Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Next on your agenda: Genetic privacy. Next on your agenda: Genetic privacy. Privacy columnist Jay Cline says the safest bet is for companies to avoid using personal genetic test information until the public trust has been earned. And he offers seven principles for eventually earning that trust. [Computerworld Privacy News] 11:59:58 AM  PermaLink   / trackback []

Michigan Parents May Now Register Instant Messenger IDs, Mobile Text Messaging and Fax Numbers .... Michigan Parents May Now Register Instant Messenger IDs, Mobile Text Messaging and Fax Numbers .... The registry is designed to help parents and others guard children from inappropriate messages [GT: Privacy] 11:56:22 AM  PermaLink   / trackback []

Michigan Gov. Calls for Legislation to Prevent Unauthorized Sale, Release of Telephone Records. Michigan Gov. Calls for Legislation to Prevent Unauthorized Sale, Release of Telephone Records. "The state of Michigan must send a clear message that the private, personal information of Michigan consumers is not a commodity and is not for sale" [GT: Privacy] 11:53:30 AM  PermaLink   / trackback []

The Art of Privacy Invasion. The Art of Privacy Invasion. A performance artist finds an impolite palette in the images that spill from wireless nanny cams and security surveillance systems, unbeknownst to their owners. Robert Andrews reports from Cardiff, Wales. [Wired News: Security Blanket] 11:49:43 AM  PermaLink   / trackback []

The Year of Living DRMishly. The Year of Living DRMishly. All signs point to 2006 as the year consumers become intimately familiar with "digital rights management," as Microsoft, Apple and Google all push their own copy protection schemes. Can revolution be far behind? By Ryan Singel. [Wired News: Security Blanket] 11:47:58 AM  PermaLink   / trackback []

Survey finds solid opposition to release of Google data to feds. Survey finds solid opposition to release of Google data to feds. A majority of American surveyed by Ponemon Institute do not believe that Google should turn over Web search information to the U.S. government. [Computerworld Privacy News] 11:44:18 AM  PermaLink   / trackback []

American Chronicle: Rep. Tauscher' Domestic Spying Bill Gains Momentum Congresswoman Introduced Only Bill in the House Calling for a Repeal of Secret Wiretapping Program Today, Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher announced additional co-sponsors to her measure urging the President to rescind his order to permit secret spying on Americans and mandating a full reporting of how this authority has been used. "President Bush and his administration have tried to pull the wool over our eyes and distract the public from this possibly illegal domestic spying scandal. I am deeply disturbed to see the Republican majority's unwillingness to fulfill their oversight role and examine the executive branch's flagrant disregard for the privacy rights and civil liberties our constitution was designed to protect. It's despicable to me that a month after learning of these potential invasions of privacy, Congress still doesn't know the facts about the scope and extent of this administration's spying," said Rep. Tauscher. Late in December, Rep. Tauscher introduced legislation with Rep. John Conyers, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee. 11:41:24 AM  PermaLink   / trackback []

CNN.com - Apple changes iTunes feature - Jan 23, 2006 SAN JOSE, California (AP) -- Apple Computer Inc. has altered its iTunes software after users raised privacy concerns over a new spy-like song-recommendation feature in the music jukebox program. The Cupertino, California-based company last Tuesday switched the so-called "MiniStore" feature to give users the choice of turning it on, rather than having it automatically activate with its new version update of iTunes. The company introduced the recommendation feature two weeks ago. The MiniStore window pane with music or video suggestions pops up as users play songs from their libraries. 11:37:30 AM  PermaLink   / trackback []

Google Digs In Against Feds - Internet Life - NewsFactor Network "The use of data correlation and retention is very problematic," said Pam Dixon, executive director for the World Privacy Forum. "There are many questions about how e-mails or Internet searches can be used in a subpoena situation, and there are doors opening here that are of significant concern." 11:01:18 AM  PermaLink   / trackback []

Feds Asked to Take Action Against Adware Creator. Feds Asked to Take Action Against Adware Creator. An anonymous reader writes "CNet is reporting that a consumer watchdog group has asked the Federal Trade Commission to take action against 180solutions and CJB.net for unfair and deceptive business practices. The Center for Democracy and Technology submitted over 150 pages of examples of 180s bad practices." From the article: "180Solutions deliberately and repeatedly duped Internet users into downloading intrusive advertising software, according to a Center for Democracy and Technology complaint (download PDF). The company continued these practices even after it pledged to better itself and after receiving warnings from spyware experts and privacy advocates, the group said." [Slashdot: Your Rights Online] 10:53:23 AM  PermaLink   / trackback []

Spam Slayer: Next-Generation Spam. Spam Slayer: Next-Generation Spam. Spammers will innovate, morph, and adapt in 2006. What can you expect? [PCWorld.com - Latest News Stories] 10:46:50 AM  PermaLink   / trackback []

Botnet Hacker Pleads Guilty. Botnet Hacker Pleads Guilty. Man could face 25 years in prison for selling botnets to spammers and adware distributors. [PCWorld.com - Latest News Stories] 10:45:11 AM  PermaLink   / trackback []

Cingular accuses two firms of stealing customer records. Cingular accuses two firms of stealing customer records. Hello. Is it me you are looking for? Cingular Wireless won a temporary restraining order on Friday against two companies which it accuses of selling illegally-obtained customer records over the web. [The Register - Internet and Law: Digital Rights/Digital Wrongs] 10:42:39 AM  PermaLink   / trackback []

IBM Predicts 2006 Security Threat Trends IBM recorded more than 1 billion suspicious computer security events in 2005, despite a leveling off in the amount of spam e-mail and a decrease in major Internet worm and virus outbreaks. Enterprises should expect to see the same level of malicious traffic in 2006, even as online criminal groups shift to stealth attacks and cyber-extortion instead of massive, global malicious code attacks, said David Mackey, director of security intelligence at IBM. The Armonk, New York, company has released its IBM Security Threats and Attack Trends report for 2005. The report details the top threats of the last year, and makes predictions about prevalent security trends in 2006. 10:40:46 AM  PermaLink   / trackback []

IT industry prepares for the worst over ID cards. IT industry prepares for the worst over ID cards. 'Don't blame us, blame government' After years in which suppliers have absorbed most of the blame for government IT failures, the case for there being equal measures of ineptitude in the civil service is gaining momentum behind the concerted campaign against ID Cards. [The Register - Internet and Law: Digital Rights/Digital Wrongs] 10:37:37 AM  PermaLink   / trackback []