That customer service number? It could be a scam.

Washington Post: “…Get customer service numbers from official websites. Treat every phone number like a potential scam risk. Even if the number came from an official-looking email or text, verify it by checking it against the contact number listed on the company’s website before you call. Type in phone numbers rather than clicking links – …

Subjects: Cybercrime, Cybersecurity, E-Commerce, Internet, Privacy

INTERPOL has launched its own metaverse space

“The International Criminal Police Organization, better known as INTERPOL, has unveiled a metaverse space designed specifically for police officers around the world. Immersive training courses in forensic investigation and other policing skills will be on offer in the INTERPOL Metaverse. Registered users will also be able to take a tour of a virtual version the …

Subjects: AI, Government Documents, Internet, Knowledge Management, Legal Research

What Is Usenet, How Do You Use It, and What Is an NZB File?

Ars Technica: “Usenet has been around for a while; the first version was released in 1979 and was primarily used for transferring information. Also known as Unix Users Network, Usenet had the potential to be the modern internet as we know it. Today, Usenet has evolved considerably and is used for very different purposes than …

Subjects: Internet, Knowledge Management, Search Engines, Social Media

Beyond Catastrophe A New Climate Reality Is Coming Into View

The New York Times Magazine – David Wallace-Well – “…Over the last several months, I’ve had dozens of conversations — with climate scientists and economists and policymakers, advocates and activists and novelists and philosophers — about that new world and the ways we might conceptualize it. Perhaps the most capacious and galvanizing account is one …

Subjects: Climate Change, Economy, Energy, Environmental Law, Financial System

Climate Action Data Trust

“The International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) today revealed information on the forthcoming launch of Climate Action Data Trust (CAD Trust), a decentralised metadata system that can link, aggregate and harmonise all major carbon market registry data.Climate Action Data Trust (CAD Trust) is a joint initiative of the International Emissions Trading Association, The World Bank and …

Subjects: Blockchain, Climate Change, Environmental Law, Government Documents

In cases challenging affirmative action, court will confront wide-ranging arguments on history, diversity, and the role of race in America

Howe on the Court: “In 2003, the Supreme Court ruled in Grutter v. Bollinger that universities may consider race in their admissions processes as part of their efforts to achieve diversity on campus. On Oct. 31, the justices will hear oral arguments in a pair of cases asking them to overturn Grutter and outlaw race-based …

Subjects: Courts, Education, Government Documents, Legal Research, Legislation

Google can now remove your identifying search results, if they’re the right kind

Ars Technica: “Google has been pushing out a tool for removing personally identifiable information—or doxxing content—from its search results. It’s a notable step for a firm that has long resisted individual moderation of search content, outside of broadly harmful or copyright-violating material. But whether it works for you or not depends on many factors. As …

Subjects: E-Records, Internet, Knowledge Management, Privacy, Search Engines

Your Guide to America’s Finances

“Your Guide to America’s Finances is an overview of U.S. government finances where you’ll find information on money coming in (revenue), money going out (spending), the deficit, and debt. Your Guide presents a series of pages exploring each topic through educational content and interactive visualizations, providing a comprehensive overview of the trillions of dollars collected …

Subjects: E-Government, Economy, Financial System, Government Documents, Legal Research

Past PACER users would each get at least $350 in refunds under lawsuit settlement

ABA Journal: “The U.S. government has agreed to pay $125 million to settle a class action lawsuit claiming that the judiciary overcharged users of PACER, its electronic system of court records. The deal, revealed in a motion for preliminary approval, would give most class members at least $350 in refunds for PACER charges between April …

Subjects: E-Records, Government Documents, Legal Research

DRM On My Mind

Via LLRX – DRM On My Mind – Christine Park Adjunct Professsor of Law, Fordham Law Library highlights risks of and legal restrictions related to digital rights management. LLRX welcomes further discussion of efforts to implement solutions, “before it’s too late.” See also David H. Rothman’s article Will Amazon’s new ePub capability help the anti-DRM movement?

Subjects: Digital Rights, Internet, Legal Research, Libraries

The Latecomer’s Guide to TikTok

The New York Times – TikTok has become massively influential We’re here to help you understand how it all works. “It has become impossible to ignore TikTok. It’s been a hugely popular short-form video app for hyperkinetic bursts of self-expression for years, now with more than a billion active users worldwide (some even use it …

Subjects: Education, Internet, Knowledge Management, Search Engines, Social Media

Committee Releases Report on Insurer and PBM Compliance with Affordable Care Act’s Birth Control Coverage Requirement

(Oct. 25, 2022)—”Today, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, released a staff report entitled, Barriers to Birth Control:  An Analysis of Contraceptive Coverage and Costs for Patients with Private Insurance.  The report presents findings from the Committee’s review of birth control coverage offered by five of the nation’s …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Government Documents, Health Care, Legal Research, Legislation, Medicine