International Privacy News: August 2025
01.09.2025
Zusammenfassung
This is a summary of data privacy-related news from around the world that we published on LinkedIn in August 2025.
4 Minuten Lesezeit
As the summer continues, August brought another wave of developments in data protection, privacy laws, and digital rights across the globe. From government actions and court rulings to corporate breaches and debates on surveillance, the month highlighted the ongoing tension between security, innovation, and fundamental rights. This summary compiles the most relevant updates we shared on LinkedIn throughout the month:
U.S. Social Security Breach (August 29, 2025)
A whistleblower revealed that sensitive Social Security data of 300 million Americans had been left unsecured, creating one of the largest potential privacy risks in U.S. history.
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Digital ID Privacy Risks (August 28, 2025)
Experts warned that digital ID wallets, while useful for online age verification, may introduce severe privacy vulnerabilities.
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Bluesky Mississippi Shutdown (August 27, 2025)
Bluesky ceased operations in Mississippi following a new age-verification law, raising major concerns over privacy and free speech.
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Telegram CEO Defends Privacy (August 26, 2025)
After being arrested in France, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov declared he would never allow government backdoors to access user messages.
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FTC Warns Tech About Privacy (August 25, 2025)
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission chair cautioned tech companies not to weaken domestic privacy protections while complying with EU and UK digital laws.
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UK Afghan Data Breach (August 22, 2025)
A cyberattack on a UK defense contractor exposed personal data of 3,700 resettled Afghans, fueling serious privacy concerns.
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UK Drops Apple Backdoor (August 21, 2025)
The UK abandoned its demand for Apple to weaken iCloud encryption, reportedly due to U.S. pressure.
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India School Facial Recognition (August 20, 2025)
India’s plan to use AI-based facial recognition for student attendance has sparked warnings over risks to children’s privacy.
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U.S. Senator Exposes Data Brokers (August 19, 2025)
Senator Maggie Hassan criticized data brokers for deliberately hiding opt-out pages, undermining consumer rights.
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India Cybercrime Risks (August 18, 2025)
Cybercriminals in India exploited trending topics with fake apps and malicious links, exposing users to data theft.
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Instagram Map Privacy Concerns (August 15, 2025)
Instagram’s new “Map” feature, allowing users to share real-time locations, raised alarms over stalking and safety risks.
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EU Mandates Chat Scanning (August 14, 2025)
The European Parliament pushed for mandatory scanning of all private chats, prompting strong privacy and surveillance objections.
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China Warns Biometric Crypto (August 13, 2025)
China issued warnings that biometric-based cryptocurrency projects, such as iris-scanning tokens, could threaten both privacy and national security.
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AI & Surveillance Expansion (August 12, 2025)
Tech giants invested $400 billion in AI, with Palantir securing a $10 billion U.S. contract, fueling concerns about expanding surveillance powers.
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Tea Dating App Breach (August 11, 2025)
The women’s safety-focused dating app “Tea” suffered a breach exposing 72,000 private images.
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Europe’s Online Age Checks (August 8, 2025)
Rapid implementation of online age checks using IDs or facial scans in Europe has raised major privacy concerns.
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Dutch Privacy Authority vs Israel (August 7, 2025)
The Dutch data protection authority warned that Israeli data demands on aid groups could breach EU law and endanger humanitarian staff.
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China Demands Nvidia Security Proofs (August 6, 2025)
China called on Nvidia to prove the security of its AI chips, citing privacy risks and concerns about foreign technology backdoors.
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U.S. Biometric Data Deals (August 5, 2025)
The U.S. signed agreements with Chile and Ecuador for biometric data-sharing, raising questions about oversight and privacy.
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TSA Facial Recognition Debate (August 4, 2025)
U.S. airlines opposed a bill to limit TSA’s use of facial recognition, arguing it would harm efficiency and security.
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Australian Political Hack (August 1, 2025)
A ransomware attack on two Australian political parties exposed supporter data, spotlighting privacy risks under exemptions in the Privacy Act.
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You can also follow us on LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest developments in data protection: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iitr-datenschutz-gmbh/
