Don't forget to check out http://www.auda.org.au/domain-news/ for the archive of the last 3 months of the news. And see my website - http://GoldsteinReport.com/ - for daily updates in between postings. *************************************************** The domain name news is supported by auDA *************************************************** Message from the ICANN CEO http://icann.org/en/ceo/ceo-message-21jul09-en.htm DNS Security and Net Neutrality Up for Debate At IETF Meeting http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/072209-ietf-dns-net-neutrality.html U.S. Government Is Falling Behind on Cybersecurity, Report Finds http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/22/AR2009072203698.html Staffing Shortages Harm Cyber Agenda http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2009/07/staffing-shortages-harm-cyber.php ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Message from the CEO First, let me say that I am thrilled to be on board as ICANN?s CEO and President. The moment I joined this exciting organization I found it working on an incredible range of activities involving an array of constituencies. http://icann.org/en/ceo/ceo-message-21jul09-en.htm ICANN to discuss new top level domains issues in Hong Kong ICANN is set to conduct a consultation session on issues related to the new generic top-level domains -- such as .sport and .food -- this coming Friday in Hong Kong. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/072009-icann-to-discuss-new-top.html http://www.infoworld.com/t/internet/icann-discuss-new-top-level-domains-issues-in-hong-kong-945 http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=996AB8C8-1A64-6A71-CE4BC2FBFAEB2889 Fears Greet ICANN's New Plans "The new TLDs are generic TLDs, known as gTLDs. According to reports, some have celebrity endorsements, with chef Wolfgang Puck endorsing a .food TLD and Shaquille O'Neal endorsing a .basketball TLD. http://www.linuxtoday.com/news_story.php3?ltsn=2009-07-21-004-35-NW-NT ICANN Changes Could Lead to Brand-Specific Domains Businesses that haven't given much thought lately to their domain names may have reason to take another look at them starting next spring. If all goes according to schedule, that's when the long approval process will begin for new top-level domains to challenge the dominance of .com. http://www.clickz.com/3634454 Proposed expansion of top-level domains generates security concerns A plan by Internet policymakers to expand the number of gTLDs has generated concern in the financial industry over the security and trademark protection implications of a slew of new Internet domains. http://searchfinancialsecurity.techtarget.com/news/article/0,289142,sid185_gci1362268,00.html Commercial Internet Monopoly Proposed ICANN - the body mandated with the technical management and co-ordination of the Internet - undervalues non-commercial interests in the policy development process, says a 2006 report by the London School of Economics. http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Opinion%20&%20Analysis/-/539548/626834/-/u11y81z/-/index.html http://allafrica.com/stories/200907201658.html http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2009/07/20/4281588.htm Why ICANN TLD Policy Imposes Severe Constraint on Development of Internationalized Domain Names In 2008, ICANN made it known to the community that it is finally ready to discuss Internationalized Domain Names regarding TLDs after several years of working groups, technical trials, studies and considerations. It was highly anticipated by the Chinese, Japanese and Korean (CJK) community. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20090720_icann_tld_policy_imposes_constraint_internationalized_domains/ ICANN's tld plans scare security pros A plan by Internet policymakers to expand the number of generic top-level domains (gTLDs) has generated concern in the financial industry over the security and trademark protection implications of a slew of new Internet domains. http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com.au/articles/34080-ICANN-s-tld-plans-scare-security-pros Stakeholders condemn gTLD procedure Attendees at a consultation on new gTLDs in New York on Monday attacked ICANN?s now disbanded Implementation Recommendation Team (IRT) http://managingip.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=2253269 ICANN launches eUDRP consultation Internet governance body ICANN is inviting comments on a proposal to introduce paperless Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) proceedings http://managingip.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=2252632 SIFMA concerned about ICANN plan to expand Internet addressing system A proposal by ICANN to expand the number of generic top-level domain names from 21 to possibly hundreds sent ripples of concern through the financial-services industry. http://www.smartbrief.com/news/sifma/storyDetails.jsp?issueid=4A53FF68-41D8-499D-89C2-4B994522EE97©id=D13BEC39-67A1-4814-934F-4D82A507CBB8 CompTIA's Michael Mudd to speak at ICANN event in Hong Kong Michael Mudd of CompTIA will speak at the first ICANN event on Friday in Hong Kong. This New gTLDS live-outreach event is free and provides up-to-date program developments. http://www.smartbrief.com/news/comptia/storyDetails.jsp?issueid=B2504581-00BA-4F29-B25D-C27B96C088E7©id=B6C6360D-B98B-4B24-981E-F18BF9CF4B45 ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** 'Dot-cm': A New Target for Cybersquatters It's typosquatting waiting to happen. Trademark attorneys are warning companies about a new target for cybersquatters known as ".cm," which is the country code -- or top level domain -- for the West African nation of Cameroon. The dot-cm domain is a hot target for scammers, they say, due to "cm" being a common typographical error for "com" in the popular dot-com domain. http://www.law.com/jsp/legaltechnology/pubArticleLT.jsp?id=1202432459261 .CM Auctions and Typo Traffic - What Are These Domains Really Worth? Every domainer has heard the story of how Kevin Ham built a $300 million empire - particularly how he profited from the millions of people who accidentally type ?.cm? (the country code TLD for Cameroon) instead of ?.com? when searching for a website. http://www.domainnamenews.com/editorial/cm-auctions-typo-traffic-domains-worth/5519 IEDR turnover up, but profits hit by recession Ireland?s .ie domain registry has reported a 7.4pc increase in turnover to ?2.5m driven by a marked increase in registrations. However, investments taken out by the IE Domain Registry (IEDR) were hit by the recession, resulting in a ?222,493 loss. http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/article/13474/comms/iedr-turnover-up-but-profits-hit-by-recession 2008 - Turnover and registrations rise at Ireland's top level domain The IE Domain Registry (IEDR), the not-for-profit organisation that manages Ireland's top level internet domain, .ie, reports a strong core trading performance for 2008 with overall continued growth in .ie domain registration numbers, additional price reductions and further technical service improvements, notwithstanding more challenging trading conditions, particularly in the second half of the year. http://www.iedr.ie/NEWS/2009/News-20090723.php Japanese ccTLD is getting interesting 7 organizations such as Internet Associations in Japan are getting together to set up Japanese Internet Domain Name Conference (the final name may change). The main purpose of the conference is to set the regulations and standards for new Japanese ccTLD related issues, and to select contractors in Japan. http://www.multilingual-search.com/japanese-cctld-is-getting-interesting/21/07/2009 ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** DNS Security and Net Neutrality Up for Debate At IETF Meeting DNS security, IPv6 adoption and network neutrality will top the agenda at next week's meeting of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the Internet's premier standards-setting body, which will be held in Stockholm, Sweden. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/072209-ietf-dns-net-neutrality.html http://www.cio.com/article/497856/DNS_Security_and_Net_Neutrality_Up_for_Debate_At_IETF_Meeting http://www.infoworld.com/d/security-central/dns-security-net-neutrality-debate-ietf-meeting-311 http://www.techworld.com/networking/news/index.cfm?newsID=119688 U.S. Government Is Falling Behind on Cybersecurity, Report Finds Sometimes Uncle Sam acts even older than he looks. When it comes to the quickly advancing world of cybersecurity, for example, Sam can be as modern as a floppy disk. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/22/AR2009072203698.html Staffing Shortages Harm Cyber Agenda Major shortages of skilled cyber professionals and a lack of leadership, planning and coordination within the federal cybersecurity workforce threaten national security according to a Wednesday report by the Partnership for Public Service and Booz Allen Hamilton. The report recommends that the White House develop a government-wide blueprint to acquire, train and retain cyber talent. President Obama declared cybersecurity to be one of the nation's most serious economic and national security challenges and the solution is "to build a vibrant, highly trained and dedicated federal cybersecurity workforce," Partnership President Max Stier said. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2009/07/staffing-shortages-harm-cyber.php Report: Shortage of cyber experts may hinder government [AP] Federal agencies are facing a severe shortage of computer specialists, even as a growing wave of coordinated cyberattacks against the government poses potential national security risks, a private study found. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090722_1445.php http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/report-shortage-of-cyber-experts-may-hinder-govt-20090722-dtey.html http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/report-shortage-of-cyber-experts-may-hinder-govt-20090722-dtey.html U.S. Lawmakers: Electric utilities ignore cyber warnings [IDG] The U.S. electrical grid remains vulnerable to cyber and electromagnetic pulse attacks despite years of warnings, several U.S. lawmakers said today. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135753/Lawmakers_Electric_utilities_ignore_cyber_warnings http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/168797/.html U.S. Congress must do more to protect grid from cyber, nuclear attacks Congress should pass measures to protect the nation's electric grid against electromagnetic pulses emitted after a nuclear blast, witnesses told a hearing on Tuesday. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090721_4170.php Cyber attack seen as emerging threat for London 2012 Olympic organisers are "very alive" to the threat of a cyber attack on the London 2012 Olympics, made more challenging because of its evolving nature, senior Home Office officials said on Tuesday. Ticketing systems, the transport network and hotel bookings as well as security are among potential targets. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE56K3TM20090721 http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-41209020090721 What Obama's Cyberplan Means For Business When it comes to cybersecurity, President Obama hasn't been much of a talker. The issue has rarely been mentioned since his presidential campaign, and the technology and defense communities have waited months to hear the results of the 60-day review of government cybersecurity that was commissioned well over 100 days ago. http://news.alibaba.com/article/detail/technology/100139667-1-what-obama%2527s-cyberplan-means-business.html Intel chief says July 4 cyberattacks still a mystery [AP] The top U.S intelligence official says the U.S. still has not figured out who was behind the July 4 cyberattacks that took down a series of government Web sites. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090722_4810.php ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** National Arbitration Forum Settles Suit with Attorney General Just one week after the Minnesota Attorney General filed suit against National Arbitration Forum, the two sides have settled. As part of the agreement, National Arbitration Forum will no longer perform arbitration for credit card and other consumer arbitration. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/07/20/national-arbitration-forum-settles-suit-with-attorney-general/ National Arbitration Forum can no longer handle credit disputes This is an interesting one. Official UDRP provider NAF has just settled with the Minnesota Attorney General's office after being sued by them for deceptive practices. Under the terms of the settlement, NAF has agreed to stop handling any credit disputes from July 24th. http://stephanevangelder.com/archives/252-National-Arbitration-Forum-can-no-longer-handle-credit-disputes.html The origin of the UDRP: NSI's 1995 domain name dispute policy The Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy was born out of the need to process domain disputes reliably. Its roots can be traced back to then sole .COM registrar Network Solutions' policies of 1995, explains arbitration expert Marie-Emmanuelle Haas. http://domainesinfo.fr/english/302/the-origin-of-the-udrp-nsi-s-1995-domain-name-dispute-policy.php ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** my: Moving up to more Internet addresses Malaysia is mulling moving its Internet network to Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) from the current version 4 (IPv4) to meet rising demand for Internet address space. http://www.nst.com.my/articles/4mulinn/Article/index_html IPhone App Predicts IPv4 Doomsday [IDG] If you're the kind of person who walks down the street worrying about the depletion of IPv4 addresses, the iPhone can now tell you how long you have until that happens. http://www.pcworld.com/article/168890/.html http://www.itworld.com/internet/72210/iphone-app-predicts-ipv4-doomsday ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** East African Community to Patent Internet Domain Names The East African Community secretariat based in Arusha intends to patent domain names that have relations to both the region and the community in the World Wide Web, EAC secretary general Ambassador Juma Volter Mwapachu stated. http://www.arushatimes.co.tz/local_news_6.htm http://allafrica.com/stories/200907201146.html 2009 First Half Domain Name Registrar Scorecard The first half of 2009 was tumultuous for many domain name registrars. But a few ? including GoDaddy ? continue to grow their registration base. http://domainnamewire.com/2009/07/20/2009-first-half-domain-name-registrar-scorecard/ Group NBT set to beat full year forecasts despite tough market conditions Group NBT, the domain name and internet services company, looks set to deliver a robust performance for the second half of the year, despite what it called ?challenging markets?. http://www.smallcapnews.co.uk/article/Group_NBT_set_to_beat_full_year_forecasts_despite_tough_market_conditions/7986.aspx ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Candy.com Sets Up Shop After $3 Million Domain Name Sale Candy.com is now a shiny new, online store for all sorts of sweets after the domain name was sold for a whopping $3 million back in June. The fairly old-school website offers a range of lollipops, jelly beans, gum, candy bars and dispensers which it ships all across the United States. http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/20/candycom-sets-up-shop-after-3-million-domain-name-sale/ DOMAINfest Global Only Six Months Away DOMAINfest Global is on the move, well to a new venue anyway, and in 2010 will be held in Santa Monica, California, at the luxurious Fairmont Miramar Hotel from January 26 to28. http://www.domainnews.com/en/domainfest-global-only-six-months-away.html Rick Latona Auctions NO RESERVE Summer Slow Auction Starts Thursday [news release] The Rick Latona Auctions NO RESERVE online auction starts Thursday, July 23, 2009. Room is still left for submissions http://www.domainpulse.com/2009/07/20/rick-latona-auctions-no-reserve-summer-slow-auction-starts-thursday/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/rick-latona-auctions-no-reserve-summer-slow-auction-starts-thursday.html ********************** RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** American's Wireless Internet Use Overview: An April 2009 survey by the Pew Research Center?s Internet & American Life Project shows that 56% of adult Americans have accessed the internet by wireless means, such as using a laptop, mobile device, game console, or MP3 player. The most prevalent way people get online using a wireless network is with a laptop computer; 39% of adults have done this. http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/12-Wireless-Internet-Use.aspx ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Global internet population to hit 2.2 billion by 2013 The number of online users is set to grow 45 per cent to 2.2 billion users in 2013, according to analyst Forrester Research. http://www.computing.co.uk/computing/news/2246433/analyst-online-user-increase http://www.v3.co.uk/computing/news/2246433/analyst-online-user-increase http://uk.news.yahoo.com/16/20090721/ttc-global-internet-population-to-hit-2-6315470.html Tech 'has changed foreign policy': British PM Tech's inroads to a "global society" will influence its governance, Mr Brown said. Technology means that foreign policy will never be the same again, the prime minister said at a meeting of leading thinkers in Oxford. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8161650.stm All the news that's free to print: Is charity the newspaper industry's last, best hope? ?What's black and white and red all over?? the television interviewer asks Bill Keller, editor-in-chief of the New York Times. Having heard this one before, Mr Keller, without a second thought, replies ?A newspaper??and walks into the sucker punch. ?No,? says the interviewer, from ?The Daily Show?, a satirical news programme, ?your balance-sheets.? http://www.economist.com/businessfinance/displayStory.cfm?story_id=14072274 ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Reaching Out to the World With Twitter ... For many mom-and-pop shops with no ad budget, Twitter has become their sole means of marketing. It is far easier to set up and update a Twitter account than to maintain a Web page. And because small-business owners tend to work at the cash register, not in a cubicle in the marketing department, Twitter?s intimacy suits them well. http://nytimes.com/2009/07/23/business/smallbusiness/23twitter.html Twitter: A Growing Security Minefield In June, the world watched as tweets from the streets of Tehran flooded Twitter. Frequent Twitter users--and people who hadn't even heard of the microblogging service--were suddenly and simultaneously witnessing its potential. http://www.pcworld.com/article/168859/.html http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135814/Twitter_A_Growing_Security_Minefield http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/072209-twitter-a-growing-security.html Study: Facebook use cuts productivity at work Only a few months after one study found that Facebook users tend to get lower grades in college, another study has found that the social networking site might not be earning good grades in the workplace as well. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9135795/Study_Facebook_use_cuts_productivity_at_work ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ Victorian Govt urged to act after school suicides The Victorian Government has sent extra counsellors to a school in the state's south, after four current or former students committed suicide in six months. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/21/2632591.htm Teen's death highlights cyber bullying trend A Melbourne mother has blamed her 14-year-old daughter's suicide on the internet and the tragic case has highlighted the problem of cyber bullying among young people. In Australia, one of the first comprehensive studies of cyber bullying shows about 10 per cent of teenagers and children have experienced some form of sustained bullying using technology. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/23/2633775.htm Get tech savvy to stop cyber bullies, parents told A mental health organisation says parents should learn how to use social media to stop their children from being cyber-bullied. ... Kerry Graham, CEO of Inspire Foundation which runs Reach Out, says parents should to talk to their children about the technology they are using. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/23/2634545.htm Chanelle Rae, 14, joins Western Heights College's tragic suicide toll Chanelle Rae was beautiful, bubbly and a devoted fan of the Geelong Football Club. And on Friday night she became the fourth student of the same state high school to commit suicide this year, raising serious concerns about cyber-bullying and copycat suicides. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25817893-5013404,00.html Cyber-bullying warning over Geelong student's death Police have warned students of the dangers of cyber-bullying after a 14-year-old Victorian schoolgirl took her life last Friday night, hours after someone threatened to reveal her secrets over the internet and "ruin her life". http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,25815227-2702,00.html Coroner probes cyber attacks after teens take own lives The coroner is investigating whether cyber bullying contributed to the deaths of four teenagers from one school. The heartbreaking deaths have shocked Victorians and police have not ruled out laying charges. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25817632-2862,00.html Treat wellbeing like road toll, says Jeff Kennett [AAP] It's time society started addressing the state of people's wellbeing as emphatically as it does trying to bring down the road toll, former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett says. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,25819570-1702,00.html Suicide prevention to be publicised Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon has committed to ensure young people at risk of suicide are aware of available support services. http://www.qt.com.au/story/2009/07/22/roxon-to-publicise-suicide-prevention/ http://www.skynews.com.au/news/article.aspx?id=354742 Teen suicides: minister's advice to parents [AAP] Parents should hug their children and tell them that they love them, Victorian Education Minister Bronwyn Pike said today, as the state reeled from the news four students from one secondary college had committed suicide this year. http://www.smh.com.au/national/teen-suicides-ministers-advice-to-parents-20090722-dssg.html http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,20797,25819101-5003402,00.html Teen's death puts spotlight on cyber bullying The suicide of a 14-year-old girl in southern Victoria last week has pushed the issue of cyber bullying into the spotlight. http://computerworld.com.au/article/312190/ nz: Teens warned over sharing intimate images [The Press] Canterbury teenagers are being warned to be careful about what they post online, or face the consequences. NetSafe operations manager Lee Chisholm said the cyber safety organisation had received calls from throughout New Zealand regarding explicit images online. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2661188/ http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch/2661059/ http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/national-news/2661188/ nz: Govt responds to concerns about child sex abuse images on Internet with a filtering system flashing a warning The government is responding to widespread concerns about child sex abuse images on the Internet. A filtering system to block sites that host such images will soon be available to New Zealand Internet service providers. http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=102715 Content Filtering Ineffective, Harmful According to Public Knowledge Study A report released today by Public Knowledge points out that their recent analysis indicates that filtering Internet content as advocated by media companies will not be effective and in fact harmful to the Internet. An accompanying 60-page whitepaper contains the full report including a number of reasons?some highlighted below?why the user of copyright filters should not be allowed, encouraged or mandated on U.S. Internet Service Provider (ISP) networks. http://www.circleid.com/posts/content_filtering_ineffective_harmful_public_knowledge/ Assemblywoman proposes ?sexting? bill aimed at educating teenagers Like most states, prosecutors and law enforcement officials in New Jersey are struggling over how to deal with teens who engage in racy online behavior, including sending explicit photos over their phones ? so-called ?sexting.? http://www.strausnews.com/articles/2009/07/23/advertiser_news/news/9.txt ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Music Industry Lures 'Casual' Pirates to Legal Sites Record company executives say there are three kinds of music fans. There are those who buy music, and those who get a kick out of never paying for it. And then there are those whom Rob Wells at Universal Music Group calls ?dinner party pirates?: the vast majority of listeners, those who copy music illegally because it is more convenient than buying it. http://nytimes.com/2009/07/20/technology/internet/20stream.html Kazaa to rise from the dead The notorious Kazaa peer-to-peer file sharing service is back from the dead three years after it was shut down by the music industry in a $150 million lawsuit. But the software looks entirely different this time around, with users forced to pay for their music instead of trading tracks illegally. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/biz-tech/kazaa-to-rise-from-the-dead-20090720-dqlk.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/biz-tech/kazaa-to-rise-from-the-dead-20090720-dqlk.html Kazaa's unlimited download plan Kazaa a name once synonymous with illegal file-sharing activities, plans to launch a legal, unlimited music download service in Australia for less than $30 a month. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,25810045-15306,00.html Video online grows beyond Australian industry hopes If there was any doubt that Australians were developing an insatiable appetite for TV-style video online, the sceptics can return to their dens. New figures compiled for the Herald by Nielsen Online show the number of online users who stream video content at least once a week has risen 129 per cent in the past year to 4.2 million users a month. And more than 60 per cent of them say they're doing it while they watch TV. http://business.smh.com.au/business/video-online-grows-beyond-industry-hopes-20090722-dtk8.html http://business.watoday.com.au/business/video-online-grows-beyond-industry-hopes-20090722-dtk8.html ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Mobile apps 'to be bigger than internet' The market for mobile applications, or apps, will become "as big as the internet", peaking at 10 million apps in 2020, a leading storefront believes. However, GetJar say, the developer community will decline drastically as each developer makes less money. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8157043.stm Why Japan's Mobile Phones Haven't Gone Global At first glance, Japanese cellphones are a gadget lover?s dream: ready for Internet and e-mail, they double as credit cards, boarding passes and even body-fat calculators. But it is hard to find anyone in Chicago or London using a Japanese phone like a Panasonic, a Sharp or an NEC. Despite years of dabbling in overseas markets, Japan?s handset makers have little presence beyond the country?s shores. http://nytimes.com/2009/07/20/technology/20cell.html Phone gadget to diagnose disease Researchers have developed an add-on to a mobile phone that can take detailed images and analyse them to diagnose diseases such as tuberculosis. The CellScope works as a so-called fluorescence microscope that can identify the markers of disease. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8161775.stm au: Death threats in SMS scam International money launderers may be behind a recent spate of threatening SMS text messages, according to a senior information security analyst. The Australian Communications and Media Authority has confirmed it had received complaints of widespread SMS messages containing death threats. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25817305-5013404,00.html Mideast, Africa mobile broadband to explode -report Mobile broadband in the Middle East and Africa will expand to $6 billion (?243 billion) in the next two years from the current $1 billion, spurred by an expanding network and falling prices, a telecoms advisory firm has said. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE56K3G620090721 http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-41207020090721 Indian farmers use mobile phones to control irrigation [IDG] Mobile Operator Tata Teleservices is testing technology that allows farmers to use their mobile phones to remotely monitor and switch on irrigation pump sets in far flung locations. The technology, called Nano Ganesh, is being tested in two villages in the Indian state of Gujarat. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/072309-indian-farmers-use-mobile-phones.html http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/168895/.html U.S. Withheld Data on Risks of Distracted Driving In 2003, researchers at a federal agency proposed a long-term study of 10,000 drivers to assess the safety risk posed by cellphone use behind the wheel. They sought the study based on evidence that such multitasking was a serious and growing threat on America?s roadways. http://nytimes.com/2009/07/21/technology/21distracted.html ********************** SPAM ********************** U.S. Named As Top Spam-Producing Country The US has been named the world's biggest spam-producing country. Security firm Sophos said the US was responsible for 15.6 percent of all spam received between April and June this year - that's one in every six junk emails. http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=119442 http://www.cio.com/article/497728/U.S._Named_As_Top_Spam_Producing_Country http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/072109-us-named-as-top-spam-producing.html Report: Americans dumber than a box of rocks about spam When it comes to spam, we Americans are quick to point our fingers at Russia, China and eastern Europe as the regions responsible for the bulk of it. But a new report issued today found that Americans are largely to blame - not because we create it, but because we?re too stupid to recognize that we?re spreading it. http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/security/?p=1968 http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=21346 ********************** DIGITAL DIVIDE ********************** Mobile Internet Use Shrinks Digital Divide ... The survey, conducted in April by interviewing 2,253 Americans, found that while accessing the Internet via a mobile phone was increasing, the swell was reflected most sharply among African-Americans. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/mobile-internet-use-shrinks-digital-divide/ Americans are going wireless Internet big time, report says A few days ago, the Pew Research Center released a report that Americans are looking online to fight the recession. On Tuesday it added that most of us are doing that via wireless Internet. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10293283-94.html ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** Four million British identities are up for sale on the internet The identities of more than four million Britons are being offered for sale on the internet, The Times has learnt. Highly sensitive financial information, including credit card details, bank account numbers, telephone numbers and even PINs are available to the highest bidder. http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article6718560.ece Google Wins British Libel Case Google is not liable for defamatory material that appears in its search results, a British judge has ruled, a decision that lawyers call significant because of the country?s reputation as a haven for libel claimants. http://nytimes.com/2009/07/21/technology/21libel.html U.K. Court Clears Google in Defamation Suit The British High Court ruled that Google Inc. isn't responsible for defamatory material trawled by its search engine ? a decision likely to give the U.S. Web giant substantial protection from the U.K.'s tough libel laws. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124812555645266389.html Google not liable for defamation in search results, rules high court Google is not liable for defamatory comments that appear in news articles, blogs and forums displayed in its search results, a high court judge in London has concluded in a landmark ruling for UK defamation law. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jul/20/google-defamation-high-court-ruling au: Inquiry into Cyber Crime On Wednesday, 13 May 2009, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, asked the Committee to inquire into and report on the nature and incidence of cyber crime in Australia. http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/coms/cybercrime/index.htm ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Falun Gong seeks U.S. support in Internet censor fight Ten years after a government crackdown drove it underground in China, Falun Gong is trying to position itself to get U.S. government funds to help defeat Internet censors worldwide. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE56J17B20090720 China vows clean online games within five years China plans to implement a five year program advocating clean online games, starting next year, an official from the General Administration of Press and Publication told an industry conference Wednesday. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE56L4KI20090722 http://in.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idINIndia-41241420090722 China censors block President's son from internet search results China?s censors have added a new word to the list of those banned on domestic search engines: the name of the son of President Hu Jintao. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6724245.ece China news blackout on graft case linked to Hu's son [AFP] China's Internet censors blocked news Thursday about a graft probe in Namibia involving a firm linked to the son of President Hu Jintao, as the state-run media ignored the sensitive issue. http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-technology/china-news-blackout-on-graft-case-linked-to-hus-son-20090723-dusp.html China cracks down on social websites [AP] Two more websites dedicated to social networking went offline in China amid tightening controls that have blocked Facebook, Twitter and other popular sites that offered many Chinese a rare taste of free expression. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/2662178/ au: Libraries object to internet filtering The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) remains opposed to internet filtering, despite concerns raised over library users caught viewing pornography. http://www.itnews.com.au/News/150669,libraries-object-to-internet-filtering.aspx ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** As Media Grow, FCC Looks Ahead Julius Genachowski, President Obama's pick to lead the Federal Communications Commission, has a soft spot for the little guy. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/19/AR2009071901826.html Second time lucky for three strikes law New Zealand?s government is seeking feedback on new proposals to deal with repeat copyright infringers by cutting off their internet access http://managingip.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=2254548 ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* Plans for Microsoft and Yahoo to take on Google Yahoo executives are to be questioned today on reports that they may be ready to set aside their differences with Microsoft and make an alliance against a common enemy: Google. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/plans-for-microsoft-and-yahoo-to-take-on-google-1754578.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2009 --------- David Goldstein email: goldstein_david§yahoo.com.au web: http://davidgoldstein.tel/ http://goldsteinreport.com/ phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9665 5773 - office/home mail: 4/3 Abbott Street COOGEE NSW 2034 AUSTRALIA "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 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Access Yahoo!7 Mail on your mobile. Anytime. Anywhere. Show me how: http://au.mobile.yahoo.com/mailReceived on Thu Jul 23 2009 - 04:26:15 UTC
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