consider alternatives!

🚨 Privacy Alert: The University of Melbourne was found to have illegally used Wi-Fi location data to track students during 2024 protests, violating privacy laws. Wi-Fi tracking was ruled an invasion of privacy due to lack of transparency. CCTV use was deemed lawful. More on data rights 🛡️📶 #Privacy#DataProtection#UniMelbhttps://www.heise.de/en/news/Data-protection-Melbourne-University-not-allowed-to-track-protesters-via-Wi-Fi-10613966.html
#newz

🚨 Privacy Alert: The University of Melbourne was found to have illegally used Wi-Fi location data to track students during 2024 protests, violating privacy laws. Wi-Fi tracking was ruled an invasion of privacy due to lack of transparency. CCTV use was deemed lawful. More on data rights 🛡️📶 #Privacy#DataProtection#UniMelbhttps://www.heise.de/en/news/Data-protection-Melbourne-University-not-allowed-to-track-protesters-via-Wi-Fi-10613966.html
#newz