Technology News: Privacy

Droid Lurches to Life
November 06, 2009

Today is the day of the Droid. The Motorola smartphone touches down today in what's shaping up to be one of the biggest handset launches in recent memory. Of course Verizon is going all-in as far as advertising is concerned, but there's more to the Droid's story than a marketing campaign.

Google Dashboard Lights Up User Access to Privacy Controls
November 05, 2009

Google on Thursday announced the launch of Google Dashboard, an online utility that offers one view into all Google products a customer uses. This is intended to give users more transparency and control over their data, the Internet search giant claimed. Dashboard is really an information aggregator.

Secure, Real-Time UC: Safe Connections While on the Move
November 05, 2009

Unified Communications holds enormous promise as a coherent, integrated approach to incorporating the full spectrum of business communications modalities, and as direct path to cut through "communications clutter" resulting in accelerated time-to-action. It also offers a cost-effective way to more directly connect the company to its customers.

ISF Panelists Spar Over Security vs. Anonymity
November 03, 2009

Can the Web's big-time masters of malware really be tracked down? How risky is cloud computing to network security? And what challenges await the Obama administration's plans to lock down the nation's electronic infrastructure -- while at the same time creating a "smart grid?"

The Google Voice Choice: Keep Your Number or Get More Features
October 27, 2009

Google announced on Monday that Google Voice users can retain their existing mobile phone numbers when setting up an account instead of having to receive a new phone number for the service. "Google Voice is all about enabling choice," product manager Pierre Lebeau said in a post on the Google Voice blog.

Should the President Have a Big Red Button for the Internet?
October 03, 2009

There is no kill switch for the Internet, no secret on-off button in an Oval Office drawer. Yet when a Senate committee was exploring ways to secure computer networks, a provision to give the president the power to shut down Internet traffic to compromised Web sites in an emergency set off alarms. Corporate leaders and privacy advocates quickly objected, saying the government must not seize control of the Internet.

Who's Watching You Browse?
September 28, 2009

Being on the Internet is like living in a village: Everyone knows who you are and all the details of your private life -- except that on the Internet, it's not just people you may have known all your life who know a lot about you; it's complete and utter strangers. It's not just that those strangers may know stuff that could really make you uncomfortable.

Coalition Mounts Campaign for Stiffer Privacy Laws
September 02, 2009

Congress should enact strict controls on how online advertisers can monitor and track consumers' behavior, according to 10 privacy groups that formed a coalition to lobby for the cause. The group has sent letters to six members of the U.S. House of Representatives describing the extent to which personal data can be gleaned from an individual's online habits.

German Court Mandates Google's Voluntary ToS Changes
September 01, 2009

A German court has ruled that Google must change terms of service that could be interpreted to compromise a user's rights. A lawsuit brought by consumer groups charged that the terms of service for opening an account through Google Mail, Google Documents and other programs could be interpreted as giving the Internet search giant the right to review and even delete a user's information.

Rights Groups Demand More Info on Arbitrary DHS Laptop Searches
August 28, 2009

The idea was to provide some clarity on the issue of searches of computers and other digital devices when travelers enter the U.S. However, while Thursday's announcement of new Department of Homeland Security policies for border inspections was greeted as a good first step by some, they didn't completely quiet privacy rights groups.

Clash of the Consoles Gets Down and Dirty
August 28, 2009

Congratulations, patient cheapskates: You've won the waiting game. Now you can get a well-equipped video game system for a somewhat reasonable price. The two most-advanced consoles on the market have dropped in price over the last few days, just in time for all of that back-to-school homework to get ignored.

Facebook Bows to Canada's Privacy Demands
August 27, 2009

Facebook will be overhauling its privacy policy following an investigation by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, which concluded that the social networking site's policies posed significant risks. The changes will affect Facebook's entire global user base.

Scammers Back Off Favorite Tactic - Phish Ain't Bitin'
August 26, 2009

Internet criminals might be rethinking a favorite scam for stealing people's personal information. A report being released Wednesday by IBM shows a big drop in the volume of "phishing" emails, in which fraud artists send what looks like a legitimate message from a bank or some other company.

Social Security: Guarding Your Identity in Online Networks
August 26, 2009

Without a doubt, the growth of social networking has exploded in recent years and has added value to the Internet by providing yet another exciting way for citizens all over the world to connect and interact. In fact, social networks like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn and many smaller sites have become the preferred way many people communicate today as well as a growing business development tool.

A Last Call for Snarkers Anonymous?
August 21, 2009

The old saying used to be, "If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all." Then the Internet came along, and the saying changed to, "If you can't say anything nice, then invent a fake user name and go to town." The Web has allowed us to get away with saying some pretty awful things to each other without having to say them to each others' faces -- or even put our own names on them.

Name-Calling Blogger Tests Limits of Online Anonymity
August 20, 2009

Someone, somewhere did not like Liskula Cohen, a model in her 30s who lives in New York. A blog was launched from Google's Blogger platform, apparently devoted to maligning her, complete with uncomplimentary photos. To be sure, such online attacks are hardly rare; indeed, Cohen's story diverges from most such incidents because she fought back -- and it appears she has been, to some degree, successful.