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Daily Archives: October 11, 2013

EPIC – Google Announces Plan to Post Names and Photos of Users for Advertising Without Consent

“Google announced changes to its Terms of Service that will allow “your Profile name, Profile photo, and actions you take on Google or on third-party applications” to be used in advertisements. The changes will not require Google to seek the affirmative consent of users before putting their personal information to commercial use. Minors, however, will not be subject to the changes. A 2011 Consent Order with the Federal Trade Commission prohibits Google from making misrepresentations and requires the company to obtain user consent before disclosing information to third parties. EPIC recently objected to similar practices by Facebook that would allow the company to routinely use the names, images, and content of Facebook users for commercial advertising without consent. For more information, see EPIC: Federal Trade Commission and EPIC: In re Google.”

As space for books disappears libraries return to 20th century consortium paradigm

Chronicle of Higher Education – Short on Space, Libraries Look to One Another for Solutions, by Jennifer Howard “Christopher B. Loring, the director of the libraries at Smith College, has a problem with his Strategic Air Command bunker—it’s almost full. The bunker, long since retired from military service, now operates as a high-density book-storage facility for Smith and… Continue Reading

Legal challenge to UK Internet surveillance

“Since the first disclosure of documents regarding the US National Security Agency (NSA)’s collection of US phone records from 5 June 2013 the British public has witnessed a series of alarming disclosures regarding the extent of the surveillance programmes operated by US and UK intelligence services. The source for the vast majority of these reports… Continue Reading

Consumer Groups Outline Shutdown’s Impact on Consumer Protection

Consumer Federation of America: “A coalition of leading consumer groups today sent a letter to Members of Congress calling out the lapses in consumer protection caused by the ongoing government shutdown. The letter highlights how the shutdown has hindered work across a wide array of issues, including airline and auto safety, food and product safety, financial… Continue Reading

MarketWatch – Obama spending binge never happened

By Rex Nutting – MarketWatch:  “Of all the falsehoods told about President Barack Obama, the biggest whopper is the one about his reckless spending spree. Almost everyone believes that Obama has presided over a massive increase in federal spending, an “inferno” of spending that threatens our jobs, our businesses and our children’s future. Even Democrats seem to think it’s true.… Continue Reading