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FTC says Uber took a wrong turn with misleading privacy, security promises

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Re: FTC says Uber took a wrong turn with misleading privacy, security promises

#21
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People right here on HN advocate against start-ups taking security seriously because it slows them down. Really bugs me.

That's standard issue advice. "No company ever failed because of a security breach."

Mt. Gox failed due to a security breach.

Re: FTC says Uber took a wrong turn with misleading privacy, security promises

#22
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's standard issue advice. "No company ever failed because of a security breach."

Mt. Gox failed due to a security breach.

Well, I imagine that's an edge case. Most startups aren't handling money(sans payments ofcourse).

Re: FTC says Uber took a wrong turn with misleading privacy, security promises

#23
post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mt. Gox failed due to a security breach.

Well, I imagine that's an edge case. Most startups aren't handling money(sans payments ofcourse).

No, but most start-ups are handling their customers' data and that translates into substantial value.

Re: FTC says Uber took a wrong turn with misleading privacy, security promises

#25

This isn't an uber problem - it's a startup tech problem - no one wants to take security seriously because it's a cost sink that only averts risk, does not actually make a company revenue. I have seen ssn's store insecurely, open api's with customer data, old frameworks and languages that no longer receive security patches. Nearly every startup says they take security seriously, because that's the right answer to say…

This is largely a usability issue. There have been folks in the performance community complaining in the same way for years. Then all of a sudden React comes along and lots of people started talking about performance because the framework made their primary task (building a website) easier.

Security is much harder than it needs to be currently. Every time I deal with an OpenSSL error I die a little inside. We have scam "security researchers" distracting us on Twitter with spurious reports every week.

Asking people to "think more" is a lost cause. We need better tools that make it easier to solve problems in the critical path that encourage more secure defaults than the last ones did. Most other solutions are unlikely to make an impact.

Re: FTC says Uber took a wrong turn with misleading privacy, security promises

#26
It may be a good idea to not pull such a shitty in an EU country from May 2018.

According to the General Data Protection Regulation (2016/679). Appart from regular audits you may run into the following consequences :

a fine up to 20000000 EUR or up to 4% of the annual worldwide turnover of the preceding financial year in case of an enterprise, whichever is greater (Article 83, Paragraph 5 & 6[18]).

Ask companies like Microsoft, Volkswagen, Renault, Daimler or Google and they can you assure you that the responible entities don't look kindly at corporate bullshit PR statements, which the likes of Uber seem so fond of.

Re: FTC says Uber took a wrong turn with misleading privacy, security promises

#27

This isn't an uber problem - it's a startup tech problem - no one wants to take security seriously because it's a cost sink that only averts risk, does not actually make a company revenue. I have seen ssn's store insecurely, open api's with customer data, old frameworks and languages that no longer receive security patches. Nearly every startup says they take security seriously, because that's the right answer to say…

I've done InfoSec for a bunch of startups, none seem to grasp the importance of security by design and how it can play an integral role in the business. It's exhausting to have to battle a neon-haired developer that wants to just write code (rightfully so,) not following a process or standards often engaging in arguments just to be right. Imagine one person going asking an entire engineering org to create security pr…

I certainly agree with your comment, since it reflects my experience in a lot of cases. But

  "We take security seriously"
Why would such a statement legally cover your ass? From a legal perspective it sounds as dubious as warnings on a Truck "Stay back 10 metres. Truck is not responsible for damage"

Re: FTC says Uber took a wrong turn with misleading privacy, security promises

#28

This isn't an uber problem - it's a startup tech problem - no one wants to take security seriously because it's a cost sink that only averts risk, does not actually make a company revenue. I have seen ssn's store insecurely, open api's with customer data, old frameworks and languages that no longer receive security patches. Nearly every startup says they take security seriously, because that's the right answer to say…

this isn't a startup tech problem - it's a startup customer problem. no customer wants to pay significantly more for a good or service to ensure that the company takes security seriously because they want the lowest cost.

Re: FTC says Uber took a wrong turn with misleading privacy, security promises

#29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've done InfoSec for a bunch of startups, none seem to grasp the importance of security by design and how it can play an integral role in the business. It's exhausting to have to battle a neon-haired developer that wants to just write code (rightfully so,) not following a process or standards often engaging in arguments just to be right. Imagine one person going asking an entire engineering org to create security pr…

I certainly agree with your comment, since it reflects my experience in a lot of cases. But "We take security seriously" Why would such a statement legally cover your ass? From a legal perspective it sounds as dubious as warnings on a Truck "Stay back 10 metres. Truck is not responsible for damage"

I can't disagree. However, it doesn't deter businesses from using it as it demonstrates intent to maintain certain security posture, regardless of how ill-conceived that posture might be. That said, the statement is touchy feely, and will more than likely not hold true in the court of law when pressure tested.

Re: FTC says Uber took a wrong turn with misleading privacy, security promises

#30

It may be a good idea to not pull such a shitty in an EU country from May 2018. According to the General Data Protection Regulation (2016/679). Appart from regular audits you may run into the following consequences : a fine up to 20000000 EUR or up to 4% of the annual worldwide turnover of the preceding financial year in case of an enterprise, whichever is greater (Article 83, Paragraph 5 & 6[18]). Ask companies like…

The GDPR is going to be a big blow for the European tech startup scene. For companies in the US, they can just enter Europe once they've addressed its requirements. European companies on the other hand need to implement it from day one.

The fine is interesting because it is easy to minimize by creating a subsidiary per country. That very effectively shields annual worldwide turnover.

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