Latest news with #FSQ
ABC News
11 hours ago
- Health
- ABC News
Forensic Science Queensland director Linzi Wilson-Wilde suspended after 'contamination issues' identified
The director of Forensic Science Queensland (FSQ) has been immediately suspended by the state's attorney-general after "contamination issues" were identified. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said she moved to immediately suspend the director, Linzi Wilson-Wilde, who was appointed in September 2024, pending a show cause notice for removal. "This action was taken following advice I received today that FSQ was placing a general pause on routine DNA testing after contamination issues were identified," Ms Frecklington said in a statement. Ms Frecklington's office could not provide any further details on the contamination issues. It is not known how long Dr Wilson-Wilde has to respond to the notice. FSQ is an independent statutory authority and forensic service provider, which supports the criminal justice and coronial systems with specialised services in forensic biology and forensic chemistry. Two commissions of inquiry, in 2022 and 2023, found serious failings over many years at the FSQ lab, including a "fatally flawed" automated testing method that might have seen offenders escaping conviction. More than 120 recommendations were made during the commissions of inquiry to address "disturbing and troubling" issues which have meant tens of thousands of samples may need retesting. Dr Wilson-Wilde became director in September 2024 after joining FSQ as interim chief executive in January 2023. Ms Frecklington said FSQ's pause in operations would be for a preliminary period of seven days followed by a review to determine the next steps. "The government has been advised FSQ will continue to progress urgent matters in a limited capacity during this time and that this can be done with appropriate controls," she said. Ms Frecklington said the government was "firmly committed to fixing the long-standing issues at Forensic Science Queensland". When contacted by the ABC Dr Wilson-Wilde declined to comment.
7NEWS
12 hours ago
- 7NEWS
FSQ director Linzi Wilson-Wilde suspended as DNA testing paused
Queensland's troubled Forensic Science Queensland (FSQ) has been forced to pause routine DNA testing for seven days amid new contamination concerns. FSQ Director Linzi Wilson-Wilde was suspended immediately by Attorney-General Deb Frecklington on Friday. Frecklington confirmed that Wilson-Wilde is now facing a formal show cause notice for removal. While routine testing is on hold, FSQ will continue to handle urgent cases, albeit at limited capacity, while reviewing the situation and planning next steps. Just two weeks ago, all kinship and paternity testing was halted following revelations of a critical spreadsheet error that led to dozens of incorrect DNA results spanning cases dating back decades. The DNA lab has been at the centre of two Commissions of Inquiry that exposed major failings, raising serious questions about the integrity of thousands of rape and murder investigations. Around 2,300 cases remain under active review. The suspension of FSQ's Director marks the latest — and most significant — development in the ongoing forensic crisis gripping Queensland. Frecklington said the Crisafulli Government is 'firmly committed to fixing the long-standing issues at FSQ' as the crisis deepens.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sekur Private Data Inc. Partners with Freedom Square Inc. - Launches Sekur Privacy Solutions to Over 50 million US Patriots Protecting 1st and 4th Amendment Rights Online - Freedom Square CEO to Join Sekur's Advisory Board
MIAMI, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sekur Private Data Inc., a US based leading Swiss-hosted cybersecurity and privacy communications platform, and a subsidiary of Sekur Private Data Ltd. (OTCQB: SWISF) (CSE: SKUR) (FRA: GDT0) ("Sekur" or the "Company"), today announced a strategic partnership with Freedom Square Inc. and 13 Stripes Media to offer Sekur's Swiss hosted privacy communications and web browsing solutions to all of Freedom Square's ("FSQ") and 13 Stripes Media's user base and leads database numbering over 50 million individuals and businesses. Freedom Square Inc is a company born out of the necessity to provide unfettered news, podcast and resources in an ever-diminishing free speech environment in America. Most recently FSQ launched 13 Stripes Media to help companies reach likeminded people and organizations for business and philanthropy. In addition, FSQ launched the Freedom Chamber in May of 2024 with 27 cofounders and 3 patriot level companies to provide a professional community dedicated to providing members intelligence, exclusive benefits and a strong voice of advocacy in the halls of power. As part of the partnership, FSQ is promoting Sekur's solutions on its site and its daily news digest "Inside the Square". Additionally, FSQ is launching several email campaigns promoting Sekur 's exclusive Freedom Square offer to its 250,000+ patriots and patriot entrepreneurs' readership. Sekur is also working with 13 Stripes Media ("13 Stripes"), in order to launch several email and digital targeting campaigns. The first campaign will target over 600,000 patriots. 13 Stripes has access to well over 50 million patriot leads, including patriot small businesses. The first campaign can be seen on this landing page and is set to start in the next couple of weeks. The campaigns will encompass a mix of email and target specific digital marketing. This partnership aligns with Sekur's strategy to broaden the distribution of its Swiss-based privacy solutions through liked minded partners, ensuring increased accessibility for businesses and individuals seeking robust cybersecurity, privacy tools without censorship or datamining from special interests and Big Tech organizations. Sekur's platform is designed to protect individuals and companies from cyber threats and privacy breaches, catering to a high-demand market with a unique value proposition in Swiss-hosted data privacy and off grid hosting outside of the big tech cloud services. Tom Sodeika, CEO of Freedom Square to join Sekur Advisory BoardSekur is honored to announce that Tom Sodeika has kindly accepted to join the Strategic Advisory Board of Sekur Private Data. Tom Sodeika is the Founder and CEO of Freedom Square (parent of Freedom Chamber) and Freedom Chamber. His business background has earned him professional accolades within that community and the recognition of that success has led to his appointment on various Boards of Directors and Advisory Boards including Turning Point USA and Moms For America. From 2003 to 2020 he ran Precision Payroll of America where he turned that company into a leader in the complex, highly regulated world, of human resources and payroll processing. After selling that company in 2020, he turned his attention and his business insights toward building what is now the Freedom Chamber, Freedom Square, and 13 Stripes. Freedom Square CEO StatementTom Sodeika, CEO of FSQ added: "Freedom Square is truly honored and excited to be a partner with Sekur Private Data. The relationship is anchored in the mission of both companies to defend the right to privacy, free flow of information and free speech. We believe the products and tools offered by Sekur are Best in Class and will provide exceptional benefits to our community of patriots and patriotic entrepreneurs. Let Freedom thrive in 2025." Sekur CEO StatementAlain Ghiai, CEO of Sekur Private Data, stated, "We are truly honored to partner with Freedom Square and 13 Stripes, both, patriotic organizations protecting the right to privacy and free speech, among many patriotic values that need protection in today's world. We are also very honored to have Tom Sodeika, CEO of Freedom Square, joining our Advisory Board. Tom has been instrumental in guiding us in our strategy to protect patriots and their businesses from unlawful hacking, datamining and censorship. We are also very proud to be the first company holding a patriot level membership with Freedom Chamber. FSQ has been immensely helpful to us and we are looking forward to offer true private and secure email, Internet browsing and messaging to our patriot community. Too often special interests and big tech have been scanning and stealing private data from patriots. Sekur is now ready to offer them full protection against privacy and security violations in the digital world." Swiss Privacy ProtectionSekur's solutions are hosted exclusively in Switzerland, ensuring user data remains secure from external data access requests. Switzerland's robust Federal Act on Data Protection, in place since 1993, upholds strict privacy standards, prohibiting unauthorized data processing and protecting against the publication of information based on leaked "secret official discussions." This regulatory framework provides a unique level of data privacy protection, reinforcing Sekur's commitment to safeguarding user information. About Sekur Private Data Private Data Inc. is a US based, Swiss-hosted cybersecurity and privacy communications provider, offering a secure suite of tools to protect businesses and individuals from cyber threats and unauthorized access to their emails, chats and Internet browsing. With solutions such as SekurMail, SekurMessenger, and SekurVPN, Sekur provides an accessible and reliable means of digital communication and data storage, using military grade encryption and grounded in Swiss privacy standards. To find out more about Sekur's privacy communications solutions visit: sales brochure on our enterprise security solutions, or partnership opportunities, contact: partners@ Follow Sekur on XFollow Sekur on RumbleFollow Sekur on Instagram Forward-Looking InformationThis news release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "could", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "project" and similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes or that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they do not guarantee future performance. Sekur cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Sekur's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the future of the Company's business; the success of marketing and sales efforts of the Company; the projections prepared in house and projections delivered by channel partners; the Company's ability to complete the necessary software updates; increases in sales as a result of investments software development technology; consumer interest in the Products; future sales plans and strategies; reliance on large channel partners and expectations of renewals to ongoing agreements with these partners; anticipated events and trends; the economy and other future conditions; and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in Sekur's prospectus dated May 8, 2019, filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available on Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Sekur undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Sekur
