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TOP STORIES FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 06, 2004 FCC Supports CALEA for Internet Phone Carriers FCC Rules to Stop Spam on Cell Phones, PDAs U.S. to Implant ID Tags in Passports U.K. Prohibits Smiling Faces on Passports Open-Source Image Format Has Flaws U.S. State Attorneys General Warn P2Ps FCC SUPPORTS CALEA FOR INTERNET PHONE CARRIERS The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) responded to law-enforcement concerns by suggesting that Internet-based telephone services should be subject to laws that permit the government to monitor landline telephone conversations. Discussion of the proposed rule was the first formal step by the FCC to hold Internet phone carriers to the same requirements as traditional phone companies, as specified in the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA). Industry executives who have supported law-enforcement efforts nonetheless fear the new rules could be too expensive and too difficult to apply to Internet phone services without impeding technological progress. New York Times, 5 August 2004 (registration req'd) http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/05/technology/05phone.html FCC RULES TO STOP SPAM ON CELL PHONES, PDAS The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued rules requiring marketers to obtain explicit permission from wireless-device users before sending commercial e-mail. The rule is an attempt to prevent cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) from becoming subject to massive e-mail spam. The FCC also urged the industry to develop technologies to prevent spam. The rule does not apply to services that forward existing computer e-mail messages to wireless devices or permit the devices to connect to a computer-based mail account. Washington Post, 5 August 2004 (registration req'd) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41009-2004Aug4.html U.S. TO IMPLANT ID TAGS IN PASSPORTS The U.S. State Department plans to implant electronic ID chips in U.S. passports to allow computer face-recognition systems to match facial characteristics of the digital passport photo on the chip against a photo taken at the passport control station and against photos on government watch lists. The change is planned despite warnings that face-recognition technology has a high error rate. Critics suggest using fingerprint identification instead, as a more reliable technology. The new passports are scheduled to enter use in 2005. Washington Post, 6 August 2004 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43944-2004Aug5.html U.K. PROHIBITS SMILING FACES ON PASSPORTS The U.K. Home Office ruled that all new passport photos must show an unsmiling face with closed mouth because open mouths can confuse facial recognition systems. The new guidelines require good contrast between the face and background; the full face looking straight at the camera; no shadows; and a neutral facial expression. The rules will apply immediately to new and replacement passports. The Register, 6 August 2004 http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/06/passport_scanners/ OPEN-SOURCE IMAGE FORMAT HAS FLAWS The open-source portable network graphics (PNG) image format reportedly has six security flaws affecting a supporting library (libPNG) that could permit attackers to compromise computers running Linux and possibly Windows PCs as well as Apple Macs running OS X. PNG is used by programs such as the Mozilla and Opera browsers and e-mail clients. A patched version of libPNG can be downloaded from sellers of the Linux operating system and the PNG Web site. CNET, 6 August 2004 http://news.com.com/Image+flaw+pierces+PC+security/2100-1002_3-5298999.html U.S. STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL WARN P2PS More than 40 U.S. state attorneys general sent a letter to seven online file-sharing software companies warning of possible legal action if the companies do not better their efforts to educate computer users of the legal and security risks involved in using peer-to-peer file-sharing software. The letter also urged the P2P companies to develop better filters for pornography but not to add encryption features to hide users' identities and possibly interfere with law-enforcement efforts. It included references to past legal action taken by the states against suspected spammers, but did not specify consequences to the P2P companies for any failure to accede to the requests made. San Jose Mercury News, 5 August 2004 http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/9329960.htm ***************************************************** EDUPAGE INFORMATION To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change your settings, visit http://www.educause.edu/pub/edupage/ Or, you can subscribe or unsubscribe by sending e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To SUBSCRIBE, in the body of the message type: SUBSCRIBE Edupage YourFirstName YourLastName To UNSUBSCRIBE, in the body of the message type: SIGNOFF Edupage If you have subscription problems, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For past issues of Edupage or information about translations of Edupage into other languages, visit http://www.educause.edu/pub/edupage/ ***************************************************** OTHER EDUCAUSE PUBLICATIONS EDUCAUSE publishes periodicals, including "EQ" and "EDUCAUSE Review," books, and other materials dealing with the impacts and implications of information technology in higher education. 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