Forensic insights from
the world's most experienced
privacy advocate.
By Simon Davies I spent nearly twenty years as a university lecturer unsuccessfully trying to figure a way to make authentication a fun and popular topic, and only now have I cracked the problem. It’s all about “pull” and “push” and making people in call centres read out hilariously stupid words from their screen. I …
Read More...
By Simon Davies Any company that has a data protection officer or privacy adviser will understand the fundamental risks of bad data management. Keeping too much customer information – and for too long. Failing to provide even basic security measures. Risking data breaches because of poor staff training and support. These are obvious 1.0.1 aspects …
Read More...
By Simon Davies Many readers will have encountered the “Microsoft critical alert” virus on their browsers. This tech support scam hijacks your browser with an audio pop-up that loudly advises you to call a “toll free” number with the threat that failure to do so will result in your computer being disabled. The more …
Read More...
By Simon Davies If you ever needed to gain an understanding of Europe’s mindset on the protection of internal security, you need to look no further than the Swedish border. Here, in this former warm-blooded bastion of humanity and freedom, you will see how the future of this region is unfolding. Do what I did, …
Read More...
By Simon Davies This weekend’s thwarted attack aboard a high speed train in northern France has raised the spectre of a further disintegration of civil liberties and privacy across Europe. Belgian and French authorities have already stepped up rail security, with increased baggage and identity checks and an escalation of armed security at rail terminals. …
Read More...
By Simon Davies Overpriced bourbon isn’t the only reason why San Francisco’s International House of Wine & Liquor is noteworthy. The last time I was there a year or two ago, anyone of any age who buys a packet of cigarettes there is forced to disclose an identity document. A slightly luminescent pink sign on …
Read More...
By Simon Davies Anyone concerned about the future of privacy protection should take careful note of the fallout from the Charlie Hebdo shootings in France. The rapid chain of events in the days since then has triggered a domino effect of intrusive proposals and inflammatory rhetoric that could imperil the right to privacy for decades …
Read More...
By Simon Davies For some decades, many Americans have felt deeply anxious about their personal security. This anxiety became so embedded that by 1980 two-thirds of the nation reported feeling “highly fearful” of becoming a victim of violent crime. You might imagine that this fear would be reflected in an obsession with proven and robust …
Read More...
By Simon Davies A 14 year-old Netherlands girl was arrested yesterday for posting a Tweet that was claimed to be a terrorist threat against American Airlines. “Hello, my name’s Ibrahim and I’m from Afghanistan”, the Tweet began, in classic Bin Laden style, concluding with: “I’m part of Al Qaida and on June 1st I’m going …
Read More...
By Simon Davies I am making an appeal to everyone who has used a webcam over Yahoo in the past six years to consider making a formal complaint to UK police over unlawful interception by Britain’s communications intelligence agency, GCHQ. This action has become necessary because of the continuing refusal by the British government to …
Read More...The PrivacySurgeon is owned and operated by Simon Davies - Initial design by Scarab Designs Ltd - Implementation, coding and maintenance by Jim & Pete.
