Category «Privacy»

Advocacy Group Releases Badware Reports

“Thousands of visitors to StopBadware.org have shared their badware experiences with us since we launched. From their stories, we’ve identified and tested four applications that contain annoying or objectionable behaviors. To find out what we think of Kazaa, MediaPipe, SpyAxe, and Screensaver.com, read our reports (all in PDF):” Kazaa Mediapipe SpyAxe Waterfalls 3 “Before we …

Subjects: Cybercrime, ID Theft, Internet, Privacy

IRS Plan to Allow Sale of Taxpayer Data Causes Outcry

Press release, March 22, 2006: “Following press accounts that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is considering altering privacy protections that would allow tax preparers greater freedom to sell taxpayers’ personal financial information, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today wrote to IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson expressing concern over the agency’s proposals.” Related references: [Federal Register: …

Subjects: Congress, E-Government, Government Documents, Privacy

GAO Reports on HHS and CMS Info Security Vulnerabilities

Information Security: Department of Health and Human Services Needs to Fully Implement Its Program, Full Report, GAO-06-267 and Highlights, February 24, 2006. “HHS and CMS have significant weaknesses in controls designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their sensitive information and information systems. HHS computer networks and systems have numerous electronic access control …

Subjects: Cybercrime, E-Government, Government Documents, ID Theft, Privacy

National Security Surveillance Act of 2006

S. 2453 – A bill to establish procedures for the review of electronic surveillance programs; to the Committee on the Judiciary. [Congressional Record: March 16, 2006 (Senate)][Page S2316-S2376] “Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I seek recognition today to introduce a bill to regulate electronic surveillance programs designed to gather intelligence for national security purposes.” Related postings …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Legislation, Privacy

Sprint Nextel Files Lawsuit Against PI Firm For Sale of Customer Phone Records

Press release: “Sprint Nextel Corp. announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against a private investigation firm that employs deceptive practices to illegitimately obtain customer call detail records, and then sells the confidential information to online data brokers. In its complaint against San Marco & Associates of St. Petersburg, Fla., Sprint Nextel states that …

Subjects: Privacy

Global Phishing Enforcement Initiative Launched By Microsoft

Press release: “Neil Holloway, president of Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), unveiled a global law enforcement campaign that will target cybercriminals behind phishing attacks. Microsoft Corp. announced that by the end of June 2006 it will have initiated legal actions on more than 100 cases in EMEA against individuals suspected of committing online …

Subjects: Cybercrime, E-Mail, ID Theft, Microsoft, Privacy

Google Claims Victory in Fight With DOJ Over Search Records

From the Official Google Blog: Judge tells DoJ “No” on search queries, Posted by Nicole Wong, Associate General Counsel: “Google will not have to hand over any user’s search queries to the government. That’s what a federal judge ruled today when he decided to drastically limit a subpoena issued to Google by the Department of …

Subjects: Courts, E-Commerce, E-Government, Privacy, Search Engines

FTC Testifies on Security Issues in Global Information-based Economy

Press release, March 16, 2006: The Federal Trade Commission today told the House Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight that protecting consumers’ privacy rights is a top priority for the agency. Lydia Parnes, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, told the Committee, “The Commission is committed to aggressive law …

Subjects: Cybercrime, E-Government, Government Documents, ID Theft, Privacy

Passage of House Bill Undermines State Credit Freeze Laws

U.S. Newswire: “The House Financial Services Committee voted today to repeal strict state notification and credit freeze laws that have helped to protect consumers from identity theft and financial fraud. These laws provide essential protections that allow consumers to prevent identity thieves from opening credit accounts in their names and require companies to inform consumers …

Subjects: Congress, Cybercrime, ID Theft, Legislation, Privacy

Terrorist Surveillance Act of 2006 Introduced Today

The introduction of the Terrorist Surveillance Act of 2006 today has raised concerns for reporters, bloggers and advocates for civil liberties. The bill “authorizes the President to conduct an electronic surveillance program, without court order, for up to 45 days…” ACLU Letter to the Senate Expressing Strong Opposition to the Terrorist Surveillance Act of 2006, …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, E-Government, Government Documents, Internet, Privacy