********************************************************** Sponsored by the Singapore Internet Research Centre Nanyang Technological University, Singapore http://www.ntu.edu.sg/sci/sirc/
********************************************************** Don't forget to check out http://www.auda.org.au/domain-news/ for today's edition of the complete domain news, already online! And see my website - http://GoldsteinReport.com/ - for daily updates in between postings. *************************************************** The domain name news is supported by auDA *************************************************** Mozilla exec suggests Firefox users move to Bing, cites Google privacy stance http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/329484/ Google backs world's fastest internet cable to run 8,000km across southeast Asia http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/dec/11/google-undersea-cable-asia eBay’s fixed-price sales overtake profits from web auctions http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article6950929.ece Facebook's new policy creates 'serious privacy problems', say critics http://out-law.com/page-10593 Women go online to share child sex-abuse fantasies http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/women-go-online-to-share-child-sexabuse-fantasies-1839304.html FTC Report Finds Sexually and Violently Explicit Content in Online Virtual Worlds Accessed by Minors [news release] http://ftc.gov/opa/2009/12/virtualworlds.shtm Can Nokia Recapture Its Glory Days? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/business/13nokia.html Google Phone May Be in Works http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/technology/companies/13google.html Apple lawsuit claims Nokia copied the iPhone http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/dec/11/apple-nokia-countersuit In Shift, U.S. Talks to Russia on Internet Security http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/science/13cyber.html US games company sues British blogger in Australia http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/dec/11/evony-sues-british-blogger Libel laws stifle jokes by Alexei Sayle and Ricky Gervais http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6954621.ece As Web Challenges French Leaders, They Push Back http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/world/europe/13paris.html Google Faces a Different World in Italy http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/technology/internet/14google.html US cyber security is back on the agenda http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/dec/09/obama-us-cyber-security-top-agenda Britain, Long a Libel Mecca, Reviews Laws http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/11/world/europe/11libel.html Broadband and ETS the 'keys' to change http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/broadband-and-ets-the-keys-to-change/story-e6frg6nf-1225809224923 NBN Co down the wrong path: Cisco http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/nbn-co-down-the-wrong-path-cisco/story-e6frgakx-1225809283038 Broadband future: Father of the Internet praises NBN http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/329413/ Broadband future: NBN should be wired, not wireless, says Quigley http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/329405/ ********************** RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** Broadband networks supporting innovation: New report: OECD New innovations such as smart electrical grids, tele-medicine, intelligent transportation networks, interactive learning and cloud computing will require fast communication networks to operate efficiently. Government investment in new fibre networks could be justified based on just small direct benefits in just four key sectors of the economy – electricity, health, education and transportation. http://www.oecd.org/document/58/0,3343,en_2649_34223_44245946_1_1_1_37441,00.html Online Network Size, Efficacy, and Opinion Expression: Assessing the Impacts of Internet Use in China by Fei Shen, Ning Wang, Zhongshi Guo & Liang Guo [International Journal of Public Opinion Research] Abstract: The severe internet censorship implemented in China naturally raises substantial doubt about the potential democratic functions of the internet. This study presents some initial empirical evidence for internet use's impact on online opinion expression in Mainland China by analyzing three survey datasets collected by the World Internet Project in 2003, 2005, and 2007. Results reveal a positive relationship between internet use and online expression. The positive association is partially mediated by online network size, but not necessarily by internet efficacy. Although government censorship has in a measure successfully stifled people's; willingness to speak out, it is argued that the networking function of the internet could still bring incremental changes to the Chinese society through constructing loosely structured networks. http://ssrn.com/abstract=1518795 Privacy, Free Speech, and 'Blurry-Edged' Social Networks by Lauren Amy Gelman [Boston College Law Review] Abstract: Much of Internet-related scholarship over the past ten years has focused on the enormous benefits that come from eliminating intermediaries and allowing user generated one-to-many (one person to many people) communications. Many commentators have noted the tension created between the positive benefits for free speech and the negative effects on user privacy. This tension has been exacerbated by technologies that permit users to create social networks with “blurry edges” - places where they post information generally intended for a small network of friends and family, but which is left available to the whole world to access. http://www.bc.edu/schools/law/lawreviews/bclawreview/meta-elements/pdf/50_5/02_gelman.pdf http://ssrn.com/abstract=1520111 Anonymity in Cyberspace: What Can We Learn From John Doe? by Lyrissa Barnett Lidsky Abstract: This Article examines the evolution of the law governing libel suits against anonymous “John Doe” defendants based on Internet speech. Between 1999 and 2009, courts crafted new First Amendment doctrines to protect Internet speakers from having their anonymity automatically stripped away upon the filing of a libel action. Courts also adapted exist-ing First Amendment protections for hyperbole, satire, and other non-factual speech to protect the distinctive discourse of Internet message boards. Despite these positive developments, the current state of the law is unsatisfactory. Because the scope of protection for anonymous Internet speech varies greatly by jurisdiction, resourceful plaintiffs can make stra-tegic use of libel law to silence their critics. Meanwhile, plaintiffs who are truly harmed by cybersmears will find little effective recourse in libel law. Though disheartening, the current state of the law may be a testament to the difficulty of balancing speech and reputation in the Internet age. http://www.bc.edu/schools/law/lawreviews/bclawreview.html ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Mozilla exec suggests Firefox users move to Bing, cites Google privacy stance A Mozilla official today pointed Firefox users to the extension that adds Microsoft's Bing to the list of the browser's search engines after Google's CEO downplayed consumers' privacy concerns. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9142106/Mozilla_exec_suggests_Firefox_users_move_to_Bing_cites_Google_privacy_stance http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/329484/ Mozilla exec urges Firefox users ditch Google for Bing Asa Dotzler, Mozilla's director of community development, used his personal blog to urge Firefox users away from Google and to use Microsoft's search engine Bing, instead. Dotzler cited privacy concerns, specifically pointing to comments recently made by Google CEO Eric Schmidt. http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/12/mozilla-exec-urges-firefox-users-ditch-google-for-bing.ars Google backs world's fastest internet cable to run 8,000km across southeast Asia In little more than a decade, Google has conquered the technology industry and become one of the world's most powerful companies. Its latest undertaking, however, may be one of its most ambitious: a giant undersea cable that will significantly speed up internet access around the globe. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/dec/11/google-undersea-cable-asia One in three Britons listen to radio online: Rajar Almost one in three Britons listen to the radio online, new figures indicate. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/6789132/One-in-three-listen-to-radio-online-Rajar.html UK trails on super-fast broadband say OECD figures The UK is trailing when it comes to next-generation access, new figures show. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the UK is placed 21st out of 30 in terms of speed. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8408919.stm Broadband penetration still lags in U.S. The United States still lags behind several developed countries in broadband penetration despite experiencing solid growth over the past year, according to new data released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/121109-broadband-lags-america.html http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9142159/Broadband_penetration_still_lags_in_U.S. U.S. Making Progress On Fiber The United States has maintained its current ranking of 15th in terms of broadband penetration, according to the latest statistics released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, but the country is making progress in the amount of fiber-optic lines being installed. The latest OECD statistics, based on data from June 2009, show that while the United States may still lag behind other countries in terms of the number of broadband subscribers per 100 residents, the United States is seventh overall in the rollout of fiber. Fiber enables much faster broadband speeds than are currently available with cable or DSL, according to Taylor Reynolds with the OECD's Science, Technology and Industry division. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2009/12/us-making-progress-on-fiber.php Microsoft Is Losing Fight for Consumers, Analyst Says Mark Anderson is the writer behind the Strategic News Service, a predictive newsletter with a wide following among technology executives and venture capitalists, which he publishes from the island redoubt of Friday Harbor, Wash. And each December, he comes to New York, hosts a dinner and delivers a set of forecasts for the coming year. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/10/microsoft-is-losing-fight-for-consumers-analyst-says/ eBay auctions overtaken by fixed price sales Fixed priced sales have outnumbered auction transactions on eBay for the first time as business take over the web site from individual sellers. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/6776630/eBay-auctions-overtaken-by-fixed-price-sales.html eBay’s fixed-price sales overtake profits from web auctions It emerged during the web’s infancy as one of the most exciting — and lucrative — ideas on the internet. But has eBay been hijacked by big business? http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article6950929.ece ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Social network searches could be a hacker's dream The race to include up-to-the-minute postings from popular social networks atop search results from Google, Microsoft Bing and Yahoo Search should trigger a boon — for spammers and cybercriminals. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2009-12-14-searchsecurity14_ST_N.htm Facebook faces criticism on privacy change Digital rights groups and bloggers have heaped criticism on Facebook's changed privacy policy. Critics said the changes were unwelcome and "nudged" people towards sharing updates with the wider web and made them findable via search engines. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8405334.stm How to fix Facebook's new privacy settings When logging in to Facebook Thursday, I, like millions of other people, got the directive to update my privacy settings to fit in to the new, "simplified," scheme. http://news.cnet.com/8301-19882_3-10413317-250.html Facebook's new policy creates 'serious privacy problems', say critics Facebook has changed the way its privacy settings operate, asking users to change their settings even if they had already been set. The social networking giant's approach has been criticised by privacy activists. http://out-law.com/page-10593 ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** Mozilla's Thunderbird Email Client Is Back with a Vengeance When Thunderbird, the Mozilla Foundation's open-source e-mail client, first came out, I liked it a lot. But then Mozilla put Thunderbird on the back burner to focus its attention on Firefox, letting Thunderbird slowly age into a second-rate e-mail client. Now, at long last, a new and vastly improved version of Thunderbird has just been released and is back to being great. http://www.pcworld.com/article/184243/.html French army sides with Mozilla in Microsoft email war A new email client unveiled by Mozilla this week contains code from an unusual source -- the French military, which decided the open source product was more secure than Microsoft's rival Outlook. http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-44619620091210 http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/3151297/ WiGig spec promises 7Gbps wireless streaming The Wireless Gigabit Alliance has completed its specification for a 60GHz technology that supports data transmission rates of up to 7Gbps, promising a wireless speed boost between mobile phones, PCs and televisions. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/0,1000000085,39933620,00.htm China's Curbs on Tech Purchases Draw Ire China has rolled out regulations that could curb billions of dollars worth of sales of high-tech gear to government agencies, raising cries from companies across the globe and from the U.S. government. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126047365539485893.html ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ Women go online to share child sex-abuse fantasies Thousands of women appear to be using the internet to share sexual fantasies of abuse involving children. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/women-go-online-to-share-child-sexabuse-fantasies-1839304.html UKCCIS Launches the First UK Child Internet Safety Strategy 300 delegates from Government, industry, law enforcement and the third sector attended the first annual UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) Summit in London on 8 December 2009 for the launch of the first UK Child Internet Safety Strategy and a Digital Code for internet safety. http://www.iwf.org.uk/media/news.273.htm FTC Report Finds Sexually and Violently Explicit Content in Online Virtual Worlds Accessed by Minors [news release] The Federal Trade Commission today issued a report that examines the incidence of sexually and violently explicit content in online virtual worlds. The congressionally mandated report, “Virtual Worlds and Kids: Mapping the Risks,” urges operators of virtual worlds to take a number of steps to keep explicit content away from children and teens, and recommends that parents familiarize themselves with the virtual worlds their kids visit. http://ftc.gov/opa/2009/12/virtualworlds.shtm FTC: Kids can find adult content in virtual worlds The FTC seems to have discovered something the rest of us already knew. Kids are easily able to access adult content in virtual worlds. http://news.cnet.com/8301-10797_3-10413742-235.html FTC drags out old, tired ideas for protecting kids online The Federal Trade Commission is always on the lookout for what could be improved "for the children!" and a recent report highlights the newest areas of concern: virtual worlds. In its report released Thursday, the FTC announced the downright shocking news that there is sexually explicit and often violent content in virtual worlds that can be accessed by minors, along with a set of recommendations for service providers to better shield kids. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/12/ftc-drags-out-old-tired-ideas-for-protecting-kids-online.ars Savvy kids can access explicit online worlds: FTC Even a minimally savvy youngster can figure out how to access violent or explicitly sexual content in some virtual or Internet worlds, the Federal Trade Commission said on Thursday. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5B94BX20091210 http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE5B94DW20091210 http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/3151200/ FTC: Explicit Virtual world content easy for minors to see The Federal Trade Commission today said minors can access explicit sexual and vilolent content in 70% of the virtual worlds it reviewed in a congressionally mandated report and urged virtual world operators to make key enhancements aimed at reducing the risk of youth exposure to such content. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/121009-layer8-ftc-explicit-virtual-content.html http://www.pcworld.com/article/184521/.html FTC warns of explicit content in virtual worlds [AFP] The US consumer protection agency warned parents Thursday that children can easily bypass age requirements in virtual worlds and access violent or sexually explicit content. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/ftc-warns-of-explicit-content-in-virtual-worlds-20091211-kn2f.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/ftc-warns-of-explicit-content-in-virtual-worlds-20091211-kn2f.html FTC's milestone report on virtual worlds This is pioneering stuff on the part of the US government. The Federal Trade Commission today sent to Congress its close study of 27 online virtual worlds – 14 for children under 13 and 13 aimed at teens and adults – looking at the level of sexually explicit and violent content and what the VWs were doing to protect children from it. http://www.netfamilynews.org/2009/12/ftcs-milestone-report-on-virtual-worlds.html Teenagers and sexting Almost half of sexually active teens are involved in sexting -- sending explicit photos of themselves or their partners via mobile phones. http://www.pri.org/science/technology/teenagers-sexting1769.html au: Boy's suicide blamed on school bullies SYSTEMIC failures within the NSW Education Department and poorly understood student welfare policies fostered the bullying culture that helped drive a 14-year-old boy to suicide, a court has been told. http://www.smh.com.au/national/boys-suicide-blamed-on-school-bullies-20091211-kokd.html ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Can Nokia Recapture Its Glory Days? If there’s anywhere left in the world where it’s still impolite to flash a BlackBerry or an iPhone, it’s Nokia’s annual analyst meeting. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/business/13nokia.html Google Phone May Be in Works Google appears to be preparing to market its own smartphone, a move that would intensify the company’s rivalry with Apple, whose iPhone dominates the high-end smartphone market in the United States. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/technology/companies/13google.html Google hints at making mobile phone [AFP] The internet is buzzing with renewed rumours that Google will make its own smartphone, after the internet powerhouse said it was internally dabbling with a mobile device. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/13/2770129.htm Mobile phones will come of age in 2010 – and this time I mean it For decades, speech recognition has been a breakthrough waiting to happen. The other day I tried Google's voice search on my mobile after someone had recommended it. I spoke three search queries into my phone (by holding down the telephone icon) and it got all three correct. Being able to search on the move without typing in letters is a really useful facility – another indication of the coming of age of the mobile. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2009/dec/09/mobile-phones-victor-keegan Apple lawsuit claims Nokia copied the iPhone Apple has hit back at Nokia, as the spat between the world's largest mobile phone manufacturer and its most recent rival becomes increasingly acrimonious. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/dec/11/apple-nokia-countersuit Apple Sues Nokia, Claims Infringement for wrongfully using 13 of its patents [Bloomberg] Apple Inc., maker of the iPod and iTunes music software, said it filed a countersuit claiming that Nokia Oyj is infringing its technology. http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/dec2009/tc20091212_551557.htm Why Vevo Will Fail The music video site is modeled on Hulu, but downloading music videos is quite different from downloading TV programs http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/dec2009/tc20091211_309336.htm ********************** SPAM ********************** New attempt to tackle Skype spam When spam starts talking to you, you know you're in trouble. It pops up on your screen, trying to sell you watches, Viagra and a host of other goodies and it pretends to be your friend through Facebook and Skype. Now the Australian Communications and Media Authority will begin a new campaign aimed at getting consumers to complain about the latest form of spam instant messaging. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/security/new-attempt-to-tackle-skype-spam-20091210-klr8.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/security/new-attempt-to-tackle-skype-spam-20091210-klr8.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/security/new-attempt-to-tackle-skype-spam-20091210-klr8.html ACMA expands spam crackdown to Skype, instant messengers The Australian Communications and Media Authority will expand its crackdown on spam to include unwanted messages sent during conversations on instant messenger programs including VoIP service Skype. http://www.smartcompany.com.au/legal/20091211-acma-expands-spam-crackdown-to-skype-instant-messengers.html District Court Gives California Anti-Spam Law Some Breathing Room It turns out that on the same day that the Ninth Circuit rejected ISP Asis Internet's contention that the mere carriage of spam and the cost of deploying spam filters supported a claim under the federal CAN-SPAM Act, a federal district court in California boosted the company's state-law claim against another alleged spammer by ruling that claims under California's anti-spam statute are not preempted by CAN-SPAM. http://pblog.bna.com/techlaw/2009/12/district-court-gives-california-antispam-law-some-breathing-room.html ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** In Shift, U.S. Talks to Russia on Internet Security The United States has begun talks with Russia and a United Nations arms control committee about strengthening Internet security and limiting military use of cyberspace. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/science/13cyber.html US games company sues British blogger In an internet defamation case that lawyers say could set an "extraordinary precedent", an American games company is suing a British blogger in the Australian courts. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/dec/11/evony-sues-british-blogger Libel laws stifle jokes by Alexei Sayle and Ricky Gervais Top comedians and wits, including Alexei Sayle, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Fry, say Britain is being turned into a “global laughing stock” because of its draconian libel laws. They are the latest critics to call for reform of the legislation which is stifling free speech. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6954621.ece As Web Challenges French Leaders, They Push Back Dominique Broueilh is an unlikely cyberdelinquent, much less a political dissident. But earlier this year, Ms. Broueilh, 50, a homemaker and mother of three, found herself the target of a police investigation and a lawsuit from a French cabinet official because of a comment she had posted online. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/world/europe/13paris.html Google Faces a Different World in Italy One morning in January 2008, Peter Fleischer, the chief privacy counsel at Google, was walking to the University of Milan to deliver a speech at a conference when someone shouted his name from behind. Shortly afterward, he was surrounded by five Italian police officers. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/technology/internet/14google.html US cyber security is back on the agenda For the past month or so a curious game has been going on in the world of rumour and uncertainty that passes for the intelligence community. At the heart of it is an attempt to force the US president, Barack Obama, to put cyber security back to the top of his agenda and to usher in increased monitoring of the internet. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/dec/09/obama-us-cyber-security-top-agenda Police Report Says Five Americans Wanted to Pursue Jihad After Being Inspired by YouTube Videos A ringleader of the five Washington, D.C.-area men arrested in Pakistan this week was inspired to wage jihad by watching YouTube videos showing attacks on U.S. Army and military installations, according to a Pakistani police report. http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/declassified/archive/2009/12/11/police-report-says-five-americans-wanted-to-pursue-jihad-after-being-inspired-by-youtube-videos.aspx Terrorist recruiters leverage the Web Pakistani authorities on Saturday were searching for an insurgent figure believed to have aided five Northern Virginia men who allegedly tried to join al-Qaeda, saying the case could help unravel a growing network of terrorist recruiters who scour the Internet for radicalized young men. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/12/AR2009121201598.html Bank firewalls cracked by cyberhackers For more than a decade the common currency among cybercriminals has been pilfered credit card numbers, but some underground hackers have learned how to drain money directly from corporate bank accounts. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0890892c-e68b-11de-98b1-00144feab49a.html au: Probe into depression chat leaks The Australian Privacy Commissioner has launched a formal investigation into a depression website called Depression Services. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/11/2769023.htm Gary McKinnon challenges extradition to US Lawyers acting for the computer hacker Gary McKinnon today lodged papers for a fresh high court challenge to stop him being sent for trial in the US. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/10/gary-mckinnon-lodges-challenge-extradition ECPA Protections Don't Apply Outside United States A federal district court in Northern California ruled earlier this week that the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the statute protecting stored e-mail communications, does not protect electronic communications outside the United States. The case is Zheng v. Yahoo! Inc., No. C-08-1068 (N. D. Cal., Dec. 2, 2009), in which the plaintiffs alleged that Yahoo!'s Chinese subsidiary unlawfully disclosed the plaintiffs' identities and electronic communications to officials of the Peoples Republic of China -- resulting in torture, imprisonment, and serious other emotional and economic damage. http://pblog.bna.com/techlaw/2009/12/ecpa-protections-dont-apply-outside-united-states.html Pop-up Advertisements Offering Anti-virus Software Pose Threat to Internet Users An ongoing threat exists for computer users who, while browsing the Internet, began receiving pop-up security warnings that state their computers are infected with numerous viruses. http://www.ic3.gov/media/2009/091211.aspx ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** China launches new crackdown on Internet, mobile phone porn China launched Tuesday a new round of harsh crackdown on spreading pornographic content through Internet or mobile WAP sites to "purify the social environment," government sources said. http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/6836078.html Iranian Facebook Protest Continues A reader writes to draw our attention to the fact that another prominent Iranian, the cultural critic and scholar Hamid Dabashi, who teaches at Columbia University in New York, has joined the online campaign to show solidarity with Majid Tavakoli, a student leader who was detained after Monday’s demonstrations in Tehran. http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/11/iranian-facebook-protest-continues/ ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** Britain, Long a Libel Mecca, Reviews Laws England has long been a mecca for aggrieved people from around the world who want to sue for libel. Russian oligarchs, Saudi businessmen, multinational corporations, American celebrities — all have made their way to London’s courts, where jurisdiction is easy to obtain and libel laws are heavily weighted in favor of complainants. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/11/world/europe/11libel.html us: Self-regulatory Efforts of Online Advertising Industry Insufficient to Protect Consumers [news release] The Center for Democracy & Technology today released a report that examined the self-regulatory practices of the online behavioral advertising industry and found that the guidelines—despite some recent progress—aren't strong enough to sufficiently protect consumer privacy. http://www.cdt.org/pr_statement/self-regulatory-efforts-online-advertising-industry-insufficient-protect-consumers New EU digital strategy to focus on users' rights Consumers will be at the core of the European Union's 'i2015' action plan for the future of the digital economy, which the EU institutions are beginning to shape and plan to deliver by spring 2010. http://euractiv.com/en/infosociety/new-eu-digital-strategy-focus-users-rights/article-188133 Europe Region meeting defines key ICT development priorities The Europe Regional Preparatory Meeting for the ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference 2010 (WTDC-10) concluded on Thursday 3 December in Andorra La Vella with delegates reaching consensus on regional strategies to foster the development of information and communication technologies (ICTs). The agreed strategies and priorities will serve as inputs to next year’s WTDC. http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2009/56.html The ACTA Timeline: Tracing The Secret Copyright Treaty The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement is generating growing concern (witness today's release of a protest letter from civil liberties groups from around the world) as many people learn about the secret copyright treaty for the first time. I've posted video talks and interviews on ACTA, but some have asked for a visual timeline to trace its emergence. Posted below is an ACTA Timeline created using Dipity. I'll update as events warrant. http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/4611/125/ OECD Conference on Empowering E-Consumers E-commerce has evolved dramatically since 1999, when the OECD issued its first Guidelines for Consumer Protection in the Context of Electronic Commerce. Government, business, civil society, international organisations and academics will explore how effective the guidelines are and what new opportunities, obstacles and risks consumers face in today’s online world. The discussion will be based on a report that identifies key trends and issues that require further attention from business and governments to strengthen consumer trust in the Internet economy. http://www.oecd.org/document/20/0,3343,en_21571361_43348316_43410324_1_1_1_1,00.html ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* Nicolas Sarkozy seeks to fend off Google’s threat to French culture Google’s plans to provide digital versions of classic books over the internet have run into trouble in France after President Sarkozy vowed to spend hundreds of millions of euros to see off what he regards as a threat to the country’s cultural heritage. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6950972.ece Singapore well-placed as Internet exchange The country could become the world's largest Internet exchange because of its position as a "technology hub" situated within many underserved markets, said Glimmerglass. http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/communications/0,39044192,62059922,00.htm PartyGaming, Austria's bwin in merger talks - paper Online gaming firm PartyGaming is in merger talks with Austrian rival bwin Interactive Entertainment in a deal that could create an internet gambling giant, according to the Sunday Times. http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-44682020091213 ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Broadband and ETS the 'keys' to change Kevin Rudd tied together two of his most contentious election promises yesterday -- the $43 billion national broadband network and the emissions trading scheme -- by claiming both were vital to the effort to tackle climate change. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/broadband-and-ets-the-keys-to-change/story-e6frg6nf-1225809224923 NBN Co down the wrong path: Cisco Networking experts have discussed concerns that the national broadband network will put the nation on a $43 billion path "back to the future" by returning incumbent telcos to dominant market positions. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/nbn-co-down-the-wrong-path-cisco/story-e6frgakx-1225809283038 Broadband future: Father of the Internet praises NBN Vint Cerf, Vice-President and Chief Internet Evangelist at Google and widely regarded as the father of the Internet, has labelled the NBN rollout and telecommunications reform “stunning” and “impressive”. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/329413/ Broadband future: NBN should be wired, not wireless, says Quigley Fibre to the home will be the only way to deliver high end applications such as complete remote computing and full 3D virtual collaboration in Australia, according to NBN Co cheif, Mike Quigley. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/329405/ au: Wrap up: Realising Our Broadband Future summit The Federal Government's Realising Our Broadband Future event was held over two days at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Guests heard from speakers like the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, communications minister Stephen Conroy, NBN Co CEO Mike Quigley, Google's vice president and chief internet evangelist Vinton G Cerf, Jeffrey Cole the director of USC Annenberg School; BHP Billiton Iron Ore CIO Brad Wearn, and Dr Paul Twomey the Senior President of ICANN. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/329577/ AT&T Possible Price Moves May Backfire Potential efforts to charge more for heavy data usage may alienate customers and stymie innovation and growth in the wireless Web http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/dec2009/tc20091210_799838.htm +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information on subscriptions to the domain name and/or general internet news please contact me. For archives of postings to the list, see http://lists.technewsreview.com.au/pipermail/technewsreview/. Also see http://GoldsteinReport.com/ for recent updates. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2009 --------- David Goldstein email: [email protected] web: http://davidgoldstein.tel/ http://goldsteinreport.com/ phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9665 5773 - office/home "Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim Flannery __________________________________________________________________________________ See what's on at the movies in your area. Find out now: http://au.movies.yahoo.com/session-times/ _______________________________________________ APPLe mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.apnic.net/mailman/listinfo/apple
