Archive
Category: Privacy
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Internet defamation and the ‘age of humiliation’
As many have argued, the internet etches an indelible tattoo upon the reputations of those whom people tag, ridicule and ‘out’ — be they cat women, dog poopers or just obnoxious celebrities. But this is probably nothing new: All of us now live under the threat of easy and instant humiliation. It’s no longer just… Read more →
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2008 Cybersecurity Year in Review — Part I: Data Security
It should come as no surprise that 2008 was an eventful year for online security pundits. Record instances of data breaches, identity theft, vulnerability disclosures and hotfixes were seen throughout the year. Both state and non-state actors were involved — on the public side, cyberwar in Georgia and alleged Chinese cyber-espionage; in the private sector,… Read more →
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Facebook accidentally exposes members’ dates of birth
During a public beta test of its new user interface, social networking website Facebook has accidentally exposed personal information — at this stage limited to the date of birth and age — of all its members. According to Sophos, which created a YouTube video illustrating the flaw, as many as 80 million dates of birth… Read more →
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Unconstitutional Eavesdropping
A United States judge has ordered its government to halt the National Security Agency’s policy of domestic eavesdropping, holding that it violates the United States Constitution. Originally by ABC News: Politics, 9:14 PM Read more Read more →
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Bloggers Targeted by New Clauses in Employment Contracts
After a few corporate embarrassments caused by webloggers last year, certain companies look set to outlaw the practice — both at home and in the workplace. According to one recently-published book, an employer can do so by means of inserting new limiting provisions into employment contracts: “Employers are now considering including specific blogging provisions in… Read more →
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Microsoft Is Pushing for Privacy?
Like a diaper in a swimming pool, Microsoft makes an impression at a privacy conference. This time, the company isn’t collecting a Big Brother Award. Kevin Poulsen reports from the Computers, Freedom & Privacy Conference in Washington, D.C. Originally by Wired News: DAT’s Entertainment, 10:54 AM Read more Read more →
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FCC Affirms VoIP Must Allow Snooping
MarsGov writes “The FCC released an order yesterday that requires all broadband providers and all “interconnected” VoIP providers to implement CALEA — in other words, law enforcement can snoop on your online conversations, both voice and text. While this is no surprise, it makes encryption for VoIP even more urgent.” Originally by CowboyNeal at Slashdot:… Read more →
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Judges Challenge IP Wiretap Rules
WebHostingGuy writes to mention an MSNBC article on an appeals panel harshly challenging the Bush administration’s wiretap policies. New rules from the FCC would make it easier for police and FBI agents to wiretap IP-based phone conversations. From the article: “At [one] point in the hearing, Edwards told the FCC’s lawyer that his arguments were… Read more →
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Court Challenges FCC on Web Wiretaps
A US appeals court challenged FCC rules making it easier for law-enforcement authorities to wiretap Internet phone calls. Originally by WSJ.com: What’s News Technology, 10:44 AM Read more Read more →
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Google Ordered to Hand over Data
Well, Google is certainly making the headlines at the moment. This time, a federal United States judge stated that he intends to order Google to divulge user search and email records to the United States Justice Department. Fortunately for Google (and its users), the judge appears to have accepted Google’s request to confine the terms… Read more →