Why Shoppers Fear AI the Most—and How to Protect Your Privacy

Why Shoppers Fear AI the Most—and How to Protect Your Privacy A new survey from eMarketer confirms what many in the consumer protection space have suspected: when it comes to AI-powered shopping tools, data privacy is the top worry by a wide margin. While AI promises convenience—personalized recommendations, instant price comparisons, virtual try-ons—shoppers are increasingly hesitant to hand over the personal information these features require. ...

May 5, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Is That Productivity Extension Safe? How Chrome Extensions Turn Into Backdoors

Is That Productivity Extension Safe? How Chrome Extensions Turn Into Backdoors You probably have a handful of Chrome extensions running right now—a grammar checker, a password manager, a coupon finder, maybe a note-taking tool. They feel harmless, just convenient helpers that live in your browser. But over the past year, security researchers have documented a troubling pattern: attackers are taking over legitimate-looking productivity extensions and turning them into data-stealing backdoors. ...

May 5, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

Why Shoppers Fear AI's Impact on Privacy and What to Do About It

Why Shoppers Fear AI’s Impact on Privacy and What to Do About It A new survey from eMarketer confirms what many already suspected: data privacy is the top worry for shoppers when using AI-powered shopping tools—by a wide margin. The findings, released in May 2026, come as more retailers embed AI assistants, chatbots, and recommendation engines into their platforms. For anyone who has wondered whether that convenience comes at a cost, the answer is complicated. ...

May 5, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Which to-do list app is safest? We checked the privacy of Wirecutter's top picks

Which to-do list app is safest? We checked the privacy of Wirecutter’s top picks A good to-do list app keeps you organized. But it also collects a surprising amount of personal data: task contents, deadlines, often your location, calendar, and contacts. In 2025, Wirecutter published its updated picks for the three best to-do list apps. The review focused on features, ease of use, and reliability. What it didn’t cover in depth is how well each app protects your privacy and security. ...

May 5, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

The 3 Best To-Do List Apps of 2026 (And How They Protect Your Privacy)

The 3 Best To-Do List Apps of 2026 (And How They Protect Your Privacy) A few months ago, Wirecutter published its annual roundup of the best to-do list apps for 2026. The article is a solid resource for anyone trying to stay organized. But if you care about where your data ends up—and these days almost everyone should—the usual feature comparisons aren’t enough. ...

May 5, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

Is That Chrome Extension Safe? How 'Productivity Tools' Can Be Backdoors

Is That Chrome Extension Safe? How ‘Productivity Tools’ Can Be Backdoors Browser extensions have become essential for streamlining work, but recent incidents show they are also turning into a favored attack vector. In March 2026, Security Boulevard reported on how seemingly innocent productivity tool extensions were used to infiltrate enterprise networks. Around the same time, the FBI disclosed an investigation into a “sophisticated” hack of its own surveillance system, with links to similar threats. For anyone who uses Chrome extensions — especially in a workplace setting — understanding the risks and knowing how to protect yourself is no longer optional. ...

May 5, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Season and Beyond

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Season and Beyond Online shopping has become a routine part of modern life, but it also attracts fraudsters looking to steal money and personal information. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lose billions of dollars each year to online shopping fraud, and the methods scammers use keep evolving. The Department of Veterans Affairs has published guidance on staying safe, and the same principles apply to anyone shopping online. Knowing what to look for and how to respond can make the difference between a smooth transaction and a costly mistake. ...

May 5, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Why Shoppers Worry About AI and Privacy — and What You Can Do About It

Why Shoppers Worry About AI and Privacy — and What You Can Do About It A survey published by eMarketer this month confirms what many observers have suspected: data privacy is far and away the top concern consumers have about using AI shopping tools. Nearly half of respondents said they worry about how their personal information is collected and used when they interact with an AI assistant for shopping. This finding is not surprising, but it is a useful signal for anyone who uses — or is thinking about using — these tools. ...

May 5, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

Is That Productivity Chrome Extension Safe? How Backdoors Turn Tools Into Threats

Is That Productivity Chrome Extension Safe? How Backdoors Turn Tools Into Threats If you use Chrome extensions for work—whether it’s a grammar checker, a note-taking app, or a password manager—you might assume they’re safe. After all, they come from the Chrome Web Store, and millions of people use them. But that trust is being exploited. ...

May 5, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Spot the New Google Scam That Looks Legit – and Stay Safe

How to Spot the New Google Scam That Looks Legit – and Stay Safe A convincing phishing campaign that impersonates Google has been making the rounds. According to a recent report from Reader’s Digest, the scam uses official-looking emails and login pages to trick people into handing over their credentials. If you use Gmail, Google Drive, or any other Google service, this is one you need to know about. ...

May 5, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk