#WhatsApp privacy policy

[sharemarketinsider]

Meta Fined in India Over WhatsApp Privacy: What It Means for You

[publictaknews]

Privacy Policy: SC Asks WhatsApp To Publicize '21 Undertaking To Govt | latest news delhi

The New Delhi Supreme Court on Wednesday directed WhatsApp to give wide publicity in the media about its undertaking to the central government in 2021 that Indian users are not bound to accept the company’s new controversial privacy policy and that the messaging platform There will be no functionality. Affected until the personal data protection regime comes into force. WhatsApp and its holding…

[no-cinnamon-for-synonym]

Opting Out of AI Data Collection from All Meta Apps

Idk how many of you with any Meta apps (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.) are aware, but Meta is using your posts to collect data. The good news is that you can opt out of their data collection. It's relatively simple.

I have heard, however, that a lot of Americans aren't seeing this feature yet. It seems that it might still be rolling out, but do make sure to keep your app updated.

Go to your profile. (I will be using Instragram in this case, but the objection will apply to your Meta account in general.)

In the top right corner, you will see the three horizontal lines (on mobile). Press that.

Select "Settings and Privacy."

Scroll all the way down to "About." Press that.

Select "Privacy Policy."

That first box at the top will have some blue hyperlinks in the text. Select "right to object." It will be in the second sentence.

Type in your reasons in the boxes. This is what I wrote:

First box: "I own all the copyright on my photography/art and I object to my work being used to train AI." Second box: "AI has been harmful towards artists and creators, stealing their work without permission to then let anyone use, manipulate, claim as their own, and in some cases, make a profit from. This is theft."

I got an email back from them within 30 minutes saying my objection has been reviewed and accepted:

[soon-palestine]

Several of Meta's senior leaders have been significant supporters of Israel, including Zuckerberg donating to Zaka, and Sheryl Sandberg doing a propaganda tour

It is also not widely known that Lavender was produced by Unit 8200 (the Israeli NSA), and that Meta's CISO -- the most senior person responsible for policy and suppression of Palestinian content -- was in Unit 8200

Meanwhile, Meta has been systematically pro-Israel, suppressing Palestinian content, and has soft launched an anti-"anti-Zionist" policy that shocked @jvplive

At the same time, they've neglected to release a transparency report for the time covered by Lavender's use

Overall, the lesson is that people should not trust WhatsApp at all, and should migrate to other messaging apps like @signalapp

A lot of difficult questions for Meta before that trust can be rebuilt, and I don't honestly believe that Meta can or will answer them

uestions for Meta

ensure that the world can trust WhatsApps claims of privacy and afety, Meta must answer the following questions:

Did Meta provide information (including inputs or training data) us by Lavender, Gospel, or Where's Daddy to the Israeli government?

How will Meta prevent private information being used by governments to kill WhatsApp users and their families?

Does Meta believe that Israel's actions towards civilians in Gaza and with Lavender comply Meta's Human Rights Policy?

If not, why has Meta not revoked all access to the Israeli government that may put civilians at risk?

Why has Meta not released their transparency report for the 2nd half of 2023?

What was the level of knowledge of WhatsApp metadata sharing with the Israeli government, including whether it was to be used for military purposes, among Meta leadership, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg and CISO Guy Rosen?

Will Meta immediately rescind access to any WhatsApp information from the Israeli government, army, and law enforcement?

[freezerbunny-sims2]

After what Meta did with Instagram and Facebook, I'm suspicious of the privacy of Whatsapp. Whatsapp is the most common messaging app where I live, if not the only one people use, and I have my therapy sessions as well as my psychiatrist appointments through the video call feature. I don't want some shitty ai scraping my personal life to generate trash. I know they say calls are encrypted, but from what I've read, they violated their own policies numerous times, so I wouldn't put it past them.

[cal-daisies-and-briars]

I have a need to see everyone who has wronged Ravi, groveling for forgiveness.

📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚

🦮🦮🦮🦮🦮🦮

🔮🔮🔮🔮🔮🔮

AH THANKS! Yeah Ravi deserves better!

36 for 📚:

---

If people are predictable, and some things never change, he’s glad that they are the way that they are.

Ravi waits until Anil is completely out of sight before climbing the stairs to return to the team. He hardly makes it halfway up before the alarm blares. 

In truth, Ravi is grateful for it. It’s a perfect time to be reminded of what he does and who he is. No matter what crap his brother spews, he can never take that from him. 

📖📖📖

On the way back from a pretty simple kitchen fire in a college dorm, Ravi makes a move that feels equal parts strategic and emotional. It’s sad, really, that he has come to a point of evaluating his decisions this way. But it’s a necessary survival skill. 

With enough distance from Anil leaving, Ravi thinks it’s a good idea.

He pulls out his phone, opens up a WhatsApp group chat, and messages his parents. 

Anil stopped by the station today. Mentioned the show. Just wanted to thank you both for being mindful of my privacy. I really appreciate it. 🩵

His mother’s response reaches him before they even make it back to the station. 

Of course! Your business doesn’t belong on Hulu or wherever that silly show is being aired. We love you, Ravi ❤️❤️

Ravi smiles and pockets his phone. Things feel decidedly hopeful, despite the day starting with stinking soft serve and his brother outing his medical history. Who would’ve thought? 

When they get back to the station, Bobby pulls him aside. 

“Can I speak with you in my office, Ravi?” He asks. 

“Sure, Cap,” Ravi nods, good feeling dissipating. 

Maybe Bobby is mad he didn’t disclose being autistic. Maybe Ravi is violating some department policy he didn’t know about. Maybe Bobby is mad Ravi brought personal shit into the workplace. Either way, he respects the hell out of Bobby, and kind of hates the idea he has somehow disappointed him. 

Bobby clears that up pretty quickly. 

“Listen, kid. I know today has been stressful and I don’t want to add to it. But I think we should talk about what happened.”

Ravi nods. “Yeah, of course.”

---

18 for 🦮:

---

After they eat, Buck takes off Cranberry’s vest and lets her travel from person to person, getting scratches and praise. She takes to the attention like a proper diva, and the fire station is her adoring public. Bobby, especially, seems like he’s dying to spoil her. It makes Buck feel a small warmth in his stomach. 

Aside from Bobby, Cranberry seems determined to stick close to Eddie. She wiggles into his legs, rests her head on his legs the same way she does with Buck, and pushes her nose under his hands. Even when he tries to focus on a conversation apart from her, she finds a way to suck him back in. 

“Your dog has a crush, Buck,” Hen teases. 

“Just like her handler, getting all goofy for Eddie when they first meet, huh?” Chim adds. 

“No idea what you mean,” Buck lies. 

Buck might have to murder him. 

He was not goofy when Eddie started. 

“I was told you’re just like a golden retriever,” Eddie smiles, tickling the underside of Cranberry’s jaw. Cranberry’s eyes are half shut, blissed out.  Buck laughs good naturedly, but the thought makes him sort of sad. People did say that about him. But he doesn’t think it’s true anymore.

---

18 for 🔮:

---

“I think�� I think maybe I should go.”

No. No, no, no. Bobby can’t let it end like this. Not again. There has to be a way to save it.

“We just sat down to eat,” Bobby points out.

“I’m sorry,” Buck mumbles. “Uh, I-I just think I need some space.”

Space? Bobby hardly sees him anymore. What more space does he need? 

“Buck, don’t.” Bobby pleads as Buck rises from his seat.

“Just, I… I thought…” Buck exhales heavily. “It doesn’t matter. I just need some time.”

[warningsine]

All right, since I bombarded a poor mutual yesterday...

Privacy is not security and security is not privacy. These terms are not interchangeable, but they are intrinsically linked.

While we're at this, anonymity =/= security either. For example, Tor provides the former, but not necessarily the latter, hence using Https is always essential.

It is impossible to have privacy without security, but you can have security without privacy.

A case in point is administrators being able to view any data they want due to their full-access rights to a system. That being said, there are ethics and policies that usually prevent such behavior.

Some general tips:

Operating System: Switch to Linux. Ubuntu and Linux Mint are widely used for a reason. Fedora too. And don't worry! You can keep your current operating system, apps and data. If you're on a Mac computer, you can easily partition your hard drive or SSD by using Disk Utility. If you're on Windows, you can follow this guide.

You want to go a step further? Go with Whonix or Tails. They're Linux distributions as well, but they're both aiming for security, not beauty so the interface might not be ideal for everyone. Many political activists and journalists use them.

You want anonymity? Then you need to familiarize yourself with Tor. Also, Tor and HTTPS and Tor’s weaknesses. When you're using it, don't log in to sites like Google, Facebook, Twitter etc. and make sure to stay away from Java and Javascript, because those things make you traceable.

Alternatives for dealing with censorship? i2p and Freenet.

Is ^ too much? Welp. All right. Let's see. The first step is to degoogle.

Switch to a user-friendly browser like Firefox (or better yet LibreWolf), Brave or Vivaldi. There are plenty of hardened browsers, but they can be overwhelming for a beginner.

Get an ad blocker like Ublock Origin.

Search Engine? StartPage or Duckduckgo. SearXNG too. Like I said degoogle.

Get a PGP encrypted e-mail. Check Protonmail out.

There's also Tutamail that doesn't cover PGP, but uses hybrid encryption that avoids some of the cons of PGP.

Skiff mail is also a decent option.

Use an e-mail aliasing service such as SimpleLogin or AnonAddy.

Check OpenPGP out. Claws Mail is a good e-mail client for Windows and Linux, Thunderbird for Mac OS.

Gpg4win is free and easy to use for anyone that wants to encrypt/decrypt e-mails.

Instead of Whatsapp, Facebook messenger, Telegram etc. use Signal for your encrypted insant messaging, voice and video calls.

Get a metadata cleaner.

Get a firewall like Opensnitch, Portmaster or Netguard which can block Internet for trackers.

Alternatively, go with a private DNS that blocks these trackers. NextDNS is a good paid service. Rethink a good free option.

Replace as many of your applications as you can with FOSS (free and open source) ones. Alternativeto can help you.

Always have automatic updates on. They are annoying af, I know, but they are necessary.

Keep your distance from outdated software.

Always have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled.

Do not use your administrator account for casual stuff. If you're on Linux, you probably know you can be sudo, but not root.

On Linux distributions use AppArmor, but stay away from random antivirus scanners. Other distributions default to SELinux, which is less suited to a beginner.

Never repeat your passwords. If you can't remember them all, use a password manager like KeePass.

Encrypt your drive.

Honestly, VPNs have their uses and ProtonVPN, Mullvad and Windscribe are decent, but eh. If you don't trust your ISP, why would you trust the VPN provider that claims they don't log you when you can't verify such a thing?

[flapjacs]

It looks like the bullshit opt out form for Meta's generative AI is finally open to the US. From the non US version of the policy update, it looks like 26 Jun 2024 is the official start date.

This affects everyone, not just artists.

They require you to provide evidence that your info has been used and may reject you anyway. I think I'll put a screenshot of their privacy policy which says they use the info. But idk yet. First I'm going to download an archive of my info.

None of the comments about being accepted or rejected that I could find mentioned what state they lived in which is clearly the reason for rejections. The form states, "We don’t automatically fulfill requests sent using this form. We review them consistent with your local laws", if they can get away with rejecting you, they will.

To find the form on facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/privacy/genai scroll down to click on the "learn more and submit requests here" link, or wait i can just post it here: https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/1266025207620918

To find the form on instagram:

go to profile open hamburger menu click on "about" click on "privacy policy"

If you are outside the US: the link to opt out should be right there, I think it says "Right to reject" the form should be right there. If you are inside the US: search "ai opt out" click on "about AI's from Meta on WhatsApp" scroll down a bit, not too far, look for "Learn how Meta uses information for generative AI models in "this article" click on that particular "this article" link, not a different one scroll to the bottom click on "Learn more and submit requests here" The form should be right there. As for filling out the form: People are saying write something about your copyright, you dont give permission for any of your work to be used, stuff like that. If you can't think of what to write, just search for "ai opt out" on instagram or do a more specific search, some people have examples.

I haven't deleted my facebook or instagram because I DID DELETE MY FACEBOOK ONCE and I thought, okay, I have a reason to use it years later. ALL OF MY INFO WAS STILL THERE. Well great, now I just have to keep it open so I know I'm not being impersonated. And yes, I hit delete and not deactivate. I wish I never made these fucking accounts.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Meta to inform Brazilian users how it uses personal data to train AI models, says report

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) will inform users in Brazil how it plans to use their personal data to train generative AI models, following a demand from the country's data protection authority, Reuters reported.

Starting Tuesday, users of Meta in Brazil will receive the warnings by email and notifications on Facebook and Instagram, and will be able to reject the use of their data by the company to train generative AI, the report added.

In July, Brazil's National Data Protection Authority (ANDP) suspended Meta's new privacy policy over the use of personal data to train AI. The agency, however, overturned the decision last week noting that Meta had agreed to issue the disclosures, the report noted.

Meta had actively suspended the use of generative AI features, including tools used to create AI-made stickers for messaging app WhatsApp, in Brazil in July.

Continue reading.

[alixander-the-great]

Meta AI opt out form

I just finished filling out the Meta AI opt out form and omfg that was infuriating.

The form takes so long to get to and the fact that they keep changing it only makes it worse. Because it took me like 45 minutes to fill it out i’ll leave some instructions at the end.

Just to get to the form you have to scroll through all these super long things and they’re all so hidden! When you finally get to the form it asks for your name, country, state, and email. Then it asks you some stuff about why but that’s not the part i want to talk about. In the form they ask you for a screenshot. A screenshot of what? Lemme just give you what it says:

“Attach one screenshot that shows your personal information in a response from an AI at Meta model, feature or experience.”

So let me quickly explain why this is fucking stupid. It is saying that you have to show evidence that the AI already has used your info to get your info removed. W H A T? The whole purpose of the goddamn form is to remove your info BEFORE it is used! I have no fucking words.

This whole shit show has made me seriously consider deleting my art account on instagram. This is just a form so who even knows if filling out the form will do anything? Even so I would still recommend filling out the form now especially because it seems like they’re making it harder to do every day.

Here are the instructions on how to fill out the form that I used:

1. Go to Settings

2. Go to About

3. Go to Privacy Policy

4. Search “Opt out”

5. Click on “About AI’s from Meta on WhatsApp

6. Scroll to and select “Learn how Meta uses information for generative AI models in this article.”

7. Scroll to and select “Learn more and submit requests here.”

8. Click “I want to delete any personal information from third parties used for building and improving AI at Meta”

9. Fill out your name, email, country, and state

10. For Relevant Prompts I recommend pasting this message I got from mattsatonthecat on instagram

“lown the copyright to all images and posts submitted to my instagram profile and therefore do not consent to Meta or other companies using them to train generative

Al platforms.

This includes all future AND past posts/stories/threads on my profile.”

11. For that fucking screenshot, I put in this screenshot i got from Lisa Marie Ford’s video about it on youtube.

12. Finally you put in a message berating instagram for being terrible in the “Additional context” box

If you have made it here tysm for listening to my insufferable ass rant about this :)

[rinravenkeep]

Facebook will soon steal your art to use in its AI Software!

From next month (June 2024) Meta (Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram) are going to start using your images in their AI Art models unless you manually object! Link on the Facebook app is: Facebook > profile > privacy shortcuts > privacy policy > right to object

Please spread the word as far as you can, AI Art is theft and cannot be allowed to slip by unchallenged or unnoticed!

If you're an artist, remember tools like Glaze and Nightshade exist to "poison" your artwork and corrupt any AI images generated from it! Please, protect your livelihoods from thieves.

I will be reposting this on any platforms I'm a part of, so sorry if it seems like spam. Please spread the word as far as you can. Even if you yourself don't make artwork, someone you know can be affected!

[ashboy204]

Unlock Internet Freedom and Secure Your Privacy with Gulf VPN

Searching and operating within the internet in the gulf countries has its own set of challenges. VPN is restricted, access to social networks is limited and websites are often inaccessible during certain hours. Using a VPN is not a luxury but a necessity, particularly in regions like the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

A VPN, Virtual private Network, is a service that establishes a secure connection between you and the whole internet so that your activities and details of your location cannot be seen. A VPN works by encrypting your traffic and hiding your IP address which makes it easier to advance past censorship and allow for the freedom to access content without compromising your privacy. Here, you’ll get a brief understanding of what a Gulf VPN UAE is, how it functions, and why it is crucial for you in the first place to opt for the most suitable service.

Why Do You Need a Gulf VPN?

Many countries of the Gulf region remain among the leaders in restrictive internet policies, many recognizable sites and applications are blocked here. From VOIP services including WhatsApp, Skype to widely used streaming services such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer; many services block or limit access due to government restrictions or geo-restriction practices.

This is where having a VPN becomes absolutely essential. A VPN could be used by linking to a server in another country; this makes it possible to unlock content since the VPN provides an individual an entry point into the internet that is restricted in the Gulf.

Reasons to use a Gulf VPN include:

Avoiding Authority RestrictionsGulf countries are quite famous for banning and restricting sites and applications that are in resistance to set laws and regulations. This limits you from getting to the sites because your connection is being encrypted and the traffic is routed through other servers in some other region of the world other than the prohibited region.

Increasing Privacy and SecurityThere is always a perception of privacy concern and this exists more so in the gulf because the ISPs and the governments are vigilant. If you use VPN to connect to the internet, your data is encrypted; thus your Internet Service Provider cannot interfere and monitor what you are doing.

Access to Streaming ServicesNetflix, Hulu, Amazon prime videos these streaming channels are also limited due to geo-restrictions. A Gulf VPN 2024 allows you access servers of other areas and therefore you can watch uninterrupted favorite shows and movies.

Safe Browsing on Public Wi-Fi

It is unsafe to use Wi-Fi networks that others connect to, particularly when in a country that has seen an increase in the level of cybercrime. A VPN effectively works to guarantee that your information is not vulnerable mostly when using a wrong public network by encoding your connection so that the hackers cannot easily access it.

How Gulf VPNs Protect Your Privacy

One of the primary benefits of a VPN is data security that a user receives when he or she connects to the server. You lack privacy when browsing the internet because your data flows unencrypted, and anyone can access it using your IP address.

Using a Gulf VPN 2024 means all your communication and internet usage are hidden behind a protective layer, and your actual IP address is swapped with that of the VPN server. This makes it impossible for the web site, hackers, or even any other government agency to track your activities with any chance. Moreover, the best VPNs provide things like server cloaking and it becomes quite challenging to realize that you are using a VPN.

Key Features

Selecting the right Gulf VPN may not be easier as there are lots of service providers out there. Here are the key features you should prioritize to ensure you get the best protection and access.

1. Robust Encryption and Protocols

Check that the connection is as secure as possible and you should look for one with AES-256 encryption. Also, check for the connection protocol standard such as OpenVPN or WireGuard since they are fast and secure..

2. Server Locations

Accessibility to multiple centers and points helps to overcome the problem of geo-blocking. As with the server locations, the more available servers a VPN has, the higher are the chances of getting a server with a fast connection. Choose VPN providers with the servers located in Europe or North America or Asia to have the most opportunities.

3. No-Logs Policy

When it comes to VPN, privacy is all that matters. Check whether your provider does not monitor or store any information about your online activity. This is particularly so given that most of the GCC states technically spy on their citizens.

4. Fast and Stable Connections

A VPN should work for making your internet experience better rather than making it worse by slowing down your connection. Close on the high-speed servers and choose VPNs that can deliver good performance when it comes to streaming, gaming, as well as torrenting.

5. Bypassing Geo-Restrictions:

However, most VPNs are unable to bypass streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu. Ensure you choose a VPN that has been tried and shown to overcome any level of geo-blocking.

Gulf VPN for Streaming

One of the biggest draws of using a Gulf VPN UAE is the ability to access geo-restricted content.  Regions get blackouts to allow streaming services to function by adhering to their regional licensing restrictions on movies, TV shows, channels, and more. For example, the movies and TV shows that are watched in the UAE could be different from the ones that are consumed in the US.

A VPN enables you to establish connection with a server in another country and makes it seem like you are accessing the internet from such a country. This gives you complete control to the Netflix, amazon prime, Disney Plus and other VPN for streaming services platform libraries around the world. For anyone who wants to stream a show that is restricted in their current location whether an expatriate wanting to stream shows from his home country or a local in a region with restrictions, a VPN changes that.

VPNs and Online Gaming: 

If you are a gamer residing in the Gulf then you will find a VPN to enhance your gaming experience. Games also have restrictions in servers and beta access meaning you can’t play with your friends who are in a different region. Moreover, through using a VPN, it will be easier for you to avoid tyra DDoS attack besides ensuring your data is not relayed to the other players.

A VPN also minimizes ping and latency issues by linking the client to a closer server to where the game’s server is hosted. This makes it possible to connect to cross border gaming servers and be able to play with friends all over the world.

To sum up

If you live in or are planning a trip to the Gulf region, prepare for limited internet access, geo-blocking, and privacy issues. A Gulf VPN 2024 is the answer to all these questions, a tool that gives you freedom, security and anonymity every time you connect to the Internet.

A VPN protects your identity as well as your IP address so that the intended material is unrestricted and your information is safeguarded from any malicious third party endeavor, be it streaming videos, playing games online or browsing the internet. To ensure the best experience, one should look into strong encryption, fast servers, and no logging policy while selecting a VPN.

Having the best Gulf VPN will enable you to get the best out of the internet without any restriction or anything to bother you.

[good-old-gossip]

Urgent need to investigate role of technology, social media companies in killing Gazan civilians

Palestinian Territory – The role of major technology companies and international social media platforms in the killing of Palestinian civilians during Israel’s genocidal war against the Gaza Strip, ongoing since 7 October 2023, must be investigated. These companies need to be held accountable if found to be complicit or not to have taken adequate precautions to prevent access to, and exploitation of, users’ information. They must ensure that their services are not used in conflict zones and that their users’ privacy is respected.

There are frequent reports that Israel uses a number of artificial intelligence-supported technological systems, including Where’s Daddy?, Fire Factory, Gospel, and Lavender, to illegally track and monitor Palestinians. These systems are able to identify possible suspectsand classify them as legitimate targets based on potentially relevant information that is typically unrelated to the location or individual in question, by looking for similarities and patterns among all Gaza Strip residents, particularly men, and among members of armed factions.

Studies have shown that, although they are aware of a significant margin of error due to the nature of theseoperating systems and their inability to provide accurate information—particularly with regard to the whereabouts of those placed on the targeting list in real time—the Israeli army usually does not verify the accuracy of the information provided by these systems.

For example, Israel’s army uses the Lavender system extensively to identify suspects in the Strip before targeting them; this system intentionally results in a high number of civilian casualties.

The Lavender system uses the logic of probabilities, which is a distinguishing characteristic of machine learning algorithms. The algorithm looks through large data sets for patterns that correspond to fighter behaviour, and the amount and quality of the data determines how successful the algorithm is in finding these patterns. It then recommends targets based on the probabilities.

With concerns being voiced regarding the Lavendersystem’s possible reliance on tracking social media accounts, Israeli military and intelligence sources have acknowledged attacking potential targets without considering the principle of proportionality or collateral damage.

These suspicions are supported by a book (The Human Machine Team) written by the current commander of the elite Israeli army Unit 8200, which offers instructions on how to create a “target machine” akin to the Lavender artificial intelligence system. The book also includes information on hundreds of signals that can raise the severity of a person’s classification, such as switching cell phones every few months, moving addresses frequently, or even just joining the samegroup on Meta’s WhatsApp application as a “fighter”.

Additionally, it has been recently revealed that Google and Israel are collaborating on several technology initiatives, including Project Nimbus, which provides the Israeli army with tools for the increased monitoring and illegal data collection of Palestinians, thereby broadening Israeli policies of denial and persecution, plus other crimes against the Palestinian people. This project in particular has sparked significant human rights criticism, prompting dozens of company employees to protest and resign, with others being fired over their protests.

The Israeli army also uses Google Photos' facial recognition feature to keep an eye on Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and create a “hit list”. It gathers as many images as possible from the 7 October event, known as Al-Aqsa Flood, during which Palestinian faces were visible as they stormed the separation fence and entered the settlements. This technology is then used to sort photos and store images of faces, which resulted in the recent arrest of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, in violation of the company’s explicit rules and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

The Euro-Med Monitor field team has documentedaccounts of Palestinian civilians who, as a consequence of their social media activity, have been singled out as suspects by Israel, despite having taken no military action.

A young Palestinian man who requested to beidentified only as “A.F.” due to safety concerns, for instance, was seriously injured in an Israeli bombing that targeted a residential house in Gaza City’s Al-Sabra neighbourhood. 

The house was targeted shortly after A.F. posted a video clip on Instagram, which is owned by Meta, in which he joked that he was in a “field reconnaissance mission”.

His relative told Euro-Med Monitor that A.F. hadmerely been attempting to mimic press reporters when he posted the brief video clip on his personal Instagram account. Suddenly, however, A.F. was targeted by an Israeli reconnaissance plane while on the roof of the house.

A separate Israeli bombing on 16 April claimed the lives of six young Palestinians who had gathered to access Internet services. One of the victims was using a group chat on WhatsApp—a Meta subsidiary—to report news about the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood of Gaza City.

The deceased man’s relative, who requested anonymity due to safety fears, informed Euro-Med Monitor that the victim was near the Internet access point when thegroup was directly hit by a missile from an Israeli reconnaissance plane. The victim was voluntarily sharing news in family and public groups on the WhatsApp application about the Israeli attacks and humanitarian situation in Sheikh Radwan.

The Israeli army’s covert strategy of launching extremely damaging air and artillery attacks based on data that falls short of the minimum standard of accurate target assessment, ranging from cell phone records and photos to social media contact and communication patterns, all within the larger context of an incredibly haphazard killing programme, is deeply concerning.

The evidence presented by global technology experts points to a likely connection between the Israeli army’s use of the Lavender system—which has been used to identify targets in Israel’s military assaults on the Gaza Strip—and the Meta company. This means that the Israeli army potentially targeted individuals merely for being in WhatsApp groups with other people on the suspect list. Additionally, the experts question how Israel could have obtained this data without Meta disclosing it.

Earlier, British newspaper The Guardian exposed Israel’s use of artificial intelligence (Lavender) to murder a great number of Palestinian civilians. The Israeli military used machine learning systems to identify potential “low-ranking” fighters, with the aim of targeting them without considering the level of permissible collateral damage. A “margin of tolerance”was adopted, which allowed for the death of 20 civilians for every overthrown target; when targeting “higher-ranking fighters”, this margin of tolerance allowed for the death of 100 people for every fighter.

Google, Meta, and other technology and social media companies may have colluded with Israel in crimes and violations against the Palestinian people, including extrajudicial killings, in defiance of international law and these companies’ stated human rights commitments.

Social networks should not be releasing this kind of personal data about their users or taking part in the Israeli genocide against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. An international investigation is required in order to provide guarantees of accountability for those responsible, and justice for the victims.

Meta’s overt and obvious bias towards Israel, itssubstantial suppression of content that supports the Palestinian cause, and its policy of stifling criticism of Israel's crimes—including rumours of close ties between top Meta officials and Israel—suggest the company’s plausible involvement in the killing of Palestinian civilians.

Given the risks of failing to take reasonable steps to demonstrate that the objective is a legitimate one under international humanitarian law, the aforementionedcompanies must fully commit to ending all cooperation with the Israeli military and providing Israel with access to data and information that violate Palestinian rights and put their lives in jeopardy. 

Israel’s failure to exercise due diligence and considerhuman rights when using artificial intelligence for military purposes must be immediately investigated, as well as its failure to comply with international law and international humanitarian law.

These companies must promptly address any information that has been circulating about their involvement in Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people. Serious investigations regarding their policies and practices in relation to Israeli crimes and human rights violations must be opened if necessary, and companies must be held accountable if found to be complicit or to have failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent the exploitation of userinformation for criminal activities.

[coochiequeens]

Ladies in the UK please spread the word of your chance to speak up.

Leading Tory peers including former culture secretary Baroness Morgan are campaigning for the forthcoming Online Safety Bill to take a tougher stance on abuse of women and girls on the internet.

They are pushing for the law to include a legally-enforced code of practice requiring social media firms to protect women and girls against attacks online.

We’re interested to hear from women in the UK how their experience of online misogyny has affected them.

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[khaleesiofalicante]

So what you're saying is it's fine as long as the person I'm sending it to us not doing any shady business it's fine. The app or the owner of the app won't try to harm me/them by accessing our pictures even when they are in view only mode with no screen shot mode. Right?

The app or platform itself (such as WhatsApp, Snapchat, or others) is NOT allowed to access your personal pictures or files without permission. The major privacy risk comes from third-party hackers who might gain access to your account or device, not the app directly.

However, it’s essential to remember your local legal context. Sometimes, local laws override platform privacy protections. A recent example is when, in the U.S., law enforcement requested Facebook to hand over private messages to support an investigation of an illegal abortion. You'd have never thought they'd do that, but platforms do need to comply with local laws/policies.

So while platforms/apps generally won't harm you directly, if you live in a country where sharing intimate content like nudes is illegal, it’s important to exercise caution.

But this is all just PSA. To answer shortly, no the app can't access/share your pictures without permission.

[whatsapp-cloud-api-botsailor]

WhatsApp Cloud API Setup For Botsailor

Integrating the WhatsApp Cloud API with BotSailor is crucial for businesses seeking to enhance their customer engagement and streamline communication. The WhatsApp Cloud API enables seamless automation, allowing businesses to efficiently manage interactions through chatbots, live chat, and automated messaging. By connecting with BotSailor, businesses gain access to advanced features like order message automation, webhook workflows, and integration with e-commerce platforms such as Shopify and WooCommerce. This setup not only improves operational efficiency but also offers a scalable solution for personalized customer support and marketing, driving better engagement and satisfaction.

To integrate the WhatsApp Cloud API with BotSailor, follow the steps below for setup:

1. Create an App:

Go to the Facebook Developer site.

Click "My Apps" > "Create App".

Select "Business" as the app type.

Fill out the form with the necessary information and create the app.

2. Add WhatsApp to Your App:

On the product page, find the WhatsApp section and click "Setup".

Add a payment method if necessary, and navigate to "API Setup".

3. Get a Permanent Access Token:

Go to "Business Settings" on the Facebook Business site.

Create a system user and assign the necessary permissions.

Generate an access token with permissions for Business Management, Catalog management, WhatsApp business messaging, and WhatsApp business management.

4. Configure Webhooks:

In the WhatsApp section of your app, click "Configure webhooks".

Get the Callback URL and Verify Token from BotSailor's dashboard under "Connect WhatsApp".

Paste these into the respective fields in the Facebook Developer console.

5. Add a Phone Number:

Provide and verify your business phone number in the WhatsApp section.

6. Change App Mode to Live:

Go to Basic Settings, add Privacy Policy and Terms of Service URLs, then toggle the app mode to live.

7. Connect to BotSailor:

On BotSailor, go to "Connect WhatsApp" in the dashboard.

Enter your WhatsApp Business Account ID and the access token.

Click "Connect".

For a detailed guide, refer to our documentation. YouTube tutorial. and also read Best chatbot building platform blog