User:Hannahjsong/sandbox

Snapchat- Snapchat and the FTC On May 8th, 2014, Snapchat and the Federal Trade Commission agreed upon a settlement over the charges of misrepresentations of the app as well as the failure of securing the privacy of their users. A group of anonymous hackers from SnapchatDB revealed Snapchat’s failure to secure their “Find Friends” feature on December 25, 2013. Gibson Security had previously warned Snapchat about their security issues and urged them to take immediate action. Disregarding this warning, this led the massive hack of 4.6 million Snapchat users and their phone numbers. The phone numbers of the hacked users were partially displayed online through SnapchatDB. Although SnapchatDB was taken down, the information of leaked usernames is still currently available through GibsonSec by entering in the Snapchat user’s username. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the contact information of iOS users were retrieved through Snapchat’s “Find Friends” feature. With doing so, Snapchat had gained access of these contacts without the consent of their users. This led to the Federal Trade Commission’s involvement of overseeing matters of Snapchat’s privacy and security of their users. Snapchat provides a photo messaging service where people can privately send photos and videos with the promise that the message would vanish within seconds. Lately there has been a revelation that messages did not vanish after viewing and some users were able to avert the “screenshot” alert sent to senders if the receiver had screenshot the sent photo. The promise of disappearing messages was misguided as the FTC reports that it was made available to third-party apps through iTunes and Google Play. With third-party apps, this made message retrievable possible for playbacks with the connection of a computer. FTC’s Chairman, Edith Ramirez stated in FTC’s press release, "If a company markets privacy and security as key selling points in pitching its service to consumers, it is critical that it keep those promises." To protect the privacy of Snapchat’s users, the FTC settled the dispute against Snapchat in which they are to protect their users. According to the Federal Trade Commission press release, Snapchat is “prohibited from misrepresenting the extent to which it maintains the privacy, security, or confidentiality of users’ information. “ Thus, this prompted the Federal Trade Commission to audit Snapchat for the next 20 years In efforts of to reassure and gain back the trust of their users, on May 8, 2014, Snapchat released a statement on their website stating their purpose of "developing a fast, and fun way to communicate with photos". Snapchat released a statement regarding their settlement with the FTC as they acknowledged their mistakes and promise on fixing them. The company stated in their blog, "Even before today’s consent decree was announced, we had resolved most of those concerns over the past year by improving the wording of our privacy policy, app description, and in-app just-in-time notifications. And we continue to invest heavily in security and countermeasures to prevent abuse". Snapchat promised to be more precise on communications with their users as they will for the next 20 years be under a consent decree with the Federal Trade Commission.

History Timeline

 * 1981 - Igor Pasternak establishes a volunteer airship design bureau at Lviv Polytechnic University in Ukraine.


 * 1986 - Aeros becomes one of the first private aerospace and engineering companies permitted under Gorbachev's Perestroika reforms.


 * 1987 - Aeros launches a production line of tethered aerostats and begins worldwide deliveries.


 * 1989 - Aeros begins the research and development on heavy lift airship concept.


 * 1991 - Aeros begins its expansion and opens its first international office in Sofia, Bulgaria.


 * 1994 - Aeros relocates to the United States to pursue its dream to advance "lighter than air" technologies.


 * 1995 - Aeros develops its first airship, the Aeros 50' that marks start of the Aeros airship excellence.


 * 1997 -Aeros develops the Aeros 25M tethered Aerostat System for the U.S. Department of Defense.


 * 1999 - Aeros launches airship model Aeros 40A.


 * 2000 - Aeros develops the 40B “Sky Dragon” airship equipped with a fly-by-wire system, and receives an unrestricted type certification to fly worldwide over populated areas.


 * 2001 - Aeros 40B is delivered to Germany to provide services in the land of Zeppelins. Aeros 18M was produced for the Canadian market.


 * 2003 - Aeros receives the contract award from the U.S. Department of Defense for the development of a High Altitude Airship.


 * 2004 - Aeros delivers the 1170 tethered Aerostat for the U.S. military to ensure success in the War on Terror. For the first time, Aeros creates a new type of rigid variable buoyancy air vehicle called the Aeroscraft.


 * 2005 - The Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contracts Aeros to develop a buoyancy assisted strategic airlifter.


 * 2006 - For the first time ever, Aeros demonstrates a new technology that allows buoyant vehicles to operate without ballast.


 * 2007 - Aeros develops a new 40D “Sky Dragon” airship that becomes a worldwide ‘system of choice’ and receives a FAA type certificate.


 * 2008 - The United States Federal Aviation Administration recognizes Aeros’ product quality and awards a Production Certificate. For the 1st time in aviation history, Aeros successfully demonstrates the ability to control buoyancy in flight.


 * 2009 - Aeros successfully demonstrates the rigid aero-structure that allows buoyancy assisted air vehicles to have greater military utility. Aeros begins construction of the Aeroscraft, designed to offer game changing air cargo capabilities.


 * 2010 - Aeros developes a new advanced surveillance tethered Aerostat system, in support of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. Aeros puts its focus on the technology development for the Wind Energy Industry to achieve 10MW power output.


 * 2011 - Aeros continues integration of the Aeroscraft, an air vehicle that will revolutionize global logistics.


 * 2012 - Aeros deliveres on time and under budget on a $35 million contract with the DOD and DARPA, proving all of the technologies and capabilities of the Aeroscraft.


 * 2013 - The Dragon Dream had its first float on January 3. The Pentagon declared the tests were a success. On July 4, the Dragon Dream rolled out of the hanger for the first time and on September 11 the first flight of the Dragon Dream occurred.