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 *************************************************** Technical Management Function for IN-ADDR.ARPA http://blog.icann.org/2011/02/technical-management-function-for-in-addr-arpa/ ICANN: Definitely No Vote on New TLDs at March Meeting http://domainnamewire.com/2011/02/16/icann-definitely-no-vote-on-new-tlds-at-march-meeting/ au: Groupon launches in Australia as Stardeals http://www.zdnet.com.au/groupon-launches-in-australia-as-stardeals-339309214.htm Cyber war threat exaggerated claims security expert http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12473809 Oz kicks US's butt on net security: Gartner http://www.zdnet.com.au/oz-kicks-us-s-butt-on-net-security-gartner-339309264.htm au: Crime institute says govt tenders too soft http://www.zdnet.com.au/crime-institute-says-govt-tenders-too-soft-339309197.htm VeriSign scores big win in .com pricing lawsuit http://domainincite.com/verisign-scores-big-win-in-com-pricing-lawsuit/ us: Senators explore new website seizure options [IDG] http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9209864/Senators_explore_Web_site_seizure_options au: Name change for online pioneer Groupon http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/name-change-for-online-pioneer-groupon/story-e6frg8zx-1226006582495 ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Technical Management Function for IN-ADDR.ARPA In December we spoke of the planned changes to the IPv4 Reverse DNS Infrastructure where the zone maintenance of the IN-ADDR.ARPA zone would transition to ICANN and be managed concurrently with the central assignment of address space to the RIRs. http://blog.icann.org/2011/02/technical-management-function-for-in-addr-arpa/ ICANN: Definitely No Vote on New TLDs at March Meeting In case your glass-half-full optimism wouldn?t let go of the idea that ICANN?s Board of Directors would approve the new gTLD applicant guidebook at its March meeting in San Francisco, I?ve got news for you. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/02/16/icann-definitely-no-vote-on-new-tlds-at-march-meeting/ Good is Better than Perfect in ICANN Accountability by Jonathan Zuck In the next few months, ICANN will have a concrete opportunity to improve its accountability and transparency by enacting the recommendations of the Accountability and Transparency Review Team. Those recommendations may not be perfect, but if the history of the ICANN process is any indication, we can't afford to let the perfect be the enemy of the very good. http://www.circleid.com/posts/good_is_better_than_perfect_in_icann_accountability/ ICANN terminates another registrar Another tiny domain name registrar has been given its marching orders by ICANN. http://domainincite.com/icann-terminates-another-registrar/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** au: Groupon launches in Australia as Stardeals In the midst of an ongoing trademark stoush with Aussie coupon website Scoopon, Groupon has launched in Australia under the name Stardeals today. ... The Australian Domain Name Administrator (auDA) said in January that the matter was outside of its jurisdiction because Scoopon had registered both the "Groupon" business name in Australia as well as the local domain name. http://www.zdnet.com.au/groupon-launches-in-australia-as-stardeals-339309214.htm VeriSign?s upcoming battle for the Chinese .com Could VeriSign be about to face off against China for control of the Chinese version of .com? That?s an intriguing possibility that was raised during the .nxt conference last week. http://domainincite.com/verisigns-upcoming-battle-for-the-chinese-com/ ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** The coming fight over .gay domain (Q&A) Scott Seitz has the dubious distinction of proposing what might become the most controversial new top-level Internet domain: .gay. http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20031727-281.html Battle Brewing Over '.Gay' Domain As the web gears up to introduce new domains, those proposing a ".gay" domain are getting ready to face opposition. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/15/gay-domain_n_823147.html .GAY May Face Unexpected Opponent: Obama Admin In an interview today, Scott Seitz, founder of SPI Marketing and chief executive of dotGAY, discussed why he's planning to ask ICANN to approve a disputed new top-level Internet domain: .gay. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2380311,00.asp Decision pits county against city on '.vegas' Clark County commissioners agreed Tuesday to endorse Vegas.com's bid to control the Internet domain suffix ".vegas" that someday could mean millions of dollars in revenue for the county. http://www.lvrj.com/news/county-backs-vegas_com-for-web-domain-84529522.html What to do with the new Top Level Domains ICANN has announced that it expects the expansion of gTLDs to be ready in 2011. It is now up to trademark owners to decide whether to register and operate their own top-level domain or to saddle up to fight others from registering top-level domains that might infringe their marks. http://www.mondaq.com/article.asp?article_id=121040 ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Cyber war threat exaggerated claims security expert The threat of cyber warfare is greatly exaggerated, according to a leading security expert. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12473809 Pentagon Seeks $500 Million for Cyber Research, Cloud Computing The U.S. Defense Department is planning to spend $500 million to research new cyber security technologies including cloud computing and encrypted data processing, Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn said today. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-15/pentagon-seeks-500-million-for-cyber-research-cloud-computing.html The White House's 2012 budget devotes a greater percentage of IT funds to cybersecurity While President Obama's fiscal 2012 budget requests relatively flat funding for information technology governmentwide, a greater portion of the funds are expected to go toward security. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110216_3295.php White House Advisor: Use of Term Cyberwar 'Terrible' White House cybersecurity coordinator Howard Schmidt said that policymakers and others should stop ?conflating? cyberwar with cyber-espionage with cybercrime.? http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2011/02/15/white-house-advisor-use-of-term-cyberwar-terrible/ cz: Global cyber security starts close to home Hackers of all allegiances are becoming more sophisticated, warns Tom?? Rosa, a noted cryptologist, and the threat they present to private companies, and in turn the public, is growing. http://www.praguepost.com/news/7421-global-cyber-security-starts-close-to-home.html Oz kicks US's butt on net security: Gartner Australia and New Zealand are "well ahead" of the United States in the roll-out of several key internet security initiatives thanks to better cooperation between internet service providers (ISPs) and the government, according to John Pescatore, a Gartner VP specialising in information security. http://www.zdnet.com.au/oz-kicks-us-s-butt-on-net-security-gartner-339309264.htm au: Crime institute says govt tenders too soft Security requirements of government tenders should be toughened to reduce incidents of cybercrime, according to the Australian Institute of Criminology. ... Tougher measures should also be enforced to reduce abuse of the domain name system, according to Choo, including the creation of a stricter domain name registration regime, and ensuring domain names and IP addresses suspected of being used for cyber criminal activities are revoked. http://www.zdnet.com.au/crime-institute-says-govt-tenders-too-soft-339309197.htm ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** VeriSign scores big win in .com pricing lawsuit VeriSign has successfully had an antitrust lawsuit, which claims the company has been raising .com domain name prices anti-competitively, dismissed by a California court. http://domainincite.com/verisign-scores-big-win-in-com-pricing-lawsuit/ VeriSign Scores a Win in Antitrust Lawsuit A California court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by Coalition for ICANN Transparency (CFIT) against VeriSign for its .com and .net domain name contracts. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/02/14/verisign-scores-a-win-in-antitrust-lawsuit/ us: Senators explore new website seizure options [IDG] U.S senators will introduce legislation this year targeting websites that traffic in digital piracy or counterfeited goods, said the primary sponsor of a controversial bill proposed in 2010 that would give government agencies more authority to shut down those sites. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9209864/Senators_explore_Web_site_seizure_options http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/377012/senators_explore_new_website_seizure_options/ http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/377012/senators_explore_new_website_seizure_options/ http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/021611-senators-explore-new-website-seizure.html How To Stop Domain Names Being Seized By The US Government As the United States authorities continue with their domain name seizure policy, file-sharing, streaming and link site operators around the world are looking for ways to mitigate this aggressive action. To this end, an Internet engineer and website operator has put together a guide that might just help site owners avoid a whole heap of inconvenience in the future. http://torrentfreak.com/how-to-stop-domain-names-being-seized-by-the-us-government-110205/ Scott Day?s DigiMedia Wins Reverse Domain Hijacking Charge Legendary domain name investor Scott Day?s company DigiMedia.com has won a charge of reverse domain name hijacking against a Dubai company. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/02/14/scott-days-digimedia-wins-reverse-domain-hijacking-charge/ Rumor sites fair game under UDRP Could Apple shut down MacRumors.com using the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy? http://domainincite.com/rumor-sites-fair-game-under-udrp/ au: Name change for online pioneer Groupon US online group-buying pioneer Groupon has been forced to launch in Australia under the Stardeals.com.au banner after three months of mediation failed to resolve a dispute over ownership of the trademark and the Groupon.com.au domain name. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/name-change-for-online-pioneer-groupon/story-e6frg8zx-1226006582495 ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** Drumming Up More Addresses on the Internet Who could have guessed that 4.3 billion Internet connections wouldn?t be enough? Certainly not Vint Cerf. In 1976, Mr. Cerf and his colleagues in the R.& D. office of the Defense Department had to make a judgment call: how much network address space should they allocate to an experiment connecting computers in an advanced data network? http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/technology/15internet.html Comcast, Time Warner join IPv6 test program Comcast and Time Warner Cable, two major Internet service providers, will participate in the World IPv6 Day testing June 8 to help test readiness for the next-generation Internet Protocol. http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-20031938-264.html ********************** REPORTS & RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** au: Online interactions involving suspected paedophiles who engage male children - Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice no. 403 Abstract: Foreword | This paper summarises the results of a small-scale study into the online interactions of suspected paedophiles with undercover Australian police officers posing as male children. The study provides insight to an under-researched area of how persons with a sexual interest in male children interact with potential victims and whether these interactions differ from online engagements with female children. http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/current series/tandi/401-420/tandi403.aspx ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Asia's Digital Dilemma: While many Asian firms understand the importance of embracing the digital age, a deep-seated cultural wariness prevails Faced with a massive fridge recall in Australia last year, South Korea's LG Electronics did something bold: It tweeted about it. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703960804576120230235458292.html Opinion: Would the Bard Have Survived the Web? Archaeologists finished a remarkable dig last summer in East London. Among their finds were seven earthenware knobs, physical evidence of a near perfect 16th-century experiment into the link between commerce and culture. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/opinion/15turow.html ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Facebook Officials Keep Quiet on Its Role in Revolts With Facebook playing a starring role in the revolts that toppled governments in Tunisia and Egypt, you might think the company?s top executives would use this historic moment to highlight its role as the platform for democratic change. Instead, they really do not want to talk about it. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/business/media/15facebook.html us: Poll: Social Media Shapes Dating Scene Just in time for Valentine's Day, a new Zogby Interactive poll confirms what many love birds already know: social media is transforming the dating scene. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2011/02/poll-social-media-shapes-datin.php Facebook Places eats Foursquare?s discount lunch Facebook Places, launched just five months ago, already appears to be sucking marketing dollars away from needy location-based startups such as Foursquare and Gowalla , according to a new survey. http://blogs.ft.com/fttechhub/2011/02/facebook-places-eats-foursquares-discount-lunch/ ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** Print me a Stradivarius: How a new manufacturing technology will change the world The industrial revolution of the late 18th century made possible the mass production of goods, thereby creating economies of scale which changed the economy?and society?in ways that nobody could have imagined at the time. Now a new manufacturing technology has emerged which does the opposite. Three-dimensional printing makes it as cheap to create single items as it is to produce thousands and thus undermines economies of scale. It may have as profound an impact on the world as the coming of the factory did. http://www.economist.com/node/18114327 3D printing: The printed world - three-dimensional printing from digital designs will transform manufacturing and allow more people to start making things Filton, just outside Bristol, is where Britain?s fleet of Concorde supersonic airliners was built. In a building near a wind tunnel on the same sprawling site, something even more remarkable is being created. Little by little a machine is ?printing? a complex titanium landing-gear bracket, about the size of a shoe, which normally would have to be laboriously hewn from a solid block of metal. Brackets are only the beginning. The researchers at Filton have a much bigger ambition: to print the entire wing of an airliner. http://www.economist.com/node/18114221 A Fight to Win the Future: Computers vs. Humans At the dawn of the modern computer era, two Pentagon-financed laboratories bracketed Stanford University. At one laboratory, a small group of scientists and engineers worked to replace the human mind, while at the other, a similar group worked to augment it. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/science/15essay.html Ask Ars: What is the best way to use a Li-ion battery? Question: How do I take care of a Lithium Ion battery to prolong its life? Should I charge it frequently or drain it fully before charging it? http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2011/02/ask-ars-what-is-the-best-way-to-use-an-li-ion-battery.ars ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ EU Reps Side With Internet Rights on Child Porn Blocking [IDG] A European Parliament decision on Monday to remove child pornography images at the source rather than promote Web blocking has been hailed as a success by Internet rights activists. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/219690/.html Delete child pornography web pages across the EU, says Civil Liberties Committee [news release] Child pornography or child abuse material on the web must be removed at source in all EU countries, said the Civil Liberties Committee on Monday, in amendments to proposed new EU rules to prevent abuse, stiffen penalties, and protect victims. Where removal is impossible, e.g. because pages are hosted outside the EU, Member States may still "prevent access" to this material, in line with their national laws, MEPs added, so no Member State will be prevented from blocking sites. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+IM-PRESS+20110131IPR12841+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN nz: C?m h?c sinh d?ng ?i?n tho?i di ??ng trong ph?ng thay ?? M?t s? tr??ng trung h?c ? New Zealand c?m h?c sinh s? d?ng ?i?n tho?i trong ph?ng thay ?? nh?m ng?n ch?n t?nh tr?ng h?c sinh ph?t t?n qua tin nh?n ?i?n tho?i nh?ng ?nh kh?a th?n t? ch?p hay ch?p h?c sinh kh?c. Nhi?u ph?ng thay ?? c?ng c?ng ? c?c ph?ng t?p th? d?c v? h? b?i c?ng c?m s? d?ng ?i?n tho?i di ??ng. http://www.thanhnien.com.vn/news/Pages/201108/20110215142815.aspx http://dantri.com.vn/c25/s25-457867/new-zealand-cam-hs-dung-de-trong-phong-thay-do.htm ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** au: Movie piracy costs economy $1.3 billion Movie piracy has cost the Australian economy more than $1.3 billion in revenue in just 12 months, a new study has revealed. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/movie-piracy-costs-economy-13-billion/story-e6frg996-1226007456066 ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Europe Seeks Ways to Lower Data Roaming Charges The European telecommunications commissioner said on Monday that she probably would seek new regulations to end the high charges Europeans face when using data services on smartphones outside their home countries. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/technology/15roaming.html EU to consider new plans to reduce roaming phone charges [IDG] The European Commission will have to consider radical new measures to reduce the cost of mobile roaming charges after almost all respondents to its consultation said prices were unfair. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/376588/eu_consider_new_plans_reduce_roaming_phone_charges/ Europeans use mobile phones more when travelling abroad, but still worry about costs, EU survey reveals [news release] Almost three quarters of Europeans are worried about the cost of using their mobile phone when travelling in the EU a survey released by the European Commission today shows. 72% of travellers still limit their roaming calls because of high charges even if a majority is aware that prices have fallen since 2006. Only 19% of people who use internet-related services on their mobile phones when abroad think the costs of data-roaming for (Internet surfing or checking e-mails) are fair. The results of this survey, plus the public consultation on the future of the Roaming Regulation (IP/10/1679), which closed on 11th February, will feed into the Commission's review of current EU roaming rules, due by June 2011. The performance target set by the Digital Agenda for Europe (see IP/10/581, MEMO/10/199 and MEMO/10/200) is that the differences between roaming and national tariffs should approach zero by 2015. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/148 European Phone Operators Warn Against Apple, Google Dominance in Content European phone operators said Internet companies such as Google Inc. shouldn?t be allowed to dominate content services and that platforms must be kept open for all companies. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-15/european-phone-operators-warn-against-apple-google-dominance.html Google chief Eric Schmidt hails the smartphone future Mobile phones in the future will be able to monitor our health, alert us to nearby sales and "do things that we haven't even begun to think of", Google's chief executive and chairman Eric Schmidt told the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Tuesday evening. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/feb/15/eric-schmidt-smartphone-future Google Undercuts Apple With Cheaper Version of Content-Subscription Plan Google Inc. unveiled a digital- content service that gives publishers a bigger cut of subscription sales than a competing program introduced yesterday by Apple Inc. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-16/google-to-offer-one-pass-system-for-newspaper-subscriptions.html Google Announces Payment System for Digital Content A day after Apple stirred up online publishers by announcing a digital subscription plan that some called too restrictive and financially burdensome, Google on Wednesday announced its own payment service for digital content that aims to be more publisher-friendly. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/business/media/17google.html Google unveils One Pass system for online content Google has launched a new payment system that allows users to subscribe to online content for a 10% commission fee. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12489318 Apple Offers Subscriptions for Apps Apple on Tuesday cleared the way for media companies to begin selling subscriptions to their magazine, newspaper, music and video content on the iPad and its other devices. http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/apple-offers-subscriptions-for-all-ipad-publications/ Apple Opens a Door, Keeps Keys Apple Inc. laid out a new subscription service and broad rules cementing its power as gatekeeper for most of the digital content sold through the iPhone and iPad, setting up a battle with media companies that may be thrown off the devices if they won't share revenue or cede control of customer data. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704409004576146062283349464.html Governments urged to speed up introduction of fast fibre optic cable Frustrated trying to access the internet from the smartphone you bought at Christmas? It's partly your own fault, says the International Telecommunication Union, the industry body that represents the mobile and fixed-line industries ? and it's likely to get worse unless governments and networks take urgent action. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/feb/14/telecoms-chief-urges-fast-fibre-optics ********************** SPAM ********************** Image site hits back at spammers Spammers are being thwarted by finding that their junk messages unexpectedly contain warnings urging recipients to delete the e-mail. The alerts are issued by ImageShack, in an effort to stop spammers using its services. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12450348 The World's Top Spamming Botnets: Signs of a mature 'market' with established botnets and no newcomers on new list compiled by SecureWorks RSA Conference 2011 -- The world's biggest and most prolific spamming botnet is now Rustock, with a 250,000 head count of bots, and its size and staying power have much to do with its constantly evolving stealth tactics, according to new research. http://www.darkreading.com/insider-threat/167801100/security/attacks-breaches/229218736/the-world-s-top-spamming-botnets.html Mobile malware grows as spam takes a dive: Security experts Security software providers, M86 and McAfee, have warned companies not to be complacent in the face of increased mobile malware, as two new reports reveal mobile malware is on the rise while spam emails are declining. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/376521/mobile_malware_grows_spam_takes_dive_security_experts/ ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** Cyber security alarm after Anonymous email leak The cyber activist group Anonymous has posted tens of thousands of private e-mails from a respected security researcher, prompting many responsible for protecting the digital secrets of others to re-examine their own practices. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/c55652b8-3891-11e0-959c-00144feabdc0.html The US bank and the secret plan to destroy WikiLeaks The computer hackers' collective Anonymous has uncovered a proposal by a consortium of private contractors to attack and discredit WikiLeaks. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/the-us-bank-and-the-secret-plan-to-destroy-wikileaks-2215059.html US lawsuit accuses Google of stealing trade secrets Technology communications company VoIP Inc sued Google Inc. in New York Supreme Court on Monday, accusing the Internet giant of stealing its trade secrets related to online voice technology. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/02/14/oukin-uk-google-voip-idUKTRE71D7IS20110214 http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/02/14/idINIndia-54896520110214 us: WikiLeaks Allies Fight Order on Twitter Data Lawyers for three Twitter users on Tuesday asked a judge to vacate an order requiring the social-networking Web site to turn over its account records to prosecutors who are investigating WikiLeaks for its role in disclosing secret government documents last year. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/16/world/16wikileaks.html Anonymous victim HBGary goes to ground The computer security company hacked by members of activist group Anonymous has gone to ground as further revelations about its activites leak online. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12481803 au: Accused win battle to delete web history NEWSPAPERS, including the Herald, have been ordered to remove old articles from their websites after a court ruled they might interfere with a fair trial. http://www.smh.com.au/national/accused-win-battle-to-delete-web-history-20110216-1awmp.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/accused-win-battle-to-delete-web-history-20110216-1awmp.html Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce survey 2011 The Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce was formed in March 2005 and comprises 20 government regulatory agencies and departments in Australia and New Zealand with responsibility for protecting consumers against frauds and scams. The aim of the Taskforce is to work together to reduce the incidence and impact of frauds and scams, and to create a yearly coordinated information campaign for consumers timed to coincide with global consumer fraud prevention activities. http://www.aic.gov.au/en/crime_types/economic/fraud/acft/survey.aspx Beware scammers pretending to be from ATO [AAP] Sophisticated scammers are ringing or emailing people claiming to represent the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and offering refunds for anyone who will transfer cash to a charity. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/376700/beware_scammers_pretending_from_ato/ au: Crime institute says govt tenders too soft Security requirements of government tenders should be toughened to reduce incidents of cybercrime, according to the Australian Institute of Criminology. ... Tougher measures should also be enforced to reduce abuse of the domain name system, according to Choo, including the creation of a stricter domain name registration regime, and ensuring domain names and IP addresses suspected of being used for cyber criminal activities are revoked. http://www.zdnet.com.au/crime-institute-says-govt-tenders-too-soft-339309197.htm Kiwi online shoppers' details stolen As many as 9000 New Zealanders may have had their credit card and personal details stolen after the Lush cosmetics website was hacked. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/4662025/Kiwi-online-shoppers-details-stolen nz: Police called in after cyber rage incident Police were called when an "aggro" seller on internet auction site Trade Me threatened a potential buyer. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10706569 Cyber war threat exaggerated claims security expert The threat of cyber warfare is greatly exaggerated, according to a leading security expert. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12473809 Pentagon Seeks $500 Million for Cyber Research, Cloud Computing The U.S. Defense Department is planning to spend $500 million to research new cyber security technologies including cloud computing and encrypted data processing, Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn said today. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-15/pentagon-seeks-500-million-for-cyber-research-cloud-computing.html The White House's 2012 budget devotes a greater percentage of IT funds to cybersecurity While President Obama's fiscal 2012 budget requests relatively flat funding for information technology governmentwide, a greater portion of the funds are expected to go toward security. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110216_3295.php White House Advisor: Use of Term Cyberwar 'Terrible' White House cybersecurity coordinator Howard Schmidt said that policymakers and others should stop ?conflating? cyberwar with cyber-espionage with cybercrime.? http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2011/02/15/white-house-advisor-use-of-term-cyberwar-terrible/ cz: Global cyber security starts close to home Hackers of all allegiances are becoming more sophisticated, warns Tom?? Rosa, a noted cryptologist, and the threat they present to private companies, and in turn the public, is growing. http://www.praguepost.com/news/7421-global-cyber-security-starts-close-to-home.html Oz kicks US's butt on net security: Gartner Australia and New Zealand are "well ahead" of the United States in the roll-out of several key internet security initiatives thanks to better cooperation between internet service providers (ISPs) and the government, according to John Pescatore, a Gartner VP specialising in information security. http://www.zdnet.com.au/oz-kicks-us-s-butt-on-net-security-gartner-339309264.htm ************************** PRIVACY ************************** us: Senate Judiciary names Franken head of new privacy, tech subcommittee Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) on Monday was named chairman of a new Judiciary subcommittee for Privacy, Technology and the Law. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Ok.) will serve as ranking member, according to a release by the Senate Judiciary Committee. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2011/02/senate_judiciary_names_franken.html ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Egypt Leaders Found 'Off' Switch for Internet Epitaphs for the Mubarak government all note that the mobilizing power of the Internet was one of the Egyptian opposition?s most potent weapons. But quickly lost in the swirl of revolution was the government?s ferocious counterattack, a dark achievement that many had thought impossible in the age of global connectedness. In a span of minutes just after midnight on Jan. 28, a technologically advanced, densely wired country with more than 20 million people online was essentially severed from the global Internet. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/16/technology/16internet.html U.S. Policy to Address Internet Freedom Days after Facebook and Twitter added fuel to a revolt in Egypt, the Obama administration plans to announce a new policy on Internet freedom, designed to help people get around barriers in cyberspace while making it harder for autocratic governments to use the same technology to repress dissent. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/world/15clinton.html Hillary Clinton's speech: Shades of hypocrisy on internet freedom Last year, the US secretary of state criticised the 'firewall' approach. Yet after the WikiLeaks affair it is harder to moralise http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/15/hillary-clinton-internet-freedom WikiLeaks row intensifies as US makes 'privacy' move against Twitter The US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, praised the role of social networks such as Twitter in promoting freedom ? at the same time as the US government was in court seeking to invade the privacy of Twitter users. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/feb/15/wikileaks-row-us-privacy-twitter Clinton Seeks Web Freedoms Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will intensify pressure Tuesday on Middle East governments to ensure open access to the Internet, as social media sites continue to play a central role in organizing political movements across the Arab world and Iran. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703703804576145224030011798.html Clinton Backs Facebook Freedom, Prods Regimes on Censorship After Egypt Secretary of State Hillary Clinton vowed the U.S. will step up support for global Internet freedom, as citizens using social networking sites run by Facebook Inc. and Twitter Inc. organize demonstrations spreading across the Mideast and North Africa. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-15/clinton-to-promote-technology-to-ensure-global-internet-freedom.html Clinton to lay out U.S. Internet freedom plan Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will unveil a new U.S. push for global Internet freedoms on Tuesday, citing Internet-fired protests in Egypt and Iran as examples of how new technologies can spark political transformation. http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/02/15/idINIndia-54900920110215 Clinton renews push for open Internet access [AFP] US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton renews her push Tuesday for the free and open use of the Internet, which protesters from Egypt to Iran have used to demand political freedoms. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/clinton-renews-push-for-open-internet-access-20110215-1aux6.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/clinton-renews-push-for-open-internet-access-20110215-1aux6.html Schoolgirl blogger jailed in Syria Teenage blogger accused of spying for a foreign country sentenced to five years in jail after a closed-door hearing. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/201121514319413714.html Syria jails schoolgirl blogger for 5 years A special Syrian security court sentenced a teenaged blogger on Monday to five years in jail on charges of revealing information to a foreign country, despite U.S. calls to release her, rights defenders said. http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/02/14/idINIndia-54890120110214 Opinion: Unblocking Syria's social media Some wonder if Syria's decision to allow access to facebook and blog sites is just a new way to track activists. http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/02/2011212122746819907.html ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** Obama wireless initiative silent on net neutrality When President Obama announced his vision for a national wireless initiative last week, he emphasized how widespread high-speed wireless broadband would boost the economy and increase opportunities for individual Americans. http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TECH/mobile/02/14/obama.net.neutrality/index.html us: Groups Urge Action On Bill To Combat Online Piracy More than 130 companies, business groups and others signed a letter to members of Congress Tuesday urging lawmakers to move legislation that would give law enforcement more tools to crack down on websites that offer pirated content and counterfeit products. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2011/02/groups-urge-action-on-bill-to.php Social media has far-reaching implications for U.S. diplomacy After being mistreated by a policewoman and ignored by municipal officials, Mohamed Bouazizi, 26, doused himself with gasoline and set himself on fire Dec. 17, 2010, in the Tunisian town of Sidi Bouzid. He died Jan. 4. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110216_5392.php Cybercrime forces to be beefed up as part of security plan, say reports The Government will spend ?63 million of a ?650m cyber security fund announced last year on law enforcement resources to tackle cybercrime, according to reports. http://out-law.com/page-11781 S'pore sets data protection law for 2012 With review finally complete, authorities say legislation to provide "baseline standard for data protection in Singapore" will be scheduled for parliamentary debate early next year. http://www.zdnetasia.com/s-pore-sets-data-protection-law-for-2012-62206733.htm ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* Facebook's Web of Frenemies Facebook Inc.'s growing ambitions are redrawing battle lines in Silicon Valley. As the seven-year-old company ramps up its hiring and adds new features to its social network, it is disrupting the businesses of established companies like Yahoo Inc. and Google Inc. and putting even more Internet firms on notice. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704593604576141350618351030.html ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Avanti pins hopes on internet space age A new space race has begun. In the next few months, two companies will roll out commercial services via intermediaries that will offer households and organisations across Europe access to the internet using new satellite technology. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/20086bf6-386f-11e0-959c-00144feabdc0.html au: New wireless will help, not hurt NBN: Conroy The Federal Government has rejected claims that new wireless internet technology will affect the financial viability of the National Broadband Network (NBN). http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/15/3139595.htm Gillard denies wireless a danger for NBN Julia Gillard has rejected claims that the explosive growth of wireless internet services could threaten Labor's $36 billion National Broadband Network. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/industry-sectors/gillard-denies-wireless-a-danger-for-nbn/story-e6frg9hx-1226006546535 Conroy disputes wireless power over NBN [AAP] The Federal Government has dismissed suggestions wireless technology is a threat to the National Broadband Network (NBN) as Telstra plans to boost mobile internet speeds. http://www.zdnet.com.au/conroy-disputes-wireless-power-over-nbn-339309245.htm au: Wireless threat to National Broadband Network plan The growing popularity of wireless internet could have a "significant" impact on the economics of the National Broadband Network, according to Labor's own corporate advisers. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/wireless-threat-to-national-broadband-network-plan/story-fn59niix-1226005989633 Wireless could affect NBN: report The rising use of wireless technology could pose a risk to the national broadband network, a report commissioned by the Gillard government says. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/wireless-could-affect-nbn-report-20110214-1atfk.html Broadband plan unwired The growing number of households ditching their landline in favour of wireless services could threaten the government's high-speed internet plan, a new report has found. http://www.theage.com.au/national/broadband-plan-unwired-20110214-1atno.html TUANZ, InternetNZ seek extension to Telco Bill submissions A Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) with legislative changes needed to the UFB and RBI projects, as well as the changes that would apply if Telecom was to structurally separate was released yesterday. http://www.techday.co.nz/telecommunicationsreview/news/tuanz-internetnz-seek-extension-to-telco-bill/19323/6/ Tuanz reels as fast-track Telecom separation bill hits Telecommunications Users Association (Tuanz) chief executive Paul Brislen was still reeling from the sheer scope of proposed Telecom separation provisions, added to the Telecom Amendment Bill today, when contacted by NBR. http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/tuanz-reels-telecom-separation-bill-hits-ck-86160 nz: Kordia keeps up the fight over loss of rural broadband bid State-owned transmission company Kordia still refuses to concede defeat in its bid for rural broadband contracts, a week after the Government rejected the proposal. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10706500 France Telecom-Orange and Deutsche Telekom collaborate on network access Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom-Orange plan to explore ways to increase co-operation in ways that could lead to a European super-telco. http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2011/02/14/245424/France-Telecom-Orange-and-Deutsche-Telekom-collaborate-on-network.htm Neelie Kroes Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda Delivering solutions on roaming and radio spectrum 2011 Mobile World Congress Barcelona, 14 February 2011 Ladies and Gentlemen, It is always a pleasure to be here at the centre of the mobile world. I never fail to be impressed by the energy and ideas. But the best ideas and action come from real debate - so I want to start one today. I want to be honest with you about the challenges I see in front of the sector and I want to hear your response, whether it is here in person, on Twitter or in later dialogue. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/11/99 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2011 --------- 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 Feb 16 2011 - 18:39:37 UTC
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