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Consumers in two states (California and Texas) may now use a “security freeze” to block access to their credit reports without their authorization, which they can provide to the credit bureau via a PIN (personal identification number). Vermont and Louisiana residents will be able to opt-in next summer. This ID theft deterrent does not have …
Spyware Warrior – Waging the war against spyware
Amazon Prods Reviewers To Stop Hiding Behind Fake Names (WSJ, $$): “Amazon changed its rules to end anonymous customer critiques in a bid to bring greater integrity to its rating system.” From Amazon: Frequently Asked Questions about Real Names
Paid Listings Complicate Search for Quality Lawyers Online: “Consumers searching for a local lawyer, especially a specialist, may find little more than advertising-based listings and nothing resembling thoughtful advice online. More troubling: While some sites, like FindLaw.com, are legitimate, ad-supported directories, others such as The BestLegalServices.com collect personal information and fail to disclose …
CAPPS-II to be renamed and/or merged into traveller registration program
From Findlaw: “United States v. Scott Levine (July 21, 2004), A Federal Grand Jury Indictment Accusing A Florida Man Of Illegally Accessing And Downloading Approximately 8.2 Gigabytes of Data Over A 17-Month Period From A Server Maintained By Acxiom, An Arkansas Company In The Business Of Managing Personal, Financial, And Corporate Data [PDF]”
HHS Press release: Strategic Report Outlines Steps to Implement Widespread Adoption of Electronic Health Records and New Nationwide Interoperable Health Information Network. Full-text of the report, (176 pages, PDF), The Decade of Health Information Technology: Delivering Consumer-centric and Information-rich Health Care, Framework for Strategic Action, July 21, 2004 And from today’s New York Times, Government …
On July 14 the Markle Foundation issued this press release and link to the accompanying report, Achieving Electronic Connectivity in Healthcare, A Preliminary Roadmap from the Nation’s Public and Private Sector Healthcare Leaders (PDF, 67 pages). Related news: HHS to Present Plan on Transforming Health Care Through Information Technology at National Conference July 21. Health …
There appears to be contradictory information concerning the demise of the CAPPS II program. A Federal Computer Week article clearly shows how DHS and TSA have reached different conclusions as to whether the program will indeed continue. To make the situation even more confusing, here is an article from Wired today, The Man Who Helped …
Several sources (Wired, the ACLU) report that Homeland Security’s controversial CAPPS II program may be terminated by the TSA. However, there is speculation that a similar project may appear in future.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology: What the Future Holds for Commerce, Security, and the Consumer, Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, July 14, 2004. From Computer World, this article details opposing testimony and statements from industry, privacy advocates and legislators concerning the impact of RFID on consumer privacy.
Remarks by the President at Signing of Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act this morning. Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act (ITPEA)
