Protecting the Vulnerable Online: Why Encryption is Key
The end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020 have seen rampant attacks on an aspect of communications technologies we often take for granted: encryption. In addition to being the protective buffer of most internet traffic—everything from commercial transactions to social interactions—it also protects those who may need increased privacy, including vulnerable populations such as LGBTQ+ users living in nations where it is illegal to be part of that community, as well as domestic violence victims. Law enforcement often voices [...]
Digital Solutions in a Changing World – The App Economy in Times of COVID-19
With most of the world under some level of lockdown, technological innovation continues to play a crucial role in our fight against COVID-19. Public authorities, policymakers, and medical experts rely on the use of aggregated data to inform their decision-making and mitigate the impact of the crisis. The COVID-19 outbreak is a transnational issue, so a pan-European approach needs to support digital solutions and to ensure their growth and effectiveness. Thousands of apps already play a large role in our [...]
Small Business Resources: Myth v. Fact COVID-19 Edition
There is a lot of misinformation around the CARES Act and the support small businesses receive as a result. We understand this is a confusing time, and we’re here to help. Below, we get to the bottom of some common misconceptions around the resources provided for small businesses at this time. We also included our small business resources webinar to help small business owners get an in-depth understandings of the ins and outs of these programs. Myth: If an [...]
Small Biz Week and the City
“And I couldn’t help but wonder…what can others do to support their local businesses?” “Your order has arrived.” YES! I patiently wait for my courier to drop my order on the doorstep (contactless delivery, duh). It’s a Saturday evening in quarantine, and I’m gearing up for a big night: Netflix and a food and booze delivery from Capo Deli, a local favorite of mine. As I settle into my couch and sift through the endless content options, I reflect on [...]
EARN IT, Encryption, and Section 230: A Summary of Recent Developments
In a global pandemic, we are embracing the online world as our “new normal.” If we didn’t already, we now conduct our work, shopping, and social lives on the web more than ever. So, it comes as no surprise that privacy and its close friend encryption have entered the scene, albeit in a context no one saw coming. We’ve talked a bit about encryption recently on our blog, but for this installment the focus is on encryption developments months to [...]
Proximity Tracing and Exposure Notifications 101 – Principles That Should Guide Europe’s Search for a COVID-19 App
COVID-19 apps can play a crucial role in helping economies around the world restart safely. So far, there are 11 countries with official tracing apps in use, and at least 15 more nations that are either considering an official government app or where private solutions are in use. A variety of different applications provide a range of services from information and self-diagnostics to quarantine enforcement and contact tracing. Around the world, health authorities have emphasised the importance of contact tracing [...]