Tag Archives: irish

Irish Authorities Request Microsoft to Investigate Alleged Illegal Data Processing by IDF

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Irish officials have received a formal request to look into Microsoft regarding claims of unlawful data processing by the Israel Defense Forces.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), a human rights organization, filed the complaint with the Data Protection Commissioner, who is legally charged with overseeing all data processing activities within the European Union.

This comes after reports in August from the Guardian, along with Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine and Hebrew media Local Call, highlighted that substantial amounts of Palestinian phone communications were stored on Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform as part of an extensive surveillance initiative by the Israeli military.

The ICCL asserts that the handling of personal data “aided in the commission of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide by Israeli forces.” Microsoft’s European headquarters are located in Ireland.

“Microsoft’s technologies are endangering millions of Palestinians. These are not just theoretical data protection issues,” said Joe O’Brien, executive director of ICCL.

He remarked that cloud services “enable tangible violence” and emphasized the need for the “DPC to respond swiftly and decisively” given the “risk to life involved in the matter at hand.”

He further stated, “When European infrastructure is used to facilitate surveillance and targeting, the Irish Data Protection Commissioner must step in and utilize its full authority to hold Microsoft accountable.”

A collection of leaked documents reviewed by the Guardian has indicated that as early as 2021, the Israeli military’s intelligence unit, Unit 8200, started discussions to transfer large amounts of classified intelligence data to a cloud service operated by a US company.

The documents revealed that Microsoft’s storage facilities were employed by Unit 8200 to archive extensive records of Palestinian daily communications, which facilitated specific airstrikes and other military actions.

Following this revelation, Microsoft initiated an urgent external inquiry into its connections with Unit 8200. Preliminary findings led the company to suspend this unit’s access to certain cloud storage and AI services.

ICCL contends that Microsoft played a crucial role in enabling Israel’s military surveillance system known as “Al-Minasek.”

The organization claims that records of intercepted conversations between EU servers and Israel were reportedly “deleted,” obstructing evidence of unlawful processing before an EU inquiry could commence, violating the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that regulates personal data usage.

With Azure’s vast storage and computational capabilities, Unit 8200 was establishing an indiscriminate system allowing agents to collect, replay, and analyze cell phone calls from entire populations.

A spokesperson for the DPC stated, “We can confirm that the DPC has received the complaint and is currently evaluating it.”

Microsoft has been approached for a response.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Séance at Break Manor: A Gothic Horror Dive into Irish Mythology’s Eerie Depths | Games

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THere are two categories of fears. One will leave you stunned with an unexpectedly original way of cowering under a pillow. The other, slowly seeping beneath your skin, gently pricks the back of your neck, haunting you for weeks. The break etiquette seance fits into this latter category, exuding an atmosphere reminiscent of an Irish murder mystery set in the 1890s.

You will take on the role of a detective dispatched to the esteemed Blake Manor to investigate the mysterious disappearance of Evelyn Deane, which occurred just two nights before the Seance. Mystics from around the globe have gathered at the dilapidated mansion to reach out to the deceased regarding all the treasures Evelyn possessed, but can they truly connect with the other side? And what is the source of the shadowy presence? Numerous secrets await unraveling.




You need to be in the right place at the right time… Gameplay of Blake Manor’s Seance.
Photo: Spooky doorway

“Think of it as Gothic or folk horror,” states Dave McCabe, the lead storyteller. “Being in a location you shouldn’t be invokes a creeping dread, and each step you take feels perilous.”

As you navigate the house and converse with each guest, time slips away. You’ll need to strive to comprehend what’s unfolding. Solving the puzzles may require moving objects or discovering hidden codes. Furthermore, you’ll need to be alert and present to catch crucial information.

The mystery is steeped in Victorian spiritualism, reflecting the Maelstrom of Irish folklore. “We selected a pivotal moment in Irish mythology to set our narrative,” explains Paul Conway, the lead artist and CEO of developer Spooky Doorway. “This specific place serves as a conduit between ancient magic and supernatural occurrences, though I can’t divulge too much without spoiling the surprise!”

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“We are definitely exploring various Irish myths, pagan traditions, and ghost tales,” McCabe adds. While these elements may not always have a direct influence on the storyline, otherworldly entities linger just beyond the veil. Traditional Irish motifs, such as turnips—far more ominous than today’s Halloween pumpkins—are scattered across the estate. Expect to encounter a sudden flash of light something early on, as the library brims with ancient stories and legends for your perusal. However, don’t dawdle; time is of the essence in solving the mystery.

The developers take pride in their heritage and aim to foster a deeper appreciation for Irish culture and history. “I hope we can add another dimension to the awareness people have about Ireland and Irish heritage—beyond just St. Patrick’s Day or flat caps,” says McCabe. “And perhaps some visitors will be inspired to explore ghostly castles.”

Séance of Blake Manor is currently in development for PC. Release date: To Be Confirmed

Source: www.theguardian.com

TikTok Fined €530 Million by Irish Regulators for Failing to Ensure User Data Protection from China

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TikTok has been penalized €530 million (£452 million) by the Irish regulator for failing to ensure that European user data transmitted to China would be safeguarded from access by the Chinese government.

The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) oversees TikTok’s operations across the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes all 27 EU member states along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

It was determined that the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform breached the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by not adequately addressing whether EEA user data sent to China is shielded from the authorities there.

The DPC remarked: “TikTok did not consider the potential access by Chinese authorities to EEA personal data. China’s national security and anti-terrorism laws have been noted as diverging from EU standards by TikTok.”

According to the DPC, TikTok did not “verify, assure, or demonstrate” that the European user data sent to China was afforded a level of protection comparable to that guaranteed within the EU.

TikTok stated that it would not “certify” that the DPC transfers European user data to Chinese authorities. The company claimed it has never received such a request from Chinese officials nor provided user data to them.

Moreover, TikTok has been directed to cease data transfers to China unless compliant processing measures are implemented within six months.

For instance, the National Intelligence Act of 2017 in China mandates that all organizations and citizens “support, assist, and cooperate” with national intelligence efforts.

The DPC noted that the data was “remotely accessed by TikTok’s Chinese staff.”

The watchdog also reported that TikTok provided “false information” during the investigation, initially claiming it had not stored user data from the EEA, but later acknowledging the possibility of storing “limited” European user data in China.

The Dublin-based regulator expressed that it takes “inaccurate” submissions very seriously and is evaluating whether additional regulatory actions are necessary.

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The security of TikTok user data has been a longstanding concern among politicians regarding its Chinese ownership. The app still faces the threat of a ban in the US, with legislators on both sides of the Atlantic cautioning that the Chinese state may have access to user data. TikTok is managed by an organization based in Beijing.

In response to the ruling, TikTok announced its intent to appeal and mentioned that safeguards have been put in place under the Project Clover Data Security Scheme, introduced in March 2023. The DPC investigation covered the period from September 2021 to May 2023.

The DPC’s decision also included a finding from 2021 that a privacy statement provided to users did not disclose that data could be accessed in China when personal user data was transferred to a third country. The Privacy Policy was subsequently revised in 2022 to clarify that data is accessible in China.

Following the changes in 2022, TikTok acknowledged that it could access European user data in countries like China to perform checks on platform functionalities, including the effectiveness of algorithms that recommend content to users and identify problematic automated accounts.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Irish Beer has a Genetically Unique Yeast in Guinness

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Some of the yeasts used to brew Guinness today are descendants of those used in 1903.

Artur Widak/NurPhoto SRL/Alamy

The yeast strain used to brew Guinness, Ireland's traditional stout, is genetically different from the yeast strains used to make other Irish beers.

Brewer's yeast (budding yeast) is an essential element in beer production. During fermentation, these microorganisms convert sugars from malt into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Using different strains of this yeast can result in different types of beer, such as stouts and lagers, and can also affect its flavor profile.

Daniel Kerruish A research team from food and drink company Diageo Ireland Unlimited has determined which yeasts are used to brew Guinness, based on records kept by the Guinness brewery since 1903 of the yeast strains used in its malty, bitter stout. investigated its evolution over many years.

The research team compared the genomes of 13 strains. S. cerevisiae There are up to 160 different strains, including those currently or historically used to brew Guinness, and six used by other Irish breweries.

Although Guinness yeast and other Irish brewer's yeasts belonged to the same lineage, Kerruish and his team discovered that they were genetically distinct enough that Guinness yeast belonged to a previously unidentified subpopulation. Did. Irish brewer's yeasts, other than Guinness, were more closely related to strains of British origin.

Guinness strains were also found to produce a particular balance of flavor compounds, including 4-vinylguaiacol, which produces a subtle clove-like aroma, and diacetyl, which imparts a buttery taste.

The research team also discovered that the two strains currently used in Guinness are descendants of the strain used to brew stout in 1903.

“The more we learn about Guinness yeast, the more we realize how unique and special it is,” says Keluisch. “Guinness is a great beer, so it probably won’t surprise you.”

“What's particularly unique and exciting about this study is that the company has very detailed records of past handling of the strains,” he says. brian gibson at the Technical University of Berlin, Germany. “This information could be used to further develop these yeasts and others used in industrial applications.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com