Privacy Digest

minilinks for 2008-08-14 - Via EFF.org Updates:

• Oops! FBI Sorry For Spying on Journalists FBI Director Robert Mueller called the NY Times and the Washington Post to express regret for a breach of reporters' phone records.
• Google Comes Clean On Targeted AdvertisingThe Internet giant confessed to using DoubleClick cookies to deliver targeted advertising to users.
• Coordinated Cyberattack in Georgia WarThe embattled state of Georgia accused Russia of launching denial of service attacks against Georgian websites.
• Jobs Confirms iPhone Kill Switch Steve Jobs admitted that Apple implemented a tool to pull the plug on any iPhone software that appears malicious -- or otherwise disrupts the business model.
• Fliers Without ID Placed on ListThe TSA is adding names of passengers who entered checkpoints without
  IDs to a database of suspicious persons.
• Cops Using GPS to Track SuspectsPolice around the country are using GPS devices attached to cars to
  track people -- without using a warrant.
• Yahoo to Make Targeted Ads OptionalAs Congress investigates targeted advertising, Yahoo announces it will adjust its policy.
• The Permission ProblemJames Surowiecki reviews Michael Heller's book, "The Gridlock
  Economy," discussing the ways too much private ownership can be bad for economies.
• Warner Investing in Online MusicAn SEC filing shows that Warner invested $15 million in the same service it previously sued for infringement.
• Dell Unlikely to Get Trademark on "Cloud Computing"The US Patent and Trademark Office has rescinded its earlier decision to grant Dell the right to trademark the term "cloud computing."
• Selectable Output Control and DRMTechdirt argues that the MPAA does not need DRM to release movies.
• AT&T "Sin Tax"BoingBoing's Joel Johnson recommends that iPod users pay a "sin tax" each time they pay their AT&T bill -- with a donation to EFF!

(Read Original Article - Via EFF.org Updates.)