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 *************************************************** .FR Continues Rapid Registration Growth As Domains Get Longer http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/12/07/fr-continues-rapid-registration-growth-as-domains-get-longer/ Web-Name Expansion Could Be ?Disaster,? FTC Chairman Says http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-07/web-name-expansion-could-be-disaster-ftc-head-says-correct-.html Why is the YMCA at Senate hearings? The IP lobby of course http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/12/06/ip-lobby-ymca SOPA Could Shutter Registrars and other Domain Name Industry Intermediaries by Philip S Corwin http://internetcommerce.org/SOPA%20Concerns ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** Vint Cerf says Internet governance is a critical issue Vint Cerf, widely considered one of the inventors of the Internet, recently said that Internet governance is one of the most important issues in the high-tech world. Cerf, speaking at a Google event in California, said the Internet is a disruptive influence in most areas of people's lives and is making a lot of governments around the world nervous. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/360021/Cerf_Internet_Governance_Critical_Issue http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/409297/cerf_internet_governance_critical_issue/ A Proposal for Freedoms in Cyberspace Meets Resistance The United States and two dozen other nations called for the adoption of a declaration of freedoms in cyberspace at a European security conference here on Tuesday, but the proposal stalled in the face of opposition from Russia and countries that view the Internet as a threat to their political systems. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/07/world/europe/a-proposal-for-freedoms-in-cyberspace-meets-resistance.html Rebecca MacKinnon: Let's Take Back The Internet! In the past five months since I called on the world's Internet users to "take back the Net" at TedGlobal in Edinburgh, the issues I highlighted have grown more obvious and urgent. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/07/internet-freedom_n_1133513.html ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Beyond Words: Diverse Voices at ICANN and Miscommunications by Byron Holland A few days ago, I sat in a meeting here in Ottawa with our IT Director and Director of Marketing and Communications. These are two highly intelligent people working on the same team, for the same company, talking about a common subject. And yet, something was amiss in achieving mutual understanding. Each was seeing things from his own distinct perspective and as such, speaking his own language. As I reflected on my team's internal dynamic, I began to see parallels in areas that have an even more direct impact on the Internet ecosystem. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20111207_beyond_words_diverse_voices_at_icann_and_miscommunications/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** .FR Continues Rapid Registration Growth As Domains Get Longer AFNIC have published its 2011 Domain Name Industry Report with a wealth of statistics on the .FR ccTLD. It was quite a big year for the French ccTLD as they celebrated their 25th year with a glamorous party on the Eiffel Tower and passed the two million active domain names mark. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16487 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/12/07/fr-continues-rapid-registration-growth-as-domains-get-longer/ .Jobs foes to ICANN: Hurry up, open up, and get a spine The .Jobs Charter Compliance Coalition, a group of job boards opposed to expansion of the .jobs namespace, has sent a letter to ICANN?s CEO and Board of Directors asking it to hurry up, open up, and get a spine. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/12/07/jobs-foes-to-icann-hurry-up-open-up-and-get-a-spine/ Why NiRA Records Low dot ng Registration Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has identified low level of awareness creation as a factor militating against the ?dot ng? domain name registration in the country. http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/why-nira-records-low-dot-ng-registration/104542/ uk: another bank fraud shows why Nominet is right Another phishing attack on the customers of UK bank LloydsTSB shows why the UK's lead domain authority is right to seek strong powers and why those who oppose its plans are wrong. http://chiefofficers.net/888333888/cms/index.php/news/industries/infotech_comms/industry/internet_another_bank_fraud_shows_why_nominet_is_right Google: .XXX Will Be Treated Like Any Other Top-Level Domain A few months ago, AVN conversed with Google on the subject of how the leading search engine will treat search results for .xxx. Now that .xxx websites are set to go live en mass, we though it would be a good time to report on what Google said, even though it was essentially a non-comment saying that .xxx will be treated the same as any other domain extension. http://news.avn.com/articles/Google-XXX-Will-Be-Treated-Like-Any-Other-Top-Level-Domain-457490.html How will .xxx affect online porn? In case you hadn't heard (and why should you have), as of Tuesday you can buy a website with the suffix ".xxx", the intended home of pornography. YThe idea is that porn sites will set up on .xxx, and so all of the porn will be gathered in one place on the web, which means there won't be any left elsewhere. As the press release puts it, "the new .xxx domain functions as a responsible alternative for sites that offer adult entertainment content and related services". http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/shortcuts/2011/dec/06/how-will-xxx-affect-online-pornography Man behind XXX domains says they'll help parents protect kids After years of being debated by ICANN, .XXX was approved earlier this year and is now a reality. Approximately 100,000 XXX domains are going live on Tuesday. http://news.cnet.com/8301-19518_3-57337176-238/man-behind-xxx-domains-says-theyll-help-parents-protect-kids/ National Arbitration Forum Launches Dispute Program for .XXX Domain Names The National Arbitration Forum (FORUM), an international provider of dispute resolution services, today announced that it has launched the Rapid Evaluation Service (?RES?) on behalf of ICM Registry, operator of the new .XXX sTLD. http://www.icmregistry.com/press/national-arbitration-forum-launches-dispute-program-for-xxx-domain-names/ .xxx pornography web domain names go on general sale Web addresses ending in .xxx have gone on general sale, as legal efforts continue to scupper the domain name. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16050495 55,367 .xxx domain names registered in first 24 hours I just got an email from ICM Registry about .xxx registration results in the first 24 hours. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/12/07/55367-xxx-domain-names-registered-in-first-24-hours/ ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** Web-Name Expansion Could Be ?Disaster,? FTC Chairman Says A plan to add hundreds of Internet domain names beyond .com and .net may be a ?disaster,? U.S. Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz told a House Judiciary subcommittee. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-07/web-name-expansion-could-be-disaster-ftc-head-says-correct-.html FTC Chairman: Free-for-all on domain names could be disastrous Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz slammed a proposal to allow for hundreds of new Web domain endings at a congressional hearing on Wednesday, saying the plan has the "potential to be a disaster.? http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/197961-ftc-chairman-domain-name-plan-has-potential-to-be-a-disaster FTC Sings From Advertisers And Marketers Hymn Sheet At New gTLD Hearing Whether or not the introduction of new gTLDs suffered a setback Wednesday is yet to be seen, but the Federal Trade Commission certainly did its best as it regurgitated material from the Coalition for Responsible Internet Domain Oversight (CRIDO) and its members. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16496 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/12/08/ftc-sings-from-advertisers-and-marketers-hymn-sheet-at-new-gtld-hearing/ FTC's Leibowitz Criticizes Plan to Add Top-Level Domains The advertising industry's fight to halt or at the very least slow down the new plan for adding hundreds of domain names to the Internet is gaining traction. In an appearance before a House Judiciary subcommittee, Federal Trade Commission chairman Jon Leibowitz called ICANNs? decision to begin accepting new TLDs like .bank or .coke "a potential disaster" for consumers and businesses. http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/ftcs-leibowitz-criticizes-plan-add-top-level-domains-136975 Why is the YMCA at Senate hearings? The IP lobby of course Earlier today, we were surprised to discover that the General Counsel of the USA chapter of the YMCA was one of the witnesses at the (anti) gTLD Senate hearing that will be held on Thursday. http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/12/06/ip-lobby-ymca Q. What Unites Esther Dyson And YMCA? A. Opposition To New gTLDs A representative of the Young Men's Christian Association of the United States of America (YMCA) and Esther Dyson will appear before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation a full committee hearing on ICANN's expansion of TLDs today (Thursday). http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=16486 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/12/07/q-what-unites-esther-dyson-and-ymca-a-opposition-to-new-gtlds/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/q-what-unites-esther-dyson-and-ymca-a-opposition-to-new-gtlds.html Dyson confirmed for new gTLDs Senate hearing The US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has published the witness list for this Thursday?s hearing into ICANN?s new gTLD program. Esther Dyson, the founding chair of ICANN?s board of directors and now a fierce critic of the organization, may turn out to cause the most fireworks. http://domainincite.com/dyson-confirmed-for-new-gtlds-senate-hearing/ New TLD program has two hearings on Capitol Hill within one week ICANN and its new TLD program will be put under the microscope in Washington, D.C. twice over the next 7 days. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/12/07/new-tld-program-has-two-hearings-on-capitol-hill-within-one-week/ Former ICANN Chairman Warns Opposition to New Domain Names Could Fracture the Internet Peter Dengate-Thrush, the recent chairman of ICANN, the Internet regulatory body, warned that opposition to ICANN?s new TLDs could encourage some countries to split from the Internet. http://siliconangle.com/blog/2011/12/02/former-icann-chairman-warns-opposition-to-new-domain-names-could-fracture-the-internet/ >From .com to .brand ICANN will soon be accepting applications for the creation of new gTLDs, which will allow companies to take ownership of branded domains such as .coke or .ibm, or more generic domains such as .money or .food. The shift from a .com-centric to a .brand-centric domain architecture carries the potential to dramatically alter the online landscape and represents a transformative opportunity for brand. This paper provides an overview of the shift toward gTLDs and looks at the exciting opportunities they provide. http://www.ogilvy.com/On-Our-Minds/Articles/From-com-to-brand.aspx Think '.com' is too common? Apply for '.shop' Singapore businesses can now apply to get rid of the '.com' at the end of their Web addresses and substitute something that reflects their business like '.shop'. http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_741396.html Former ICANN CFO sues Sedari over ?100k deal Kevin Wilson, who joined new gTLD consultancy Sedari as chief financial officer earlier this year, was fired in October and is now suing the company over a ?100,000 investment deal gone bad. http://domainincite.com/former-icann-cfo-sues-sedari-over-e100k-deal/ Australian registry on track to manage .tokyo gTLD Australian registry Cloud Registry is set to operate at least one of the new TLDs, and hopes to get more of the action. http://www.itwire.com/it-industry-news/deals/51597-australian-registry-on-track-to-manage-tokyo-gtld Scramble for 'dot africa' internet domain name A proposed new ".africa" internet domain name will provide a stronger brand identity than current little known country domains, while preventing registration revenues flowing abroad, say backers. http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/07/tech/africa-domain-name/index.html ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** U.S. power grid needs cybersecurity shield - report The threat of cyberattacks on the U.S. power grid should be dealt with by a single federal agency, not the welter of groups now charged with the electric system's security, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported on Monday. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/12/05/oukin-uk-us-energy-usa-grid-idUKTRE7B42AL20111205 http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/12/05/energy-usa-grid-idINDEE7B40O120111205 us: House Democrats Skeptical of Data Sharing in Cybersecurity Bill U.S. House legislation calling for companies and the government to share data on hacker threats needs to be better defined to protect consumer privacy, Democratic lawmakers and cybersecurity specialists said. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-06/house-democrats-skeptical-of-data-sharing-in-cybersecurity-bill.html CERTs hindered by lack of sharing, says EU agency Computer emergency response teams around the globe often fall short on effective responses to cyber-threats by not sharing data about malware, according to European Union security advisory agency ENISA. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/security-threats/2011/12/07/certs-hindered-by-lack-of-sharing-says-eu-agency-40094599/ Fighting cyber threats; Plugging the gaps. New report on proactive detection of cyber security incidents to make ?digital fire-brigades? more effective [news release] The Agency today launches a report which identifies 16 shortcomings in detection of network security incidents. The report reveals that not all available tools are used widely enough by the ??digital fire-brigades??, the Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) to effectively fight cyber threats. Therefore, the Agency issues 35 recommendations to data providers, data consumers, and at EU/national levels to mitigate the shortcomings. http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/fighting-cyber-threats-plugging-the-gaps.-new-report-on-proactive-detection-of-cyber-security-incidents-to-make-201cdigital-fire-brigades201d-more-effective Enisa: Europe not prepared for Duqu European critical infrastructure is not prepared for cyber espionage attacks from information-stealing malware such as Duqu, according to EU security advisory agency Enisa. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/blogs/security-bullet-in-10000166/enisa-europe-not-prepared-for-duqu-10024953/ OpenDNS releases tool to encrypt DNS requests [IDG] OpenDNS has released a preview of a tool that will encrypt DNS (Domain Name System) requests between a person's computer and the company's lookup service, potentially blocking malicious interceptions. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9222489/OpenDNS_releases_tool_to_encrypt_DNS_requests http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/120711-opendns-releases-tool-to-encrypt-253841.html http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/245629/opendns_releases_tool_to_encrypt_dns_requests.html ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Federal Courts Order Seizure of 150 Website Domains Involved in Selling Counterfeit Goods as Part of DOJ, ICE HSI and FBI Cyber Monday Crackdown Seizure orders have been executed against 150 domain names of commercial websites engaged in the illegal sale and distribution of counterfeit goods and copyrighted works as part of Operation In Our Sites, the Department of Justice, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement?s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the ICE-led National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), and the FBI Washington Field Office announced today. http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/November/11-crm-1540.html SOPA Could Shutter Registrars and other Domain Name Industry Intermediaries by Philip S Corwin The Internet Commerce Association has just sent a letter to senior members of the House Judiciary Committee regarding the likely unintended but potentially devastating impact of H.R. 3261 ("SOPA") as introduced upon ICANN-accredited registrars and other participants in the broad domain name industry, as well as upon the domain registrants who use those services. more? http://internetcommerce.org/SOPA%20Concerns au: US Bank National Association as trustees for the First Alert Trust v. Master Distributors Unit Trust, Bradley Green - Case No. DAU2011-0031 1. The Parties: The Complainant is US Bank National Association as trustees for the First Alert Trust of Minnesota, United States of America, represented by Griffith Hack, Australia. The Respondent is Master Distributors Unit Trust, Bradley Green of Victoria, Australia. 2. The Domain Name and Registrar: The disputed domain name <firstalert.com.au> (?the Domain Name?) is registered with PlanetDomain Pty Ltd. ... 7. Decision: For all the foregoing reasons, in accordance with paragraphs 4(i) of the Policy and 15 of the Rules, the Panel orders that the Domain Name <firstalert.com.au> be transferred to the Complainant, the holder of the Australian registered trademark FIRST ALERT. http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/text.jsp?case=DAU2011-0031 au: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft v. Publishing Australia Pty Ltd, ACN 120 531 982, Mr. Nicholas Crawshay - Case No. DAU2011-0024 1. The Parties: The Complainant is Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft of Munich, Germany, represented by Davies Collison Cave, Australia. The Respondents are Publishing Australia Pty Ltd, ACN 120 531 982, Mr. Nicholas Crawshay of New South Wales, Australia, represented by Cooper Mills Lawyers, Australia (hereinafter the ?Respondent?). ... 8. Decision: For all the foregoing reasons, the Complaint is denied. http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/text.jsp?case=DAU2011-0024 ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** Power in Numbers: China Aims for High-Tech Primacy ... China already has almost twice the number of Internet users as in the United States, and Dr. Wu, a computer scientist and director of the Chinese Educational and Research Network, points out that his nation is moving more quickly than any other in the world to deploy the new protocol. ... ?China must move to IPv6,? Dr. Wu said. ?In the U.S., some people don?t believe it?s urgent, but we believe it?s urgent.? http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/06/science/china-scrambles-for-high-tech-dominance.html Borders, In Bankruptcy, Aims To Sell 65,536 IPv4 Addresses at $12/Address by Dan York With IPv4 address exhaustion upon us, it appears that the going market rate for IPv4 addresses is now $12/address. Over at the Register, Kevin Murphy reports on a bankruptcy filing from Borders seeking to sell a /16 block of to healthcare software vendor Cerner for a total of $786,432. At $12 per IPv4 address, this sets a new public record given that the previous high was Microsoft's acquisition of a block of Nortel IPv4 addresses. http://www.circleid.com/posts/201112_borders_in_bankruptcy_aims_to_sell_65536_ipv4_addresses/ ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Whois privacy. Even the Fortune 500 use it. Why do so many large companies argue against whois privacy and whois proxy services when they use the same tools themselves? http://domainnamewire.com/2011/12/06/whois-privacy-even-the-fortune-500-use-it/ ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Tim Schumacher Resigns As Sedo CEO; Moves Up to Supervisory Board Tim Schumacher, one of four co-founders of Sedo back in 2001, has announced he will be resigning as the company?s CEO and Board of Management on 31 December for ?personal reasons.? http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/12/05/tim-schumacher-resigns-as-sedo-ceo-moves-up-to-supervisory-board/ Tim Schumacher announces departure from Sedo Sedo announced today that co-founder and CEO Tim Schumacher will be stepping down from the company at the end of January. He will transition to the company?s Board of Directors. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/12/05/tim-schumacher-announces-departure-from-sedo/ ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** How Big Is the Internet Economy? South Korea for years has cultivated a reputation as a high-tech leader, bolstered by its big electronics companies and research universities and the government?s hand in building out a broadband network. Even so, tech companies and even government agencies aren?t really sure how big an impact the Internet has on the country?s economy. http://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2011/12/06/how-big-is-the-internet-economy/ Power in Numbers: China Aims for High-Tech Primacy In an otherwise nondescript conference room, Wu Jianping stands before a giant wall of frosted glass. He toggles a switch and the glass becomes transparent, looking down on an imposing network operations center full of large computer displays. They show maps of China and the world, pinpointing China?s IPv6 links, the next generation of the Internet. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/06/science/china-scrambles-for-high-tech-dominance.html Are we facing the death of email? Imagine it: a life freed from the drudgery of deleting an inbox full of "unbeatable offers" and the latest missive on paper clips from head office. Email could follow the telex into the dustbin of communication tools we have loved and discarded if Thierry Breton, CEO of the information technology services company Atos, is a guide to the future. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/are-we-facing-the-death-of-email-6273170.html Tech company wants to end 'email pollution' by 2013 How many work emails do you get a day? 80? 200? 500? More than 1,000? If you are one of the many people who feel overwhelmed by the daily deluge of unnecessary emails in your inbox, consider applying for a job at Atos. The French IT services company is hoping to become a zero email company by 2013. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/12/can-atos-origins-become-a-zero-email-company-by-2013.html nz: What we search for: rugby, love...and Pippa New Zealanders were all about their rugby, then "nek minute" Pippa Middleton, the meaning of love and planking became centre of our online attention. This year's most searched terms on Google are released today - revealing exactly what "makes Kiwis tick". http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10771468 nz: Rugby World Cup fastest-rising search term We had a general election and a Budget full of cuts, but when it came to what we wanted to know more about this year, it was all rugby. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/6096820/Rugby-World-Cup-fastest-rising-search-term Aussies more interested in iPhone than Cyclone Yasi or Japan tsunami: Google Australians were more interested in the rumoured and yet to be released Apple iPhone 5 smartphone than Cyclone Yasi in Queensland, the tsunami in Japan and the uprising in Libya, according to a Google list of the most popular searches of 2011. http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/aussies-more-interested-in-iphone-than-cyclone-yasi-or-japan-tsunami-google-20111206-1ogiu.html http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/aussies-more-interested-in-iphone-than-cyclone-yasi-or-japan-tsunami-google-20111206-1ogiu.html ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Facebook's problem: how to make money without annoying people Facebook still doesn't know how to make money. That was the main conclusion to be drawn from last night's BBC presentation Mark Zuckerberg: Inside Facebook. When it overcame its excitement at being granted an interview with the founder, the programme offered a few choice insights into how Facebook is still miles away from solving the puzzle of how to generate substantial advertising income without enraging punters who thought they were signing up for a cuddly website free of vulgar commercial messages. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2011/dec/05/facebook-making-money-annoying-people Facebook fixes bug that can let adults view childrens' private photos Facebook has scrambled to shut down a security hole that let anyone view photos marked as "private" ? and which has apparently been used by adults to view pictures of underage users without their knowledge. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/dec/07/facebook-security-flaw-zuckerberg-photographs Facebook bug sees Zuckerberg pictures posted online A series of private pictures of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg have been posted online by "hackers" to highlight a bug in the social network. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16067383 Opinion: Unfriendly fire: pitfalls of posts on Facebook Fair Work Australia recently upheld the sacking of an employee who posted an offensive anti-work rant on his Facebook page. Frustrated by problems sorting out his pay, the Good Guys employee posted that he "wonders how the f--k work can be so f--king useless and mess up my pay again. C--ts are going down tomorrow." http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/unfriendly-fire-pitfalls-of-posts-on-facebook-20111206-1oh5m.html Twitter's top 2011 hashtags: #egypt and #tigerblood The most popular hashtags of 2011 have been revealed, illustrating how Twitter spans diverse topics from politics to celebrity gossip. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16047918 nz: Twitter spoofs under spotlight Act leader Don Brash has been the butt of thousands of satirical tweets made under his name, but doesn't want or expect the Law Commission to take a hard line on such spoofs, when it releases its review of new media regulation next week. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10771469 NZ govt social media policy best in the world, Gartner A common sense approach has put the New Zealand government?s social media policy in high regard with IT research company, Gartner. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/nz-govt-social-media-policy-best-in-the-world-gartner nz: Twitter spoofs under spotlight Act leader Don Brash has been the butt of thousands of satirical tweets made under his name, but doesn't want or expect the Law Commission to take a hard line on such spoofs, when it releases its review of new media regulation next week. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/web-2-0/news/article.cfm?c_id=363&objectid=10771469 Facebook flaw lets you view someone's private photos A hole in Facebook's account-reporting process potentially lets any user sneak a peek at someone else's private photos. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57337520-93/facebook-flaw-lets-you-view-someones-private-photos/ ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** How The "Internet Of Things" Is Turning Cities Into Living Organisms When city services can autonomously go online and digest information from the cloud, they can reach a level of performance never before seen. First up, water systems that automatically know when it will rain and react accordingly. http://www.fastcompany.com/biomimicry/how-the-internet-of-things-is-turning-cities-into-organisms ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* Spam texts 'concern or distress nine out of 10 people' Nine out of 10 Britons are "concerned or distressed" about receiving unsolicited text messages offering bogus compensation schemes, according to a survey by the information commissioner. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/dec/08/spam-texts Child "sexters" uncommon - U.S. study Sexually explicit material isn't as widespread on kids' cell phones as some surveys have suggested, researchers have found. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/12/05/oukin-uk-sexting-idUKTRE7B41JB20111205 us: Nude teen sexting less common than thought - report Teen sexting of nude photos online or via cellphone may be far less common than people think, new research suggests. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10771229 nz: Do video games make children violent? OPINION: I confess, I was one of the zillions of well-intentioned mothers who would never allow her sons to wield toy guns. Yet faced with their passion for gun play and research suggesting this was normal, I eventually surrendered. Soon enough, the sounds of ''POW POW'' began to feel normal, innocent even. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/games/6099522/Do-video-games-make-children-violent at: Tips for parents in dealing with apps Smartphones are enjoying increasing popularity, but not only with adults: children are also discovering the many advantages of the devices and may easily fall for particular apps. Apps are small programs that can be downloaded from the internet to a smartphone and used there. But how do you make sense of apps on your smartphone?and what deserves your particular attention as a parent? http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_pos=2&p_p_col_count=4&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=282473 EU conference speaks up for kid's online rights ?Building a child-friendly Europe: Turning a vision into reality? - this was the objective the Council of Europe discussed with its partners at a conference in Monaco in late November 2011. Chaired by Princess Caroline of Hanover, around 200 representatives from governments and civil organisations debated topics such as justice, migration and violence against children. One special focus this year was on children and new media. http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_pos=2&p_p_col_count=4&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=278361 au: Vodafone confirms it will use Interpol filter Vodafone has confirmed that it will implement the Interpol filter of child-porn sites, and is preparing the necessary infrastructure to have it go live next year. http://www.zdnet.com.au/vodafone-confirms-it-will-use-interpol-filter-339327504.htm ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Online piracy: A cyber gangplank sought In emerging markets, where profitable online business models take time to develop, big companies are still exposed to lose billions in revenues http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/72389f18-1a7d-11e1-ae4e-00144feabdc0.html Swiss government: file-sharing no big deal, some downloading still OK A new report by the Swiss government argues that unauthorized file sharing is not a significant problem, and that existing Swiss law?which allows for downloading copyrighted content for personal use?is sufficient to protect copyright holders. It considers and rejects three proposed changes: a French-style "three strikes" law, Internet filtering, and a mandatory collective licensing regime that would impose a fee on all Internet users that allowed unlimited file-sharing. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2011/12/swiss-government-file-sharing-no-big-deal-some-downloading-still-ok.ars au: ISPs at Hollywood's mercy, telecommunication alliance says Hollywood will be able to speak softly to internet users but hold the big stick of disconnection if its legal bid to hold ISPs liable for online piracy succeeds, the High Court was told last week. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/isps-at-hollywoods-mercy-telecommunication-alliance-says/story-e6frgakx-1226214558095 ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Apple Takes a Blow In Fight With Samsung Apple's patent battle with Samsung isn't over yet. But momentum is now on the side of the South Korean electronics giant. The fight erupted this spring after Apple alleged Samsung's Galaxy smartphones and tablets infringed its patents. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204770404577077541036089040.html NZ climbs up mobile internet rankings Greater market competition and availability of cheaper smartphones has helped push New Zealand up mobile broadband rankings, says an analyst. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10771146 NZ ranked 12th highest subscribers of mobile broadband New Zealand has moved up four places to occupy the 12th place in the highest adoption of mobile broadband in the OECD, according to a report by the OECD Directorate for Science, Technology, and Industry. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/nz-ranked-12th-highest-subscribers-of-mobile-broadband Google's Android racks up its 10 billionth app download More than 10 billion apps have been downloaded from Google's Android Market. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16054945 Android Market Now on Pace With Apple at More Than 1 Billion Downloads a Month A new and important milestone for Google?s Android mobile operating system. Some 10 billion applications have been downloaded from the Android Market to date. An impressive number and one that?s growing at a rapid pace. It took about 20 months for the Android Market to serve up it first billion apps and just five more for the second billion. http://allthingsd.com/20111206/android-market-now-on-pace-with-apple-at-more-than-1-billion-downloads-a-month/ ********************** SPAM ********************** Symantec Says Spam Levels Fall to Lowest in Three Years [IDG] Global spam fell to the lowest level in three years in a sign that spammers may be getting a better rate of return by hitting social-media websites instead, according to the latest figures on Tuesday from Symantec. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/245568/symantec_says_spam_levels_fall_to_lowest_in_three_years.html Spam sinks to lowest level in almost three years, says Symantec The rate of spam across the world has hit close to a three-year low and now encompasses just 70 percent of all e-mails, according to Symantec's November Intelligence Report. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57338317-83/spam-sinks-to-lowest-level-in-almost-three-years-says-symantec/ Symantec Announces November 2011 Symantec Intelligence Report: Number of daily targeted attacks increase four-fold since January; lowest global spam rate for three years [news release] Symantec Corp. announced the results of the November 2011 Symantec Intelligence Report. This month?s analysis reveals that the number of daily targeted attacks has increased four-fold compared to January this year. On average 94 targeted attacks were blocked each day during the month of November. http://www.symantec.com/about/news/release/article.jsp?prid=20111206_01 Yahoo awarded $610 million in spam case [IDG] Yahoo has won a lawsuit against spammers, a legal victory that also includes a default judgment of US$610 million. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/409638/yahoo_awarded_610_million_spam_case/ http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/120711-yahoo-awarded-610-million-in-253860.html ********************** ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL ********************** Facilitating website piracy can lead ad networks to be liable for infringement, US court says Advertising networks can be found liable for contributing to copyright infringement on websites if they facilitate that infringement, a US court has suggested. It ruled that the ad network in question was not liable, but suggested that others could be in other situations. http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/december/facilitating-website-piracy-can-lead-ad-networks-to-be-liable-for-infringement-us-court-says/ au: Watchdog eyes lonely hearts scammers The competition watchdog and online dating industry will crack down on fraudsters exploiting lonely hearts next year, after more than 1600 Australians reported losing $17 million in the online search for romance this year, up from $15 million last year. http://www.theage.com.au/business/watchdog-eyes-lonely-hearts-scammers-20111205-1oe9a.html http://www.smh.com.au/business/watchdog-eyes-lonely-hearts-scammers-20111205-1oe9a.html au: Call for comment on draft guidelines for dating websites [news release] The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is calling on the online dating and romance industry to comment on draft guidelines to combat scams in the industry. http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1020326/fromItemId/142 ********************** SECURITY ********************** U.S. power grid needs cybersecurity shield - report The threat of cyberattacks on the U.S. power grid should be dealt with by a single federal agency, not the welter of groups now charged with the electric system's security, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported on Monday. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/12/05/oukin-uk-us-energy-usa-grid-idUKTRE7B42AL20111205 http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/12/05/energy-usa-grid-idINDEE7B40O120111205 us: House Democrats Skeptical of Data Sharing in Cybersecurity Bill U.S. House legislation calling for companies and the government to share data on hacker threats needs to be better defined to protect consumer privacy, Democratic lawmakers and cybersecurity specialists said. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-06/house-democrats-skeptical-of-data-sharing-in-cybersecurity-bill.html CERTs hindered by lack of sharing, says EU agency Computer emergency response teams around the globe often fall short on effective responses to cyber-threats by not sharing data about malware, according to European Union security advisory agency ENISA. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/security-threats/2011/12/07/certs-hindered-by-lack-of-sharing-says-eu-agency-40094599/ Fighting cyber threats; Plugging the gaps. New report on proactive detection of cyber security incidents to make ?digital fire-brigades? more effective [news release] The Agency today launches a report which identifies 16 shortcomings in detection of network security incidents. The report reveals that not all available tools are used widely enough by the ??digital fire-brigades??, the Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) to effectively fight cyber threats. Therefore, the Agency issues 35 recommendations to data providers, data consumers, and at EU/national levels to mitigate the shortcomings. http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/fighting-cyber-threats-plugging-the-gaps.-new-report-on-proactive-detection-of-cyber-security-incidents-to-make-201cdigital-fire-brigades201d-more-effective Enisa: Europe not prepared for Duqu European critical infrastructure is not prepared for cyber espionage attacks from information-stealing malware such as Duqu, according to EU security advisory agency Enisa. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/blogs/security-bullet-in-10000166/enisa-europe-not-prepared-for-duqu-10024953/ ********************** PRIVACY ********************** Facebook privacy a concern: Asia-Pacific survey Contrary to popular perceptions, people do care about privacy on social networking sites, a regional survey by the Asia-Pacific Privacy Authorities forum has found. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/facebook-privacy-a-concern-survey/story-e6frgakx-1226216565780 The Cyber Security Industrial Complex - Documents point to a huge industry that provides online surveillance tools to governments and police agencies. A claim by Wikileaks that documents it released last week provide evidence of a "secret new industry" of mass surveillance was as breathless as previous pronouncements from Julian Assange's organization. But the material does provide a stark reminder that our online activities are easily snooped upon, and suggests that governments or police around the world can easily go shopping for tools to capture whatever information they want from us. http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/39250/ us: New cyber info-sharing measure gets nod from privacy proponents A House Homeland Security Committee draft bill that would create a nonprofit entity to share information on cyber threats has gained favor with some privacy advocates who are concerned that a competing bill already passed by the House Intelligence Committee will feed personal information to the government. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20111206_5033.php ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** 'Offensive' Web Content Targeted in Asia Two of Asia's largest democracies, India and South Korea, are trying to beef up monitoring of the Internet and social-networking sites as they try to reconcile the demands of free speech with government interest in policing potentially offensive content. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204770404577082080244171866.html India Asks Google, Facebook to Screen User Content The Indian government has asked Internet companies and social media sites like Facebook to prescreen user content from India and to remove disparaging, inflammatory or defamatory content before it goes online, three executives in the information technology industry say. http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/05/india-asks-google-facebook-others-to-screen-user-content/ India to ban offensive Facebook material [AFP] India has vowed to ban offensive material from the internet after Facebook, Google and other major firms told the government they were unable to screen content before it was posted. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-07/india-to-ban-offensive-facebook-material/3716310 Facebook and Google asked to screen content by India The Indian government has told social networking giants Facebook, Google, Yahoo and Microsoft to remove material that might "offend Indian sensibilities", unleashing a storm of criticism from internet users in the world's largest democracy. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/06/facebook-google-screen-content-india Facebook says recognises India's concerns on abusive content Social networking website Facebook said on Tuesday it recognises Indian government's interest in minimising the amount of abusive content online, and it will remove any content violating its terms. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/12/06/oukin-uk-india-internet-idUKTRE7B50C620111206 Online Uproar as India Seeks Social Media Screening India has urged social network companies including Facebook, Twitter and Google to remove offensive material, unleashing a storm of criticism from Internet users complaining of censorship in the world's largest democracy. http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2011/12/06/world/asia/life-us-india-internet.html China cracks down on microblogging rumours that are 'worse than cocaine' Online rumours are drugs that damage users and harm society, the Chinese state media have claimed, as officials step up attempts to rein in the country's hugely popular microblogs. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/06/china-cracks-down-microblogging-rumours ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** Google Chairman Gets a Chance to Make His Case in Europe Eric E. Schmidt, the executive chairman of Google, is expected to meet early this week with Europe?s top antitrust enforcer in what could be one of the company?s last chances to avoid years of further investigation, huge fines, and requirements to change the way it runs parts of its business. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/05/technology/google-chairman-gets-a-chance-to-make-his-case.html Google antitrust inquiry: Eric Schmidt meets Europe's competition chief Google's chairman, Eric Schmidt, has met Europe's competition commissioner amid signs that the search giant will be accused of abusing its dominant position in the market. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/dec/05/google-antitrust-inquiry-eric-schmidt Google's Schmidt meets EU antitrust regulator amid objection rumors [IDG] Google's Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt met with the European Union's antitrust commissioner on Monday amid rumors that the Internet search giant will be hit with major objections by the European Commission early next year. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/120511-googles-schmidt-meets-eu-antitrust-253753.html E.U. Investigating Possible Cartel in E-Book Market The European antitrust authority said Tuesday that it was investigating possible collusion between Apple and five major publishing houses in the growing market for electronic books. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/07/technology/eu-investigates-possible-cartel-in-e-book-market.html Apple facing EU probe into collusion with five major publishers over price of e-books Consumers could be paying more for their favourite novels because of collusion between Apple and major publishers over the price of e-books, it has emerged. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/8938131/Apple-facing-EU-probe-into-collusion-with-five-major-publishers-over-price-of-e-books.html Apple and publishers subject of competition investigation into sale of e-books The European Commission is investigating whether Apple helped five international publishers agree anti-competitive measues affecting the sale of electronic books (e-books) within the European Economic Area (EEA). http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/december/apple-and-publishers-subject-of-competition-investigation-into-sale-of-e-books/ us: Leahy Calls On Critics To Offer Legislation Instead Of 'Talking Points' Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., on Tuesday urged critics of his bill targeting foreign websites that offer pirated content or counterfeit products to propose legislative language on alternative ways to address the problem. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2011/12/leahy-calls-on-critics-to-offe.php NZ may beat US to cloud code of practice New Zealand could be leading most of the world in the evolution of a code of practice for cloud computing. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/nz-may-beat-us-to-cloud-code-of-practice nz: FORUM: ICT minister?s workload Who will be the next ICT minister? And what difference can he or she make to the industry now that the big telco infrastructure contracts have been decided? Looking ahead to the next three years, here are six issues that need attention. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/forum-ict-ministers-workload ********************** MISCELLANEOUS ********************** 'Yahoo hasn't done anything in the past 10 years to set the internet alight' Why would anyone want to buy Yahoo? Such was the question posed by one of my Twitter followers as Thursday's bid (from private equity groups Blackstone and Bain) crossed the wires. "It's a zombie company," he said. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/dec/04/yahoo-search-engine-demise-internet The Rise of Google, the Ascent of Facebook and the Decline of Everyone Else If you pay the slightest bit of attention to Internet advertising, you know this. But it?s always good to see it spelled out: Look how ginormous Google is! http://allthingsd.com/20111205/the-rise-of-google-the-ascent-of-facebook-and-the-decline-of-everyone-else/ InternetNZ to host second NetHui Internet users and IT industry representatives will have another chance to get together next year, with advocacy group InternetNZ announcing it will host a second NetHui conference. http://www.techday.co.nz/netguide/news/internetnz-to-host-second-nethui/21687/7/ ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** African telecoms bet big on next-generation LTE Africa-focused telecom companies are betting that next generation long-term evolution (LTE) technology will drive broadband penetration in the world's least developed and fastest growing internet market. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/12/05/africa-telecoms-idUKL5E7ML08920111205 nz: TelstraClear admits some business customers vulnerable during all-you-can-eat promo TelstraClear says there is no need for compo following its limitless data weekend. http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/no-need-compo-after-limitless-weekend-go-slow-telstraclear-ck-105864 nz: TelstraClear limitless weekend degraded speed 40% to 64% - TrueNet TelstraClear?s unmetered broadband weekend can be counted a success after customers took advantage in a frenzy of up and downloading, the company saidthis afternoon. http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/telstraclear-limitless-weekend-degraded-speed-40-64-truenet-ck-105925 InternetNZ labels TelstraClear promo ?disastrous? TelstraClear is calling its meter-free weekend a success, despite a string of complaints on Twitter and other online forums, and a grilling from the CEO of a prominent internet user group http://www.techday.co.nz/gameconsole/news/internetnz-labels-telstraclear-promo-disastro/21652/2/ uk: HMRC tax deal with Vodafone 'may have been illegal' A highly controversial tax deal which cost the public purse billions may have been illegal, according to allegations being examined by a powerful parliamentary committee. http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/dec/06/hmrc-tax-deal-vodafone +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2011 --------- David Goldstein email: goldstein_david at 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 Thu Dec 08 2011 - 02:05:28 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.0 : Sat Sep 09 2017 - 22:00:11 UTC