http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061126/NEWS02/611260421

Fears of identity theft raised

2 cancer program computers stolen

Associated Press Sunday, November 26, 2006

Two computers containing health records on people in the state's Breast and Cervical Cancer Program were stolen from a health center in Jeffersonville, leaving more than 7,500 Indiana women at risk of identity theft, officials said.

The computers were taken this month from the center that contracted with the Indiana Department of Health to manage information [It would be interesting to see what language is in the contract. Does it cover anything like this incident? Bob] in the cancer program, said department spokesman Erik Deckers.

Data stored on the computers may include a person's name, address, Social Security number, medical information or other information, Deckers said.

The data is protected by two passwords, and the stolen computers can no longer access the information. [The passwords are virtually useless, and the second statement is a non sequitur without further details. Bob

The department mailed 7,700 letters [200 more that reported in the first paragraph? Bob] to those who may be vulnerable to identity theft. The department recommends requesting credit reports, watching for unusual activity and placing fraud alerts on credit records.

... Sharylon Douglass, 50, of Evansville, said she was scared and angry when she learned that she could be open to identity theft. The 13-year cervical cancer survivor said she did not know her health information was part of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program [Isn't that required? Bob] until she received a letter from the state health department.

... Deckers said the Family Health Center has installed a new security system and said new security measures for electronic data will be implemented statewide. [Since governments don't work that fast, I must conclude the statewide security measures were mandated for another reason. Bob]

More interesting for what it does NOT say...

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/25/technology/25google.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Google Reaches Copyright Deal With Belgians

By BLOOMBERG NEWS November 25, 2006

Google, the world’s most-used Internet search engine, reached a settlement with Belgian photographers and journalists yesterday in a copyright dispute over how Google’s news service links to newspaper content.

... “We reached an agreement with Sofam and Scam that will help us make extensive use of their content,” Jessica Powell, a spokeswoman for Google, said in a phone interview yesterday. She declined to give details of the agreement or say whether it involved paying the groups for the content, [If they are paying for content, their business model is doomed! Bob] and declined to say whether Google, based in Mountain View, Calif., was considering similar accords with the newspapers.

... A Brussels court heard arguments yesterday from groups that remain in the lawsuit.

Could this really be the first time this has happened?

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/volusia/orl-collegebooks2506nov25,0,954603.story

2 at DBCC sue on book prices, seek $5 million

Pedro Ruz Gutierrez Sentinel Staff Writer November 25, 2006

In a first-of-its-kind lawsuit that could affect thousands of college students who think they are overcharged for textbooks, two Daytona Beach Community College students have sued the nation's largest collegiate-bookstore chain and their school.

... The suit -- filed in late September -- is unique, according to attorneys and industry experts, and may have implications for thousands of students nationwide if a judge allows it to go forward as a class action.

The best way to use these is as a model for tools you build yourself – after all, these could be operated by the NSA. (Paranoids have enemies too)

http://10minutemail.com/10MinuteMail/index.html

10 Minute Mail

this e-mail address will self-destruct in 10 minutes

Welcome to 10 Minute Mail.

By clicking on the link below, you will be given a temporary e-mail address. Any e-mails sent to that address will show up automatically on the web page. You can read them, click on links, and even reply to them. The e-mail address will expire after 10 minutes.

Why would you use this? Maybe you want to sign up for a site which requires that you provide an e-mail address to send a validation e-mail to. And maybe you don't want to give up your real e-mail address and end up on a bunch of spam lists. This is nice and disposable. And it's free. Enjoy!

Well, I don't see this as proof, but it does make you wonder why they access this file.

http://digg.com/gaming_news/World_of_Warcraft_scans_players_Internet_Explorer_browsing_history

World of Warcraft scans players' Internet Explorer browsing history

Flukes submitted by Flukes 12 hours 47 minutes ago (via http://xs109.xs.to/xs109/06470/Warden.jpg )

The linked screenshot provides proof that WoW developer Blizzard is actively scanning players' browsing history and cookies. Early speculation is that this is a countermeasure against cheaters, but players are arguing that Blizzard has no right to access this highly private data.