Category «Privacy»

Courts, Public Records and Privacy

Are Public Court Records Too Public in Cyberspace?: “As state court officials across the nation ponder whether and how to make courthouses Internet-friendly, policymakers from California to New York are shielding many otherwise readily available records from cyberspace.” Resources referenced in the article include: New York State Commission on Public Access to Court Records Reporters …

Subjects: Courts, E-Government, Privacy

Profits Prevail as Web Privacy Declines

From a July 1, 2003 Washington Post article: “…marketers and an array of service providers expanding their collection and use of consumers’ e-mail addresses and other personal information, despite broad assurances to protect individual privacy and honor consumers’ choices about how much marketing they want to receive.”

Subjects: E-Commerce, E-Mail, Privacy

Pentagon’s New Urban Surveillance Project

A new Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) project involves the deployment of innovative data collection software that would provide law enforcement with the ability to track, monitor and “identify vehicles by size, color, shape and license tag, or drivers and passengers by face,” according to this AP article. The DARPA contracting document for Combat …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, E-Government, Privacy

Notification of Risk to Personal Data Act Introduced

On June 26, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) introduced legislation, S. 1350 (the Notification of Risk to Personal Data Act) “to require businesses or government agencies to notify individuals if a database has been broken into and personal data has been compromised, including Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses and credit cards. The bill is modeled, in …

Subjects: Cybercrime, ID Theft, Privacy

Risks of Using Employer E-Mail for Personal Use

Perk, and peril, in employees’ attachment to e-mail: “For much of the working population, e-mail is not only available but indispensable, a tool not just for work but for maintaining personal bonds….many workers are accustomed to using a work computer and e-mail address to stay in touch with friends and family in the course of …

Subjects: E-Mail, Privacy

PC Privacy Protection for Home and Work

3 to Spy on Those You Love: A review of Guardian Software’s Guardian Monitor 8.0 ($40, www.guardiansoftware.com), Spytech Software’s SpyAgent4.4 ($50, www.spytech-web.com) and Xelerate Software’s SpyPC 7.0 ($40, www.xelerate.biz). See also, Can Internet ‘Washer’ Programs Keep Web Surfing Private?

Subjects: Privacy

National Do Not Call Registry Activated Today

From the National Do Not Call Registry homepage: “Most telemarketers cannot call your telephone number if it is in the National Do Not Call Registry. You can register your home and mobile phone numbers for free. Your registration will be effective for five years.” See the FTC press release here, and be advised of the …

Subjects: Privacy

LexisNexis Purchases Public Records Company

From the Reed Elsevier press release: Reed Elsevier Group plc today announced that its global legal division, LexisNexis, has entered into a definitive agreement to buy the public records business of Dolan Media Company. Dolan Media is a leading provider of US electronic public records information, including bankruptcies, civil judgements, federal and state tax liens …

Subjects: Legal Research, Privacy