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The domain name news is supported by auDA

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Global Domain Name Registrations Surpass Quarter Billion: Verisign
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/04/08/global-registrations-surpass-quarter-billion/>

Coming Soon: A Truly Chinese Internet
<http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2013/04/10/coming-soon-a-truly-chinese-internet/>

ICANN to GAC: Agreement in Principle Reached on New RAA
<http://internetcommerce.org/ICANN_New_RAA>

GAC threat looms over ICANN Beijing
<http://domainincite.com/12600-gac-threat-looms-over-icann-beijing>

New gTLD program waiting on the world's governments
<http://news.dot-nxt.com/2013/04/08/new-gtld-program-waiting-world>

Google Does The Right Thing Opening Several Closed Generic Applications
<http://www.internetnews.me/2013/04/10/google-does-the-right-thing-opening-several-closed-generic-applications/>

Google wants to turn .search into a top-level domain that any search service can use
<http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/10/4210644/google-wants-to-turn-search-into-a-top-level-domain-that-any-search>

Plural gTLDs give ICANN huge credibility risk
<http://domainincite.com/12648-plural-gtlds-give-icann-huge-credibility-risk>

ICANN headed for GAC fight over IGO pleading
<http://domainincite.com/12637-icann-headed-for-gac-fight-over-igo-pleading>


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 - ICANN
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ICANN Signs Affirmations of Intent with CNNIC, Neustar and Nominet for EBERO Services
On 8 April, ICANN President and CEO Fadi Chehad? signed affirmations of intent with China Internet Network Information Center, Neustar, Inc., and Nominet for the provision of emergency back-end registry operation, or EBERO, services for new gTLDs.
<http://blog.icann.org/2013/04/ebero-services/>

The New and Improved Customer Portal
Working with ICANN is about to get a little easier! We are making every effort to leverage a robust, industry-standard software platform to support our push for continuous improvement in internal operations. In order to achieve this, we will be implementing a new and improved self-service customer portal, based on the trusted Salesforce.com platform. Starting Tuesday, April 16, 2013 (UTC), you will be able to electronically submit cases and receive real-time updates on the status of these cases.
<http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/announcements-and-media/announcement-08apr13-en>

Talking About the Middle East in Beijing by Baher Esmat
Even though we?re gathered this week in the Asia Pacific, we are continuing our work on the three-year Middle East engagement strategy over the past three months.
<http://blog.icann.org/2013/04/talking-about-the-middle-east-in-beijing/>

ICANN Picks New Head For Communications Team [news release]
ICANN today announced that Duncan Burns has been named as the organisation?s Vice President of Global Communications.
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/04/10/icann-new-communications-head/>
<http://www.domainnews.com/en/icann-picks-new-head-for-communications-team.html>

Interview with Yrj? L?nsipuro: Are you passionate about Internet governance?
Yrj? L?nsipuro sat down with ICANN's Brad White for a short video interview during ICANN 46 in Beijing to talk about what NomCom does and the attributes we are looking for in candidates.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEjh0hSF5kg>

ICANN's NomCom 2-Stage (R)evolution by St?phane Van Gelder
ICANN's Nominating Committee (NomCom) is both a strange animal and a precious resource. Having a committee charged with first recruiting, then selecting suitable candidates to hold key positions within ICANN is something that is often little, or even mis, understood. Within the ICANN community itself. By the very nature of its recruitment role, the NomCom has to remain secretive. About who the candidates are, at any rate. But that doesn't mean the rest of the NomCom's processes must remain so.
<http://www.circleid.com/posts/20130409_icanns_nomcom_2_stage_revolution/>

Evolving ICANN Carries Great Promise for Internet Users by Tom Galvin
The headlines out of ICANN's meeting in Beijing may be all about new domains, but it is the quiet, systemic evolution of ICANN itself that holds the greatest promise for Internet users globally. ICANN President Fadi Chehad? opened the meeting by announcing that it was ICANN's "season to evolve," and setting forth a series of programs, restructuring efforts and policy initiatives intended to make ICANN more responsive to the needs of its stakeholders, and by extension, to the needs of all Internet users, everywhere in the world.
<http://www.circleid.com/posts/20130408_evolving_icann_carries_great_promise_for_internet_users/>

ICANN's Empire Spreads To China With "Global Engagement Office"
It may have closed down offices such as in Sydney in somewhat controversial circumstances, but that hasn't stopped ICANN spreading its wings. At the ICANN meeting currently underway in Beijing, China, the President and CEO Fadi Chehad? announced the organisation will open its first new global engagement office in Beijing.
<http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=20069>
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/04/08/icanns-china-global-engagement-office/>
<http://www.domainnews.com/en/icanns-empire-spreads-to-china-with-qglobal-engagement-officeq.html>

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 - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS
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Global Domain Name Registrations Surpass Quarter Billion: Verisign
Total global domain name registrations passed the quarter billion mark in the final quarter of 2012, reaching 252 million, an increase of 26.6 million or 11.8 percent for the year, according to the latest Verisign Domain Name Industry Brief. For the fourth quarter, registrations grew by 6.1 million or 2.5 percent.
<http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=20070>
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/04/08/global-registrations-surpass-quarter-billion/>
<http://www.domainnews.com/en/global-domain-name-registrations-surpass-quarter-billion-verisign-report.html>

VeriSign Domain Industry Brief Finds 6 Million Domains Added in Q4 2012
More than six million domain names were added to the Internet in the fourth quarter of 2012, according to the latest VeriSign Domain Industry Brief, increasing by 2.5 percent over Q3 2012.
<http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/verisign-domain-industry-brief-finds-6-million-domains-added-in-q4-2012>

Internet Grows to More Than 252 Million Domain Names in the Fourth Quarter of 2012
VeriSign, Inc. ... announced more than six million domain names were added to the Internet in the fourth quarter of 2012, bringing the total number of registered domain names to more than 252 million worldwide across all TLDs as of Dec. 31, 2012, according to the latest Domain Name Industry Brief.
<http://www.verisigninc.com/en_US/news-events/press-room/articles/index.xhtml?artLink=aHR0cDovL2ZlZWRzLm13bmV3c3Jvb20uY29tL2FydGljbGUvcnNzP2lkPTE3MDYwNjg%3D>

Mali becomes first African country to give away domain for free
Its domain currently ranks 177th in the world, less than half of the country has mobile phone coverage, and only 4% of the population are online. But Mali could be set to become one of the world's most popular internet destinations after it became the first African country to give its domain away for free.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/08/mali-first-african-country-free-domain>

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 - NEW TLDS
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Coming Soon: A Truly Chinese Internet
Replete with its own thriving news portals, social media and gaming sites, the Chinese Internet could take a major step toward becoming fully Chinese by the end of the year.
<http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2013/04/10/coming-soon-a-truly-chinese-internet/>

ICANN Says It Will Allow Chinese Top-Level Domain Names This Year, Followed By Other Languages
The president of ICANN Fady Chehade told the Wall Street Journal that the organization will launch Chinese character options for TLDs in the second half of this year.
<http://techcrunch.com/2013/04/10/icann-says-it-will-allow-chinese-top-level-domain-names-this-year-followed-by-other-languages/>

ICANN to GAC: Agreement in Principle Reached on New RAA
On the afternoon of Tuesday, April 9th, during ICANN?s 46th Public Meeting currently taking place in Beijing, China, ICANN CEO Fadi Chehade announced that, following 20 months of negotiations, ?agreement in principle? had been reached on a new version of the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) to be put into effect immediately for all new and incumbent registrars that wish to sell domain registrations in new gTLDs ? and that will eventually be put in place with all other registrars as their current agreements expire.
<http://internetcommerce.org/ICANN_New_RAA>

Registries still angry despite ICANN concessions on new gTLD contract
Domain name companies are coming close to agreement with ICANN on two critical new contracts, but there was still substantial skepticism and anger on display in Beijing yesterday.
<http://domainincite.com/12609-registries-still-angry-despite-icann-concessions-on-new-gtld-contract>

GAC threat looms over ICANN Beijing
How the Governmental Advisory Committee handles its advice on new gTLD applications seems to be a big worry at the ICANN public meeting in Beijing this week.
<http://domainincite.com/12600-gac-threat-looms-over-icann-beijing>

New gTLD program waiting on the world's governments
The five-year process for adding over 1,000 new extensions to the Internet is currently waiting on a final set of recommendations from the world's governments.
<http://news.dot-nxt.com/2013/04/08/new-gtld-program-waiting-world>

Google Does The Right Thing Opening Several Closed Generic Applications
Over the last few months one of the areas of attention in the new TLD project has been ?closed generics?. I?ve written about this several times in the past and I?ve also raised the issue in as many fora as possible.
<http://www.internetnews.me/2013/04/10/google-does-the-right-thing-opening-several-closed-generic-applications/>

Google wants to turn .search into a top-level domain that any search service can use
Some of Google's competitors have objected to its request for several TLDs ? including ".search" ? but the company has clarified plans that would open up the use of those domains to other companies and services.
<http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/10/4210644/google-wants-to-turn-search-into-a-top-level-domain-that-any-search>

Plural gTLDs give ICANN huge credibility risk
Can .pet and .pets co-exist peacefully on the internet? Or would they create such confusion among internet users that the whole new gTLD program would look irresponsible and foolish?
<http://domainincite.com/12648-plural-gtlds-give-icann-huge-credibility-risk>

ICANN headed for GAC fight over IGO pleading
ICANN may be heading for a bust-up with its Governmental Advisory Committee over the issue of a special domain name block-list for intergovernmental organizations.
<http://domainincite.com/12637-icann-headed-for-gac-fight-over-igo-pleading>

Latin American Countries Reject .Amazon & .Patagonia
While the ICANN 46 meeting in Beijing was warming up on the other side of the globe the ?Cuarta Conferencia Ministerial sobre la Sociedad de la Informaci?n de Am?rica Latina y el Caribe? (4th ministerial conference on information society of Latin America and Caribbean) was taking place in Montevideo.
<http://www.internetnews.me/2013/04/07/latin-american-countries-reject-amazon-patagonia/>

European Hotel Association Files Objections Against .Hotel Applications
HOTREC, the European association of hotels, restaurants and cafes has filed four community objections with the ICC. They?re concerned about several of the ?closed generic? applications for .hotel and derivatives of the string.
<http://www.internetnews.me/2013/04/04/european-hotel-association-files-objections-against-hotel-applications/>

Google U-turns on exclusive snatch of .app AND .search addys
Google has been forced to abandon its bid to grab exclusive use of the web address extensions .app, .blog, .search and .cloud - after it was warned the move was anti-competitive.
<http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/04/09/google_rejigs_dot_app_gtld/>

GAC Is Concerned About Plural & Singular Generic New gTLD?s
The Government Advisory Council (GAC) has an open meeting with the ICANN Board late yesterday afternoon in Beijing and shared some of its concerns with the Board.
<http://www.thedomains.com/2013/04/09/gac-is-concerned-about-plural-singular-generic-new-gtlds/>

Donuts Announces Additional Funding In Quest To Launch gTLDs
Donuts announced they have secured an undisclosed amount of additional funding, on top of the $100 million in financing that was announced last June, in their quest to launch squillions of new gTLDs. OK, not quite ? they only applied for 307 gTLDs!
<http://www.domainpulse.com/2013/04/09/donuts-additional-funding/>
<http://www.domainnews.com/en/donuts-announces-additional-funding-in-quest-to-launch-gtlds.html>

Donuts ?almost doubles? $100m funding for new gTLD auctions
Portfolio applicant Donuts, which is involved in 307 applications, has just announced a second funding round, greatly increasing its new gTLD contention set war-chest.
<http://domainincite.com/12624-donuts-gets-another-100-million-funding>

New TLD applicants want you to know they have lots of cash for auctions...
Last night when I received Donuts? press release about a follow on investment I had to re-read it a few times.
<http://domainnamewire.com/2013/04/09/new-tld-applicants-want-you-to-know-they-have-lots-of-cash-for-auctions/>

New domain name suffixes could lead to buying frenzy
The release of .blog, .web, .sport and other brand new internet domain names later this year may spur an online "land rush."
<http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2013/04/07/bc-internet-top-level-domain-expansion.html>

ICANN: All New gTLD Initial Evaluations Should Be Completed By End Of August
ICANN now says they will be done with the Initial Evaluation for new all new gTLD applications by the end of August 2013
<http://www.thedomains.com/2013/04/08/icann-all-new-gtld-initial-evaluations-should-be-completed-by-end-of-august/>

Google Lays Out Plans For A ?Dotless .Search? New gTLD
In a letter to ICANN today Google laid out its plan on how it plans on operating 4 new gTLD that it applied for as a closed Registry with the most interesting being plans for .Search which is plans on operating ?a redirect service on the ?dotless? .search domain.
<http://www.thedomains.com/2013/04/09/google-lays-out-plans-for-a-dotless-search-new-gtld/>

New gTLD Trademark Clearing House By The Numbers: 323 TM Holders, 450 TM: $15K To Be An AgentAdd it to my favorites
There are some interesting numbers coming out of the Trademark Clearing House (TMCH) Session at the ICANN meeting today.
<http://www.thedomains.com/2013/04/10/new-gtld-trademark-clearing-house-by-the-numbers/>

2 More Objections Hit The ICC: .Rugby & .Insurance
A couple of more objection have hit the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) site today as part of ICANN new gTLD program
<http://www.thedomains.com/2013/04/10/2-more-objections-hit-the-icc-rugby-insurance/>

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 - DNS SECURITY
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UK to host global cybersecurity centre
Foreign Secretary William Hague has announced that a global centre for cybersecurity will be opened at the University of Oxford.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22078755>

Obama budget makes cybersecurity a growing U.S. priority
President Barack Obama proposed on Wednesday increased spending to protect U.S. computer networks from Internet-based attacks in a sign that the government aims to put more resources into the emerging global cyber arms race.
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/04/11/uk-usa-fiscal-cybersecurity-idUKBRE93913U20130411>
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/04/11/usa-fiscal-cybersecurity-idINDEE9390FY20130411>

U.S. business groups worried by cybersecurity law aimed at China
The U.S.-China Business Council on Monday criticized a new U.S. law aimed at thwarting cyber attacks by discouraging the Justice Department and several other government agencies from buying information technology systems from China.
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/04/08/usa-china-cyber-security-idINDEE9370E420130408>

France gets crack team of civilian cyberdefenders (who won't get to do much)
The French ministry of defense launched a "network of cyberdefence reservists" to help the country cope with online threats. But is the group more of a talking shop than actual defence force?
<http://www.zdnet.com/france-gets-crack-team-of-civilian-cyberdefenders-who-wont-get-to-do-much-7000013596/>

South Korea blames North for bank and TV cyber-attacks
South Korea has accused North Korean spies of masterminding a series of high-profile cyber-attacks last month.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22092051>

South Korea tightens online transaction security
New measures being rolled out include stepping up payment authentication for online game sites and mobile payment services, and a dedicated app store for financial services to prevent downloads of phishing malware.
<http://www.zdnet.com/south-korea-tightens-online-transaction-security-7000013708/>

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 - DOMAIN DISPUTES
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Canadian court orders company pay costs over wrongful domain claim
A Canadian court has ordered Micys Company pay $4,512.45 to George Kirikos?(Leap of Faith Financial Services Inc stemming from a UDRP it filed against the domain name Pupa.com.
<http://domainnamewire.com/2013/04/08/canadian-court-orders-company-pay-costs-over-wrongful-domain-claim/>

CitizenHawk sued after sending two cease & desist letters
A San Diego man has sued typosquatting recovery firm CitizenHawk after receiving two cease & desist letters.
<http://domainnamewire.com/2013/04/10/citizenhawk-sued-after-sending-two-cease-desist-letters/>

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 - MISCELLANEOUS
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Afilias Joins Internet Infrastructure Coalition
The Internet Infrastructure Coalition (i2Coalition), a group of global Internet infrastructure providers and technology firms who support the growth of the Internet, today introduced Afilias as its newest member.
<http://i2coalition.com/afilias-joins-internet-infrastructure-coalition/>
<http://afilias.info/news/2013/04/08/afilias-joins-internet-infrastructure-coalition>

Blurb names Charles Davies as managing director for Europe
Global creative publishing platform Blurb has confirmed former Yahoo! consumer marketing director EMEA Charles Davies has been appointed as its new managing director for Europe. ... Prior to joining Yahoo! Davies spent his early career working with Internet Services Provider, Group NBT, as well as Spanish fast-food franchise Xanacuk.
<http://www.thedrum.com/news/2013/04/08/blurb-names-charles-davies-managing-director-europe>

Why Brandroot.com's Michael Rader is Banking on Brandable Domains
Generic domains tend to get most of the attention in this business. People naturally like category defining keyword domains like cars.com, insurance.com, computers.com, etc. because people searching for products or services frequently type in what they are looking for and add .com at the end. So when you base a business on a relevant generic word or term, odds are you are going to get a steady flow of traffic to your enterprise.
<http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2013/dailyposts/20130409.htm>

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 - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET
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Big Week for Domain Sales with 2 of Year's 10 Biggest Deals + 2013's Top ccTLD Sale and a Top 5 Non .Com gTLD Sale
What a difference a week makes. Last week I was telling you it was the slowest week of the year for reported domain sales (though there were a lot of solid sales subject to NDAs). This week produced a 180 degree turnaround as we saw two of the year's 10 biggest sales reported, both .coms, as well as the year's biggest country code sale and one of the five biggest non .com gTLD sales. All told we had 53 five-figure or higher sales reported, enough to fill up two Top 20 charts and still have more than a dozen names left over.
<http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2013/20130410.htm>

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INTERNET USE
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us: Online Habits Coming Slowly to Older Adults
Older adults hit a digital milestone last year: For the first time since the Pew Research Center?s Internet and American Life Project began conducting surveys, a majority (53 percent) of people over age 65 used the Internet. The proportion has since inched upward, to 54 percent.
<http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/08/online-habits-coming-slowly-to-older-adults/>

Australian internet users on a data download frenzy
Australians downloaded data on the internet at a breakneck pace last year even as the total number of subscribers neared saturation point, a trend that is only likely to grow as the country's broadband network is upgraded.
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/04/09/australia-internet-downloads-idINDEE93801L20130409>

Digital Gold Rush: The Bitcoin Boom and Its Many Risks
In the midst of the euro crisis, particularly daring investors are putting their faith in the Internet currency bitcoin. A boom in the virtual coins has made some into millionaires. But central bankers are wary of its potential, and the currency is everything but crash-proof.
<http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/boom-of-digital-currency-bitcoin-raises-questions-of-stability-a-893342.html>

Kids spend too much time screen focused [AAP]
Children are spending more than half their spare time in front of a screen after embracing smart device technology, a study has found.
<http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/8538482/Kids-spend-too-much-time-screen-focused>

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SOCIAL MEDIA
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Friendships cut short on social media as people get ruder - survey
Rudeness and throwing insults are cutting online friendships short with a survey on Wednesday showing people are getting ruder on social media and two in five users have ended contact after a virtual altercation.
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/04/11/social-media-behaviour-survey-idINDEE9390C020130411>
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/04/11/uk-socialmedia-behaviour-survey-idUKBRE9390TX20130411>

Facebook now charges you for messages sent to celebrities and people you aren't friends with
Facebook has started charging UK users up to ?10 to send messages to celebrities and people they aren't friends with.
<http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/facebook-now-charges-you-for-messages-sent-to-celebrities-and-people-you-arent-friends-with-8563299.html>

Facebook starts charging users up to ?11 to contact celebrities
Facebook has started charging UK users up to ?11 to send messages to celebrities and other people outside their circle of friends.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/apr/08/facebook-charging-users-celebrities>

Is Privacy Really a Concern for Facebook Home Users?
A few days ago, Facebook unveiled Facebook Home, "a family of apps" to turn Android phones into Facebook-optimized devices.
<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/craig-kanalley/facebook-home-privacy_b_3039571.html>

Facebook Grabs for Your Phone. What Gives?
Facebook, man. Unbelievable. Second-most-visited Web site in the world. Frequented monthly by one-sixth of the earth?s population. Primary source of news for half of America?s young people.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/11/technology/personaltech/facebooks-grab-for-your-phone-what-gives.html>

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NEW TECHNOLOGIES
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Bubble or No, This Virtual Currency Is a Lot of Coin in Any Realm
When he was a Yale Law School student, Reuben Grinberg wrote one of the first academic papers about Bitcoin, a novel virtual currency that uses sophisticated cryptography to validate and secure transactions that exist only online.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/08/business/media/bubble-or-no-virtual-bitcoins-show-real-worth.html>

PC sales worldwide have tumbled, data from IDC shows
Global sales of PCs fell 14% in the first three months this year, the biggest fall since research firm IDC started tracking the industry in 1994.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22103079>

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CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY
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Instagram beauty contests worry parents, child privacy advocates
The photo-sharing site Instagram has become wildly popular as a way to trade pictures of pets and friends. But a new trend on the site is making parents cringe: beauty pageants, in which thousands of young girls ? many appearing no older than 12 or 13 ? submit photographs of themselves for others to judge.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/instagram-beauty-contests-worry-parents-child-privacy-advocates/2013/04/05/ad6c7638-9e19-11e2-a2db-efc5298a95e1_story.html>

nz: Forum to promote online safety
Community groups in Marlborough will host a four-day cyber safety forum next month.
<http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/8536293/Forum-to-promote-online-safety>

nz: Facebook firing back at internet trolls
As new laws are proposed to help protect online users from cyber bullies, Facebook pages are being shut down to help stop internet trolls.
<http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbnat/155819862-facebook-firing-back-at-internet-trolls>

nz: Net tightens on cyberbullies
After four years of daily torment from bullies, a young Manawatu girl decided she had finally had enough. 
<http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/8527440/Net-tightens-on-cyberbullies>

nz: Special treatment for harmful digital messages 'worldwide trend'
There is case for treating digital messages differently from those of other media when it comes to cyberbullying says InternetNZ policy lead Susan Chalmers.
<http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=3415B655-9E8A-9E37-0CE5506913C302AA>
<http://www.mis-asia.com/resource/industries/special-treatment-for-harmful-digital-messages-worldwide-trend/>

nz: 'Root and Rate' site investigated
Kapiti Police are investigating the person behind several 'degrading' social networking pages, including one rating the sexual performance of residents.
<http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/8533146/Root-and-Rate-site-investigated>

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ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL
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Top porn sites 'pose growing malware risk' to users
Browsing some of the internet's most popular pornography websites is increasingly putting visitors at risk, research has found.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22093141>

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SECURITY
**********************
UK to host global cybersecurity centre
Foreign Secretary William Hague has announced that a global centre for cybersecurity will be opened at the University of Oxford.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22078755>

Obama budget makes cybersecurity a growing U.S. priority
President Barack Obama proposed on Wednesday increased spending to protect U.S. computer networks from Internet-based attacks in a sign that the government aims to put more resources into the emerging global cyber arms race.
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/04/11/uk-usa-fiscal-cybersecurity-idUKBRE93913U20130411>
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/04/11/usa-fiscal-cybersecurity-idINDEE9390FY20130411>

U.S. business groups worried by cybersecurity law aimed at China
The U.S.-China Business Council on Monday criticized a new U.S. law aimed at thwarting cyber attacks by discouraging the Justice Department and several other government agencies from buying information technology systems from China.
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/04/08/usa-china-cyber-security-idINDEE9370E420130408>

France gets crack team of civilian cyberdefenders (who won't get to do much)
The French ministry of defense launched a "network of cyberdefence reservists" to help the country cope with online threats. But is the group more of a talking shop than actual defence force?
<http://www.zdnet.com/france-gets-crack-team-of-civilian-cyberdefenders-who-wont-get-to-do-much-7000013596/>

South Korea blames North for bank and TV cyber-attacks
South Korea has accused North Korean spies of masterminding a series of high-profile cyber-attacks last month.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22092051>

South Korea tightens online transaction security
New measures being rolled out include stepping up payment authentication for online game sites and mobile payment services, and a dedicated app store for financial services to prevent downloads of phishing malware.
<http://www.zdnet.com/south-korea-tightens-online-transaction-security-7000013708/>

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PRIVACY
**********************
Mobile phone apps view private data more than necessary, says French study [IDG]
Mobile phone apps are accessing users' private data and transmitting it to remote servers far more than appears strictly necessary, while users have inadequate tools to monitor or control such access, according to a new study by two French government agencies.
<http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9238285/Mobile_phone_apps_view_private_data_more_than_necessary_says_French_study>

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CENSORSHIP
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Iran plans 'Islamic Google Earth'
The Iranian authorities have long accused Google Earth of being a tool for western spy agencies, but now they have taken their attacks on the 3D mapping service one step further ? by planning the launch of an "Islamic" competitor.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/10/iran-plans-islamic-google-earth>

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GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY
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Google favours ?in-house? search results
Google faces having to offer users in Europe more choice of other specialised search engines after Brussels investigators found its results were favouring its in-house services to the detriment of consumers.
<http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/c308b656-a124-11e2-bae1-00144feabdc0.html>

World?s Tech Companies Look to Brussels to Resolve Antitrust Complaints
When the European competition commissioner needs to communicate with the chairman of Google, he doesn?t have to send an emissary or even pick up the phone.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/10/technology/eu-competition-chief-texting-with-the-enemy.html>

In Europe, New Protest Over Google
European antitrust regulators have received a formal complaint about Google?s Android operating system for mobile devices, even as they move to the final stages of their inquiry into the company?s search practices.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/09/technology/09iht-google09.html>

Google faces complaint to European regulator over 'predatory pricing'
Google's provision of its Android operating system for free is anti-competitive "predatory pricing", according to a complaint filed with European regulators by Fairsearch Europe, a group whose members include bitter rival Microsoft.
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/apr/09/google-faces-complaint-european-regulator-pricing>

Coalition of Google Rivals Complains To Europe over Android Bundling
A collection of tech companies has filed a complaint with European regulators charging Google?s Android practices violate antitrust laws there.
<http://allthingsd.com/20130408/coalition-of-google-rivals-complains-to-europe-over-android-bundling/>

Google now facing antitrust scrutiny in Europe over Android
Google is facing a fresh round of antitrust scrutiny from the European Union, this time for Android.
<http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57578545-93/google-now-facing-antitrust-scrutiny-in-europe-over-android/>

us: The Controversial CISPA Is Back in Congress
Lawmakers today announced a new version of the controversial Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) will be introduced in a House committee this week. This CISPA, they claim, addresses concerns from privacy advocates who slammed the legislation for how users' private data and browsing histories might be handled in the name of Internet security.
<http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/controversial-cispa-back-congress-040813>

nz: A matter of trust
It would be an understatement to say there are some New Zealanders who don't completely trust our government. There are probably more who have not yet completely overcome their mistrust of ICT.
<http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=6D7D4094-E8BC-4B13-23FB9CC54EA61C7D>

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MISCELLANEOUS
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Google: no such thing as a free lunch
If the US tax department gets its way, gratis grub, free haircuts and similar office perks for employees of Google and other Silicon Valley companies may be on the way out
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/shortcuts/2013/apr/10/google-tax-department-office-perks>

Intel?s Next-Gen Thunderbolt Will Leave USB in the Dust
By 2014, USB 3.0 will see its data-transfer speed of 5 gigabits per second increased to 10Gbps. And even then, it will still be just half as fast as Intel?s Thunderbolt standard.
<http://allthingsd.com/20130408/intels-next-gen-thunderbolt-will-leave-usb-in-the-dust/>

New Zealand slips in global network readiness index
New Zealand has dropped from 14th to 20th place in this year?s Network Readiness Index (NRI) compiled by the World Economic Forum.
<http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/new-zealand-slips-in-global-network-readiness-index>

InternetNZ spends $250k to fund partner organisations
InternetNZ has announced it will fund Creative Commons Aotearoa NZ to the tune of $20,000.
<http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/internetnz-spends-250k-to-fund-partner-organisations>

InternetNZ provides funding to NetSafe, Creative Commons
New Zealand internet advocacy group InternetNZ has partnered with NetSafe and Creative Commons Aotearoa NZ.
<http://www.telecompaper.com/news/internetnz-provides-funding-to-netsafe-creative-commons--936019>

nz: Clock ticking for Windows XP runners
... Martin Cocker, chief executive of cyber safety organisation Netsafe, said XP had had a long life and he saw nothing wrong with Microsoft withdrawing support now, though he said some consumers would regard it as a shame.
<http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/8526689/Clock-ticking-for-Windows-XP-runners>

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TELECOMMUNICATIONS
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au: A lemon, experts declare on Turnbull's plan
The Coalition has pledged to deliver cheaper and faster broadband sooner than Labor, saving nearly $10 billion from current government projections but leaving telco experts divided over which major political party's national broadband policy is the best for Australia's short and long-term future.
<http://www.theage.com.au/it-pro/government-it/a-lemon-experts-declare-on-turnbulls-plan-20130409-2hjil.html>

au: Turnbull's NBN plan inadequate: futurists
Just two decades ago a dial-up internet connection would have taken more than a lifetime to download a single movie, while today's broadband connections can pull down several HD movie streams simultaneously.
<http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/turnbulls-nbn-plan-inadequate-futurists-20130410-2hlu2.html>

au: Coalition's NBN will need ongoing, costly upgrading, experts warn
The Coalition's planned broadband infrastructure will "freeze" broadband speeds, and need ongoing and expensive upgrading to resemble the system that Labor is already building, IT experts have warned.
<http://www.theage.com.au/it-pro/government-it/coalitions-nbn-will-need-ongoing-costly-upgrading-experts-warn-20130410-2hkah.html>
<http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/government-it/coalitions-nbn-will-need-ongoing-costly-upgrading-experts-warn-20130410-2hkah.html>

au: Coalition broadband plan to be slower but surer, says Malcolm Turnbull
Opposition communications spokesman Malcolm Turnbull has conceded his broadband plan will offer slower speeds than Labor's, but says unlike the government's his is capable of being built.
<http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/in-depth/coalition-broadband-plan-to-be-slower-but-surer-says-malcolm-turnbull/story-e6frgaif-1226615540546>

au: Coalition to pledge cheaper NBN all round
The Coalition says its national broadband network will be about $17 billion cheaper than Labor's and will be built two years sooner, but will use slower technologies than in Labor's version.
<http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/coalition-to-pledge-cheaper-nbn-all-round-20130409-2hi4h.html>
<http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/coalition-to-pledge-cheaper-nbn-all-round-20130409-2hi4h.html>

EU blocks German plan for higher fixed phone rates
The European Commission blocked plans by Germany to raise the fees operators such as Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone charge each other to connect fixed-line phone calls, in a sign of how Brussels is seeking to influence telecoms policy.
<http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/04/08/germany-eu-telco-idINDEE9370E020130408>

------
David Goldstein

 email: david at goldsteinreport.com

 web:   http://goldsteinreport.com/
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"Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim Flannery