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 *************************************************** Calls At UN For An International Body To Prevent Internet Control http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/12/15/calls-at-un-for-an-international-body-to-prevent-internet-control/ The New Internet Nation State: speech by Rod Beckstrom http://icann.org/en/presentations/beckstrom-speech-united-nations-14dec10-en.pdf The ICANN Colombia Conference by Nathalie Dreyfus http://blog.dreyfus.fr/2010/12/the-icann-colombia-conference/ Jordan To Host ICANN June 2011 Meeting http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=13146 Public comment period: Review of .au policy framework http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=21fba540-c0f9-4349-8f0a-fd82e73a762c Vers une prochaine lib?ralisation du .AU? http://domainesinfo.fr/extension/2264/.php Go Daddy proposes fake pharma site shutdown body http://domainincite.com/go-daddy-proposes-fake-pharma-site-shutdown-body/ WikiLeaks.org back in the USA http://news.netcraft.com/archives/2010/12/14/wikileaks-org-back-in-the-usa.html us: Man pleads guilty in internet domain name theft [AP] http://www.watoday.com.au/technology/security/man-pleads-guilty-in-internet-domain-name-theft-20101214-18w1j.html au: Dot dashed as domain name lapses http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/dot-dashed-as-domain-name-lapses/story-e6frfh4f-1225971726800 Woolworths Buys Hardware.com.au for $33,333 After Rival Lets it Expire http://domainnamewire.com/2010/12/15/woolworths-buys-hardware-com-au-for-33333-after-rival-lets-it-expire/ hardware.com.au: ?????????????????? http://news.ename.cn/domain_news_2010_12_16_26079.html ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** Calls At UN For An International Body To Prevent Internet Control Opinions were divided in a United Nations consultation yesterday in New York on enhanced cooperation of public policy issues pertaining to the internet, whether two bodies on the issue are needed. http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/12/15/calls-at-un-for-an-international-body-to-prevent-internet-control/ ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** ICANN Board Resolutions Wiki Launched Wondering how many resolutions ICANN?s Board of Directors approved on new gTLDs before this year? Researching historic ICANN Board actions on IPv6? Looking for the status of IDN ccTLD fast-track resolution implementation? Have we got a new tool for you! http://blog.icann.org/2010/12/icann-board-resolutions-wiki-launched/ The New Internet Nation State: speech by Rod Beckstrom Introducing a new model for all nation states to consider ? a "New Internet Nation State" reflecting the transformative effect of the Internet on society ? ICANN's CEO Rod Beckstrom addressed the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Open Consultation on Enhanced Cooperation on Internet policy issues. Read the speech here. http://icann.org/en/presentations/beckstrom-speech-united-nations-14dec10-en.pdf 2011 Nominating Committee Opens Up ICANN?s 2011 Nominating Committee (NomCom) has taken the words of the ATRT to heart, and will communicate more often and openly with the global Internet community. As we move through our nine-month recruitment and selection process, this year?s NomCom will give regular updates and invite the community?s comments on the process via our new blog. http://blog.icann.org/2010/12/2011-nominating-committee-opens-up/ The At-Large Advisory Committee Announces Incoming ALAC Officers, Representatives, and Liaisons, and At-Large Regional Officers and Thanks Departing Members The ALAC is pleased to announce the incoming ALAC Officers, Representatives, and Liaisons, and At-Large Regional Officers. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-15dec10-en.htm The ICANN Colombia Conference by Nathalie Dreyfus Friday December 10, 2010 marked the end of ICANN?s most recent five-day conference in Cartagena, where the Internet regulatory body devised plans to let groups apply for and manage new Internet domain extensions called generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs), thereby allowing for the creation of any TLD with up to 64 characters, including regional suffixes, generic words and brand names. The creation of these new gTLDs will enable large brand owners with sufficient funds to become TLD registries. http://blog.dreyfus.fr/2010/12/the-icann-colombia-conference/ ICANN Moves Forward On New gTLDs by Roland LaPlante The introduction of new gTLDs to the Internet moved a step closer Friday, when the ICANN Board laid out its plan for the final stages of approving the new gTLD program. In a lengthy resolution, passed unanimously at the conclusion of a week of consultations in Cartagena, Colombia, the Board sought to draw a line under some policies where it believes the community has reached agreement, while highlighting others where further discussions are needed before the doors are opened to applications next year. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20101214_icann_moves_forward_on_new_gtlds/ What next for new TLDs? Part 4 ? GAC Concerns Like or loathe the decision, ICANN?s new top-level domains program appears to have been delayed again. http://domainincite.com/what-next-for-new-tlds-part-4-?-gac-concerns/ What next for new TLDs? Part 3 ? The .xxx Factor Like or loathe the decision, ICANN?s new top-level domains program appears to have been delayed again. http://domainincite.com/what-next-for-new-tlds-part-3-?-the-xxx-factor/ What next for new TLDs? Part 2 ? The GAC Bottleneck Like or loathe the decision, ICANN?s new top-level domains program appears to have been delayed again. But for how long? And what has to happen now before ICANN starts accepting applications? http://domainincite.com/what-next-for-new-tlds-part-2-?-the-gac-bottleneck/ What next for new TLDs? Part 1 ? Unresolved Issues Like or loathe the decision, ICANN?s new top-level domains program appears to have been delayed again. But for how long? And what has to happen now before ICANN starts accepting applications? http://domainincite.com/what-next-for-new-tlds-part-1-?-unresolved-issues/ ICANN director slammed vertical integration ICANN really shook up the domain name industry last month when it said it was dropping rules that prevent registrars and registries from owning each other. http://domainincite.com/icann-director-slammed-vertical-integration/ ICANN chief gets bonus ICANN chief executive Rod Beckstrom is to be paid a bonus potentially as high as $195,000 this year. http://domainincite.com/icann-chief-gets-bonus/ Jordan To Host ICANN June 2011 Meeting Amman, Jordan, was selected to host ICANN?s second meeting in 2011, the meeting slated for the Asia Pacific region. The meeting will be held from 19 to 24 June. The Jordan meeting will be the 41st of its three meetings each year held around the globe. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=13146 http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/12/15/jordan-to-host-icann-june-2011-meeting/ Domainers Need to Bring Professionalism to ICANN San Francisco San Francisco event could be good for domainers ? if they bring their professionalism. http://domainnamewire.com/2010/12/15/domainers-need-to-bring-professionalism-to-icann-san-francisco/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** Public comment period: Review of .au policy framework Every couple of years auDA's Names Policy Panel (the Panel) conducts a periodic review of the policy framework underlying the allocation and use of domain names in the .au domain space. The Panel has released a Discussion Paper which is open to public comment until 21 January 2011. http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=21fba540-c0f9-4349-8f0a-fd82e73a762c Vers une prochaine lib?ralisation du .AU? Le registre de l?extension australienne vient de lancer une consultation publique sur l?opportunit? d?enregistrer directement un nom en .AU. Les int?ress?s ont jusqu?au 21 janvier 2011 pour se prononcer. http://domainesinfo.fr/extension/2264/.php Swiss Registry Outlines Why Wikileaks.ch Cannot Be Deleted With the registration of wikileaks.ch, the registry for .CH domain names, SWITCH, has been receiving what they say have been a large number of enquiries as to the circumstances where they would delete the domain name. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=13114 http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/12/13/swiss-registry-outlines-why-wikileaksch-cant-be-deleted/ http://domainnews.com/en/swiss-registry-outlines-why-wikileaks.ch-cannot-be-deleted.html Last Nine Short Domains Now Released for Registration - Start 12 January 2011 On 12 January 2011, 10:00 CET, the central German registry DENIC is going to make available nine short domains for registration which were previously blocked due to temporary injunctions: dw.de, e.de, f.de, g.de, hr.de, sr.de, x.de, y.de and z.de. http://www.denic.de/en/denic-in-dialogue/press-releases/press/3064.html http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/12/15/denic-short-domains/ http://domainnews.com/en/denic-releases-nine-short-domain-names-on-12-january.html ICANN Board May Approve Dot-XXX Over GAC Objections YNOT ? Whether or not its Governmental Advisory Council approves, early next year ICANN plans to approve the registry contract handing dot-xxx to Florida-based ICM Registry, according to a video posted to ICANN?s homepage Monday morning. http://www.icmregistry.com/news/icm.php ICM Registry Launches Founders Programme ICM Registry, who has applied to ICANN for the controversial sponsored Top Level Domain (sTLD) .XXX, a TLD exclusively for adult websites, has developed a ?founders? programme to allow adult webmasters to secure premium .XXX domains if they proactively develop and maintain domains with the .XXX extension prior to the General Launch, most likely in Summer 2011. http://www.domainpulse.com/2010/12/15/icm-registry-launches-founders-programme/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** uk: 'Prepare for all-out cyber war' Whitehall is preparing for a crippling attack on government websites as evidence mounts that the backlash against the arrest of the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is rapidly growing into a mass movement that aims to cause widespread disruption on the internet. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/online/prepare-for-allout-cyber-war-2159567.html UK Government websites may be next pro-Wikileaks focus The UK's national security adviser Sir Peter Ricketts has warned that government websites could become the next target for pro-Wikileaks hackers. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11990288 UK on alert for mass cyber attack following Julian Assange court appearance [AP] Britain's government has been put on alert for a mass cyber attack on its websites following the court appearance of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/wikileaks/uk-on-alert-for-mass-cyber-attack-following-julian-assange-court-appearance/story-fn775xjq-1225970733541 Go Daddy proposes fake pharma site shutdown body A cross-industry body that will make it easier for web sites selling fake drugs to be shut down is forming in the US, led by Google and Go Daddy. http://domainincite.com/go-daddy-proposes-fake-pharma-site-shutdown-body/ ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** WikiLeaks.org back in the USA The restored site has been hosted by Silicon Valley Web Hosting since Friday night, but does not appear to be serving any of the leaked cables or other content that it used to hold. Instead, the site immediately redirects visitors to a WikiLeaks mirror hosted in Russia. http://news.netcraft.com/archives/2010/12/14/wikileaks-org-back-in-the-usa.html WikiLeaks.org domain back online The main WikiLeaks Web site, WikiLeaks.org, is back up in the U.S. less than 10 days after domain name service provider EveryDNS terminated the whistleblower organization's domain name, citing stability concerns. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9201189/WikiLeaks.org_domain_back_online http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/371353/wikileaks_org_domain_back_online/ http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/security/wikileaksorg-domain-back-online us: Man pleads guilty in internet domain name theft [AP] A New Jersey man has pleaded guilty to stealing a valuable internet domain name and selling it on eBay for more than $US111,000. http://www.watoday.com.au/technology/security/man-pleads-guilty-in-internet-domain-name-theft-20101214-18w1j.html http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/security/man-pleads-guilty-in-internet-domain-name-theft-20101214-18w1j.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/security/man-pleads-guilty-in-internet-domain-name-theft-20101214-18w1j.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/security/wikileaks-cyber-war-proassange-anonymous-v-us-nationalists-20101213-18uuo.html ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** Interview: Africa must be ready for IPv6 ITWeb: What is AfriNIC? Akplogan: AfriNIC is the Internet registry for the African region. It performs a critical function in terms of Internet infrastructure, even though that is not well known by the general public. Firstly, it makes sure IP addresses are well managed and given to network operators fairly, according to need. It also manages the Internet resources for the continent, making sure they are properly managed and fairly distributed. That position gives us the privilege to see with factual data how Internet is doing in the region. http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=39769 Planned Changes to IPv4 Reverse DNS Infrastructure The American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) and ICANN are together planning changes to the infrastructure which supports the IPv4 Reverse DNS ? that is, the part of the DNS which provides the ability to look up an IPv4 address and convert it to a name. http://blog.icann.org/2010/12/planned-changes-to-ipv4-reverse-dns-infrastructure/ ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** au: Dot dashed as domain name lapses WOOLWORTHS paid $33,333 for an expired domain name previously owned by rival Bunnings at an auction on Sunday. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/dot-dashed-as-domain-name-lapses/story-e6frfh4f-1225971726800 Woolworths Buys Hardware.com.au for $33,333 After Rival Lets it Expire Australia?s Woolworths Limited got into the domain name drop catching game recently by picking up the domain name Hardware.com.au for $33,000 AUS. http://domainnamewire.com/2010/12/15/woolworths-buys-hardware-com-au-for-33333-after-rival-lets-it-expire/ VeriSign Has $44 In Sight If Domain Name Renewal Stays Strong An encouraging trend for VeriSign over the last few quarters has been the increasing renewal rates of its .com and .net domain name business. We expect that the declining market share trend for VeriSign in the .com and .net domain business could see a temporary stabilization in 2010 mainly due to healthy renewal rates. If VeriSign manages to maintain its market share in the long term as well, there could be an upside of 12% to our $38.82 Trefis price estimate for VeriSign stock. http://blogs.forbes.com/greatspeculations/2010/12/15/verisign-has-44-in-sight-if-domain-name-renewal-stays-strong/ ?????????????????? ???????????????????(Woolworths Limited)?33,000????????Hardware.com.au????????22?? http://news.ename.cn/domain_news_2010_12_16_26079.html ********************** REPORTS & RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** OECD Information Technology Outlook 2010 Information technology (IT) and the Internet are major drivers of research, innovation, growth and social change. The 2010 edition of the OECD Information Technology Outlook analyses the economic crisis and recovery, and suggests that the outlook for IT goods and services industries is good after weathering a turbulent economic period better than during the crisis at the beginning of the 2000s. The industry continues to restructure, with non-OECD economies, particularly China and India, major suppliers of information and communications technology-related goods and services. http://www.oecdbookshop.org/oecd/display.asp?sf1=identifiers&st1=932010021P1 http://www.oecdbookshop.org/oecd/display.asp?CID=&LANG=EN&SF1=DI&ST1=5KMD7NNR8DWB [E-book download] ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** These astroturf libertarians are the real threat to internet democracy by George Monbiot As I see in threads on my articles, the online sabotaging of intelligent debate seems organised. We must fight to save this precious gift http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2010/dec/13/astroturf-libertarians-internet-democracy American Internet Use Catches Up With TV Use Americans are now spending as much time using the Internet as they are watching television, and the amount of time people spend on the Internet has increased 121 percent over the last five years, according to a survey published Monday by Forrester Research. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/13/american-internet-use-catches-up-with-tv-use/ Average American spends equal time online and watching TV, report says For the first time ever, the average American spends as much time online as watching TV offline -- about 13 hours a week, according to a report. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/12/average-american-spends-equal-time-surfing-the-web-and-watching-tv.html Americans now spend same time online as watching TV [IDG] For the first time, U.S. residents are devoting on average as much time to online activities as they are to watching TV, a new Forrester Research study has found. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9201023/Americans_now_spend_same_time_online_as_watching_TV Wikileaks, web to revolutionise reporting - Pilger Revelations on the WikiLeaks website which have enraged governments around the world should force the traditional media to rely less on official sources, award-winning journalist John Pilger said. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-53558120101214 http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/4459202/Pilger-WikiLeaks-a-journalism-revolution Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook named Time's person of 2010 Time magazine has picked Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg as its annual Person of the Year, the figure it believes had the most influence on events in 2010. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12001136 Techies as the Person of the Year Are Rare At just 26, Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and chief executive of Facebook, is joining a select group of presidents, kings, popes, dictators, freedom fighters and other influential people selected by Time magazine as Person of the Year. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/15/techies-as-man-of-the-year-are-rare/ Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg named Time magazine's person of the year Mark Zuckerberg, the billionaire co-founder of Facebook, was today named Time magazine's 2010 person of the year. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/dec/15/mark-zuckerberg-time-person-of-the-year Twitter Financing Raises Its Value to $3.7 Billion Twitter has raised a big new round of venture capital, $200 million, valuing the company at $3.7 billion. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/15/twitter-financing-raises-its-value-to-3-7-billion/ Bieber tops Facebook's Australian most mentioned list What do Justin Bieber, cancer, Zumba, iPads, Julia Gillard, the World Cup and Toy Story 3 all have in common? http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/16/3094547.htm Bing: Still Trying to Keep Up With Google It may be impossible for Microsoft to catch up to Google in search. But it still keeps trying. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/15/bing-still-trying-to-keep-up-with-google/ Australian doctors ready for online consultations Australians can expect a rapid rollout of online health consultations when new Medicare tele-health rebates commence next July. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/doctors-ready-for-online-consultations/story-e6frgakx-1225970511129 ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Facebook Wrestles With Free Speech and Civility Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and chief executive of Facebook, likes to say that his Web site brings people together, helping to make the world a better place. But Facebook isn?t a utopia, and when it comes up short, Dave Willner tries to clean up. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/13/technology/13facebook.html Report Finds Global Embrace Of Social Networking On the same day that Time magazine announced it has chosen Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg as its "Person of the Year," a new study confirms the growing importance of social networking by Internet users around the globe. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2010/12/report-finds-global-embrace-of.php Pakistan bans cricketers from Facebook and Twitter [AFP] Pakistan has banned its cricketers from social networking sites Facebook and Twitter in the latest effort to exert discipline following a series of damaging scandals, an official said Wednesday. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/pakistan-bans-players-from-facebook-and-twitter-20101216-18yet.html http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/pakistan-bans-players-from-facebook-and-twitter-20101216-18yet.html Social networking sites can help prevent pandemics: experts [AFP] Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter greatly help in detecting and containing the spread of pandemics, experts at a global health conference said. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/social-networking-sites-can-help-prevent-pandemics-experts-20101216-18yes.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/social-networking-sites-can-help-prevent-pandemics-experts-20101216-18yes.html Policing predators: vigilantes blast Facebook for failing to protect children Paedophiles are brazenly sharing child pornography pictures and videos on Facebook, and internet safety experts believe the social networking site has failed to curtail the practice. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/policing-predators-vigilantes-blast-facebook-for-failing-to-protect-children-20101214-18w8m.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/policing-predators-vigilantes-blast-facebook-for-failing-to-protect-children-20101214-18w8m.html ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** Rising Computer Prices Buck the Trend - Average Prices Rose 6% in November For the first time in several years, people shopping for personal computers are doing something new: paying more. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704681804576017883787191962.html ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ Study reveals nearly all European children are not bothered by what they find online The final results of a Europe-wide study of children's behavior online are presented in Berlin. Researchers suggest children might be able to help their parents learn how to use the Internet more effectively. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,6310295,00.html Agreement to review planned Australian internet filter laws The federal government is on track for an April start to its review of classification laws for its planned internet filtering legislation. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/agreement-to-review-planned-internet-filter-laws/story-e6frgakx-1225970519522 au: Policing predators: vigilantes blast Facebook for failing to protect children Paedophiles are brazenly sharing child pornography pictures and videos on Facebook, and internet safety experts believe the social networking site has failed to get a handle on the practice. http://www.watoday.com.au/technology/technology-news/policing-predators-vigilantes-blast-facebook-for-failing-to-protect-children-20101214-18w8m.html nz: Filter reveals high numbers seeking child pornography A government filter to block access to child pornography online has revealed a large number of New Zealanders trying to access illegal sites. http://tvnz.co.nz/technology-news/filter-reveals-high-numbers-seeking-child-pornography-3968631 nz: Stamping out child porn requires worldwide effort More resources are needed to tackle the availability of child pornography online after alarming numbers of attempts to access illegal material were revealed, internet watchdog Netsafe says. http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/stamping-child-porn-requires-worldwide-effort-3969795 nz: Child Pornography After an internet filter found almost 9000 blocked child pornography attempts a month from New Zealand users, Breakfast asked Martin Cocker from Netsafe if this was only the tip of the iceberg. http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/breakfast-tuesday-december-14-3969685 nz: Text bullying victim tells lover 'see you in heaven' "I love you I'll see you in heaven," a 15-year-old girl wrote in a text message to her married, 27-year-old lover. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10694618 uk: Children to be placed on at-risk register before they're even born Unborn babies are to be given greater protection from the threat of abuse, under national guidance unveiled by the Scottish Government. ... Changes cover new areas of practice, including keeping children safe online and child trafficking. http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland/Children-to-be-placed-on.6659676.jp us: Iowa prosecutors, principals warn against sexting [AP] Federal prosecutors and some Iowa high school principals are joining forces to warn that sexting is dangerous and can lead to prison. http://www.newsok.com/iowa-prosecutors-principals-warn-against-sexting/article/feed/226240 Study: 1 in 4 Spanish teens cyberbullied this year A new report out of the University of Valencia in Spain finds that roughly one in four teens studied have been bullied by cell phone and/or the Internet at some point over the past year. http://news.cnet.com/8301-27083_3-20025656-247.html Cyberbullying said on rise among teens Cyberbullying is becoming common, a Spanish study found, and 25 percent of teenagers surveyed say they've been bullied via their cellphone or on the Internet. http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2010/12/14/Cyberbullying-said-on-rise-among-teens/UPI-81251292365459/ ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** YouTube is letting users decide on terrorism-related videos Nudity. Sexual activity. Animal abuse. All are reasons YouTube users can flag a video for removal from the website. Add a new category: promotes terrorism. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-youtube-terror-20101213,0,3375845.story Piracy Fight Shuts Down Music Blogs Thanksgiving Day had barely begun when Kevin Hofman?s BlackBerry buzzed. It was one of the technical operators of OnSmash.com, Mr. Hofman?s popular hip-hop blog, telling him that the site had gone mysteriously blank just after midnight. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/14/business/media/14music.html uk: 'Viacom v. YouTube' Appeal May Decide Future of Web A long-simmering copyright dispute between Hollywood and the web has hit the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals -- and the outcome could set a national precedent regarding the scope of potential liability for nearly every business on the internet that posts infringing content. http://www.law.com/jsp/lawtechnologynews/PubArticleLTN.jsp?id=1202476144090 More than 8m Britons have downloaded podcasts Once listening to the radio was a strictly linear experience. Miss a programme and you had to wait for a repeat, in the unlikely event that it was repeated at all. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/dec/15/rajar-radio-listening-smartphones-podcasts ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Security, is there an app for that? EU?s cyber-security agency highlights risks & opportunities of smartphones [news release] A new ENISA report identifies the top security risks and opportunities of smartphone use and gives practical security advice for businesses, consumers and governments. Top risks include spyware, poor data cleansing when recycling phones, accidental data leakage, and unauthorised premium-rate phonecalls and SMSs. http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/security-is-there-an-app-for-that-eu2019s-cyber-security-agency-highlights-risks-opportunities-of-smartphones U.K. Mobile Phone Operator to Offer Unlimited Internet Access A British mobile phone operator said Tuesday that it would offer unlimited mobile Internet access, bucking the industry trend of charging based on the amount of data consumed. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/15/technology/15mobile.html Mobile firm Three backs all-you-can-eat data tariff Mobile operator Three has scrapped its mobile data caps in an effort to gain more smartphone customers. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11998793 Phone Makers Shift Focus: Under Pressure From Apple, Rivals Cut Prices to Target Midrange of Market This holiday shopping season, the smartphone battle is going mainstream. Having ceded much of the high end of the smartphone market to Apple Inc., slower-footed rivals such as Research In Motion Ltd., Nokia Corp. and Motorola Inc. are jostling for what remains up for grabs: cheaper cellphones that still provide Internet capabilities. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703727804576017564120922734.html nz: No regulation for national roaming fees The Commerce Commission has dropped its probe into national mobile roaming services after phone operators Two Degrees Mobile and Vodafone NZ cut a deal for the minnow's customers to access the rival network. http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/4459224/No-regulation-for-national-roaming-fees ********************** SPAM ********************** Canada's Anti-spam Bill C-28 is the Law of the Land by Neil Schwartzman It's been a long time coming, but Canada has an anti-spam law, and one, which sets a new world standard, and a tough, but fair, opt-in protocol for everyone in North America who sends commercial email and other electronic messages. Yesterday, The Canadian Senate voted to accept Bill C-28, and today, December 15, at 13:00 eastern, it will be given Royal Asset of the Governor General of Canada, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20101215_canada_anti_spam_bill_c_28_is_the_law_of_the_land/ ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** Assange 'does not endorse cyber attacks' Julian Assange does not support internet attacks on MasterCard, Visa and other firms that have turned their backs on his WikiLeaks website, his lawyer insisted yesterday. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/wikileaks/assange-does-not-endorse-cyber-attacks/story-fn775xjq-1225971762501 uk: 'Prepare for all-out cyber war' Whitehall is preparing for a crippling attack on government websites as evidence mounts that the backlash against the arrest of the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is rapidly growing into a mass movement that aims to cause widespread disruption on the internet. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/online/prepare-for-allout-cyber-war-2159567.html UK Government websites may be next pro-Wikileaks focus The UK's national security adviser Sir Peter Ricketts has warned that government websites could become the next target for pro-Wikileaks hackers. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11990288 UK on alert for mass cyber attack following Julian Assange court appearance [AP] Britain's government has been put on alert for a mass cyber attack on its websites following the court appearance of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/wikileaks/uk-on-alert-for-mass-cyber-attack-following-julian-assange-court-appearance/story-fn775xjq-1225970733541 Go Daddy proposes fake pharma site shutdown body A cross-industry body that will make it easier for web sites selling fake drugs to be shut down is forming in the US, led by Google and Go Daddy. http://domainincite.com/go-daddy-proposes-fake-pharma-site-shutdown-body/ How hackers breached Gawker's security - and how to protect yourself Just how safe are your details after the emails and passwords of around 1.3m registered users were released by Gnosis? http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/dec/13/gawker-hackers-security-password-protect How to tighten up your passwords Red faces at the US gossip site Gawker: last weekend hackers hijacked the front page and released the usernames, email addresses and encrypted passwords of 1.3 million registered users of Gawker and its affiliated sites. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/dec/13/how-to-tighten-up-passwords Gawker hack triggers password resets at major sites Millions of web users are being asked to reset their passwords as concerns spread over a major hacking attack. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11998648 Hackers flood Twitter with booby-trapped spam about Acai berries [AFP] Passwords plundered from gossip website Gawker were evidently used by hackers to flood micro-blogging service Twitter with booby-trapped spam about Acai berries. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/security/hackers-flood-twitter-with-boobytrapped-spam-about-acai-berries-20101215-18xao.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/hackers-flood-twitter-with-acai-spam-20101215-18x4c.html us: House Clears Bills Aimed At Deceptive Online Tactics, 'Spoofing' The House cleared two technology-related bills Wednesday including one that aims to crack down on firms that engage in deceptive online marketing tactics. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2010/12/house-clears-bills-aimed-at-de.php ************************** PRIVACY ************************** Australian Senate inquiry keeps online privacy concerns under wraps Political sensitivity on business concerns has led a Senate inquiry to withhold parts of an Australian Privacy Foundation submission. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/senate-inquiry-keeps-online-privacy-concerns-under-wraps/story-e6frgakx-1225970513917 nz: Google says sorry to Kiwis over Wi-Fi data grab Google has apologised to New Zealanders over privacy concerns after it was revealed that its Street View cars were collecting data sent over some Wi-Fi networks. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10694276 nz: Google apologises for stealing data After a slap on the wrist from the Privacy Commissioner, internet giant Google has apologised to all New Zealanders for secretly collecting information from their Wi-Fi networks while filming street views, and has promised to destroy that data. http://tvnz.co.nz/technology-news/google-apologises-stealing-data-3971156 Google apology to New Zealanders over Wi-Fi data [AFP] Google said sorry to New Zealanders Tuesday for collecting personal data from wireless networks for its "Street View" mapping service, in the latest in a series of apologies. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/google-apology-to-new-zealanders-over-wifi-data-20101214-18wkc.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/google-apology-to-new-zealanders-over-wifi-data-20101214-18wkc.html ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Australian media chiefs throw support behind WikiLeaks Some of Australia's most senior media professionals, including bosses of major newspapers, television networks and websites, have written to Prime Minister Julia Gillard to express their support for WikiLeaks. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/13/3092174.htm U.S. Air Force blocks NYT, Guardian over WikiLeaks The U.S. Air Force has blocked employees from visiting media websites carrying leaked WikiLeaks documents, including the New York Times and the Guardian. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-53568920101215 Air Force Blocks Sites That Posted Secret Cables The Air Force is barring its personnel from using work computers to view the Web sites of The New York Times and more than 25 other news organizations and blogs that have posted secret cables obtained by WikiLeaks, Air Force officials said Tuesday. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/15/us/15wiki.html US air force blocks staff from websites carrying WikiLeaks cables The US air force has blocked employees from accessing the websites of the Guardian, the New York Times and other news organisations carrying the WikiLeaks US embassy cables. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/15/wikileaks-cables-us-air-force ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** au: Government review to look at media regulation The federal government has kicked off a review of media and communications regulation for an industry reshaped by rapid technological change. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/government-review-to-look-at-media-reguation/story-e6frg8zx-1225971152138 Google online search adverts 'dominant', says France Internet giant Google holds a dominant position in the online advertising market linked to search engines, a French competition watchdog has said. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11991259 Google facing regulatory scrutiny and ?45m tax bill in France Google is feeling more than a little French resistance this week, beginning when the French competition watchdog indicated closer scrutiny of Google's business in the country yesterday and said the company might have abused its dominant market position. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/pda/2010/dec/15/google-france-regulators Watchdog Says Google Dominant in France France's antitrust watchdog said it found that Google Inc. had a dominant position in the local Internet-search-advertising market, a result that could make Google vulnerable to lawsuits in France and adds to the Silicon Valley company's mounting problems in Europe. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704694004576019091823644126.html France warns Google not to abuse dominance France's antitrust watchdog put Google on notice not to abuse what it said was its dominant position in online search advertising, adding to European regulatory pressure on the U.S. Web search giant. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6BD1ZM20101214 http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-53562720101214 French watchdog warns Google on dominance The US company has a dominant position in online search advertising that is susceptible to abuse, France?s competition authority has found after a 10-month investigation http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/b5ca6e26-077a-11e0-8d80-00144feabdc0,dwp_uuid=9a36c1aa-3016-11da-ba9f-00000e2511c8.html http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/b5ca6e26-077a-11e0-8d80-00144feabdc0.html us: Approval of Internet traffic rules likely-analysts Contentious Internet traffic rules facing a vote next week are likely to be adopted without radically veering from a proposal unveiled earlier in the month, telecommunications policy analysts said on Wednesday. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-53593920101215 nz: Government Warnings Could Kill the Cloud New Zealand has joined the ranks of an increasing number of governments that have issued warnings for businesses thinking about cloud computing. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/213620/.html Pilot projects show the way in easy access to online public services across the EU The five-year eGovernment Action Plan 2011-2015 presented by the European Commission today (see IP/10/1718) builds on experience gained with the 2006 European eGovernment Action Plan (see IP/06/523) and in particular on the results of several ongoing EU large-scale pilot projects. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/680 eGovernment Action Plan to smooth access to public services across the EU The European Commission has outlined an ambitious programme to work with Member States' public authorities to expand and improve the services which they offer via the Internet. The new eGovernment Action Plan foresees forty specific measures over the next five years to enable citizens and businesses to use online facilities to, for example, register a business, apply for and access social security and health benefits, enrol in a university or bid to provide goods and services for public administrations. Promoting eGovernment can help boost Europe's competitiveness and allow public authorities to offer improved services more cost-effectively at a time of budget constraints. http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/itemlongdetail.cfm?item_id=6547 eu: eGovernment Action Plan - what would it do for me? A five-year eGovernment Action Plan has just been presented by the European Commission to deliver innovative online public services to citizens and businesses and increase the take-up of these services across Europe (see IP/10/1718 and MEMO/10/680). It sets out concrete actions and priorities to make access to public services more efficient and cost effective. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/681 ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* Web companies fear Google's reach Google this year has been gobbling up Web companies that look nothing like Google, from a social gaming start-up to a firm that powers most online sales for the airline industry. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/12/AR2010121201798.html Microsoft's Paul Allen sees lawsuit thrown out Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has had his lawsuit against a number of tech and online retail firms thrown out. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11986186 How do you solve a problem like Yahoo? What is Yahoo? It's the question successive chief executives seem to have been unable to answer in any convincing way. Despite defining the first online experiences of many through its email service and news portal, Yahoo has squandered that early start in 1995, with every restructure, every redesign, every reassurance that Yahoo is still in the game seeming less convincing. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2010/dec/14/yahoo-chief-carol-bartz A Key Figure in the Future of Yahoo "I shouldn?t make a comment on that,? said Masayoshi Son, the usually voluble serial entrepreneur who is one of the richest men in Japan. ?It?s too delicate a question. Too sensitive right now.? http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2010/12/13/a-key-figure-in-the-future-of-yahoo/ ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Telstra LTE trial triples download speed Telstra has demonstrated download speeds of 149Mbps in trials of Long Term Evolution mobile technology, the successor to 3G mobile systems. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/telstra-lte-trial-triples-download-speed/story-e6frgakx-1225970534323 nz: Ultra-fast broadband rollout begins A Northland lines company has allowed the Minister for Communications to drive its digger, to launch the country's new ultra-fast broadband rollout. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10694246 nz: Northland school first in country for broadband upgrade Construction on the first part of the government's ultra fast broadband network is underway, with a primary school in Northland the first to be installed with fibre internet. http://tvnz.co.nz/technology-news/small-school-gets-big-broadband-boost-3970467 Telecom Scandal Plunges India Into Political Crisis Tycoons with friends in high places. Public tenders conducted by irregular rules. Tens of billions of dollars in potential losses for the national treasury. Allegations of government ministers on the take, and of a respected prime minister too aloof to notice. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/14/world/asia/14india.html ********************************** ARRESTS/COURT CASES FOR ONLINE CHILD PROTECTION ********************************** US federal authorities say they broke up a global child porn ring Federal authorities announced Tuesday they dismantled an international child pornography ring that allowed its 35 male members to trade thousands of images and videos of boys in sexually explicit situations through a website. http://edition.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/12/14/california.child.porn/ US smashes global child porn ring US authorities say they have broken up an international online child pornography ring using a bulletin board called Lost Boy and charged 20 people in five countries. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/15/3094040.htm International child porn ring is broken up [AP] An international child pornography ring that spanned three continents and required members to post explicit images on a secure Internet message board has been dismantled with the arrests of more than a dozen people, authorities said Tuesday. http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_16857738 Child porn 'club' busted by officials The FBI announced the indictment of 16 domestic and international suspects in a child pornography ring who are believed to be part of an Internet-based, members-only bulletin board called "Lost Boy." http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/12/16-suspects-indicted-in-child-pornography-sting.html 16 in global child porn 'club' indicted Federal authorities Tuesday announced the indictments of 16 men who allegedly accessed a password-protected Internet forum on child pornography containing thousands of graphic images and videos of young boys. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-child-porn-20101215,0,1938371.story NZ included in international child porn ring An international child pornography ring that spanned three continents, including New Zealand, has been dismantled with the arrests of more than a dozen people, according to The Washington Post. http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/nz-included-in-international-child-porn-ring-3974291 NZ link to global child porn ring New Zealand caught up in international online child pornography ring: 20 people charged in the US, France, Germany, Belgium and NZ http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=187647 Kiwi link in child porn bust [NZPA] A man with New Zealand links has been named by US authorities as one of those involved in a busted international child pornography ring which used the "Lost Boy" bulletin board. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10694640 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2010 --------- 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 "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 FlanneryReceived on Wed Dec 15 2010 - 22:00:11 UTC
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