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 *************************************************** ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** July 2011 - June 2014 Strategic Plan Posted Based upon the Board Resolutions at the recent Silicon Valley/San Francisco ICANN Meeting, the adopted 2011-2014 Strategic Plan is now posted. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-28mar11-en.htm WHOIS Review Team ? Call for Public Comment The WHOIS Policy Review Team was launched in October 2010 in line with the Affirmation of Commitments (AoC) provisions, section 9.3.1, which stipulates that: http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-04mar11-en.htm Call for Public Comments: The Security, Stability and Resiliency of the DNS Review Team The Security, Stability & Resiliency of the DNS Review Team was launched in October 2010 in line with the Affirmation of Commitments (AoC) provisions i.e section 9.2 which stipulates that: http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-9-21feb11-en.htm ICANN to Convene Annual Europe Regional Registry/Registrar Event On 12-13 May 2011, ICANN and its gTLD registration services providers will meet in Munich, Germany. Regional events are a chance for ICANN staff and representatives from gTLD registries and ICANN-accredited registrars to meet informally to discuss topics important to our industry and business relationships. http://blog.icann.org/2011/03/icann-to-convene-annual-europe-regional-registryregistrar-event/ Complaint to ICANN's Ombudsman re: Annual Report Now that ICANN has finally appointed an (Interim) Ombudsman, and to mark three months delay in the production of the organization's Annual Report, I have submitted a formal complaint. Here's hoping ICANN takes its formal complaint procedures more seriously that community public comments. http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/03/30/icann-ombudsman-complaint Icann seeks greater independence from the US government Icann is looking to sever its close links with the US government forged by an agreement dating back to the beginning of the web. http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2037771/icann-independence-government .XXX Exposes the Naked Truth for ICANN by Steve DelBianco Internet governance can be a little on the dry side. So when tech policy reporters get a chance to write an ICANN story that features porn stars on picket lines, it's hard to blame them when they run with it. But all the media hype about ICANN's .xxx decision at last week's meeting in San Francisco exposed the real dilemma facing ICANN: how to engage governments in a multi-stakeholder model that's led by the private sector. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20110327_dot_xxx_exposes_the_naked_truth_for_icann/ Mooning the Porn Stars by Neil Schwartzman Steve DelBianco did a great job of discussing the rocky relationship between ICANN's GAC and the Board of Directors, in his piece entitled ".XXX Exposes the Naked Truth for ICANN". I've been keeping an eye on the adult industry press to see what their reaction is to the .XXX debacle. But before we start, let's get something out of the way. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20110328_mooning_the_porn_stars/ ICANN steamrolls forward with new generic TLD program and .xxx TLD ICANN continues to steamroll forward on two important issues during and after its 40th meeting in San Francisco on March 13-18, 2011. The meeting's two key events resulted from pressure from the Government Advisory Council ("GAC"), which represents more than one hundred national governments and supranational organizations. http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=34204a13-8910-4a1d-8e1d-1ebf60144002 ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** AusRegistry International wins lucrative Middle East Internet contracts Navigating the Internet for people from non-English speaking backgrounds has just become a lot easier thanks to the ingenuity and expertise of Melbourne based domain name registry services provider AusRegistry International, who has just signed its third Middle Eastern contract to provide software to drive critical Internet infrastructure in the region. http://www.ausregistry.com/news-lucrative-Middle-East-Internet-contracts.php ictQATAR Launches Qatar Domains Registry The Internet is one-step closer to being more accessible to speakers of Arabic in Qatar and around the world with the official launch of the Qatar Domains Registry (QDR), which was officially unveiled to the public on March 2, 2011 by the Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR). http://www.ict.gov.qa/news-events/news/ictqatar-launches-qatar-domains-registry .XXX does not mark the spot Earlier this month, the guardian of the Internet's domain name system, ICANN, played straight into the hands of the ICM Registry. ICANN trumpeted the news that a sexy new top-level domain has been approved for rollout later this year. ICM Registry hopes to get what is coyly called the adult entertainment industry to register domains with the suffix .xxx. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/223351/.html http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/381262/_xxx_does_mark_spot/ XXX domain poses headache for Indian regulators India is proposing to block .xxx-registered websites after a global agency governing the web approved the suffix for pornography websites last week, risking confrontation between a fast-liberalising youth and strong traditionalist values. http://blogs.reuters.com/india/2011/03/29/xxx-pornography-domain-poses-headache-for-indian-regulators/ Will the .xxx Domain Name Kill the Online Porn Industry? Earlier this month, ICANN approved a new Internet domain suffix. After a meeting in San Francisco, the group released a draft agreement that .xxx would soon become a Top Level Domain (similar to .com, .org and .edu) for the world's adult websites. http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/03/will-the-xxx-domain-name-kill-the-online-porn-industry/73182/ Porn group launches .xxx boycott The Free Speech Coalition has made good on its promise to start a boycott of .xxx domain names. http://domainincite.com/porn-group-launches-xxx-boycott/ ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** A New Era for Internet Domains: Why .XXX Is Just the Beginning A new era of Internet use is about to begin, marked by the recent decision by ICANN to approve the long-debated .xxx TLD. http://mashable.com/2011/03/28/new-era-top-level-domains/ .eu General Manager on changing TLD landscape General Manager of EURid, the .eu top-level domain (TLD) registry, Marc Van Wesemael expresses candid opinions on Internet security, IPv6 and the upcoming TLD market liberalisation, ahead of .eu?s fifth birthday on 7 April 2011. http://www.eurid.eu/en/content/eu-general-manager-changing-tld-landscape ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Security In DNS Left Out On Purpose, Says Creator When you type in Forbes.com (instead of a string of hard-to-remember numbers) you can thank Paul Mockapetris, one of the creators of the Domain Name System (DNS). DNS is fundamental to the Internet, instantly translating the common name to the machine address without the user being aware. http://blogs.forbes.com/firewall/2011/03/28/security-in-dns-left-out-on-purpose-says-creator/ EU Agency presents 1st report ever on how to measure IT resilience ?If you cannot measure it you cannot improve it!? Lord Kelvin - EU Agency presents the 1st comprehensive report on Metrics and Measurements in Network and Service Resilience, uncovering a lack of standards & coherency http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/eu-agency-presents-1st-report-ever-on-how-to-measure-resilience Cybercrime treaty doomed to fail: Kaspersky THE global treaty to fight cybercrime is doomed to fail, says Eugene Kaspersky, chief executive of Russian-based IT security vendor Kaspersky Lab. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/cybercrime-treaty-doomed-to-fail-kaspersky/story-e6frgakx-1226029670007 Security of Polish Internet In 2010, experts from CERT Polska team received over 12 million automated submissions concerning the Polish networks. The Zeus trojan, Stuxnet worm or attacks on the Voice-over-IP services were the most important threats that Internet users faced last year. CERT Polska, operating in the framework of NASK, presents the detailed analysis of these incidents in its annual report. http://www.nask.pl/newsID/id/713 'Worms, VoIP attacks are main threats to internet in Poland' [DMeurope Via Acquire Media NewsEdge] The Zeus trojan, the Stuxnet worm and attacks on Voice-over-IP services were the most important threats to Polish internet users in 2010, according to an annual report by Cert Polska, operating in the framework of Polish operator NASK. http://it.tmcnet.com/news/2011/03/28/5405707.htm http://www.techzone360.com/news/2011/03/28/5405707.htm http://www.telecompaper.com/news/worms-voip-attacks-are-main-threats-to-internet-in-poland ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** .xxx introduces the 48-hour UDRP The forthcoming .xxx top-level domain will have some of the strictest abuse policies yet, including a super-fast alternative to the UDRP for cybersquatting cases. http://domainincite.com/xxx-introduces-the-48-hour-udrp/ au: Website hijack claim in stadium wrangle THE Stadium Management Authority has been accused of stifling the Save Adelaide Oval campaign. Young cricket member and web developer Simon Cheers says traffic to the saveadelaideoval.com website for those opposed to the proposed Oval development dived this week when the SMA apparently activated a virtually identical saveadelaideoval.com.au address. http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/website-hijack-claim-in-stadium-wrangle/story-e6frecj3-1226031234214 Court to Auction John Zuccarini Domain Names April 8 The long saga of John Zuccarini?s domain names might be winding to a close. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/03/29/court-to-auction-john-zuccarini-domain-names-april-8/ ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** CENTR Domain Wire Focuses On Whois, IDNs, IPv6 & IGF (CENTR) The first issue of CENTR's Domain Wire magazine for 2011 has been released with a review of CENTR's activities for 2010. Topics the focus of this edition are Whois and Internationalised Domain Names, with explanations of IPv6 and the Internet Governance Forum. There is also a list of highlights from CENTR members. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=14148 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/03/29/centr-domain-wire-focuses-on-whois-idns-ipv6-igf/ http://domainnews.com/en/centr-domain-wire-focuses-on-whois-idns-ipv6-igf.html ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Royal Wedding domain name can be yours for ?25,000 Auction site eBay is awash with trinkets and paraphernalia pertaining to Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding on 29 April, but among the flags, mugs and thimbles for sale is the domain name thebritishroyalwedding2011.com. Asking price? ?25,000. http://www.siliconrepublic.com/new-media/item/21167-royal-wedding-domain-name/ ********************** REPORTS & RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** ONI Releases Special Report on the Use of Western Technologies by Middle East Censors The recent political unrest in the Middle East and North Africa has thrown into focus the information shaping, events-based blocking, and counter-control activities undertaken by governments throughout the region. New research by the OpenNet Initiative shows that many of these activities are supported by Western filtering tools and services. http://opennet.net/blog/2011/03/oni-releases-special-report-use-western-technologies-middle-east-censors ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Social media use jumps but TV remains top in Japanese crisis [IDG] Millions of Japanese flocked to Internet and social media websites following this month's earthquake, tsunami and subsequent nuclear crisis, but television retained its place as the primary source of information for most people, according to two surveys released today. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9215293/Social_media_use_jumps_but_TV_remains_top_in_Japanese_crisis http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/032911-social-media-use-jumps-but.html http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/223568/.html UK online advertising breaks through ?4bn barrier The internet now accounts for a quarter of all advertising spending in the UK. New figures show online advertising grew by 12.8% in 2010, breaking through the ?4bn barrier. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12887689 Web advertising spend tops ?4bn for first time Online advertisers in the UK took their annual spend to more than ?4bn for the first time last year as the digital market share hit a record high. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/web-advertising-spend-tops-1634bn-for-first-time-2255908.html More S'poreans shop online, but mobile buys still nascent Some 1.2 million Singaporeans shopped online in 2010 spending a total of S$1.1 billion (US$871.4 million), and the number is expected to hit S$4.4 billion (US$3.5 billion) by 2015, according to a new survey by PayPal. However, mobile shopping remains nascent, indicating "significant" growth potential for mobile commerce (m-commerce). http://www.zdnetasia.com/more-s-poreans-shop-online-but-mobile-buys-still-nascent-62208135.htm Times and Sunday Times digital subscriptions rise The Times and The Sunday Times had 79,000 monthly digital subscribers at the end of February - up 29,000 over the previous five months. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12901752 ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Google Wants Search to Be More Social Google Inc. is offering to add a twist to Web searches, in a bold offensive to prevent Facebook Inc. and other social-networking companies from gaining an upper hand on Web innovation and potential advertising dollars. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703806304576232771273306208.html http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/news/a-new-box-for-you-to-tick-in-googles-battle-against-facebook/story-e6frg90o-1226031153135 Google Introduces New Social Tool and Settles Privacy Charge Google is trying social networking again, even as it pays a price for earlier privacy blunders. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/technology/31ftc.html ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ A Victim, Her Picture and Facebook The truth, said Chrissy Criscitiello, is that she never gave a moment?s thought to the deal she was making when she posted pictures on Facebook. ?They?re of me and my friends when we go out,? Ms. Criscitiello said. ?My son?s graduation. My husband?s family reunion. A vacation we went on to Lake Wallenpaupack. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/30/nyregion/30about.html Swedish Company Tackles Child Abuse Images Child sexual abuse images are a heinous problem on the internet which have persisted despite years of effort to purge them. Now a Swedish company is offering an innovative approach that can match any image against a database of known child pornography regardless of the source of the image, or if the computer is online. http://blogs.wsj.com/tech-europe/2011/03/28/swedish-company-tackles-child-abuse-images/ nz: Union says PM 'naive' on bullying The government has been accused of being misguided over its moves to stamp out bullying. http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/union-says-pm-naive-bullying-4091007 uk: MPs call for cyber-stalking to be outlawed More than 80 MPs are calling for an overhaul of the country's stalking laws as the probation union said Wednesday there could have been as many as half a million incidents in 2009. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/03/29/oukin-uk-britain-stalking-idUKTRE72S7II20110329 Docs urged to discuss Facebook with kids, parents [AFP] The American Academy of Pediatrics on Monday urged doctors to ask parents about their kids' use of social media, texting and the Internet, including Facebook. http://www.france24.com/en/20110329-docs-urged-discuss-facebook-with-kids-parents http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/doctors-warn-about-facebook-use-and-teen-depression-20110328-1cd7v.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/doctors-warn-about-facebook-use-and-teen-depression-20110328-1cd7v.html Can facebook cause depression in kids? An article in the new edition of the journal "Pediatrics," published Monday says facebook can have big impacts on the health of kids including making them depressed. http://www.newschannel10.com/Global/story.asp?S=14337964 Nickelodeon launches campaign to battle digital bullying [AP] The popular children's television network Nickelodeon began an on-air public service campaign Monday featuring some of its stars offering advice on what young people should do when confronted with hostile texts, emails or Facebook posts. http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20110329/LIFE/103290301/Nickelodeon-launches-campaign-to-battle-digital-bullying Irish cop child abuse image plan attracts data protection ire An initiative to combat child abuse images by the Irish Police has fallen foul of the Data Protection Commissioner. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/03/30/irish_police/ ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Music piracy war: are the big labels wasting their time? There is no evidence that illegal downloading has led to a decline in new music and it is the war on piracy itself that has docked big record label revenues by preventing them from embracing the digital age faster, new studies have found. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/music-piracy-war-are-the-big-labels-wasting-their-time-20110328-1ccrl.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/music-piracy-war-are-the-big-labels-wasting-their-time-20110328-1ccrl.html Global recorded music sales fall almost $1.5bn amid increased piracy Global recorded music sales fell by almost $1.5bn (?930m) last year as digital piracy continued to take its toll on the industry, with the UK losing its mantle as the third-largest music market after "physical" sales of CDs collapsed by almost a fifth. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/mar/28/global-recorded-music-sales-fall uk: Digital Economy Act: further delay to illegal downloading measures Plans to send thousands of warning letters to alleged illegal downloaders have been delayed until next year as the government's embattled Digital Economy Act is held up by a high court judicial review. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/mar/28/digital-economy-act-illegal-downloading au: ISPs should remain on alert despite iiNet's win A top insurance legal adviser has warned ISP underwriters to ensure their clients are vigorously pursuing copyright infringement policy service contracts. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/isps-should-remain-on-alert-despite-iinets-win/story-e6frgakx-1226029667169 YouTube takes on television with star cast Google is to sprinkle some Hollywood stardust over its YouTube video website, as it goes head-to-head with traditional television in the battle for a new generation of viewers. http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/youtube-takes-on-television-with-star-cast-2255762.html Amazon vs Apple: The race for the future of music Ever since the dawn of the internet, music fans have dreamt of a mythical celestial jukebox where every song ever produced would be available at the click of a button. http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/amazon-vs-apple-the-race-for-the-future-of-music-2256736.html Amazon Introduces Online Music-Streaming Service Ahead of Google, Apple Amazon.com Inc. joined the ranks of music-streaming services today by unveiling Cloud Player, letting users buy tracks, store them on the company?s servers and play them on computers and Android smartphones. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-29/amazon-introduces-online-music-streaming-service-ahead-of-google-apple.html ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Smartphone Market Expected to Soar in 2011 Smartphones, smartphones, smarthphones! That?s what we have to look forward to over the next several months. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/29/smartphone-market-expected-to-soar-in-2011/ Android to top smartphone war in 2011, says IDC [AFP] The worldwide smartphone market will grow nearly 50 per cent this year and Google's Android will take over as the leading operating system, says a technology market research firm. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10715970 http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/smartphone-market-to-grow-50-percent-in-2011-idc-20110330-1cf2k.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/smartphone-market-to-grow-50-percent-in-2011-idc-20110330-1cf2k.html IDC Forecasts Worldwide Smartphone Market to Grow by Nearly 50% in 2011 [news release] The worldwide smartphone market is expected to grow 49.2% in 2011 as more consumers and enterprise users turn in their feature phones for smartphones with more advanced features. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, smartphone vendors will ship more than 450 million smartphones in 2011 compared to the 303.4 million units shipped in 2010. Moreover, the smartphone market will grow more than four times faster than the overall mobile phone market. http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS22762811 APAC mobile users want lower data roaming charges When overseas, Asia-Pacific Internet users are predominantly making use of data roaming services for e-mail, online collaboration and messaging via their mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops. However, carriers are urged to cut data roaming prices by up to 80 percent to generate higher usage, according to a new ZDNet online survey. http://www.zdnetasia.com/apac-mobile-users-want-lower-data-roaming-charges-62208120.htm Survey: is global roaming a rip off? Practically everyone thinks carriers charge way too much for global roaming and most would like to see costs cut by 60 per cent or more. http://www.zdnet.com.au/survey-is-global-roaming-a-rip-off-339312293.htm Microsoft Is Said to Plan Mobile Payments Feature in Next Windows Phone Microsoft Corp. is working on a version of its Windows Phone software that will let users buy merchandise with a flick of the handset at a checkout counter, two people familiar with the plans said. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-29/microsoft-is-said-to-plan-mobile-payments-in-next-windows-phone.html Google Sets Role in Mobile Payment Google Inc. is teaming up with MasterCard Inc. and Citigroup Inc. to embed technology in Android mobile devices that would allow consumers to make purchases by waving their smartphones in front of a small reader at the checkout counter, according to people familiar with the matter. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703576204576226722412152678.html http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/news/smartphone-plan-looks-for-payoff-at-the-register/story-e6frg90x-1226029893796 ********************** DIGITAL DIVIDE ********************** India's 'digital divide' worst among BRICs: study [AFP] India is trailing its so-called BRIC colleagues Brazil, Russia and China in bridging the "digital divide" as a large number of its population has no Internet access, a report said Wednesday. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/indias-digital-divide-worst-among-brics-study-20110330-1cg3s.html http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/indias-digital-divide-worst-among-brics-study-20110330-1cg3s.html ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** ECJ asked to rule on crucial internet publishing jurisdiction issue The Court of Appeal has asked the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to decide whether online publishing takes place where information is hosted or where it is read. http://out-law.com/page-11841 uk: Superinjunction scores legal first for nameless financier in libel action A wealthy financier involved in a family dispute has made British legal history by winning anonymity in a libel case. This latest court attempt to censor internet material has led to claims that free speech is being further eroded in Britain. http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2011/mar/29/superinjunction-financier-libel-legal-case Hackers target business secrets Intellectual property and business secrets are fast becoming a target for cyber thieves, a study suggests. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12864666 Cybercriminals selling exploit-as-a-service kit [IDG] Cybercriminals are taking a page from the software-as-a-service playbook: they're now selling exploit kits complete with hosting services, with customers paying for the length of time the exploits are actively infecting computers. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/381240/cybercriminals_selling_exploit-as-a-service_kit/ Why browsers differ on Web sites' safety For all the tens of billions of dollars a year spent on Internet security a year, on everything from antivirus software to intrusion prevention, there's one component that's vital but remains obscure: which Web sites browsers decide to trust. http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20047729-281.html http://www.zdnetasia.com/why-browsers-differ-on-web-sites-safety-62208113.htm nz: Internal Affairs website facing hacktivist attack The Department of Internal Affairs website was under threat of attack from the shadowy 'hacktivist' group Anonymous. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10715650 nz: Don't tar all of Anonymous with same brush Everyone who knows about Anonymous, the online group dedicated to protecting freedom of speech on the internet, has an opinion about them. http://www.3news.co.nz/Dont-tar-all-of-Anonymous-with-same-brush/tabid/1038/articleID/204580/Default.aspx nz: Work computers - user rights v owner rights A recent Ontario Court of Appeal decision, which recognises that employees can have privacy rights over personal information stored on work computers, underlines the importance of having clear workplace policies regarding computer use. http://www.mondaq.com/NewZealand/article.asp?articleid=127576 Cybercrime treaty doomed to fail: Kaspersky THE global treaty to fight cybercrime is doomed to fail, says Eugene Kaspersky, chief executive of Russian-based IT security vendor Kaspersky Lab. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/cybercrime-treaty-doomed-to-fail-kaspersky/story-e6frgakx-1226029670007 ************************** PRIVACY ************************** Europe and U.S. converging on Internet privacy Few topics are more sensitive for Web users, or more likely to raise concerns in the corridors of Facebook or Google, than how to regulate privacy. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/03/28/oukin-uk-internet-privacy-idUKTRE72R4K920110328 Spanish privacy officials battle Google in court The Spanish Data Protection Agency is representing 80 privacy cases against Google. Amongst these are one man who says he has been defamed by a 1991 article that is on the first page of search results for his name. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14951213,00.html Google to be audited on privacy after Buzz complaints Google will be subjected to independent privacy audits for the next 20 years over charges that it "violated its own privacy promises". http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12906908 Google agrees to privacy reviews to settle Buzz complaint Google will be subject to an independent review of the privacy controls on its most popular products ? including Gmail and Street View ? every two years for the next two decades following pressure from US regulators. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/mar/30/google-privacy-reviews-buzz-ftc Google Settles With FTC Over Google Buzz Google Inc. agreed to strict privacy rules and said it would ask users before sharing their data with outsiders in a proposed settlement of government claims that it violated users' privacy at its social network, Google Buzz. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703806304576232600483636490.html Google Settles Data Privacy Complaint With FTC on ?Buzz? Social Network Google Inc. agreed to settle U.S. Federal Trade Commission claims that it used deceptive tactics and violated its own privacy policies when it introduced the Buzz social-networking service last year. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-30/google-settles-privacy-complaint-on-buzz-with-ftc-advocacy-group-says.html An update on Buzz User trust really matters to Google. That?s why we try to be clear about what data we collect and how we use it?and to give people real control over the information they share with us. For example, Google Dashboard lets you view the data that?s stored in your Google Account and manage your privacy settings for different services. With our Ads Preferences Manager, you can see and edit the data Google uses to tailor ads on our partner websites?or opt out of them entirely. And the Data Liberation Front makes it easy to move your data in and out of Google products. We also recently improved our internal privacy and security procedures. http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/update-on-buzz.html FTC Charges Deceptive Privacy Practices in Google's Rollout of Its Buzz Social Network [news release] Google Inc. has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it used deceptive tactics and violated its own privacy promises to consumers when it launched its social network, Google Buzz, in 2010. The agency alleges the practices violate the FTC Act. The proposed settlement bars the company from future privacy misrepresentations, requires it to implement a comprehensive privacy program, and calls for regular, independent privacy audits for the next 20 years. This is the first time an FTC settlement order has required a company to implement a comprehensive privacy program to protect the privacy of consumers? information. In addition, this is the first time the FTC has alleged violations of the substantive privacy requirements of the U.S.-EU Safe Harbor Framework, which provides a method for U.S. companies to transfer personal data lawfully from the European Union to the United States. http://ftc.gov/opa/2011/03/google.shtm ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Opinion: The booming business of Internet censorship Throughout most of the Middle East and North Africa, online censorship is the norm. The level of censorship varies; in Morocco, only a handful of sites relating to the Western Sahara, Google Earth, and Livejournal are deemed offencive enough to ban, while other countries ? like Bahrain, Yemen, and Syria ? filter the internet pervasively, banning political sites as well as social content. http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/03/2011329113450125509.html Middle East censors wield Western software: report [AFP] Even as Western leaders call for democratic freedom in the Middle East, software from US and Canadian firms is being wielded by censors in oppressive regimes, a report has said. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/middle-east-censors-wield-western-software-report-20110329-1ce6n.html http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/middle-east-censors-wield-western-software-report-20110329-1ce6n.html Ethical Quandary for Social Sites Two days after using Flickr to display photos of police officers from Egypt?s feared state security force, Hossam el-Hamalawy watched in disbelief as they vanished, one by one, from the popular social networking site, which he had been using since 2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/28/business/media/28social.html Facebook drops 'intifada' page for promoting violence Facebook has removed a page calling for a new Palestinian uprising against Israel after more than 350,000 people signed up to it. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12902273 Facebook Removes Page Calling for New Palestinian Intifada Against Israel Facebook Inc. said it took down a page promoting a new Palestinian intifada against Israel because it made ?direct calls for violence,? in violation of policies set forth by the social-networking site. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-29/facebook-removes-page-calling-for-new-palestinian-intifada-against-israel.html ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** EU Commission launches online gambling consultation The European Commission is reviewing online gambling laws across Europe and will use the evidence it gathers to decide whether or not new laws are needed. http://out-law.com/page-11839 Facebook Prepares to Add Friends in Washington Facebook is hoping to do something better and faster than any other technology start-up-turned-Internet superpower. Befriend Washington. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/29/technology/29facebook.html au: IIA lends tentative support to Australian cyber security czar The Internet Industry Association (IIA) has come out in support of an industry-led proposal to create a cyber security czar or ombudsman. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/381357/iia_lends_tentative_support_australian_cyber_security_czar/ Opinion: Website blocking will not solve copyright concerns Website blocking is on the agenda again, this time in relation to copyright infringement. As reported in the Guardian last week, a government-led working group ? including ministers and parties such as the BPI and Google ? is to be formed to try to find a way of blocking websites that allegedly help people download songs or films without permission, avoiding potential litigation. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/29/website-blocking-copyright-online Consumers can no longer protect themselves against security threats, says expert People solely relying on patching and upgrades are leading themselves into a false sense of security and individual protection is no longer sufficient in the age of multi-vector attacks, according to the president of the Australian Internet Industry Association. http://pcworld.co.nz/pcworld/pcw.nsf/news/consumers-can-no-longer-protect-themselves-against-security-threats-says-expert S'pore firms should welcome data protection law The country's upcoming data protection legislation will ultimately protect the marketing environment for companies here to run an "honest business", according to an industry observer. Lawyers add that the regulation has less to do with eradicating the use of data, than it is to provide clear parameters to ensure compliance and legitimate handling of data. http://www.zdnetasia.com/s-pore-firms-should-welcome-data-protection-law-62208122.htm Online retailers blast planned changes to EU rules Proposed changes to European rules on product returns could cost online retailers ?10 billion (?8 billion) a year, denting growth and leading to higher prices for consumers, an industry body warned on Thursday. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/03/30/oukin-uk-retail-online-costs-idUKTRE72T7UQ20110330 ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* InternetNZ slashes price of NetHui InternetNZ has cut the attendance price of the upcoming NetHui 2011 from $800 to $30 plus GST. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/internetnz-slashes-price-of-nethui EBay Pushes Into Amazon Turf, Web Pioneer Buys GSI, Which Handles Orders for Merchants EBay Inc., seeking to tip the balance of power in the surging Internet retail industry, is making a $2.4 billion acquisition that will intensify its rivalry with Amazon.com Inc. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704471904576228532935603752.html ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** For Vodafone in India, a Swift but Bumpy Rise When the British mobile phone giant Vodafone bought an Indian wireless company for $11 billion in 2007, the chief executive at the time, Arun Sarin, praised the new ?tremendously exciting, fast-moving market.? http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/28/business/global/28vodafone.html nz: Telecom wants break on rural broadband pricing Telecom, which is fighting to win a chunk of government funding to build a national broadband network, has asked for a break on its regulatory burden over the delivery of rural internet. http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/4822350/Telecom-wants-break-on-rural-broadband-pricing As Regulators Weigh AT&T Bid, a Look at Wireless Markets Abroad For Americans, complaining about big cellphone bills that seem to only get bigger is standard practice. But they may actually be getting a pretty good deal ? globally speaking. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/30/technology/30phone.html How global telecos can profit from India's experience As many wireless telecommunications operators around the world reach saturation points in consumer penetration, they fear hitting a growth wall. These companies face mounting competition, declining average revenue per user (ARPU) and steeply rising costs. http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/how-global-telecos-can-profitindia?s-experience_533012.html Ultra high-speed broadband is coming to Kansas City, Kansas As part of our overall goal to make the web better for users, last year we announced a new project: to provide a community with Internet access more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have today. The response was overwhelming?nearly 1,100 cities felt the need for speed?and we were thrilled by the enthusiasm we saw across the country for better and faster web connections. Thank you to every community and individual that submitted a response, joined a rally, starred in a YouTube video or otherwise participated. http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/ultra-high-speed-broadband-is-coming-to.html Verizon to install 100 gigabit network in U.S. Verizon Communications plans to upgrade segments of its U.S. Internet backbone to 100 Gigabit Ethernet by the end of the second quarter, the carrier said today. http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-20048718-76.html South Korea's bid for Blockbuster [NewsCore] A South Korean communications firm became a surprise bidder in the auction for the bankrupt Blockbuster. http://www.news.com.au/business/south-koreas-bid-for-blockbuster/story-fn7mjon9-1226028809598 ********************************** ARRESTS/COURT CASES FOR ONLINE CHILD PROTECTION ********************************** au: Paedophile caught posing as 14yo girl Police trying to rescue a victim of an alleged paedophile in Sydney's west have instead ended up arresting a 51-year-old man. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/30/3177419.htm au/uk: British man charged with sex offences with teen [AAP] A BRITISH man who befriended a 15-year-old boy in Adelaide using Facebook has been arrested and charged with sex offences after arriving from the United Kingdom. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/british-man-charged-with-sex-offences-with-teen/story-fn3dxity-1226031281337 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2011 ------ David Goldstein email: david§goldsteinreport.com web: http://goldsteinreport.com/ http://davidgoldstein.tel/ 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 Mar 30 2011 - 20:38:54 UTC
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