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Ukrainian prime minister resigns in Zelenskyy shake-up

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Ukrainian prime minister resigns in Zelenskyy shake-up


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Ukraine’s wartime government is getting another shake-up after Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stepped down Sunday, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying he has offered her a “new, important” role as he reshapes his administration during the ongoing war with Russia.

Svyrydenko announced her resignation in a statement on social media, saying she was “proud to have had the honor of leading the government during one of the most difficult periods in Ukraine’s modern history.” She said she had discussed “next steps” with Zelenskyy, but did not disclose what her next position would be.

“I remain ready to serve the Ukrainian state and carry out every task aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s position, defending our national interests and bringing a just peace closer,” Svyrydenko wrote.

HOUSE REPUBLICAN DON BACON SAYS HE WANTS ‘PARIAH STATE’ RUSSIA BOOTED FROM UN SECURITY COUNCIL

Zelenskyy, who has remained in office under martial law because wartime elections are prohibited, framed the move as part of a broader shift in Ukraine’s governing strategy.

“Ukraine is changing its political strategy,” Zelenskyy wrote in a social media post, adding that he had offered Svyrydenko the chance to lead “a new, important area” in Ukraine’s relations with a key international partner.

Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko attends a session of the Ukrainian parliament, in Kyiv, July 17, 2025. (Reuters/Andrii Nesterenko/File Photo)

The Ukrainian president said each major area of foreign policy would be assigned to an experienced official responsible for carrying out agreements reached with foreign leaders and advancing the interests of the Ukrainian people. He also announced planned changes to the country’s top law enforcement leadership, though he did not immediately provide additional details.

18 HOUSE REPUBLICANS DEFY TRUMP TO PASS UKRAINE AID PACKAGE HEADED FOR VETO FIGHT

The reshuffle marks the fourth major reorganization of Zelenskyy’s government since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, reflecting the president’s repeated efforts to inject new momentum into his wartime administration.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko walking

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko visit the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, which was hit during Russian missile and drone strikes, in Kyiv, Ukraine, June 15, 2026. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters)

Svyrydenko, who previously served as Ukraine’s economy minister, was appointed prime minister in July 2025 at age 39 after playing a key role in negotiating a minerals agreement between Ukraine and the United States. The deal was widely viewed as a way to strengthen U.S. economic interests in Ukraine while reinforcing Washington’s long-term commitment to the country’s security.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at a press conference after meetings with the heads of the EU and Ireland, in Dublin on July 1, 2026. (Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images)

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Following the announcement, Zelenskyy met with several senior officials, including Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko and Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, signaling that additional changes to his government could be forthcoming.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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“My kids don’t have phones. It’s okay being bored…”: Why Novak Djokovic’s approach is an important lesson for modern parents

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“My kids don’t have phones. It’s okay being bored…”: Why Novak Djokovic’s approach is an important lesson for modern parents



Every parent has heard it at least once. “I’m bored.” And usually, the response is the same. Someone hands over a phone. A cartoon is switched on. A tablet appears. Within seconds, the complaint is gone. But what if boredom isn’t the problem? What if it’s actually something children need more of?
That’s the idea tennis legend Novak Djokovic touched on in a recent podcast, talking about raising his two children. The 24-time Grand Slam champion shared a way of thinking about parenting that feels almost too simple for a world where kids are entertained nonstop.

It wasn’t about strict rules or some clever technique. It was about letting

kids slow down, sit with their own thoughts, and find their own creativity instead of automatically reaching for a screen. For many modern parents, it is an idea worth reflecting on. (Image Credit : Jelena Djokovic/Instagram)



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Sam Neill, who starred in

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Sam Neill, who starred in



Actor Sam Neill, who starred in “Jurassic Park” and “The Piano,” died Monday at the age of 78, his family said in a statement. Neill had been battling cancer, but his family said he had beaten it and his death was unexpected.



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Heel Turn: 2 major title changes, ‘Hangman’ returns, goodbye Sheamus and more from pro wrestling last week

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Heel Turn: 2 major title changes, ‘Hangman’ returns, goodbye Sheamus and more from pro wrestling last week


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It was a major week in professional wrestling that is only usually scene after a premium live event or a pay-per-view. This week, WWE and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) saw major championship changes at the top of their respective rosters as both companies inch their way to their marquee events – SummerSlam and All In.

CM Punk returned to WWE programming on “Monday Night Raw” and was the replacement in the Undisputed WWE Championship match against Sami Zayn. Cody Rhodes was set to be in the match until he was attacked by Gunther. Zayn thought he was in the clear until Raw general manager Adam Pearce told Zayn he had a replacement. Punk showed up and the crowd in Chicago was immediately sent into a frenzy.

CM PUNK TO DEFEND UNDISPUTED WWE CHAMPIONSHIP AGAINST CODY RHODES AT SUMMERSLAM

CM Punk smiles during Monday Night RAW at Allstate Arena in Chicago, Ill., on July 6, 2026. (Melina Pizano/WWE via Getty Images)

Punk and Zayn put on one of the better TV matches of the year for WWE. In the end, it was Punk who captured the Undisputed WWE Championship and ended Zayn’s short-lived reign as champion after nine days. Later in the week, Punk and Rhodes were booked for a title match at SummerSlam but first will have to team together to take on Zayn and Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event in New York City.

AEW’s “Dynamite” featured MJF trying to defend his AEW World Championship against Kenny Omega. If Omega lost the match, he would no longer be able to compete for the title. It was a similar stipulation that Rhodes dealt with when he was in AEW and that “Hangman” Adam Page had in his own match against MJF earlier this year, which he lost.

AEW routinely showcases pay-per-view-level main events on “Dynamite” and Wednesday’s title bout was no different. MJF and Omega showcased their elite talents and went above and beyond to make the title mean something. MJF went crashing through the announce table and tried to use the Dynamite Diamond Ring to cheat his way to another victory.

KENNY OMEGA CAPTURES AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN EPIC MATCH OVER MJF

Kenny Omega enters the ring at New Japan Pro-Wrestling Wrestle Dynasty at Tokyo Dome.

Kenny Omega enters the ring during New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Wrestle Dynasty at Tokyo Dome on January 05, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. (Etsuo Hara / Getty Images)

Will Ospreay, who is guaranteed a title match at All In, stepped in to take the ring away from MJF before he could use it but nearly cost Omega the title altogether. MJF hit Omega with a low blow and the title as the referee was trying to kick Ospreay out of the ring area. However, Omega kicked out when the referee only counted to one.

The Florida crowed was electric. MJF, seemingly battling through a knee injury, did everything he could to keep Omega down, but to no avail. Omega hit MJF with a few V-triggers and a One-Winged Angel to finally put MJF away. He captured the championship and began his second reign as AEW world champion.

There are many unknowns in pro wrestling despite the scripted nature of the shows and events. You never know who is going to return, you never know who his going to be on the shelf and you never know who is really going to win when it’s all said and done.

What we do know right now is that August will begin and end spectacularly. SummerSlam and All In are shaping up to be must-watch events. Each event have been slower builds than what most fans are used to, but everyone can expect high-level drama and intrigue going into each one. Let’s not discount that fact as the days and weeks go by.

==

“Hangman” Adam Page returns on “Collision”

“Hangman” Adam Page made his return to AEW programming after being away for months following his AEW World Championship loss to MJF earlier this year. Dressed in a black suit jacket, Page made his way down the entrance ramp to a raucous crowd.

He opened up about dealing with cervical radiculopathy, which has kept him out of the ring for nearly four months. He talked about his gardening hobby and planting seeds and told the crowd he wanted to plant one more seed. He recalled putting his chance at ever going for the AEW world title again against MJF and losing the match.

Page vowed he would be a “man of my word.”

COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL

“I know the stipulation, it doesn’t live signed in ink on a contract filed away in a filing cabinet somewhere, but it does live in me. And I wanted to let you know that I intend to be a man of my word,” he said. “I will never challenge for the All Elite Wrestling men’s world championship again.”

He suggested he took inspiration from Omega’s title win and that he sees “miles and miles of empty track” before him. He called out TNT champion Kevin Knight, national champion Mark Davis, continental champion Jon Moxley and international champion Kyle Fletcher.

“I’m going to have to find something else to do and you bet you’re a– I will.”

Welcome back, Page.

==

Sheamus says farewell to WWE

Sheamus making his entrance during RAW at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Sheamus makes his entrance during RAW at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Oct. 27, 2025. (Michael Marques/WWE via Getty Images)

Sheamus made his WWE debut in 2009 – first appearing on ECW and later Raw. He immediately became a formidable challenger for John Cena and stunningly captured the WWE Championship against him at TLC in December of that year.

Man, how time flies.

Sheamus would become a four-time WWE champion, three-time United States champion, five time tag team champion and the winner of the King of the Ring, Money in the Bank and Royal Rumble. In the latter years of his career, he would be hampered by injuries but did get one final moment with Cena in the ring at Madison Square Garden before Cena finally retired.

Reports surfaced during the week that Sheamus’ contract would expiring and that he would be leaving the company. He seemingly confirmed the reports when he changed his social media profiles to his real name, Stephen Farrelly, and fired off an outgoing message to fans.

“Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Burger after Banger after Banger after Banger after,” he wrote on X, “slán mo WWE chaired.”

It’s unclear if this will be the end of the road in professional wrestling for the 48-year-old Irishman. But there will certainly be tremendous opportunities inside and outside the ring for him moving forward.

==

Spotlight: CM Punk and Candice LeRae’s interaction

Overall, it may lead to nothing and go largely unnoticed, but the interaction between CM Punk and Candice LeRae jumped off the screen during “Friday Night SmackDown.”

Punk finished talking to Cathy Kelley when he turned around to see LeRae and Johnny Gargano, who was still planking and not talking to anyone. Remember, Sami Zayn was the only one who Gargano seemed to be listening to – for better or worse. LeRae offered a stark reminder to Punk after he beat Zayn for the title.

“I hope you’re proud of yourself,” LeRae said. “As annoying as Sami can be, he’s the only person who didn’t give up on Johnny. He’s actually the voice of the voiceless. And as long as Sami held that title, it was hope. Hope for the real underdogs. Hope for Johnny, hope for me, and you, stole that from us. So, yeah, I hope you’re proud of yourself.”

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Punk responded the only way he could.

“I am proud of myself. You had hope for a whole nine days. Good for you,” he said. “I hope you can hear me, Johnny Wrestling, because that’s who I remember. Johnny Wrestling. Not whatever this is. And you, too. Just stop whatever you’re doing and get back in the ring. Get back to doing what you two do best. Whatever this is, is not working.”

==

Baron Corbin returns to WWE

Baron Corbin looks down at Trick Williams in the ring.

Baron Corbin looks down at Trick Williams during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE via Getty Images)

It had been quite a while since Baron Corbin had been seen in a WWE ring. But as he finished with Major League Wrestling (MLW), rumors were rampant that his return to WWE was imminent.

He made himself quite known to the roster on Friday night when he interfered in a match between Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes.

Corbin got into the ring and hit the End of Days on both Williams and Hayes. But the big question is why? Why go after both guys who were putting on a banger of a match? Was he back to challenge for the United States Championship? And what did it mean for Ricky Saints who was watching the match intently?

We’ll have to keep watching SmackDown to find out.

==

Rocky Romero talks New Japan’s G1 Climax

New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s prestigious G1 Climax got started over the weekend in Chicago. Rocky Romero spoke to Fox News Digital about the event before the bell the rang.

==

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling airs this week

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling (MLP) will hit the airwaves this week when it debuts on TSN at midnight ET on Wednesday.

Rohan Raja spoke to Fox News Digital in May about MLP and why fans should tune in.

“I remember when we ran our first show a lot of fans, me, even if you go on Twitter and even news articles would report it, the quality is like an AEW or WWE product. It’s very top notch. We have Mauro Renallo as the voice of MLP,” he said at the time. “He’s on fire and he still does a lot of stuff like Jake Paul, he did Anthony Joshua’s last boxing match, Tyson Fury’s last match. We have all these star-studded guys.

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“How I kinda summarize it is it’s like a world’s collide but every week because we’ve had guys from AEW on there, we got guys from Japan, we got guys from Mexico, we got guys and girls from WWE who come on it. So, I feel like that’s the biggest thing where not only are they showcasing the Canadian talent but it’s showcasing everything. I feel like wrestling now, you do get glimpses of the worlds collide but I feel like we’re the promotion that’s had everyone – a taste of everything into one. With the TSN tapings and how that’s gonna go, it’s really just going to amp up what we’ve built and it’s something that you wouldn’t want to miss.”

==

Other pro wrestling news and notes you may have missed:

Kyle Fletcher in the ring

Kyle Fletcher during AEW Double or Nothing in Queens, N.Y., on May 24, 2026. (Lee South/AEW)

  • Kyle Fletcher defeated Konosuke Takeshita for the AEW International Championship during “Beach Break.” It’s the third championship held by the Don Callis Family faction.
  • Willow Nightingale earned an AEW Women’s World Championship shot at Redemption against Thekla.
  • Xia Brookside defended the TNA Knockouts World Championship against Lei Ying Lee on “Impact.”
  • Chris Jericho spoke to Fox News Digital about his upcoming documentary “Vietslam.”
  • Major League Wrestling (MLW) announced that world champion Killer Kross will be in the film “Godshot.”
  • Avery Styles, the son of WWE Hall of Famer A.J. Styles, will make his Game Changer Wrestling debut on July 31.
  • Fight Factory Wrestling’s Dave Sturchio previewed The War on the Shore 3 with Fox News Digital.
  • MLW women’s champion Shotzi Blackheart clarified who the real “Indy God” is in an interview with Fox News Digital.

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.



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Sam Neill: Tributes to Jurassic Park actor following his death aged 78

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Sam Neill: Tributes to Jurassic Park actor following his death aged 78


Born Nigel John Dermot Neill in Omagh, Northern Ireland, in 1947, he moved to Christchurch, New Zealand, with his family as a child.

He adopted the name Sam at the age of 12 because there were several Nigels at his school.

He began acting while studying at the University of Canterbury and made his film debut in 1971’s The City of No. After a number of television and film roles in New Zealand, he gained wider recognition in the 1977 film Sleeping Dogs, one of the country’s first films to achieve international distribution.

He later moved to Australia, where he starred in My Brilliant Career (1979), a film that helped establish him as a leading actor.

Neill achieved global fame in 1993 through his performances in Jane Campion’s Oscar-winning The Piano and as palaeontologist Dr Grant in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park.

He reprised the role in Jurassic Park III (2001) and Jurassic World Dominion (2022), and voiced the character in three video games based on the series.

Neill also found success on television, playing the sadistic, corrupt police officer Major Chester Campbell in the first two series of the BBC’s Peaky Blinders.

Over a career spanning more than five decades, he amassed more than 150 screen credits.

His last film appearance came in The Fox (2025) and his last TV appearance came in Netflix series Untamed (2025). He is expected to make posthumous appearances in Godzilla x Kong: Supernova and The Last Resort in 2027.

Neill was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1991 for services to acting. He was later made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2007 and accepted a knighthood in 2022 after changes to New Zealand’s honours system allowed recipients to adopt titular honours.

In his 2023 memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This?, he revealed details of his cancer diagnosis and treatment.

“I’m not afraid of dying,” he told the BBC at the time. “What I don’t want to do is to stop living, because I really enjoy living.”

He added: “I’ve regarded it as an adventure, quite a dark adventure, but an adventure nevertheless.”

Sir Sam Neill is survived by his four children and eight grandchildren.



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Mortgage rates fall at fastest pace in almost two years – but experts issue warning

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Mortgage rates fall at fastest pace in almost two years – but experts issue warning


Fixed mortgage rates have fallen at the fastest rate since October 2024, as lenders bring back down prices which spiralled at the start of the Iran war.

The number of mortgage deal choices also continued to rise and the number of days they stayed on the market for remains at just 14 on average, as the industry grapples with fast-changing outlooks on inflation and borrowing costs.

At the end of February, the interest rate on an average two-year residential fix was 4.84 per cent, but it shot as high as 5.9 per cent by early April at the high of uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz.

By late that month the downturn had begun, and Moneyfacts data shows fixed rates dropped for a second consecutive month in June, with the biggest monthly reductions since October 2024. Average two-year fixes fell 0.16 per cent, while five-year fixes dropped 0.11 per cent, both back to 5.52 per cent on average.

That was the lowest point since the start of March for both two- and five-year deals. In late April, Barclays brought back the first sub-4 per cent mortgage deal after the entire market had seen such offers withdrawn.

Further data showed the average rate for new mortgages also fell back to 5.47 per cent, though in March of this year that figure was at just 4.9 per cent – and the total number of deals on the mortgage market, while higher in June than May, remained more than 300 lower than in March at 7,177.

Rachel Springall, finance expert at Moneyfacts, said: “Borrowers will breathe a sigh of relief to see fixed mortgages falling at their fastest pace for almost two years, combined with a calmer period of product churn and an uplift in choice. Lenders responded positively to falling swap rates in June, seeing notable drops to the average two- and five-year fixed rates by 0.16% and 0.11 per cent respectively, both settling at 5.52 per cent.

“The last cuts of a similar scale came in October 2024, when the rates dropped by 0.16 per cent and 0.13 per cent respectively.

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Usually, two-year fixes are priced lower than five-year fixes, but earlier this year at peak Iran war uncertainty, the script was flipped on that relationship with two-year deals more expensive due to short-term borrowing costs rising on inflation fears.

That situation has only just now reversed itself – Moneyfacts data shows on 13 July, the average 2-year fix is 5.46 per cent, with the average 5-year fix at 5.48 per cent.

But, Ms Springall warned, the resumption of strikes between the US and Iran means mortgage rate cuts could slow or even reverse once more.

“It has been three months since fixed rates inverted, where the two-year fixed has been higher than its five-year counterpart. This has started to unwind, so the rates should hopefully start to fall back into a more traditional pricing structure.

“However, this positive trajectory could be thrown off course, as renewed escalation in geopolitical tensions could slow the tempo of mortgage rate cuts,” she added.

Nathan Emerson, CEO at Propertymark, added that the political uncertainty at present combined with upcoming economic data could also see lenders hesitate over further lowering rates, until more certainty arises.

(Rebekah Downes/PA)

“Any fall in mortgage rates should help boost flexibility for both buyers and sellers, and it could perhaps be a sign that the UK housing market is overcoming what may be the worst of the mortgage rate rises witnessed in recent years,” he said.

“However, with inflation figures due next week, all eyes will likely turn to the Bank of England and its next base rate decision at the end of the month. There has been speculation that we may see a rate rise over the coming months, which could shift sentiment among lenders as the year progresses.

“Also, the appointment of a new prime minister could create uncertainty among buyers and sellers due to potential changes in housing policy going forward.

“So, while today’s news is welcome, it is important to consider the wider economic picture and the many different scenarios that could play out over the coming weeks and months.”

Emma Jones, MD at whenthebanksaysno.co.uk, added that the ups and downs recently served as a reminder that those seeking a new mortgage deal should lock in the best possible rate sooner rather than later. “In recent weeks, mortgage rates have been falling but the conflict in the Middle East is once again heightening and borrowers should have this firmly on their radars,” Ms Jones said.

“2026 has been a textbook example of how quickly mortgage rates can react to geopolitical events and a continued fall in rates should not be taken for granted.”

In most cases, people renewing their mortgage deals can do so with six months to run on their existing one – and change for a better deal should one crop up further down the line before the renewal takes effect.



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Extended interview: Sean Evans on his path to “Hot Ones,” his Conan O’Brien interview and more

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Extended interview: Sean Evans on his path to “Hot Ones,” his Conan O’Brien interview and more



Vladimir Duthiers speaks with Sean Evans about how he came to host “Hot Ones,” his interview with Conan O’Brien, who he would like to see on the show and more.



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Is a limited withdrawals savings account right for me? New launch offers savers 4.28%

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Is a limited withdrawals savings account right for me? New launch offers savers 4.28%


A new savings account launched by thisbank aims to help bridge the gap between traditional easy access savings and consumers needing to lock their cash away for longer periods.

Limited withdrawal accounts look to do this by allowing customers to access their cash a set number of times over a 12-month period, in exchange for a slightly higher interest rate than an easy access account might offer.

That way, consumers can trade the knowledge that they can get to their cash in emergency situations, while also removing the temptation to dip into their savings at every opportunity.

Fixed-term bonds, by contrast, will usually lock the money away entirely for a year or other time period, with penalties applied or interest lost if customers do need to access the money and close their account – but the trade-off is that they can have a higher rate guaranteed, even if banks lower interest rates in the meantime.

Thisbank’s Triple Access Savings Account allows customers to earn 4.28 per cent (AER), with a minimum deposit of £1,000. Across a 12-month period, savers can access their cash three times without closing the account, while interest is paid monthly. The rate is variable.

Chris Waring, CEO of thisbank, said: “People tell us they want their savings to earn a competitive return, but they also want the reassurance that they can access their money if life changes. Too often, they’ve been forced to choose between flexibility and a better rate.

“Our new Triple Access Savings Account has been designed to remove that compromise. Customers can enjoy a highly competitive return while still having the confidence that they can withdraw their money up to three times each year if they need it.

“At thisbank we’re building products that are straightforward, transparent and genuinely useful. Banking shouldn’t be about hidden catches or unnecessary complexity, it should help people make the most of their money, whatever they’re saving for.”

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While there are several standard savings accounts and cash ISAs which have higher rates, most have limited-time bonuses included to top up the interest figure or have a low ceiling for maximum funds customers can save, such as Cahoot’s 5 per cent offering up to £3,000 balances, but no interest paid at all over that figure. For limited withdrawal accounts, Moneybox’s 4.45 per cent cash ISA is the market leader, also allowing three withdrawals over a year – but if you’ve used your ISA allowance or want a non-ISA account for any other reason, thisbank’s new deal is a reasonable alternative.

Chase remains the outlier, with their 4.5 per cent rate for an easy access account – if you open a current account with them first.



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Why careful people still end up on data broker sites

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Why careful people still end up on data broker sites


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Your data broker profile can expose more than most of us realize. It may include your current address, old addresses, relatives, phone numbers and public records that were never tied to a phishing link or hacked password. That is what makes this so frustrating. Strong passwords, two-factor authentication and smart online habits all help protect your accounts. However, they do not stop data brokers from collecting public records and commercial sign-up data.

Those details can then show up on people-search sites. Even worse, scammers can use them to make a fake call, text or email sound personal and believable. Here is where data broker profiles get their information, why careful online behavior alone falls short and what steps can help reduce what strangers can find about you.

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Reserve your free spot today at CyberGuyLive.com.

FAKE VA SHOE OFFER TARGETS VETERANS

Strong passwords protect your accounts, but they do not stop data brokers from collecting public records and selling personal information to people-search sites. (Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

 

Where data broker profiles get your information

Most people assume data brokers get information the same way hackers do, through breaches, weak passwords or phishing links. That can happen. However, a lot of personal information comes from public records and commercial lists.

Data brokers can build profiles from records that may exist even when someone barely uses the internet, including:

  • Property deeds and real estate filings
  • Voter registration rolls
  • Civil and criminal court filings
  • Marriage and divorce records
  • Bankruptcy filings
  • Business registration filings
  • Professional license databases

In many U.S. states, these records are public under state or local rules. Data brokers do not need to hack anything to collect them. They can buy, scrape or license the information on an ongoing basis. A home purchase, marriage, divorce or voter registration can create a public record. That record may include a name and address. Once filed, it can become raw material for a data broker profile.

 

How everyday sign-ups feed data broker profiles

Government records are only one part of the problem. Everyday consumer activity can also feed data broker databases, including:

  • Loyalty program sign-ups
  • Warranty registrations
  • Magazine subscriptions
  • Contest and sweepstakes entries
  • Real estate transaction data

Commercial aggregators can combine those details with public records to build an enriched consumer profile. Registering the warranty on a dishwasher does not make anyone reckless. Entering a magazine sweepstakes does not make anyone careless. However, both can put personal information into a pipeline built to package and resell it.

 

How data broker lists can fuel real-world scams

This can sound abstract until a list gets used against real people.

Data broker InfoUSA reportedly sold a list of 19,000 verified elderly sweepstakes players to experienced scam artists. The scammers stole more than $100 million by calling people on the list and pretending to be government or insurance workers. Then they claimed they needed bank account information.

Another case shows the same risk on a larger scale. The Justice Department said Epsilon Data Management sold consumer data to fraud schemes and agreed to pay $150 million to resolve a criminal charge tied to elder fraud. DOJ later said two former Epsilon employees were sentenced after evidence showed they sold targeted lists to a fraudster client who used the data to defraud more than 218,000 victims out of more than $23.7 million.

That should stop you cold. The victims did ordinary things. Their names ended up in marketing databases and lead lists they may never have known existed. Then scammers used those lists to make fraud more targeted, more personal and much harder to spot.

 

Curious how exposed you already are?

Run a free scan to see where your information is showing up online-results usually land within an hour. Run your free exposure scan. Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com

SELLING YOUR HOME THIS SUMMER? YOUR DATA IS ALREADY MOVING

Man typing on his computer.

Your address, phone number and relatives may already appear in data broker profiles built from public records and everyday consumer sign-ups. (Ute Grabowsky/Photothek via Getty Images)

 

Why good online habits do not erase public records

This is the part that can catch a lot of you off guard, especially if you are already careful online. You may skip loyalty cards, avoid sweepstakes and toss warranty cards straight into the trash.

Even so, your information can still show up online because some details come from public records. Property records, vehicle registrations, voter rolls, professional licenses and court filings can all leave a trail with your name attached. In some cases, your profile may also connect you to relatives through someone else’s record.

That means online safety only solves part of the problem. Strong passwords, a password manager and two-factor authentication (2FA) help protect your accounts. However, they do not remove public records that data brokers collect, package and resell.

 

5 ways to protect your data broker profile now

A few smart moves can help reduce what is already exposed and limit how much new information flows into data broker databases.

 

1) Search your name on people-search sites

Start by checking what is already public. Search your name on sites like Spokeo, Whitepages and BeenVerified. Look for your address, phone number, relatives and previous locations. This gives you a clearer sense of what scammers, strangers or aggressive marketers may already be able to find.

 

2) Replace easy-to-guess security answers

If a bank, email account or financial app asks for your mother’s maiden name, birth city, first school or old street name, assume that answer may already appear in a data broker profile. Replace it with a made-up answer and store it in a password manager. The answer does not have to be true. It just has to be consistent and hard for someone else to guess.

 

3) Limit what you give away going forward

Be more selective with loyalty programs, warranty cards, sweepstakes and online forms. Use only the required fields when possible. Consider using a separate or alias email address for sign-ups, and avoid handing over your phone number unless it is truly needed. Small choices like this can reduce the amount of new data flowing into broker databases.

 

4) Talk to older relatives before a scammer does

Older relatives are often the final target, reached through a profile built from public records, family connections or past sign-ups. Set a family code word for emergency calls or texts. If someone claims there is an accident, arrest, hospital bill or urgent money problem, the code word gives your family a fast way to know whether the call is real.

 

5) Use a data removal service for ongoing cleanup

A data removal service can help remove your personal information from data broker and people-search sites without forcing you to chase every listing yourself. These services contact data brokers on your behalf, request removal of your information and keep checking when your data reappears.

That ongoing follow-up is important because data broker profiles can come back when databases refresh or when your information gets pulled from another source. Look for a service that covers hundreds of data broker and people-search sites, offers recurring removals and lets you request cleanup from specific sites where your personal information appears.

I also recommend considering coverage for your whole household. Family members can be linked together in data broker profiles, so removing only one person’s information may leave other exposed details behind. A family plan can help protect addresses, relatives, phone numbers and other personal information across everyone in your home.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

FTC CHIEF ACCUSES DEMOCRATS OF ‘TRYING TO PROTECT THE FRAUDSTERS’ BY WITHHOLDING DATA FROM TRUMP ADMIN

Man coding on his laptop.

Data brokers compile personal information from public records, loyalty programs and commercial databases, making scams more convincing and harder to detect. (Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

 

Kurt’s key takeaways

What concerns me most about data broker profiles is how little of this comes from a mistake you made online. You can use strong passwords, avoid phishing emails and turn on two-factor authentication, yet your address, old addresses and family connections may still appear on people-search sites. That gives scammers a head start. A fake call or text sounds more believable when it includes real details about you or someone you love. The best move is to treat data broker cleanup as part of your regular privacy routine. Search your own name, change easy-to-guess security answers, limit what you share on forms and consider using a data removal service that keeps checking when your information comes back.

What personal detail would worry you most if it showed up on a people-search site: your address, phone number, relatives or something else? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.



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EU chief weighs age restrictions for children using social media

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abdulwadud
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EU chief weighs age restrictions for children using social media


BRUSSELS — A top European Union official on Monday called for limits to be placed on children using social media as a special EU panel looking into the challenge recommended forbidding access for those under 13 until tech companies can prove their platforms are safe.

Growing awareness of the dangers social media poses for young, developing brains has shown up in a wave of new restrictions globally. Australia, the U.K., Turkey, Indonesia and others have passed bans on kids under 16 or 15 from using platforms like TikTok, YouTube and Instagram.

Laying out a list of her concerns about the use of social media by kids, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen — a doctor by training — said that children under 3 should have no exposure to screens at all.

“I believe we need to consider phased and gradual access for different age ranges because childhood won’t wait and once it’s gone, we can never give it back,” von der Leyen told reporters.

“Just as we don’t give our children keys to the car before they have their license, or we do not let them buy alcohol until they are legally allowed. We need to set the age at which they can, the children can, legally access social media,” she said.

Von der Leyen noted infinite scrolling as one of the “addictive” traits that tech companies must address.

Beyond toddlers, she did not mention any precise restrictions, but she and the European Commission — the EU’s powerful executive branch — are likely to come up with a proposal for the 27 member countries to weigh in the near future. Von der Leyen’s policy proposals carry great influence with EU member countries.

A special panel set up to study child safety online delivered its report to the EU chief on Monday. The report said that when it comes to safety, “the burden of proof needs to be on providers, not regulators, parents and children.”

“Until they demonstrate that their services are safe by design, social media and other digital services providers should have restricted access to children under the age of 13 in the EU,” said the report, which is likely to influence von der Leyen’s thinking.

It recommended that “further precautionary age restrictions” should be considered by EU countries for children over 13.



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