#Outsource Data Collection

[itesservices]

Accurate data collection is crucial for informed decision-making and strategic planning. Professional data collection services ensure reliable, high-quality data that drives business impact. By leveraging these services, companies can gain valuable insights, optimize operations, and stay competitive in their industries. Employing experienced professionals for data collection helps avoid errors and enhances the overall effectiveness of business strategies. Make data-driven decisions with confidence by investing in specialized data collection services. 

[mantisgodsdomain]

IF team snakemouth had a Minecraft hobby, how would be their playstyles?

You are asking the wrong person. Hold on let us redirect this to the experts @boiledegghole @danspectorboy

(transcript below cut)

Two screenshots of Discord conversations with boiledegghole and danspectorboy.

boiledegghole: ok so.

i think i have a friend who plays exactly how i feel like vi would play

she would be like "adventure time" and travel thousands of blocks out for no reason. and shed invite people all the time like "adventure?"

once i accepted my friends invite to adventure and i ended up accidentally being in 3 vcs at once so i was minecraft catatonic for most of the travel, in which he dragged me around in a boat. by the time i escaped my mind hell he was gone and i was in the middle of fucking nowhere

leif would go fucking nuts on the redstone. i think he would be decent at building as well. but hed be a Fucking Nerd about redstone

kabbu i think would like caving. he would have a humble house but hed easily be the richest person on the server. he probably has a dedicated side house for his horse

danspectorboy: Kabbu likes grinding for items and may have crashed their server by sheer quantities of animals. Leif likes to explore and probably doesn't know how crafting works. Vi tries to build farms and none of them work . Probably turns creative mod on and pretends to have gotten the items legitimately. NONE of them know how to build so they live on a dug out cave with like. Three beds by the entrance and a two by one tunnel that runs in front of incredibly disorganised chests and kabbus mine entrance (he digs straight down)

[retailor]

Website : https://www.retailor.az

Address : Binəqədi, Azerbaijan

Retailor LLC specializes in Retail Audit, Retail Census, and Team Outsourcing services across Central Asia and the Caucasus. With over 15 years of experience in FMCG and Project Management, and 10 years in Retail Audit management, Retailor stands out for its in-depth knowledge of the retail market and advanced data collection and reporting tools. The company is committed to connecting retail execution with strategy, ensuring reliable and actionable data for partners like Coca-Cola, Unilever, and Colgate-Palmolive.

Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/company/retailor-llc/

Keywords: project management in retail retail business intelligence retail market research retail technology solutions retail market analysis retail strategy consulting retail execution management retail business operations retail audit services retail census solutions team outsourcing for retail retail strategy implementation fmcg market insights advanced retail data collection retail reporting technology retail execution optimization retail data accuracy retail partner support retail market efficiency retail audit management comprehensive retail audits data driven retail insights outsourced retail team expertise retail strategy implementation solutions cutting edge fmcg market analysis efficient project management in retail innovations in retail data collection technology driven retail reporting optimizing retail execution strategies data accuracy in retail analytics partner support for retail success enhancing retail market efficiency tailored retail technology solutions streamlined retail business operations effective retail audit management strategic retail consulting services in depth retail market research business intelligence for retail success proactive retail execution management retail audit and analysis strategic insights for retail growth professional retail team outsourcing retail strategy implementation tactics comprehensive fmcg market insights proven project management in retail cutting edge retail data solutions optimal retail execution strategies accuracy in retail data analytics partner support for retail excellence streamlining retail market efficiency efficient retail business operations expert retail audit management targeted retail audit and analysis

[ayeforscotland]

Ad | Hi folks, I'd previously been getting into the swing of posting Humble Bundle deals and the charities they were helping. With any non-bundle purchases helping to raise money for Endometriosis research and support. Then Humble decided to outsource their partner program to a system called 'Impact' which has honestly been a massive pain to get my head round. Looks like I can't link to bundles directly and they only give me the above link to share.

There is currently:

The TellTale Games Bundle featuring Batman, the Expanse, the Walking Dead, the Wolf Among Us - Currently raising money for Save the Children

The Sid Meier Collection with every Civilization game and DLC I can think of - Raising money for Covenant House and Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

Math for Programmers Book Bundle which contains a whole bunch of data science, cryptography and Python books - Raising money for Girls Who Code

Learn Unit Game Development Course - From Shaders to 3D to a course on Game Feel - Raising money for Oceana

Super Game Asset Bundle for Unreal, Godot, and Unity. Over 7000 audio, visual and environmental assets - Raising money for Direct Relief.

Not sure if this format is okay, it requires you to visit the link and navigate but hope it helps? Let me know.

[ninelives2]

Nine Lives statement on the use of generative AI in fanfic

Hey, lovely readers and writers:

We've been talking about the uptick in people using generative AI to "write" fanfic, and thought we should make clear our position about it. Below is our collective statement.

As part of this process we've updated Nine Lives' Terms of Service and clarified our policy on plagiarism.

____________________________________________________

If you outsource the act of being a fan to AI, what does that leave you? Fan creators are powerful because they’re deeply participatory media consumers—they don’t passively absorb a work, but grab onto it and reshape it to their will.

Elizabeth Minkel, “Where the Wild Stories Are”

Nine Lives emphatically rejects the use of generative AI in creating and publishing fan fiction. Among the many other concerns about their use, sophisticated large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT pilfer and plagiarize the writing of creators without permission, credit, or compensation to churn out prose devoid of personality or author voice. Generative AI is replicative, not creative. It can rearrange the words and ideas found in the sources it is fed, even "sound" like the writing of a particular author, but it cannot come up with its own, original prose. There is no human mind involved in the process.

There are legitimate, often beneficial uses for AI, including making text accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities. But having a computer crank something out in response to a set of prompts and calling it "writing" - that's at best a pale imitation of the real thing, and in our opinion has no place in fandom.

We have updated our Terms of Service (TOS) to clarify that AI-generated works are not to be posted on the Nine Lives Archive, for two reasons: 1) Because AI-generated works are not your work; it’s a computer doing your thinking for you. The TOS already explicitly states that works published on the archive must be your own. And 2) because those LLMs were trained on the works of other writers, using AI to generate a Caryl story constitutes plagiarism, which is also already spelled out as being against the TOS.

That said: we don’t have the resources to police your work, and we don’t want people to report “violations”. We’re just going to say, “Please don’t use AI to generate fic at all, and specifically don’t use it to generate Caryl fic and post it on Nine Lives.”

As Tumblr user Mikkeneko puts it, “Generative AI… fails on every count. It's inaccurate, it's unethical, it's unreliable, it's wrong.”

----------------------------------------------------------------

For background information, additional viewpoints and concerns, here are a few links, starting with the Ellipsus blog guest post where the quote at the beginning came from. (The Tumblr post contains links to information about the environmental impact of the data centers required by AI. If for no other reason, that impact should be enough to stop you from using AI.)

https://www.facebook.com/FenWrites/posts/pfbid0ohYKyEYoyW5Ky3dULEM58WX3MAJrpPfLpM4yJ2RzcFUa6yXxd9A9UALLwZVxREDcl

[muffinrecord]

Oh yeah and that's not to mention that I need to go back eventually and record all the stupid Magia Exedra-original parts that... aren't in the archive. Like Namae's commentary on events or reactions to memsparks and things like that. Which means new account eventually and tbh I don't feel like doing it. I'm kind of considering outsourcing that work and asking someone else to do it... But that feels really mean. Why? Swapping accounts SUCKS in this game.

I would swap accounts on Magireco easily (and maintained a few alts to collect stuff I couldn't get on my main), but it's SUCH a massive pain here. Every time you swap it takes a long time to port the data over I guess? And it also resets EVERYTHING. So how you ordered things to descend (for example, how portraits are displayed) and also it's not saved across all settings, you'll have to change it for the training page, then when you equip it, then... And you have to do it for every single thing that takes a preference into account.

Like it's not a big deal in the small scheme of things. If it was just one thing then I could deal with it just fine. But it all adds up. And it's EVERY single time you swap accounts.

Then there's the fact that your action points in this game need to be spent every few hours and you don't have as much leeway like you did in magireco. And how the buttons in the game don't feel very responsive so you have to click multiple times occasionally to do something. And man, I just can't be arsed. I'm allowed to put my foot down at some point, right? And say "this is my hobby and this is supposed to be fun and I am not having fun. this is a detriment to my fun."

It's like every single step can't be simple, now it needs some stupid issue that makes it more obnoxious than it needs to be. It feels like the devs went out of their way to make this game as annoying as possible to record for.

Magireco was a lot of fun to do archive work. It could be tedious too but it wasn't annoying. This game really sucks for it. It's straight up ruining my enjoyment of the game.

[angelsaxis]

In February 2022, Sama and OpenAI’s relationship briefly deepened, only to falter. That month, Sama began pilot work for a separate project for OpenAI: collecting sexual and violent images—some of them illegal under U.S. law—to deliver to OpenAI. The work of labeling images appears to be unrelated to ChatGPT. In a statement, an OpenAI spokesperson did not specify the purpose of the images the company sought from Sama, but said labeling harmful images was “a necessary step” in making its AI tools safer. (OpenAI also builds image-generation technology.) In February, according to one billing document reviewed by TIME, Sama delivered OpenAI a sample batch of 1,400 images. Some of those images were categorized as “C4”���OpenAI’s internal label denoting child sexual abuse—according to the document. Also included in the batch were “C3” images (including bestiality, rape, and sexual slavery,) and “V3” images depicting graphic detail of death, violence or serious physical injury, according to the billing document. OpenAI paid Sama a total of $787.50 for collecting the images, the document shows.

Within weeks, Sama had canceled all its work for OpenAI—eight months earlier than agreed in the contracts. The outsourcing company said in a statement that its agreement to collect images for OpenAI did not include any reference to illegal content, and it was only after the work had begun that OpenAI sent “additional instructions” referring to “some illegal categories.” “The East Africa team raised concerns to our executives right away. Sama immediately ended the image classification pilot and gave notice that we would cancel all remaining [projects] with OpenAI,” a Sama spokesperson said. “The individuals working with the client did not vet the request through the proper channels. After a review of the situation, individuals were terminated and new sales vetting policies and guardrails were put in place.”

In a statement, OpenAI confirmed that it had received 1,400 images from Sama that “​​included, but were not limited to, C4, C3, C2, V3, V2, and V1 images.” In a followup statement, the company said: “We engaged Sama as part of our ongoing work to create safer AI systems and prevent harmful outputs. We never intended for any content in the C4 category to be collected. This content is not needed as an input to our pretraining filters and we instruct our employees to actively avoid it. As soon as Sama told us they had attempted to collect content in this category, we clarified that there had been a miscommunication and that we didn’t want that content. And after realizing that there had been a miscommunication, we did not open or view the content in question — so we cannot confirm if it contained images in the C4 category.”

...

But the need for humans to label data for AI systems remains, at least for now. “They’re impressive, but ChatGPT and other generative models are not magic – they rely on massive supply chains of human labor and scraped data, much of which is unattributed and used without consent,” Andrew Strait, an AI ethicist, recently wrote on Twitter. “These are serious, foundational problems that I do not see OpenAI addressing.”

[stuarttechnologybob]

How Do Healthcare BPOs Handle Sensitive Medical Information?

Healthcare BPO Services

Handling sensitive and personal medical and health data is a top priority in the healthcare industry as it can be misused. With growing digital records and patient interactions, maintaining privacy and compliance is more important than ever and considered to be a tough role. This is where Healthcare BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) companies play a critical role.

As these providers can manage a wide range of healthcare services like medical billing, coding and data collection, claims processing and settlements, and patient on-going support, all while assuring the strict control over sensitive health information is maintained and carried out on the go.

Here's how they do it:

Strict Data Security Protocols -

Healthcare companies implement robust security frameworks to protect patient information and personal details that can be misused. This includes encryption, firewalls, and secure access controls. Only the concerned and authorized personnel can get the access towards the medical records and data, as all our available on the go all data transfers are monitored to avoid breaches or misuse.

HIPAA Compliance -

One of the primary and key responsibilities of a Healthcare BPO is to follow HIPAA (Health regulations policies and acts with standard set regulations). HIPAA sets the standards for privacy and data protection. BPO firms regularly audit their processes to remain compliant, ensuring that they manage patient records safely and legally.

Trained Professionals -

Employees working and the professionals in Healthcare services are trained and consulted in handling and maintaining the confidential data. They understand how to follow the strict guidelines when processing claims, speaking with patients, or accessing records. As this training reduces and lowers down the risk and potential of human error and assures professionalism is maintained at every step.

Use of Secure Technology -

Modern Healthcare BPO operations rely on secure platforms and cloud-based systems that offer real-time protection. Data is stored and collected in encrypted formats and segments, and advanced monitoring tools and resources are used to detect the unusual activity that prevent cyber threats or unauthorized access.

Regular Audits and Monitoring -

Healthcare firms conduct regular security checks and compliance audits to maintain high standards. These assist to identify and address the potential risks at the early stage and ensure all the systems are updated to handle new threats or regulations.

Trusted Providers in Healthcare BPO:

The reputed and expert providers like Suma Soft, IBM, Cyntexa, and Cignex are known for delivering secure, HIPAA-compliant Healthcare BPO services. Their expertise in data privacy, automation, and healthcare workflows ensures that sensitive medical information is always protected and efficiently managed.

[itesservices]

In the dynamic landscape of startups, data collection companies play a pivotal role in driving growth and innovation. By harnessing actionable insights from diverse datasets, startups can make informed decisions and gain a competitive edge. Discover how these companies empower startups to navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and scale their businesses effectively. Learn more about the transformative impact of data collection services in propelling startup success.

[omgmaxsmith-blog]

Why Should Organizations Choose RPA Managed Services Over In-House Automation?

In the current business world, time is a very valuable resource, and the work flow depends on efficiency. Automation, especially through Robotics Process Automation, has proven to become more functional in enabling a reduction of excessive human interventions. Even if it is wise to develop an in-house automation team, there are key benefits associated with managed RPA services that explain why organizations should seek the help of the latter.

Here's why more and more organizations are choosing external expertise for their RPA needs:

Faster Implementation and Time-to-Value: Developing an effective Centre of Excellence for RPA services demands a substantial amount of time, and a lot of effort goes into recruitment activities, training, and infrastructure development. The implementation of IT management services is more efficient with MSPs as they already have the knowledge and tools in place, so it is faster to gain a return on investment. According to data gathered from numerous industries, first-order automation gains through engaging managed services run approximately 40% better than those achieved by setting up in-house centers of excellence.

Access to Specialized Skills and Experience: Today RPA services is a rapidly developing industry. Managed service providers employ teams of certified professionals with diverse experience across various industries and RPA service platforms. They also provide access to best practice ideas, new and improved techniques, and niche solutions for particular types of business, aspects which cannot easily or inexpensively be duplicated in-house. Data collected using the current survey shows that 65% of the companies are outsourcing RPA with a primary motivation to access specialized skills.

Cost Efficiency and Predictable Expenses: On the other hand, although in-house automation becomes cheaper in the long run, the upfront cost of personnel hiring and training, software purchase, and maintenance is considerably high and variable. Managed services are given on a subscription basis, and this factor eliminates the element of uncertainty, resulting in lower costs. Researches also indicate that outsourcing of RPA services may make the costs to be decreased by about 30% lower than if it was to be done internally.

Scalability and Flexibility: Business needs fluctuate. Managed RPA services permit the demand for capacity for automation to be adjusted according to the requirements, and is not restricted just like the hiring of employees or purchasing more equipment that is required for permanent automation services. This is important for meeting the ever-changing market needs and the growth of the business. There is information that organizations cooperating with managed services enjoy 25% more freedom in scaling up their automation processes.

Focus on Core Business Activities: Outsourcing an RPA project creates the need for an in-house in-IT team to run and maintain the project away from its core business functions. For this reason, when one hires the services of an MSP, internal teams are relieved of handling tasks that can otherwise be tedious and time-consuming, leaving them time to work on more pressing issues for the organization, such as business development. In another view, outsourcing of RPA, like other non-core businesses, can enhance organizational focus by about 50%.

Continuous Support and Maintenance: However, for the RPA application to gain an adequate amount of functionality, it has to be monitored, maintained, and updated over time. Another benefit of MSP is availability of workforce support on such tasks as this relieves internal IT and the business. However, the total availability of RPA services can be enhanced to the optimum level as some of RPA services providers have an availability of 99.9% in some cases.

Selecting the right partner is, therefore, essential when engaging in RPA services. Different organizations that provide RPA services are Accenture, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Suma Soft, Infosys, and Wipro. Assessing the competence, the years of experience and services they offered will assist before choosing the appropriate service provider that will meet the needs of your organization for the future automation plans.

[spacematchinc]

Chicago Real Estate Market: Trends, Opportunities, and What to Expect in 2025

Managing a business involves more than just delivering excellent products and services. Financial management plays a critical role in the success of any business. For many business owners in North Carolina, bookkeeping can become an overwhelming task that diverts attention from core operations. However, outsourcing bookkeeping services can streamline financial processes, save valuable time, and lead to significant cost savings. 

Here's a closer look at how professional bookkeeping services can optimize financial management.

Time Savings: Focus on What Matters

Every business owner understands the importance of time, and bookkeeping tasks can quickly take up valuable hours that could be better spent on growing the business. Managing financial records, categorizing transactions, and reconciling accounts can be complicated and tedious. Outsourcing these tasks to experienced bookkeepers frees up time to focus on strategic goals, customer relations, and other business operations.

By trusting experts with financial duties, owners ensure that these tasks are handled efficiently and accurately. Bookkeepers use specialized tools to organize and maintain financial records, making the process faster and more reliable. As a result, businesses avoid spending time correcting mistakes and can rest assured that financial records are up to date.

Financial Clarity: Informed Decision-Making

Clear, accurate financial data is essential for making informed decisions. Without up-to-date reports, it can be challenging to understand the true state of a business's finances. Professional bookkeeping services provide valuable insights into cash flow, income, and expenses. Business owners gain a clear picture of financial health, which is vital for planning and budgeting.

Regular financial reports, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow summaries, help identify trends and highlight areas for improvement. With this knowledge, businesses can adjust strategies, identify opportunities for growth, and make smarter decisions that lead to success. Understanding the numbers simplifies the decision-making process and helps ensure long-term sustainability.

Reducing Costs: Avoiding Errors and Penalties

Handling bookkeeping independently often leads to mistakes—whether it's misclassifying an expense or missing a tax deduction. These errors can result in costly penalties, missed savings, or poor financial decisions. By working with professional bookkeepers in Chicago for real estate, businesses can reduce the risk of errors that could lead to economic setbacks.

Experienced bookkeepers ensure that taxes are filed correctly, transactions are properly recorded, and all necessary deductions are applied. This not only helps avoid penalties but also uncovers potential savings by identifying overlooked deductions or financial inefficiencies. Outsourcing bookkeeping services, therefore, saves money by preventing costly mistakes.

Streamlining Operations: Efficient Financial Management

Bookkeeping involves more than just tracking income and expenses. It also includes managing accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and tax filings. Keeping up with these responsibilities can become overwhelming, especially as a business grows. Professional bookkeeping services automate many of these processes, ensuring they are completed efficiently and on time.

Timely payment of invoices and the smooth processing of payroll help businesses maintain strong relationships with vendors and employees. At the same time, timely billing and collections keep cash flow consistent. By handling these essential tasks, bookkeeping services allow business owners to focus on other aspects of their operations, while the financial side of the business remains in capable hands.

Scalability: Adapting to Business Growth

As businesses grow, so do their financial complexities. Whether it's increasing revenue, adding new employees, or expanding to new markets, the need for more detailed financial management arises. Professional bookkeeping services can scale with a business, providing tailored solutions as needs evolve.

Outsourcing bookkeeping allows businesses to avoid the cost and hassle of hiring additional in-house staff or purchasing expensive software. Bookkeepers can adjust their services to accommodate changing demands, whether it's managing more transactions or overseeing more complex accounting tasks. This scalability ensures that businesses are equipped to handle growth without compromising on financial accuracy.

Data Protection: Safeguarding Financial Information

When it comes to financial data, security is critical. Storing sensitive business information—such as revenue details, tax filings, and payroll records—requires a high level of protection. Professional bookkeeping services use secure systems to ensure that financial records are safely stored and only accessible to authorized personnel.

By employing encryption and secure cloud storage, bookkeepers safeguard against data breaches and fraud. Additionally, regular reconciliations and audits help detect any discrepancies or signs of fraudulent activity, providing an extra layer of protection for the business's financial assets.

Conclusion: Why Bookkeeping Services Are an Investment

Outsourcing bookkeeping may seem like an added expense, but it's an investment that yields significant returns. By entrusting financial management to experts, business owners save valuable time, reduce the risk of costly errors, and gain valuable insights into their financial health. From improving cash flow management to identifying areas for cost savings, professional bookkeeping services help businesses optimize operations and increase profitability.

For businesses in North Carolina, professional bookkeeping is not just a convenience—it's a strategic asset that ensures financial processes are efficient, accurate, and secure. By freeing up time and minimizing costs, bookkeeping services allow businesses to focus on what matters most: achieving long-term success and growth.

To know more about real estate services, visit the website now.

[paradoxcase]

@stracciatellino:

I feel like people should be allowed to have complicated feelings about their jobs?? Like speaking for myself I love academia and right now I seriously miss it, but if I was doing research right now I'd definitely be bitching about how much data collection sucks ass. It's possible for people to be in a fulfilling career and still find aspects of their jobs annoying. (And also uh. Some people get stuck in unfulfilling jobs but can't quit because they need the money to survive. That's a thing too.)

This isn't about people who are already in the workforce finding their job annoying sometimes or doing unfulfilling work to get by, it's about college kids going into computer science because they think it's some get-rich-quick scheme, oversaturating the job market with "programmers" who can't write fizzbuzz during an interview without using ChatGPT, which lowers everyone else's salary and allows companies to outsource their jobs to people who will work for $5 an hour as a contractor because "no one in the US is qualified", and then if those college kids do get hired, they produce unstable software full of security vulnerabilities that results in mass theft of PII and contributes to the general malaise of enshittification

[wyrmbringer]

Global Cybersecurity Breach Tied to Sunburst Computers Raises Concerns Over Privacy

(AP) Hong Kong— A massive cybersecurity breach linked to budget computer manufacturer Sunburst Computers has exposed sensitive personal data from millions of users worldwide, intensifying scrutiny over the company's controversial business practices. According to cybersecurity experts, a network of anonymous hackers known as Incognito has exploited vulnerabilities in Sunburst’s hardware and software, siphoning financial records, internet histories, and even webcam footage from unsuspecting customers.

The breach, first detected by independent security researchers, appears to be part of a broader pattern of exploitation that extends beyond digital threats. Sunburst, a subsidiary of multinational conglomerate Pentex, has long faced allegations of environmental destruction, exploitative labor conditions, and deliberate obsolescence in its product lines. Consumer advocacy groups have criticized the company for producing machines with substandard parts that frequently fail outside of warranty coverage, forcing users into a costly cycle of repairs and outsourced technical support.

At the heart of the latest controversy is Incognito, a decentralized hacking collective with a history of launching coordinated harassment campaigns and denial-of-service attacks. Investigators say the group has weaponized Sunburst’s security flaws to build extensive databases of potential victims, using stolen personal information to intimidate, manipulate, or outright ruin targets. "This is not just about cybercrime. It is psychological warfare," said Alex Chen, a cybersecurity analyst based in Singapore. "The people behind this aren’t motivated by financial gain alone. They take pleasure in destruction."

Sunburst has denied any wrongdoing, issuing a statement that dismissed the allegations as "baseless speculation" and claiming the company is committed to "customer security and ethical business practices." However, reports from labor watchdog organizations suggest otherwise. Journalists embedded in Sunburst's facilities have documented harrowing conditions, including workers subjected to shifts exceeding 20 hours and living in squalid company housing. Incidents of substance abuse, workplace injuries, and suicides have risen sharply among Sunburst's workforce, raising concerns that the company's rapid expansion has come at a human cost.

Meanwhile, environmental groups have condemned Sunburst’s supply chain, alleging the company uses plastics and non-biodegradable materials that contaminate local ecosystems. "They market themselves as a 'green' company, but their products are an ecological disaster from the moment they leave the factory to the day they’re dumped in a landfill," said Dr. Elaine Foster, a researcher with the Global Environmental Protection Initiative.

Authorities across multiple countries have launched investigations into Sunburst’s potential regulatory violations, but some watchdog groups fear the company's deep ties to powerful corporate interests could stall any meaningful action. As the breach continues to unfold, cybersecurity experts warn that even Sunburst's high-end machines remain vulnerable to Incognito's infiltration, leaving consumers at risk.

"This is bigger than just one company," Chen said. "It is an entire system built on exploitation, deception, and control. The real question is: how deep does this go?"

(AP)

[mariacallous]

Thousands of law enforcement officials and people applying to be police officers in India have had their personal information leaked online—including fingerprints, facial scan images, signatures, and details of tattoos and scars on their bodies. If that wasn’t alarming enough, at around the same time, cybercriminals have started to advertise the sale of similar biometric police data from India on messaging app Telegram.

Last month, security researcher Jeremiah Fowler spotted the sensitive files on an exposed web server linked to ThoughtGreen Technologies, an IT development and outsourcing firm with offices in India, Australia, and the US. Within a total of almost 500 gigabytes of data spanning 1.6 million documents, dated from 2021 until when Fowler discovered them in early April, was a mine of sensitive personal information about teachers, railway workers, and law enforcement officials. Birth certificates, diplomas, education certificates, and job applications were all included.

Fowler, who shared his findings exclusively with WIRED, says within the heaps of information, the most concerning were those that appeared to be verification documents linked to Indian law enforcement or military personnel. While the misconfigured server has now been closed off, the incident highlights the risks of companies collecting and storing biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial images, and how they could be misused if the data is accidentally leaked.

“You can change your name, you can change your bank information, but you can't change your actual biometrics,” Fowler says. The researcher, who also published the findings on behalf of Website Planet, says this kind of data could be used by cybercriminals or fraudsters to target people in the future, a risk that’s increased for sensitive law enforcement positions.

Within the database Fowler examined were several mobile applications and installation files. One was titled “facial software installation,” and a separate folder contained 8 GB of facial data. Photographs of people’s faces included computer-generated rectangles that are often used for measuring the distance between points of the face in face recognition systems.

There were 284,535 documents labeled as Physical Efficiency Tests that related to police staff, Fowler says. Other files included job application forms for law enforcement officials, profile photos, and identification documents with details such as “mole at nose” and “cut on chin.” At least one image shows a person holding a document with a corresponding photo of them included on it. “The first thing I saw was thousands and thousands of fingerprints,” Fowler says.

Prateek Waghre, executive director of Indian digital rights organization Internet Freedom Foundation, says there is “vast” biometric data collection happening across India, but there are added security risks for people involved in law enforcement. “A lot of times, the verification that government employees or officers use also relies on biometric systems,” Waghre says. “If you have that potentially compromised, you are in a position for someone to be able to misuse and then gain access to information that they shouldn’t.”

It appears that some biometric information about law enforcement officials may already be shared online. Fowler says after the exposed database was closed down he also discovered a Telegram channel, containing a few hundred members, which was claiming to sell Indian police data, including of specific individuals. “The structure, the screenshots, and a couple of the folder names matched what I saw,” says Fowler, who for ethical reasons did not purchase the data being sold by the criminals so could not fully verify it was exactly the same data.

“We take data security very seriously, have taken immediate steps to secure the exposed data,” a member of ThoughtGreen Technologies wrote in an email to WIRED. “Due to the sensitivity of data, we cannot comment on specifics in an email. However, we can assure you that we are investigating this matter thoroughly to ensure such an incident does not occur again.”

In follow-up messages, the staff member said the company had “raised a complaint” with law enforcement in India about the incident, but did not specify which organization they had contacted. When shown a screenshot of the Telegram post claiming to sell Indian police biometric data, the ThoughtGreen Technologies staff member said it is “not our data.” Telegram did not respond to a request for comment.

Shivangi Narayan, an independent researcher in India, says the country’s data protection law needs to be made more robust, and companies and organizations need to take greater care with how they handle people’s data. “A lot of data is collected in India, but nobody's really bothered about how to store it properly,” Narayan says. Data breaches are happening so regularly that people have “lost that surprise shock factor,” Narayan says. In early May, one cybersecurity company said it had seen a face-recognition data breach connected to one Indian police force, including police and suspect information.

The issues are wider, though. As governments, companies, and other organizations around the world increasingly rely on collecting people’s biometric data for proving their identity or as part of surveillance technologies, there’s an increased risk of the information leaking online and being abused. In Australia, for instance, a recent face recognition leak impacting up to a million people led to a person being charged with blackmail.

“So many other countries are looking at biometric verification for identities, and all of that information has to be stored somewhere,” Fowler says. “If you farm it out to a third-party company, or a private company, you lose control of that data. When a data breach happens, you’re in deep shit, for lack of a better term.”

[conclave-030]

The Next Wave: Business AI, Privacy, and Navigation Industry Evolution

As technology continues to advance, the interplay between artificial intelligence (AI), privacy, and the navigation industry is reshaping the business landscape. Here's a glimpse into how these elements are driving transformation:

1. AI's Expanding Role in Business

AI is revolutionizing industries with its ability to analyze vast datasets, predict trends, and automate processes. In navigation, AI enables real-time traffic updates, predictive routing, and autonomous vehicle advancements. Businesses leveraging AI gain a competitive edge by offering smarter, more efficient solutions.

2. Privacy Challenges and Innovations

With AI's reliance on data, privacy concerns are escalating. Regulations like GDPR and CCPA are setting stricter standards for data usage, urging companies to prioritize transparency and ethical practices. Balancing personalized services with data protection is becoming a critical challenge for businesses.

3. Navigation Industry Transformation

The navigation industry is evolving with AI-driven innovations, such as augmented reality (AR) mapping, enhanced geolocation services, and integration with IoT devices. These advancements not only improve user experiences but also open new avenues for businesses to deliver value in logistics, travel, and urban planning.

Conclusion

The convergence of AI, privacy considerations, and navigation technology signals a future filled with opportunities and challenges. Businesses that embrace AI while respecting privacy and adapting to industry changes will be well-positioned to thrive in this evolving landscape.

To know more: Survey Programming & Hosting Company

Outsource Data Collection Services