How Google Is Making It Easier to Scrub an App Account

Right after releasing my episode on web fingerprinting, highly-respected VPN provider Mullvad teamed up with Tor to release a new web browser, specifically designed to protect your privacy – including attempting to block fingerprinting! Great timing, so I thought I’d give you my review of the Mullvad Browser – the good, the bad, and (yes) the ugly.

In other news: Timely tips on spotting IRS phone scams; ultrasound attacks can hijack your smart speakers; brace yourself for a wave of more sophisticated AI-based scams; alcohol recover startups shared patients’ data with advertisers; Google to require app developers to let you delete your account data; FBI’s Operation Cookie Monster shuts down popular cybercrime forum; Facebook will grudgingly offer users in Europe to opt out of all tracking; the FDA is requiring medical device manufacturers to improve cybersecurity and support; and I answer a Dear Carey question about how to use a Mac mini as a server to host private versions of cloud apps.

Article Links

1. [NPR] No, the IRS isn’t calling you. It isn’t texting or emailing you, either https://www.npr.org/2023/04/07/1168353969/irs-scam-tax-day-imposter-how-to-avoid
2. [Gizmodo] Ultrasound Attack Can Secretly Hijack Phones and Smart Speakers, Researchers Find https://gizmodo.com/ultrasound-attack-hacks-phones-siri-alexa-usenix-1850273055
3. [WIRED] Brace Yourself for a Tidal Wave of ChatGPT Email Scams https://www.wired.com/story/large-language-model-phishing-scams/
4. [TechCrunch] Alcohol recovery startups Monument and Tempest shared patients’ private data with advertisers https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/04/monument-tempest-alcohol-data-breach/
5. [Engadget] Google will require that Android apps let you delete your account and data https://www.engadget.com/google-will-require-that-android-apps-let-you-delete-your-account-and-data-170618841.html
6. [CNN] ‘Operation Cookie Monster’: FBI seizes popular cybercrime forum used for large-scale identity theft https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/04/politics/genesis-market-fbi-seizure/index.html
7. [BGR] Facebook and Instagram users can now opt out of tracking, but only in Europe https://bgr.com/tech/facebook-and-instagrams-users-can-now-opt-out-of-tracking-but-only-in-europe/
8. [scmagazine.com] FDA will refuse new medical devices for cybersecurity reasons on Oct. 1 https://www.scmagazine.com/news/device-security/fda-will-refuse-new-medical-devices-for-cybersecurity-reasons-on-oct-1
9. Tip of the Week: Mullvad Browser https://firewallsdontstopdragons.com/new-privacy-tool-mullvad-browser/

Further Info

• Watchman Privacy interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fByagxDetVI 
• Using ultrasound to drive away teens: https://www.today.com/news/controversial-mosquito-sonic-devices-deter-young-people-high-pitched-sounds-t157801 
• Train Siri to recognize your voice: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204753 
• Get your Firewalls Don’t Stop Dragons Merch! https://fdsd.me/merch 
• Give the gift of privacy and security: https://fdsd.me/coupons 
• Send me your questions! https://fdsd.me/qna 
• Support our mission! https://fdsd.me/support 
• Subscribe to the newsletter: https://fdsd.me/newsletter 
• Check out my book, Firewalls Don’t Stop Dragons: https://fdsd.me/book 
• Would you like me to speak to your group about security and/or privacy? https://fdsd.me/speakerrequest 
• Generate secure passphrases! https://d20key.com/#/ 

Table of Contents

Use these timestamps to jump to a particular section of the show.

• 0:00:22: Important software updates
• 0:01:13: Watchman Privacy interview
• 0:01:44: News preview
• 0:04:38: Beware IRS phone scams
• 0:09:42: New ultrasound attacks against digital assistants
• 0:17:51: Brace yourself for AI-enhanced email scams
• 0:27:45: Alcohol recovery startups shared patients’ private data with advertisers
• 0:30:28: Google will require that Android apps delete your account and data
• 0:35:00: FBI Operation Cookie Monster shuts down popular cybercrime forum
• 0:37:43: Facebook users in EU can now opt out of tracking
• 0:41:15: FDA to require medical devices to have better security and support
• 0:46:05: Dear Carey: What to do with a Mac mini home server?
• 0:53:49: Tip of the Week: Mullvad Browser
• 1:00:07: Wrap-up and preview of upcoming shows