Identity Protection

The MAC Lawsuit: What It Reveals About Privacy Risks in AI Beauty Tools If you’ve ever used a virtual try-on tool to see how a lipstick shade looks on your face, or let a beauty app scan your skin to recommend products, you’re not alone. These AI-powered features are designed to make shopping convenient and personal. But a recent lawsuit against MAC Cosmetics suggests that the data these tools collect—facial scans, skin tone measurements, and even behavioral patterns—may be used in ways that consumers never agreed to. ...

Your Windows 11 Account Choice Matters for Security and Privacy When you set up a new Windows 11 PC or reinstall the OS, you’re presented with a pivotal choice: sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local account. This isn’t just about convenience; it’s a foundational decision affecting your data privacy, security profile, and control over your own device. Microsoft heavily promotes its online account, but the local option persists for a reason. Recent updates have even made choosing the latter more difficult, making it essential to understand the trade-offs. ...

Staying Ahead of Scammers: What We Learned from the FTC As part of National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently held a webinar to shed light on the evolving tactics used by scammers. The discussion, held in early March, underscored a clear trend: while the core goals of fraud—stealing money and personal information—remain constant, the methods are becoming more sophisticated and personalized. For the average person, this means old defenses might not be enough against new tricks. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening and, more importantly, how you can build a stronger line of defense. ...