***************************************************** Edupage is a service of EDUCAUSE, a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. *****************************************************
TOP STORIES FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2005 Hearings Focus on Library Provisions of USA PATRIOT Act FIU Suffers Computer Hack U.S. Strengthens Copyright Law Spitzer Files Suit Against Marketing Firm for Spyware HEARINGS FOCUS ON LIBRARY PROVISIONS OF USA PATRIOT ACT Amid both House and Senate hearings on whether to renew certain portions of the USA PATRIOT Act, supporters and critics of Section 215, which authorizes law enforcement to obtain records from libraries and other institutions, have lined up to voice their opinions. Section 215 allows gaining access to various types of records with only the approval of a secret court. Further, those whose information has been collected are barred from disclosing that fact, even to attorneys. Representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which has been highly critical of the legislation, said they could support its renewal if several concessions were made, including limiting the authority to investigate only "agent[s] of a foreign power" and eliminating the gag order for those under investigation. Groups including the American Library Association said they supported the ACLU's recommendations. Rep. Howard Coble (R-N.C.) defended the law as it stands, saying there has been much "misinformation" about Section 215 and how it has been used. Kenneth L. Wainstein, U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, said that the law has not been used to obtain records from libraries, though he acknowledged that it could be used that way in the future. Chronicle of Higher Education, 29 April 2005 (sub. req'd) http://chronicle.com/prm/daily/2005/04/2005042901t.htm FIU SUFFERS COMPUTER HACK Officials at Florida International University (FIU) are warning faculty and students about possible identity theft after it was discovered that a hacker had user names and passwords for 165 computers on campus. Although only a few of the computers contained personal information, and despite the fact that no evidence exists that anyone's information has been misused, school officials fear that the hacker may have had enough access to put the university's entire network in question. University staff have been instructed to inspect 3,000 computers on campus to determine if they have been compromised. FIU has recommended that faculty and students remove any personal information from their computers and that they monitor their credit cards for suspicious activity that could indicate fraud. The Register, 29 April 2005 http://www.theregister.com/2005/04/29/fiu_id_fraud_alert/ U.S. STRENGTHENS COPYRIGHT LAW President Bush this week signed into law the Family Entertainment and Copyright Act, which allows for stiffer penalties for copyright violations. Under the law, individuals found guilty of possessing one or more copyrighted movie, music, or software files that have not been released to the public face a fine and prison term of up to three years. The law also criminalizes using a camcorder to record movies in theaters. Copyright holders supported the measure. Dan Glickman of the Motion Picture Association of America thanked Congress for what he called "their strong advocacy for intellectual property rights." Although some consumer groups opposed the law, some observers described it as a relatively minor expansion of existing law. Eric Goldman, professor of copyright law at Marquette University Law School, said he expects the Justice Department to use its new authority responsibly. Silicon.com, 28 April 2005 http://networks.silicon.com/webwatch/0,39024667,39129955,00.htm SPITZER FILES SUIT AGAINST MARKETING FIRM FOR SPYWARE New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has filed suit against California-based Intermix Media for installing spyware on millions of computers. The marketing company, which conceded that previous owners indeed distributed spyware, is accused of violating state laws concerning false advertising, deceptive business practices, and trespassing. The state is seeking injunctions barring the company from distributing any more spyware; an accounting of revenues the company realized from the spyware; and fines of $500 for each act of installing spyware. A statement from the company said that it voluntarily stopped installing spyware recently and that no personal information was ever collected with the secretly installed software. The statement hinted at trying to reach a settlement with New York, a resolution that observers said is a typical outcome of situations like this one. New York Times, 29 April 2005 (registration req'd) http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/29/nyregion/29internet.html ***************************************************** EDUPAGE INFORMATION To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your settings, or access the Edupage archive, visit http://www.educause.edu/Edupage/639 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] ***************************************************** OTHER EDUCAUSE RESOURCES The EDUCAUSE Resource Center is a repository for information concerning use and management of IT in higher education. To access resources including articles, books, conference sessions, contracts, effective practices, plans, policies, position descriptions, and blog content, go to http://www.educause.edu/resources ***************************************************** CONFERENCES For information on all EDUCAUSE learning and networking opportunities, see http://www.educause.edu/31 ***************************************************** COPYRIGHT Edupage copyright (c) 2005, EDUCAUSE
