Image by Stock Catalog, from Flickr
Uber Fined €290 Million For Data Privacy Violations
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
Uber was hit with a €290 million fine today ($324 million) by the Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) for unlawfully transferring the personal data of European drivers to the United States, violating European Union (EU) regulations.
It’s reported that the data transferred included ID documents, taxi licenses, location data, payment details, and in some cases, even criminal and medical records.
In its press release, the DPA noted that Uber transferred this data to its U.S. headquarters over a period of more than two years without implementing the necessary safeguards. This lack of protection occurred despite the EU’s Court of Justice invalidating the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield in 2020.
The press release also says that while Standard Contractual Clauses were suggested as a valid alternative for transferring data outside the EU, these clauses require that an equivalent level of data protection is ensured in practice, which the DPA asserts Uber failed to achieve.
Uber, however, strongly disagrees with the ruling. “This flawed decision and extraordinary fine are completely unjustified,” Uber spokesperson Caspar Nixon told Reuters in an email.
Others in the industry have criticized the fine. “The busiest internet route in the world could not simply be put on hold for three entire years while governments worked to establish a new legal framework for these data flows,” says Alexandre Roure, head of policy for the Computer and Communications Industry Association in a (CCIA) statement .
Roure also expresses concern over the fine, noting that “retroactive fines by data protection authorities are especially worrisome given that these very privacy watchdogs failed to provide helpful guidance during this period of significant legal uncertainty.”
The investigation that led to this fine began after a French human rights organization filed a complaint on behalf of over 170 taxi drivers. As Uber’s European headquarters are based in the Netherlands, the case was transferred to the Dutch DPA.
Photo by Andy Kelly on Unsplash
China Robot Conference Showcases Cutting-Edge Humanoid Robots
- Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
- Fact-Checked by
The World Robot Conference (WRC) 2024, which featured cutting-edge technology in the robotics industry, took place in Beijing last week, from August 21st to the 25th.
According to Reuters , one of the most impressive technologies has been the development of humanoid robots, a record of 27 models has been registered. Wisson Technology was one of the companies that stood out for its advances in pneumatic artificial muscle development and for using cheaper alternatives to achieve sophisticated results.
The Chinese company has managed to create flexible arms that can be used in humanoid robots for around $1,404 and is already discussing production with other companies across the globe.
During the event, the main challenges in developing the new technologies were also addressed. “The whole supply chain still needs to address issues with product reliability,” said Yi Gang, founder of Ti5 Robot—a company that specializes in joints— to Reuters, and explained that the maximum volumes they can reach are 1,000 robots due to defect rates.
While the conference wasn’t focused on humanoid robots, and other companies showcased important progress in other industries, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and education, most visitors were interested in the human-like structures.
“Wherever the humanoid robots went, they were surrounded by large crowds taking photos and making videos,” reported Global Times in a chronicle of the event. Companies like Leju and UBTECH brought their latest humanoid robots to show visitors their achievements.
“Humanoids are taking off,” reported CNBC in a recent video covering the event, “they can play music, cook, serve you a soft drink, and work in the living room.”
The Associated Press also covered the event and showed videos of the new humanoids that can blink, move their fingers and arms, and speak.
Tesla was also present at the conference with its humanoid robot, Optimus , among other humanoid robot developers.
