Tag Archive for: denver

Sen. Michael Bennet Proposes Commission To Oversee Digital Platforms Including Social Media – CBS Denver

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DENVER (CBS4) – In hopes of furthering the trust and security of the general public on the internet, Senator Michael Bennet has proposed legislation that would create a commission to oversee businesses operating on the internet. Bennet, the senior senator from Colorado, said the proposal comes as a way to assure some of the most powerful companies in the world are operating in the best interest of the American people.

(credit: CBS)

As of now, Bennet is the sole sponsor of the bill. He proposed creating a “Digital Platform Commission” which would operate and oversee companies using the internet much like how the Food and Drug Administration oversees the country’s guidelines when it comes to pharmaceuticals.

Bennet told CBS4’s Dillon Thomas the commission would help prioritize and balance free speech, national security and mental health.

“Our advisories are infiltrating social media platforms in the country,” Bennet, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said.

(credit: CBS)

In an interview with CBS4, the senator said the commission would oversee regulations and guardrails for big tech companies, including but not limited to platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Google, Amazon, Twitter and TikTok. While social media companies are behind many of the concerns some Americans have, Bennet said the commission would have oversight of American internet regulations.

Section 230, a law that was created in the 1990s, is one of the most debated federal laws when it comes to the powers given to major websites. The law largely gives immunity to companies for content uploaded by third parties. While Bennet said he believes Section 230 should potentially be revised, he felt the commission was a separate step that could be taken to further protect American interests.

“We have had basically completely unregulated social media platforms. These companies aren’t startups anymore. They are some of the most important and dominant companies in America,” Bennet said.

Bennet hoped the development of a five-person commission, made up of technology experts from differing parties and backgrounds, would help the country take action toward regulating big tech instead of allowing other…

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Denver DA Warns Android Users Of Attack After Security Issue Involving Mic, Camera – CBS Denver

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DENVER (CBS4)– The Denver District Attorney’s Office is warning Android users that they may be facing the threat of being attacked. This after a security issue was uncovered that leaves a device’s microphone and camera vulnerable to remote access.

According to a tweet, the DA’s office said that users are encouraged to update their phones to ensure that the security patch works.

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National Rise In Ransomware Attacks Becoming ‘National Security Threat,’ Compromising Coloradans’ Personal Data – CBS Denver

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(CBS4) – Nationwide, cyberattacks against major corporation are on the rise. Specifically, ransomware attacks are becoming the new type of breach, in which hackers take company computer systems hostage in exchange for big payouts, and CBS4 Investigates found these attacks are hitting people in the Centennial state.

(credit: CBS)

Holly Parker, of Fruita, got a letter in the mail last fall, saying some of her personal information may have been compromised as a result of a ransomware attack. Cybercriminals had infiltrated Blackbaud, a company that stores data for hospitals and schools across the country.

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SCL Health’s hospitals in Colorado were just a few of those compromised. Holly and her family have been patients at SCL Health’s St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction for years.

“That’s one place that you don’t expect your stuff to be compromised by,” Parker said.

According to SCL Health, patient Social Security numbers were encrypted, so that data was protected, but names, birthdays, and addresses were compromised. For some other businesses Blackbaud serves, criminals were able to access social security numbers and financial information.

Blackbaud paid the ransom to the hackers, in exchange for assurance the data wouldn’t be exposed, which is something the FBI advises against, because there’s no guarantee the hackers will stay true to their word.

Now, a nationwide class action lawsuit has been filed against Blackbaud. At least one Colorado resident has joined, because her information was compromised when the attack hit a school she had attended in the past.

Parker says she’s considering joining, as well.

“I think they should be held accountable, because you’ve screwed around with credit, and people’s stuff,” Parker said.

The attack on Blackbaud is just one example in the rise of cyberattacks nationwide. A recent HIPAA Journal study found there was a 25% increase in health care data breaches in 2020.

These attacks aren’t just stealing personal information, they’re also infiltrating the crucial systems we rely on every day.

In May, the Colonial…

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Facebook could face billion dollar fine for data breaches – FOX 31 Denver

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Facebook could face billion dollar fine for data breaches  FOX 31 Denver

Facebook could be facing a multi-billion dollar fine after a European regulator announced Friday that it is launching an investigation into the company over …

“data breach” – read more