A Note on This Edition
This edition is primarily in Chinese. RIL will continue to publish newsletters and other materials in English, while English-language sources and further reading are also provided in this edition where available.
AI & Privacy | What Happens to the Information You Share with AI?
AI chatbots are increasingly used for both work and personal conversations, but the information shared with them may not remain entirely private. This section looks at how AI providers may store, review or disclose user data, and offers practical steps to reduce privacy risks when using AI tools.
VPN Privacy | Not Every VPN Protects Your Data
VPNs are often promoted as privacy tools, but using an unreliable provider can simply shift who has access to your internet activity. This section looks at recent findings on data collection by VPN apps, what to consider when choosing a provider, and several privacy-focused options.
Forensic Express: How Mercenary Spyware Targets Your Phone
Apple has issued another round of threat notifications warning users around the world that they may have been targeted by mercenary spyware. This section explains how these highly sophisticated attacks work, who is commonly targeted, and what steps users can take if they suspect their phone has been compromised.
WhatsApp Usernames | What the New Feature Means for Your Privacy
WhatsApp is introducing usernames, allowing users to communicate without immediately sharing their phone number. This section looks at what the feature could mean for privacy, how WhatsApp compares with Signal in its handling of metadata, and which security settings can help reduce exposure.