Olympians’ app not secure
A smartphone app that athletes and others attending next month’s Winter Games in Beijing must install has glaring security problems that could expose sensitive data to interception, according to a report published Tuesday.
Citizen Lab, an internet watchdog group, said in its report the MY2022 app has seriously flawed encryption that would make users’ sensitive data – and any other data communicated through it – vulnerable to being hacked.
Other important user data on the app wasn’t encrypted at all, the report found.
That means the data could be read by Chinese internet service providers or telecommunications companies through Wi-Fi hotspots at hotels, airports and Olympic venues.
China is requiring all international Olympic attendees – including coaches and journalists – to download and start using the app 14 days before their departure. The app allows users to submit required health information on a daily basis and also includes chat features, file transfers, weather updates, tourism recommendations and GPS navigation.
Citizen Lab’s report comes amid heightened concerns over athletes’ data and privacy. Many countries are advising their athletes not to take their normal smartphones to China, but instead to bring temporary – or burner – phones that do not store any sensitive personal data, according to news reports.
Wisconsin has added a veteran cornerback and a young wide receiver, both from UCLA, for the 2022 college football season.
Jay Shaw, who has started a total of 16 games, announced his decision on Instagram. He has one season of eligibility remaining. Shaw started five games and played in 12 last season, tied for the team lead in interceptions with three and finished with a college-high 27 tackles.
Not long after Shaw’s announcement, freshman wide receiver Keontez Lewis announced on Twitter he also is coming to UW. He played in 11 games but did not record a catch.
NHL
The NHL will stop testing asymptomatic players, coaches and staff who are fully vaccinated following the all-star break in early February, saying coronavirus cases continue to decline across the league.
The league and Players’ Association announced the protocol changes Tuesday. The current policy will remain in place until the break begins Feb. 3.
There still will be testing of asymptomatic individuals when it is needed for crossing the U.S.-Canada border. Testing will not be required at all-star weekend, with one negative result needed to return to team facilities after the break.
Canadiens pick GM: The Montreal Canadiens hired player agent Kent Hughes as their general manager, hoping he can turn around a team with the worst record in the NHL.
The 51-year-old Montreal native replaces Marc
Bergevin, who was fired Nov. 28 following the Canadiens’ poor start.
OLYMPICS
Athletes at the Beijing Olympics were urged by human rights activists to avoid criticizing China because they could be prosecuted.
The International Olympic Committee has said athletes will have freedom of speech at next month’s Winter Games when speaking to journalists or posting on social media. However, the Olympic Charter rule that prohibits political protests at medal ceremonies also requires “applicable public law” to be followed.
The IOC has not publicly committed to how athletes who speak out would be protected, activists said in a briefing hosted by Human Rights Watch.
NBA
The Indiana Pacers expect center Myles Turner, one of the league’s top shot-blockers since the Pacers selected him in the 2015 draft, to miss at least the next two weeks with an injured left foot.
Team officials announced the 6-foot-11 Turner was examined by multiple specialists who diagnosed him with a “stress reaction.”
Warriors do damage control: A Golden State Warriors minority owner who said “nobody cares” about the Uyghurs in China is under fire and the team is distancing itself from him.
On the latest edition of his All-In Podcast, billionaire Chamath Palihapitiya dismissed the situation in China, which is accused by the U.S. of genocide and crimes against humanity because of the treatment of the Uyghurs Muslim minority population in the Xinjiang region in northwest China.
Golden State swiftly reacted by saying Palihapitiya’s views aren’t reflective of those of the team.