July 31, 2010

U.K SAYS GOOGLE DIDN'T COLLECT "SIGNIFICANT" DATA

Google did not grab “significant” personal details when collecting data from wi-fi networks, according to the UK’s Information Commissioner Office. The finding came after the body reviewed some of the data Google scooped up from unsecured networks.

Read the article: http://gigalaw.com/2010/07/30/u-k-says-google-didnt-collect-significant-data/ (Source: BBC News)

July 30, 2010

DATA ON 100 MILLION FACEBOOK USERS EXPOSED

A security researcher released a file containing the names, profile addresses and unique identification numbers of more than 100 million Facebook users. The information was corralled via a public directory Facebook makes available that lists users who are sharing at least some of their profile information with everyone on the Internet.

Read the article: http://gigalaw.com/2010/07/28/data-on-100-million-facebook-users-exposed/ (Source: The New York Times)

July 29, 2010

SENATORS PRESS GOOGLE, APPLE, FACEBOOK ON PRIVACY

After a string of online privacy problems this year, legislators grilled Google Inc., Apple Inc., Facebook and AT&T Inc., seeking assurance that user information will be protected in the future. Senators questioned whether new legislation is needed to protect people’s personal information online during a hearing held by the Senate Commerce Committee.

Read the article: http://gigalaw.com/2010/07/28/senators-press-google-apple-facebook-on-privacy/ (Source: Los Angeles Times)

July 20, 2010

FTC OFFICIAL CITES "CHALLENGES" IN PROTECTING TEENS ONLINE

The agency responsible for protecting consumers in the U.S. says defending the interests of teenagers in the online world presents “unique challenges.” The deputy director of consumer protection at the Federal Trade Commission laid out some of those challenges in testimony before a U.S. Congress subcommittee on consumer protection.

Read the article: http://gigalaw.com/2010/07/18/ftc-official-cites-challenges-in-protecting-teens-online/ (Source: CBC News)

July 15, 2010

GOOGLE "STREET VIEW" ILLEGAL, AUSTRALIAN OFFICIAL SAYS

Google broke Australia’s privacy law when it collected private information from wireless networks, the country’s privacy commissioner said, following an investigation into the Internet giant’s “Street View” mapping service. Several other countries are investigating Google over the data collection, and there are growing concerns from regulators and consumer watchdogs worldwide that Google isn’t serious enough about people’s privacy — a charge the company denies.

Read the article: http://gigalaw.com/2010/07/13/google-street-view-illegal-australian-official-says/ (Source: MyBroadband)

July 10, 2010

LAW FIRM WORKING ON CLASS-ACTION FACEBOOK PRIVACY CASE

A Toronto-based law firm with a history of targeting litigation at corporations as varied as chocolate companies and silicone breast implant manufacturers has a new company in the crosshairs: Facebook. Merchant Law Group, which has offices in 10 Canadian cities, launched litigation seeking class action status against the massive social-networking site, alleging the mishandling of sensitive user data — the latest development in a resurgence of action against the social network’s privacy policies, after it looked for a while as if all the fuss had calmed down.

Read the article: http://gigalaw.com/2010/07/08/law-firm-working-on-class-action-facebook-privacy-case/ (Source: CNET News)


July 9, 2010

GERMANY OPENS FORMAL PROBE OF FACEBOOK'S PRIVACY

Data protection officials in Germany announced the launch of a formal investigation into Facebook, saying they believe some of its much-maligned privacy policies are illegal. It’s given Facebook until August 11 to respond formally.

Read the article: http://gigalaw.com/2010/07/07/germany-opens-formal-probe-of-facebooks-privacy/ (Source: CNET News)

July 8, 2010

SENATORS URGE OBAMA TO SUPPORT CYBERSECURITY BILL

Seven Senate leaders urged President Obama to support planned legislation designed to protect critical information technology systems from attacks. In a letter to Obama, the senators said they plan to produce a comprehensive cybersecurity bill, although they did not specify a timeframe.

Read the article: http://gigalaw.com/2010/07/05/senators-urge-obama-to-support-cybersecurity-bill/ (Source: National Journal)

LEADER OF .XXX DOMAIN SAYS IT WILL BE "VERY SUCCESSFUL"

The Internet has made Stuart Lawley a wealthy man. Now he’s poised to make his next fortune selling Internet addresses to pornographers.

Read the article: http://gigalaw.com/2010/07/03/leader-of-xxx-domain-says-it-will-be-very-successful/ (Source: Bloomberg Businessweek)