privacy - News, Features, and Slideshows

News

• Google, YouTube received 10,000 government requests for user data

  Google and the Google-owned YouTube received more than 10,000 requests for user data from government agencies in the six months ending Dec. 31, 2009, according to newly released data.

• Gov't regulators slam Google's privacy efforts

  Google and other online companies need to stop "willfully" disregarding privacy laws in many countries when rolling out new products or privacy policies, or they may face fines and other sanctions, data protection commissioners from 10 countries said Tuesday.

• Controlling RFID tags to protect privacy

  A researcher is working on technology he hopes will be able to control RFID tags and protect private information.

• US lawmakers ask for FTC investigation of Google Buzz

  Eleven U.S. lawmakers have asked the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to investigate Google's launch of its Buzz social-networking product for breaches of consumer privacy.

• Privacy is not dead, Just evolving

  It's a brave new world. Unfortunately--continuing the literary allusion--Big Brother is watching. As technology makes more information more accessible, it also threatens to expose information that is not intended to be shared. Privacy is a concept that is caught in the middle of the struggle.

• Twitter wants to know where you are

  Twitter knows where you are -- at least in the U.S.
  

• Google privacy convictions in Italy spark outrage

  An Italian's judge's decision today to impose a six-month suspended jail sentence on Google's global privacy counsel, Peter Fleischer, and two other company executives over a video showing the bullying of a disabled teenager has evoked outrage in the privacy community.

• EPIC files privacy complaint against Google Buzz

  Despite the changes that Google has made to Buzz following negative reaction to the service, the Electronic Privacy Information Center has filed a complaint with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission charging the search giant with violating user privacy.

• After outcry, Google revamps Buzz networking application

  Google apologized on Saturday, saying it has made several changes to its new social-networking application Buzz to allay privacy concerns.

• Telecommunications Amendment Bill passes

  The Federal Government’s Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment Bill 2009 has passed the Senate, widening the range of options for private entities to protect their IT networks from cyber attack.

• EFF: Browsers can leave a unique trail on the Web

  The Electronic Frontier Foundation has created an on-line tool that details the wealth of information a Web browser reveals, which can pose privacy concerns when used to profile users.

• TOR issues updated software after server breach

  The TOR Project is advising users to upgrade to a new version of the software following a hack that compromised three of its servers.

• Google to call for creation of EU privacy, security panel

  Google is pushing for the creation of an E.U. group to look at security and privacy policy, the company's top privacy lawyer, Peter Fleischer, said Tuesday.

• Microsoft cuts time Bing stores some user data to six months

  Microsoft announced plans to cut the length of time it stores IP addresses of Web searchers using its Bing search engine from 18 months to six in a bid to improve its privacy track record.

• China emphasizes laws as Google defies censorship

  China said Thursday that foreign Internet companies are welcome to operate in the country in accordance with local laws, after Google defied authorities by saying it will end censorship on its Chinese search engine.