Today’s privacy digest highlights critical security flaws, data breach settlements, and a surge in scams targeting consumers. A zero-day vulnerability in Zimbra is being actively exploited, while ParkMobile’s settlement for a 2021 data breach offers minimal compensation. Additionally, the FTC warns of scammers impersonating officials and provides guidance on avoiding job, timeshare, and donation scams. Stay informed to protect your data and finances.
Top 5 Critical Privacy Alerts
- Hackers exploited Zimbra flaw as zero-day using iCalendar files : A flaw in Zimbra Collaboration Suite was exploited in zero-day attacks. Researchers found the attacks while monitoring .ICS calendar attachments. Read more
- ParkMobile pays… $1 each for 2021 data breach that hit 22 million : ParkMobile settles class action over 2021 data breach affecting 22 million users, offering a mere $1 in-app credit as compensation. Victims must manually claim it before it expires. Read more
- No, that’s not an FTC commissioner on the phone : Scammers impersonate FTC officials to steal money, urging victims to move funds. The FTC never tells people to move money. Read more
- How to help protect foster youth from identity theft : Foster youth are at higher risk of identity theft due to frequent moves and multiple access points to their information. Learn how to protect them. Read more
- When sharing your info online leads to unwanted and unlawful telemarketing calls : Companies trick users into sharing data, then sell it to telemarketers, resulting in illegal calls. Learn to reduce unwanted telemarketing. Read more
Data Minimization & User Consent
- Who’s eligible for a refund from Amazon? : Amazon agreed to pay $2.5 billion for enrolling users in Prime without consent and making cancellation difficult. Find out who gets a refund. Read more
Regulatory Fines & Enforcement Actions
- ParkMobile pays… $1 each for 2021 data breach that hit 22 million : ParkMobile settles class action over 2021 data breach affecting 22 million users, offering a mere $1 in-app credit as compensation. Victims must manually claim it before it expires. Read more
AI & Chatbots
- ChatGPT social could be a thing, as leak shows direct messages support : Leaks suggest OpenAI plans to add direct messaging support to ChatGPT, expanding its functionality beyond a chatbot. It could become a social platform. Read more
- OpenAI rolls out GPT Codex Alpha with early access to new models : OpenAI releases GPT Codex Alpha, offering early access to new models and improvements for vibe coding. Codex is making waves in the industry. Read more
- OpenAI wants ChatGPT to be your emotional support : OpenAI aims to enhance ChatGPT’s emotional support capabilities, improving beyond GPT-4o. The goal is for ChatGPT to offer better emotional assistance. Read more
- OpenAI prepares $4 ChatGPT Go for several new countries : OpenAI is expanding its cheaper ChatGPT “Go” plan to more countries after initial testing. This provides a more affordable option. Read more
Scams & Fraud
- No, that’s not an FTC commissioner on the phone : Scammers impersonate FTC officials to steal money, urging victims to move funds. The FTC never tells people to move money. Read more
- How to spot a job scam : Learn how to identify fake job opportunities, work-at-home scams, and shady employment agencies. Watch FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson’s video. Read more
- How to prepare yourself to deal with an emergency and avoid disaster-related scams : Plan for emergencies and learn to spot disaster-related scams. Free tools are available to help with fraud prevention. Read more
- Thinking about selling your timeshare? Key steps to avoid scams : Learn how to avoid scams when selling your timeshare. Be cautious of easy ways to sell that sound too good to be true. Read more
- Before you donate, find out where the money is going : Ensure donations go to legitimate causes. The FTC says Kars-R-Us.com, Inc. lied about where vehicle donations were going. Read more
- This Medicare Open Enrollment season, learn how to protect yourself from scams : Protect yourself from scams during Medicare Open Enrollment. Scammers become more active during this period. Read more
Identity Theft
- Get a credit freeze to stop identity thieves : Freeze your credit to protect against identity theft. Learn the steps to freeze your credit. Read more
- How to help protect foster youth from identity theft : Foster youth are at higher risk of identity theft due to frequent moves and multiple access points to their information. Learn how to protect them. Read more
Data Collection
- When sharing your info online leads to unwanted and unlawful telemarketing calls : Companies trick users into sharing data, then sell it to telemarketers, resulting in illegal calls. Learn to reduce unwanted telemarketing. Read more
