Because...

http://www.pogowasright.org/article.php?story=20071104234034114

Data “Dysprotection:” breaches reported last week

Monday, November 05 2007 @ 07:24 AM EST Contributed by: PrivacyNews News Section: Breaches

A recap of incidents or privacy breaches reported last week for those who enjoy shaking their head and muttering to themselves with their morning coffee.

Source - Chronicles of Dissent

What if DNA is not good evidence?

http://www.pogowasright.org/article.php?story=20071105115842806

Northwestern University Law Review: Colloquy: Coming Clean About "Junk DNA"

Monday, November 05 2007 @ 11:58 AM EST
Contributed by: PrivacyNews
News Section: Medical Privacy

It is a challenge to reply to a response when its very title pleads that we put the issue of whether forensic DNA profiles contain predictive medical information to rest.[1] I agree that the recent exchange between Professors Joh, Kaye, and myself has probably beaten the “junk DNA” horse past the point of expiration. One thing we all agree upon is that the potential privacy violations engendered by the storage of forensic DNA profiles in law enforcement databases is a “distraction,”[2] as Professor Kaye puts it, from the potential privacy issues posed by the storage of DNA samples in law enforcement and other government repositories.

Source - Northwestern University Law Review

Resource

http://www.bespacific.com/mt/archives/016436.html

November 05, 2007

World Privacy Forum: State Security Freeze Laws and General Information

"A credit freeze (sometimes called a security freeze) lets you stop the disclosure of your credit report by a credit bureau. As of November 1, 2007, the three credit bureaus are allowing all consumers nationwide to set a security freeze. Some states have specific security freeze laws; a list of states with security freeze laws may be found here. However, even if you live in a state without a security freeze law, you can still set a security freeze."

Automating government oversight?

http://techdirt.com/articles/20071104/182552.shtml

Facial Recognition Software To Tell People They Look Too Young To Smoke

from the prepare-to-show-id-if-you-look-under-30 dept

In the aftermath of 9/11, facial recognition software was a hot topic for a while. The idea was that it could be used to help catch criminals and terrorists as they wandered through cities or airports. There was just one little problem: it didn't work. And, by didn't work, I don't mean it sorta worked some of the time. I mean, it didn't work at all. The places that tested it out soon ditched it as a total waste of time and money. It turns out that making an exact match on faces is not an easy problem, and while the technology may eventually reach that point, it's nowhere near close enough to be useful for things like finding terrorists. That doesn't mean it can't be used in other scenarios, and over in Japan it appears that they're about to put facial recognition to the test as a way of stopping kids from smoking. Yes, one company has integrated facial recognition software with cigarette vending machines, so that it will not sell you your pack of smokes if you happen to have a babyface. You can wonder how effective this might be (my guess: not very effective), but it's still interesting to see those behind facial recognition software looking for different markets where the results don't need to be as perfect.

The gPhone – replacing the PC with a free “do anything” handheld?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119427874851482602.html

Google, Bidding For Phone Ads, Lures Partners

By KEVIN J. DELANEY and AMOL SHARMA November 6, 2007; Page A1

Google Inc. is trying to shake up the wireless industry by helping to create cheaper phones that can access advanced Internet services -- and carry its lucrative advertising.

... Android is a bid to change how the wireless industry operates. Carriers traditionally have decided what applications most consumers see on their cellphones, setting rules and negotiating fees for software developers to gain access.

[There are also stories in

Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/2007/11/05/gphone-google-phone-tech-cz_qh_1105gphone2.html

and the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/05/technology/05cnd-gphone.html?_r=1&ex=1352005200&en=d7a169e184415788&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin

Microsoft looking for non-operating system projects?

http://www.technewsworld.com/rsstory/60148.html

Microsoft to Deliver TV Over Web in India

AP 11/05/07 8:00 AM PT

Targeting a different market than it has gone after in the West, Microsoft announced a partnership with India's Reliance Communications to provide Internet Protocol Television service to households in India. The companies are going after the fast-growing mass market in India, which is growing by about 25 percent per year.