The Gaurdian
Airline data hack: hundreds of thousands of Star Alliance passengers' details stolen
IT operator Sita, which serves airlines including Singapore, Lufthansa and United, reports systems breach revealing frequent flyer data
Data on hundreds of thousands of airline passengers around the world has been hacked via a “highly sophisticated” attack on the IT systems operator that serves around 90% of the global aviation industry.
Sita, which serves the Star Alliance of airlines including Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa and United, said on Thursday it had been the victim of a cyber attack leading to a breach of passenger data held on its servers.
Related: Airbus reveals planes sold in last two years will emit over 1bn tonnes of CO2
Continue reading...Clubhouse chatroom app closes down site rebroadcasting content
Incident prompts fears for latest Silicon Valley craze’s ability to guarantee users’ security and privacy
Clubhouse, the audio-chatroom app that has emerged as the latest craze to consume Silicon Valley, has shut down a site that was rebroadcasting the platform’s content, renewing concerns over the service’s ability to provide security and privacy for its users.
The app, currently available only on iPhones, allows users to quickly and easily set up and discover panel-style discussions, with a small group of speakers and potentially thousands of listeners in each room. It has been strictly limited since its launch in April, with users requiring an invitation before they can create an account. It initially gained popularity in the tech and venture capitalist community of the San Francisco Bay area.
Continue reading...Fears over DNA privacy as 23andMe goes public in deal with Richard Branson
Genetic testing company with 10 million customers’ data has ‘huge cybersecurity implications’
The genetic testing company 23andMe will go public through a partnership with a firm backed by the billionaire Richard Branson, in a deal that has raised fresh privacy questions about the information of millions of customers.
Launched in 2006, 23andMe sells tests to determine consumers’ genetic ancestry and risk of developing certain illnesses, using saliva samples sent in by mail.
Related: Your DNA is a valuable asset, so why give it to ancestry websites for free? | Laura Spinney
Continue reading...