After delay, Trump signs agreement to begin formal transition handoff
Digital fingerprinting suddenly becomes real—again With Google’s last tracking u-turn fresh in the mind, here comes another one. Not only have cookies won a stay of execution , it now looks like digital fingerprinting is back as well. But as one regulator has pointed out, Google itself has said that this type of tracking “subverts user choice and is wrong.” And yet here we are—wrong or not. “We think this change is irresponsible,” the regulator warns. For its part, Google cites advances in so-called privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) as raising the bar for user privacy, enabling it to loosen the shackles on advertisers and the hidden trackers that underpin the internet and make the whole ecosystem work. This, it says, will unlock “new ways for brands to manage and activate their data safely and securely,” while “also giving people the privacy protections they expect.” The risk is that this simply rolls the dark side of tracking cookies forward into a new era, and in a way that is impossible for users to unpick to understand their risks. The specifics are complex—these are the algorithms that ingest all the data signals you give off when browsing the internet on any device, some based on who you are—device, IP and credential identifiers, but also the sites you visit and apps you use as a map to be followed and analyzed. The change has been prompted, Google explains , in part by “the broader range of surfaces on which ads are served.” This includes smart TVs and gaming consoles, as well as all your usual browser and app activity. While Chrome has taken plenty of flack for tracking, this takes it to a new, very different level. “In the past decade,” Google says, “the way people engage with the internet changed dramatically. So we’re constantly evaluating our policies to ensure they reflect the latest evolutions in technology and meet our partners’ needs and users’ expectations.” And so from February 16 , Google will be “less prescriptive with partners in how they target and measure ads” across “the broader range of surfaces on which ads are served (such as Connected TVs and gaming consoles).” Falling Back Under North Korean Assault, A Ukrainian Brigade Turned A River Into A Natural Barrier Mystery Drone Sightings: Drones Now Banned In More Than A Dozen New Jersey Cities, FAA Says (Updated) New Gmail Security Warning For 2.5 Billion—Second Attack Wave Incoming “Fingerprinting involves the collection of pieces of information about a device’s software or hardware, which, when combined, can uniquely identify a particular device and user,” explains Stephen Almond, representing the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office . “The ICO’s view is that fingerprinting is not a fair means of tracking users online because it is likely to reduce people’s choice and control over how their information is collected. The change to Google’s policy means that fingerprinting could now replace the functions of third-party cookies.” The ICO says that “when you choose an option on a consent banner or ‘clear all site data’ in your browser, you are generally controlling the use of cookies and other traditional forms of local storage. Fingerprinting, however, relies on signals that you cannot easily wipe. So, even if you ‘clear all site data’, the organisation using fingerprinting techniques could immediately identify you again. This is not transparent and cannot easily be controlled. Fingerprinting is harder for browsers to block and therefore, even privacy-conscious users will find this difficult to stop.” Changes to user tracking confirmed Both the regulator and Google have confirmed they’ll continue to engage on this change, which the ICO says is a “u-turn in its position and the departure it represents from our expectation of a privacy-friendly internet.” The regulator has also issued a stark warning for businesses that might be readying themselves for the gloves to come off in February when the changes kick in. “Businesses do not have free rein to use fingerprinting as they please. Like all advertising technology, it must be lawfully and transparently deployed—and if it is not, the ICO will act.” Google gives an example of the need for such fingerprinting in its announcement—smart TVs and streaming services. “Internet users are embracing Connected TV (CTV) experiences, making it one of the fastest growing advertising channels. Businesses who advertise on CTV need the ability to connect with relevant audiences and understand the effectiveness of their campaigns. As people and households increasingly shift to streaming platforms, the ecosystem should invest in and develop solutions that are effective and measurable in an incredibly fragmented environment.” Put simply—cross-platform, cross-device ad tracking. A move which does take the focus away from Chrome as being the epicenter of Google’s tracking empire—the timing of which is interesting. It’s hard to imagine a more complex backdrop, with the ongoing DOJ action that is expected to see changes mandated, including the potential for Chrome to be divested . Then there is the uncertainty as to what will replace tracking cookies. “Businesses should not consider fingerprinting a simple solution to the loss of third-party cookies and other cross-site tracking signals,” the ICO says, insisting users have “meaningful control over how their information is used to show them personalized adverts.” At its simplest, while tracking cookies are a nasty underpin to the internet, they can be seen and controlled, whether by those website popups or electing to use some form of private browsing that blocks such cookies altogether. Digital fingerprinting is not as obvious and so is harder to spot and to block, it’s also more open to clever manipulation as the tracking industry tests boundaries. Google says it can “apply privacy-preserving protections that help businesses reach their customers across these new platforms without the need to re-identify them. And because we’re looking to encourage responsible data use as the new standard across the web, we’ll also partner with the broader ads industry and help make PETs more accessible.” Coming just months after the tracking cookie u-turn and with no firm Plan B in site, this is already being greeted with significant regulatory skepticism. For users it’s yet one more reason to think carefully about the browser they use and the settings they apply across all their smart devices. I have approached Google for any comments on these regulatory warnings.Gautam Adani breaks silence on US allegations to say his group is committed to compliance
Cerity Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Solventum Co. ( NYSE:SOLV – Free Report ) by 27.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 52,719 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 11,337 shares during the quarter. Cerity Partners LLC’s holdings in Solventum were worth $3,676,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD bought a new stake in shares of Solventum during the first quarter valued at approximately $5,889,000. CWM LLC purchased a new position in shares of Solventum in the second quarter worth $473,000. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Solventum during the second quarter valued at $493,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Solventum during the second quarter valued at $58,000. Finally, Swedbank AB bought a new stake in Solventum in the 2nd quarter worth about $4,711,000. Solventum Price Performance SOLV opened at $71.51 on Friday. Solventum Co. has a 1-year low of $47.16 and a 1-year high of $96.05. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $70.55 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $62.60. The company has a current ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.45. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on SOLV Solventum Profile ( Free Report ) Solventum Corporation, a healthcare company, engages in the developing, manufacturing, and commercializing a portfolio of solutions to address critical customer and patient needs. It operates through four segments: Medsurg, Dental Solutions, Health Information Systems, and Purification and Filtration. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SOLV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Solventum Co. ( NYSE:SOLV – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Solventum Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Solventum and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .None
Rico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title when he hit a major league-best .366 for the Atlanta Braves, has died. He was 85. Major League Baseball , the players’ association and the Braves paid tribute to Carty on social media on Sunday. No further details on Carty’s death were provided. “Carty was one of the first groundbreaking Latino stars in the major leagues, and he established himself as a hero to millions in his native Dominican Republic, his hometown of San Pedro de Macoris, and the city of Atlanta, where he was a beloved fan favourite,” the players’ association said in its statement . The Braves said Carty left an indelible mark on the organization. “While his on-field accomplishments will never be forgotten, his unforgettable smile and generous nature will be sorely missed,” the team said in its statement. Carty made his big league debut with the Braves in September 1963. He batted .330 with 22 homers and 88 RBIs in his first full season in 1964, finishing second to Dick Allen in voting for NL Rookie of the Year. The Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta after the 1965 season, and Carty got the franchise’s first hit in its new home on April 12, 1966, against Pittsburgh. Carty had his best year in 1970, batting .366 with 25 homers and a career-best 101 RBIs. He started the All-Star Game after he was elected as a write-in candidate, joining Willie Mays and Hank Aaron in the NL outfield. Carty batted .299 with 204 homers and 890 RBIs over 15 years in the majors, also playing for Cleveland, Toronto, Oakland, Texas and the Chicago Cubs. He retired after the 1979 season.Broncos activate Drew Sanders
Isaac Brown, Duke Watson each rush for 2 TDs, Louisville gets 5 turnovers in 41-14 rout of Kentucky
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