Hackers Expose Age-Verification Software Powering Surveillance Web
4 days ago
- #privacy
- #hacktivism
- #surveillance
- Discord announced 'teen-by-default' settings requiring age verification via facial scanning, sparking backlash.
- Hacktivists discovered Persona's frontend exposed online, revealing extensive surveillance capabilities beyond age verification.
- Persona performs 269 verification checks, including facial recognition, financial screening, and adverse media checks, retaining data for up to three years.
- The software flags users as 'suspicious entities' based on facial analysis, risking unjust financial penalties.
- Persona's code revealed a parallel government implementation, suggesting collaboration with federal agencies for surveillance.
- The exposed service included features like real-time user monitoring and AI-powered chat assistance for handling suspicious activity reports.
- Researchers warn that such systems make the internet less safe, as they are exploitable and prone to leaks.
- Persona's CEO reached out to researchers, but concerns about user watchlists remain unaddressed.
- The findings highlight the collaboration between corporations and governments in expanding surveillance capabilities.
- The article calls for awareness and resistance against the normalization of pervasive surveillance.