Week of 2025-02-28
Transparency International releases 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index
Transparency International
Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), released on February 11, 2025, evaluates perceived public sector corruption across 180 countries and territories, scoring them from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). The global average score remains at 43, indicating persistent challenges in combating corruption worldwide. Denmark leads with a score of 90, followed by Finland at 88 and Singapore at 84, while South Sudan ranks lowest with a score of 8. Notably, the United States experienced a decline, dropping to a score of 65 and ranking 28th, influenced by concerns over judicial ethics and enforcement mechanisms. The 2024 CPI also highlights how corruption undermines climate action, with a lack of transparency and accountability increasing the risk of embezzlement and misuse of climate funds.
‘Amongst the trusted’: How private police chat groups blur and breach ethical lines
Darryl Greer | Global News
Private group chats among police officers have come under scrutiny for containing inappropriate content, raising significant ethical and legal concerns. In Toronto's 51 Division, leaked messages revealed officers sharing pornographic material, making rape jokes, and discussing colleagues in a derogatory manner. These revelations have impacted legal proceedings; for instance, a human-trafficking case was dismissed after defense lawyers highlighted racist remarks made by an officer involved in the investigation. Similarly, in Coquitlam, British Columbia, three RCMP officers faced potential dismissal following an investigation into a private group chat that contained thousands of racist, misogynistic, and homophobic messages. These incidents underscore the blurred lines between private and professional conduct in law enforcement, emphasizing the need for clear policies and oversight to maintain public trust and uphold ethical standards.
Family of researcher who died in Nunavut want investigation report released
CBC News
In February 2025, a comprehensive report was released examining the high suicide rates among Inuit communities in Nunavut. The study identifies several contributing factors, including historical trauma from forced relocations, cultural suppression, and systemic inequalities. It emphasizes the urgent need for culturally sensitive mental health services, community-led prevention programs, and policies addressing social determinants such as housing and education. The report calls for collaborative efforts between government agencies and Inuit organizations to develop sustainable, community-driven solutions to this pressing public health issue.
Applying International Human Rights Principles for AI Governance
Sabhanaz Rashid Diya | Centre for International Governance Innovation
In February 2025, the Centre for International Governance Innovation published a policy brief by Sabhanaz Rashid Diya, advocating for the integration of international human rights principles into artificial intelligence (AI) governance. The brief critiques the existing fairness, accountability, transparency, and ethics (FATE) framework, highlighting its lack of universal applicability and susceptibility to "ethics washing." It proposes that the International Bill of Human Rights offers a more robust foundation for AI governance, ensuring that AI systems respect and uphold human dignity, privacy, and equality. The brief also emphasizes Canada's potential leadership role in promoting human rights-based AI governance through platforms like the Global Digital Compact and its positions in the G7 and G20.
New Zealand govt reviews privacy law amid battle over biometrics regulation
Masha Borak | Biometric Update
In February 2025, New Zealand's government conducted a rapid review of the Privacy Act 2020 to identify potential legal barriers to implementing facial recognition surveillance aimed at reducing retail crime. This review, conducted without public consultation, has raised concerns among privacy advocates who fear it may delay the introduction of the proposed Privacy Code of Practice for Biometrics. The Privacy Commissioner is currently holding an open consultation on this code, which seeks to establish stricter privacy and transparency standards for biometric technologies. The situation highlights the ongoing debate between enhancing security measures and upholding individual privacy rights in the context of emerging technologies.
Connecticut attorney general proposes bill limiting minors' exposure to algorithms
The Office of the Attorney General of Connecticut
In February 2025, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong proposed legislation aimed at protecting minors from addictive social media features. The bill seeks to prohibit social media companies from exposing users under 18 to harmful algorithms and notifications without parental consent. It also proposes default settings limiting usage to one hour per day and restricting notifications between midnight and 6 a.m., with parental consent required to modify these settings. Additionally, the legislation would mandate annual reports from social media platforms detailing the number of minor users and their average daily usage. This initiative reflects growing concerns about the impact of social media on youth mental health and aims to provide parents with greater control over their children's online activities.
The Loneliness Epidemic Is a Security Crisis
Lily Hay Newman | Matt Burgess | Wired
The increasing prevalence of loneliness is not only a public health concern but also a significant security issue, as it renders individuals more susceptible to romance scams. These scams exploit feelings of isolation, with fraudsters establishing fake romantic relationships to defraud victims financially. In the United States alone, reported losses from romance scams have approached $4.5 billion over the past decade. The rise of generative AI technologies has further exacerbated this problem, enabling scammers to automate and scale their deceptive operations more efficiently. As these fraudulent activities become more organized and technologically sophisticated, addressing the root causes of loneliness and implementing robust preventive measures are crucial steps in mitigating this growing threat.
OECD report underscores need for free flow of data with trust
OECD
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has released a report titled "Economic Implications of Data Regulation," which examines the economic impacts and opportunity costs associated with various data flow and data localization regulations. The report highlights that while data regulations aim to protect privacy and national security, they can also influence business operations, innovation, and international trade. For instance, stringent data localization requirements may increase operational costs for companies and limit access to global markets. Conversely, well-designed data governance frameworks can enhance trust and facilitate cross-border data flows, promoting economic growth. The OECD emphasizes the need for balanced policies that safeguard individual rights without imposing unnecessary burdens on businesses.
Kaspersky researchers find screenshot-reading malware on the App Store and Google Play
Anna Washenko | Engadget
Researchers from Kaspersky have uncovered a new malware campaign, dubbed SparkCat, that has been active since March 2024 and was distributed through apps on both Google Play and the Apple App Store. The malware uses optical character recognition (OCR) to scan screenshots in a user’s photo library, specifically targeting recovery phrases for cryptocurrency wallets. While some infected apps appeared legitimate (such as food delivery services), others were likely designed to bait victims. Apple confirmed that 11 affected apps had been removed and that they shared code with 89 previously rejected or removed applications. This marks the first known case of OCR-based spyware appearing in Apple’s official App Store, highlighting that even tightly controlled platforms are not immune to sophisticated malware threats.
Minister Joly announces support for digital security of human rights defenders
Government of Canada
In February 2025, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly announced a $1.8 million funding commitment to Access Now for their project "Counteracting Transnational Repression and Protecting Society in the Digital Age." This two-year initiative aims to enhance the digital security of civil society actors and human rights defenders, particularly those affected by transnational repression. The project will provide targeted support through Access Now's Digital Security Helpline, advocate against surveillance and spyware tactics, and promote multi-stakeholder engagement on digital security threats via the RightsCon Summit Series. Minister Joly emphasized Canada's dedication to supporting the digital safety of human rights defenders facing online threats and state-sponsored harassment.
