Data Breaches and Missteps: A Week of Woes for Tech and Politics

This week has seen a string of high-profile missteps and data breaches that have left tech companies and politicians reeling. From Bumble's failure to protect user data to Trump's cringeworthy comments on women's hockey, it's been a week to forget for many.

First, the dating app Bumble found itself at the center of a class action lawsuit after the hacker group ShinyHunters claimed to have breached the company's servers and stolen 30GB of user data. According to the complaint, Bumble failed to adequately protect its users' personal identifiable information (PII), which includes sensitive details such as full names, birth dates, addresses, and Social Security numbers.

A Bumble spokesperson told Cybernews that the company's InfoSec team quickly detected and eliminated the access, and that the incident was contained. However, the damage may already be done, with the lawsuit claiming that Bumble's negligence has put its users at risk of identity theft and other forms of cybercrime.

Meanwhile, in the world of politics, Trump drew criticism for his comments on women's hockey during a locker-room phone call with the US men's hockey team. After congratulating the team on their gold medal win, Trump joked that he would "probably be impeached" if he invited the women's team to the White House. The comments were widely panned on social media, with many accusing Trump of sexism and disrespect towards the women's team.

In other news, a report by The Local Stack revealed that LinkedIn's verification process for users shares data with third-party companies. According to the report, the verification service used by LinkedIn, called Persona, collects sensitive information from users, including their name, address, and date of birth, and shares it with other companies. The report raises concerns about the handling of user data by tech companies and the potential risks of identity theft and cybercrime.

In India, the government's "VIP culture" has come under fire after a series of incidents highlighted the country's entrenched system of privilege and entitlement. From politicians using public funds to build lavish homes to bureaucrats abusing their power to get ahead, the "VIP culture" has become a major issue in Indian politics.

Finally, in a bizarre incident, the US government deployed a nutrition bot called Grok to advise users on healthy eating habits. However, the bot's advice included some unusual suggestions, such as using vegetables rectally. The incident has raised questions about the government's use of AI and the potential risks of relying on technology to provide health advice.

As the week comes to a close, it's clear that tech companies and politicians have a lot to learn about responsible data handling, respect for women's sports, and the responsible use of AI. Whether it's Bumble's security fail or Trump's hockey gaffe, this week has been a sobering reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in the digital age.

Sources:

• Bumble failed to protect user data in ShinyHunters hack, class action suit claims (Cybernews)
• Trump celebrated the men's hockey gold. The women were the punchline. (The Washington Post)
• Verified LinkedIn users data is shared in shocking ways, report claims (The Local Stack)
• India's VIP culture is out of control (The Economist)
• US Gov Deploys Grok as Nutrition Bot, It Advises for Rectal Use of Vegetables (NextGov)