Italy is the latest country to warn over the use of Google Analytics, when collecting personal data on website/app visitors and users.

Google Analytics can be configured to collect both personalised and anonymous data. When collecting personal data, this is subject to the UK GDPR in the UK (and the GDPR in the EU). The key issue is the transfer of this data to the US for processing, where the core of the Google Analytics platform is based. The US does not have sufficient safeguarding laws in place to protect the transfer, storage, and processing of this data under the GDPR.

This latest finding by the Italian data protection authority (Garante) follows similar complaints and warnings from France in February and Austria in January. The Garante found that use of Google Analytics resulted in the collection of many types of user data, including device IP address, browser information, OS, screen resolution, language selection, etc – which were transferred to the US without adequate supplementary measures being applied to raise the level of protection to the necessary legal standard.

Italy’s DPA has given the publisher of the particular website in this case 90 days to fix the compliance violation. The decision has a wider significance, in that other national websites that use Google Analytics should take note and check their own compliance, writing in a press release the Garante said:

“The Authority draws the attention of all Italian managers of websites, public and private, to the illegality of transfers made to the United States through GA [Google Analytics], also in consideration of the numerous reports and questions that are being received by the Office, and invites all data controllers to verify the compliance of the methods of use of cookies and other tracking tools used on its websites, with particular attention to Google Analytics and other similar services, with the legislation on the protection of personal data.” (translated from Italian).

Google has a detailed explanation of the privacy controls available in Google Analytics here.

China has allegedly had the details of one billion residents leaked, in what could be the biggest personal data hack ever.

Unknown hackers claim to have obtained nearly 24 terabytes of data from a Shanghai police database, claiming it contains information on one billion people and “several billion case records”. The data leaked is said to be of all ages, including children’s personal information. The data include names, addresses, birthplace, national ID numbers, phone numbers, and crime and case details. The hackers offered to sell the data for around $200,000 (~£160,000) worth of Bitcoin on an online hacking forum.

The scale of the alleged leak has shocked the Chinese security community, triggering speculation about the credibility of the claim and how it could have taken place. Zhao Changpeng, founder and Chief Executive Officer of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, tweeted on Monday the company had detected the breach of a billion resident records “from one Asian country,” and had since increased verification procedures for potentially affected users.

Shanghai authorities have not publicly responded to the alleged hack. Domestic breaches are rarely disclosed because of a lack of transparent reporting mechanisms. In 2016, personal information on dozens of Communist Party officials and industry figures from Jack Ma to Wang Jianlin was said to have been exposed on Twitter – one of the country’s biggest online leaks of sensitive information at the time. This latest incident again highlights the challenges facing Beijing as it collects data on hundreds of millions of people while tightening national policing of online content.

The UK government recently announced a Data Reform Bill which considers reducing data protection and privacy rules.

Changes would be made to the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), which came into force following Brexit as a continuation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – which was implemented across Europe in May 2018.

The new UK bill proposes to reduce compliance for companies and make it easier to use personal data, as well as reform the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) leads this legislative agenda. Current compliance models may not need to be overhauled but the new legislation could mean that UK organisations have a more flexible approach to data protection compliance.

Since 2021, under the UK GDPR, the UK has allowed the free flow of personal data between the UK and EU. There is debate as to whether these changes will affect the current agreement with the EU. Specifically, the reduction in protection of personal data and the prioritisation of countries which the EU deems inadequate, could compromise the decision and encourage firms not to host personal data in the UK.

The new bill has not yet been decided. Current suggestions seem to indicate there will be less choice for users and less accountability for businesses. More attention to and concern for data protection is paramount to protect the individual, so it appears illogical that the UK should be the only country in Europe with plans to move in the opposite direction. Particularly when the UK is trying to regain its standing and grow international trading following Brexit – as any negative changes could weaken the ease of and opportunities for doing business.

Each year Apple holds its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC). Below we have highlighted the key points announced at the event 6–10 June, including the new MacBook Air and iOS 16.

M2 chip
Apple introduced the new M2 chip, which is said to have a CPU 18% faster than that of the previous M1 chip, while the GPU is 35% faster.

New MacBooks
Apple are introducing new look MacBook Airs, with a sleeker flatter design at 1.1cm thick. The built-in camera has also been improved, promising twice the resolution (at full HD, 1080p) and better low-light performance.

As security is a big priority for Apple, the new MacBooks also come with TouchID built into the keyboard and MagSafe support. Other features include a 13.6″ liquid Retina display and slim chargers with 2 USB-C ports (which support fast-charging to get the battery to 50% within 30 minutes).

The new 13″ MacBook Pro is also getting an upgrade with the new M2 chip, which Apple claim has speed gains of up to 40% over the previous MacBook Pro with M1.

macOS Ventura
Apple announced their next major macOS upgrade. New features include a big update to the Mail app to be able to undo send, schedule send, and time reminders. As well as the new Stage Manager and Spotlight functions to easily see and group multiple apps and windows you are working on.

Passkeys
Safari is getting a new passkey function, where you can use Face ID or Touch ID instead of traditional passwords to log in to websites and apps with biometrics. This has been welcomed as a great step to further improve security, as it removes the need for users to micromanage multiple complex passwords for all the various accounts and services we all now regularly use.

Continuity Camera
Apple is also releasing the Continuity Camera ability – to attach your iPhone to your Mac whilst video calling for improved camera quality. This works wirelessly when you bring your iPhone in range of your Mac. Whilst this makes some sense as more recent iPhone cameras are higher quality with more features than Mac in-built cameras, this has been criticised as it looks messy thus contradicts Apple’s aesthetic and it also highlights that the in-built cameras are insufficient for modern video and remote working needs. I.e. Why not include a better in-built camera than bother with this approach?

iOS 16
The new iOS 16 will include improvements to the Lock Screen, allowing for more customisations and widgets. Similar to the Mail app, iMessages will be able to be unsent and edited after the fact. iMessage will also allow videos to be shared and watched together with friends via SharePlay, instead of just over FaceTime. SharePlay is also being upgraded with deeper support for games as well as videos. LiveText is now built in, which automatically translates and replaces text on-the-fly.

iPad OS 16
Apple have also announced that the iPadOS 16 will include all of the above iOS 16 features as well Stage Manager, which allows the grouping of apps and windows, to be overlaid and worked on simultaneously.

CarPlay
Apple have stated that there will be major upgrades coming to CarPlay, expected late next year. This will include a major integration with core car functions, such as monitoring and control of speed reading, fuel gauges, AC, and heating; all at the discretion and with the cooperation of car manufacturers.

Apple made some interesting announcements this year, such as their plans for an even faster M2 chip, impressive new features for macOS Ventura and iOS/iPad OS 16, the release of Sage Manager, and rolling out some long-awaited features for iMessage and Mail.