Ineffective Web Searching Racks Up Costs in Lost Time and Effort

From the press release: “U.S. businesses are throwing away billions of dollars in lost time due to ineffective and deficient research tools, according to a new study released today by FIND/SVP, a leading provider of business research, advisory, and consulting services. In fact, 84 percent of respondents feel that Web searches take longer than they …

Subjects: Legal Research, Search Engines

DOJ Releases New Freedom of Information Guide

Freedom of Information Act Guide, May 2004: “The “Justice Department Guide to the Freedom of Information Act” is an overview discussion of the FOIA’s exemptions, its law enforcement record exclusions, and its most important procedural aspects. Prepared by the attorney and law clerk staff of the Office of Information and Privacy, it is updated and …

Subjects: Freedom of Information, Government Documents

Senate Hearing Focuses on Internet Pharmacies

U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, hearing June 17, Title: Buyer Beware: The Danger of Purchasing Pharmaceuticals Over The Internet. Links to Member Statements and Witness Testimony Also presented today at the hearing, the following GAO report: Internet Pharmacies: Some Poses Safety Risks for Consumers and Are Unreliable in Their Business …

Subjects: Congress, E-Commerce, Internet

Government’s Secret No Fly List Under Challenge

Judge Scolds U.S. Officials Over Barring Jet Travelers: From the order of June 15 by U.S. District Court Judge Charles R. Breyer (a copy of which has been provided by The Volokh Conspiracy), “In this Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) action plaintiffs seek records regarding “no fly” and other transportation watch lists, as well as …

Subjects: Freedom of Information, Government Documents

California E-Voting Paper Trail Standards

“Secretary of State Kevin Shelley Unveils Historic Paper Audit Trail Standards for E-Voting Machines – First-in-the-Nation Standards Establish Benchmark for Development, Testing of Paper Backups,” June 15, 2004 [Link]. State of California Standards For Accessible Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail Systems In Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) Voting Systems.

Subjects: E-Government

New 9/11 Commission Report Provides Details on Planned Attacks Against U.S.

Today the Commission released Staff Statement No. 15, Overview of the Enemy, (12 pages, PDF): From page five of the report: “We have no credible evidence that Iraq and al Qaeda cooperated on attacks against the United States.” Also released was Staff Statement No. 16, Outline of the 9/11 Plot. Links to Statements presented at …

Subjects: Freedom of Information, Government Documents

Hearing on Enhancing Social Security Number Privacy

House Subcommittee on Social Security, Hearing on Enhancing Social Security Number Privacy, Tuesday, June 15, 2004. Witness List and Testimony For reference, see also: H.R. 2971, the Social Security Number Privacy and Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2003, this GAO testimony, Social Security Numbers: Use Is Widespread and Protections Vary, presented at the hearing today, …

Subjects: Congress, Cybercrime, Privacy