Connect with us

News

Google responds to accusations of ads tracking data of children

Google responded to a report that suggested YouTube advertisers are sourcing data from children viewing videos on the platform.

Published

on

Google responded to a report that suggested YouTube advertisers are sourcing data from children viewing videos on the platform.

On Aug. 18, a day after the report surfaced, Google posted a blog reinstating its “strict privacy standards around made for kids content,” which is content marked on YouTube created for children.

The BigTech giant said it has focused on creating kid-specific products like YouTube Kids and supervised accounts.

It said it launched a restriction worldwide for personalized ads and age-sensitive ad categories for its users under 18. Additionally, the post clarified that it does not allow third-party trackers on ads that appear on kids’ content. 

Nonetheless, on Aug. 17, data analysis and transparency platform Adalytics published a 206-page report alleging that advertisers on YouTube could be “inadvertently harvesting data from millions of children.”

Some of the claims made in the report include cookies indicating a “breakdown” of privacy and YouTube creating an “undisclosed persistent, immutable unique identifier” that gets transmitted to servers even on made-for-kids videos with no clarity on why it’s collecting it.

An article from The New York Times also reported on the research from Adalytics, specifically highlighting an instance where an adult-targeted ad from a Canadian bank was shown to a viewer on a video label for kids.

Adalytics reported that since that viewer clicked on the ad, tracking software from Google, Meta and Microsoft, along with companies, was tagged on the user’s browser.

Concerns around Google’s privacy and data collection standards have been raised in recent months, as the company has been releasing more products with artificial intelligence (AI) incorporated.

On July 11, Google was hit with a lawsuit over its new AI data-scraping privacy policy updates, with the prosecutors saying it is representing millions of users who have had their privacy and property rights violated due to the changes. 

Less than a month later, a report was published that analysed AI-powered extensions for Google’s internet browser Chrome, which said two-thirds could endanger user security.

Business

Celo, Chainlink, Hyperlane launch crosschain USDT on OP Superchain

Published

on

Celo, Chainlink, Hyperlane, and Velodrome have introduced a cross-chain version of Tether’s USDT on the OP Superchain. The newly launched “Super USDT” is backed by reserves locked on Celo and utilizes Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol and Hyperlane for seamless movement across networks. This innovation aims to enhance liquidity and reduce the fragmentation of stablecoins across the ecosystem.

The initiative aligns with Optimism’s goal of creating a unified, interoperable Superchain. Unlike traditional bridged USDT, which struggles with compatibility, Super USDT is designed to integrate with upcoming interchain standards and future native USDT upgrades. This is expected to simplify stablecoin transactions and increase adoption within the Superchain framework.

Chainlink’s business officer, Johann Eid, emphasized the significance of this development, noting that Chainlink’s Data Feeds have already secured billions in USDT lending markets. With the introduction of Super USDT, users will have greater flexibility in utilizing the stablecoin across multiple Optimism-based chains.

Tether’s USDT remains the dominant stablecoin, accounting for over 61% of the $231 billion stablecoin market. With stablecoin adoption surpassing Visa and Mastercard’s transaction volumes, interoperability solutions like Super USDT are becoming increasingly critical for ensuring seamless and efficient digital asset transfers. Read more.

Continue Reading

Business

SEC Enforcement Division closes investigation into Robinhood Crypto

Published

on

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has closed its investigation into Robinhood Crypto, informing the company on February 21 that no enforcement action would be recommended. This decision comes less than a year after Robinhood received a Wells notice regarding potential securities violations.

Robinhood Markets’ compliance officer, Dan Gallagher, criticized the investigation, stating that the company has always adhered to federal securities laws. The SEC had been examining Robinhood’s crypto operations since issuing the Wells notice in May 2024, which suggested possible enforcement action.

In January 2025, Robinhood reached a $45 million settlement with the SEC over multiple securities law violations. The company admitted to some findings in the SEC’s order but has since urged regulators to move away from a “regulation by enforcement” approach.

This development reflects a broader shift in the SEC’s stance on crypto regulation, with growing calls for clearer guidelines. Some experts speculate that pending enforcement actions against other major crypto firms could also be reconsidered. Read more.

Continue Reading

Business

Hong Kong investment firm’s board gives nod to more Bitcoin buying

Published

on

HK Asia Holdings Limited has expanded its Bitcoin holdings to nearly 9 BTC, following board approval for additional purchases. The Hong Kong-based investment firm acquired approximately 7.88 BTC on February 20, spending around $761,705. This comes after its initial 1 BTC purchase a week earlier, which significantly boosted its stock price.

The company financed its Bitcoin acquisition using internal resources, bringing its total investment in the asset to roughly $861,500. The firm emphasized its growing interest in digital assets amid increasing cryptocurrency adoption in the business world.

Following the Bitcoin purchases, HK Asia’s stock price surged by nearly 93% after its first acquisition and continued to rise by 5.7% on February 24. If the trend holds, the stock could surpass its all-time high from June 2019, reflecting strong investor confidence in the firm’s crypto strategy.

HK Asia voluntarily disclosed its Bitcoin acquisitions, even though they remained below the legal threshold requiring disclosure. This move aligns with a broader trend of publicly traded firms incorporating cryptocurrency into their asset holdings.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025 cryptonews.lk