Why is all of this being disclosed today? Has a new law gone into effect? In the case of either Yahoo or Google, my job related searches must paint a very strange picture of me. (Just read my blog!)
http://www.pogowasright.org/?p=6074
Yahoo! Introduces Ad Interest Manager
December 7, 2009 by Dissent Filed under Internet
From their press release:
Today Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO) released a beta version of a new consumer tool called Ad Interest Manager, which takes transparency in online advertising to a new level for building user trust. Ad Interest Manager http://privacy.yahoo.com/aim is a central place where Yahoo! visitors can see a concise summary of their online activity and make easy, constructive choices about their exposure to interest-based advertising served from the Yahoo! Ad Network.
“Ads tailored to users’ interests make online experiences more compelling and user-focused, and the new tool Yahoo! is launching today will provide transparency into how Yahoo!’s interest-based advertising works,” said Yahoo! Vice President of Policy and Head of Privacy, Anne Toth. “Yahoo! is committed to providing consumers with increased transparency and control when they are online. Ad Interest Manager will show users what interests we think they have, and also let them edit and change those interests to reflect the most up-to-date information.” Anne Toth also pointed out: “Importantly, users who don’t want interest-based ads can turn them off completely.”
Yahoo!’s new Ad Interest Manager tool:
Provides a central point where Yahoo! visitors can assert even greater control over their online experience.
Gives visitors an unparalleled view into the information used to deliver interest-based advertising.
Shows the visitor both Yahoo!’s educated guesses about their interests [This would be a fun hack. “Yahoo thinks you are interested in VERY PERVERTED STUFF you sick puppy.” Bob] and a summary of observations, along with other information they have provided.
Provides a list of specific interest categories that Yahoo! has placed a user into and lets people turn those categories off.
Allows people who don’t want to see interest-based ads to turn them off entirely.
(Related) Should be the basis for at least one good Privacy article.
http://www.pogowasright.org/?p=6069
Google Extends Personalized Results to All Users
December 7, 2009 by Dissent Filed under Featured Headlines, Internet
David Coursey reports:
Google’s decision to expand personalized search to all users should be a wake-up call to those concerned about what the company knows about them and how it is used.
Now Google has begun using a cookie placed on users’ machines to track their search behavior and offer personalized recommendations, even when they are not logged into a Google account.
“Previously, we only offered Personalized Search for signed-in users, and only when they had Web History enabled on their Google Accounts. What we’re doing today is expanding Personalized Search so that we can provide it to signed-out users as well. This addition enables us to customize search results for you based upon 180 days of search activity linked to an anonymous cookie in your browser,” wrote Google’s Bryan Horling, Software Engineer and Matthew Kulick, Product Manager.
Read more on PCWorld.
Convergence? Someone searched for you online, so we're sending you a barcode so they can stand in front of you store and search for you online. Perhaps we could do away with signs altogether?
See That Funny 2D Barcode In The Store Window? It Might Pull Up A Google Listing.
by Erick Schonfeld on December 6, 2009
… Starting on Monday, you’ll be able to do that at up to 190,000 local businesses throughout the U.S.
Google has mailed out window stickers with two-dimensional bar codes (aka, QR codes) to the most-searched for or clicked-on businesses in its local business directory. Anyone with a QR code reader in their phone can scan it to call up a Google Mobile local directory page for one of these “Favorite Places,” which generally includes a map, phone number, directions, address, reviews, and a link to the store’s website. (It’s a mobile version of Google Places).
Toward ubiquitous surveillance
http://news.cnet.com/8301-19518_3-10410095-238.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
Youth using phones to harass and spy on partners
by Larry Magid December 6, 2009 11:00 AM PST
… The study (PDF) found that 22 percent of youth involved in a romantic relationship say they feel like their significant other uses a cell phone or goes online to check up on them too often. The study also found that "more than 1 in 4 say their boyfriend or girlfriend has checked the text messages on their phone without permission," and more than 10 percent of the young people said that a boyfriend or girlfriend has demanded that they give them their password.
Thanks for clearing that up... Not! “Luring” no longer requires actual luring. Is it sufficient to ask them to vote for the party-not-in-power when they come of age?
Canada Supreme Court Broadens Internet "Luring" Offense
Posted by timothy on Monday December 07, @08:13AM from the should-get-together-with-the-cctv-folks dept.
An anonymous reader points out this report that a Canadian Supreme Court has broadened its interpretation of an existing law designed to punish adults who attempt to meet children online for criminal purposes; under the court's interpretation, says the article, that would now "include anyone having an inappropriate conversation with a child — even if the chats aren't sexual in nature and the accused never intended to meet the alleged victim." The story quotes Mark Hecht, of the organzation Beyond Borders, thus: "If you're an adult and if you're having conversations with a child on the Internet, be warned because even if your conversations aren't sexual and even if your conversations are not for the purpose of meeting a child and committing an offence against a child, what you're doing is potentially a crime."
(Related) Boy, have I got a hack-target for you! (Of course it has already been copied. How else are we gonna sell them CDs and DVDs and iPhones?)
http://www.pogowasright.org/?p=6067
UK: Online directory contains children’s contact details
December 7, 2009 by Dissent Filed under Internet, Non-U.S., Youth
The Isle of Wight County Press Reporter reports:
The contact details of every child in England have been published on a new online directory.
ContactPoint has been launched nationally and is specifically designed for people who work with children, like teachers, doctors and social workers.
It contains details of every child under the age of 18 and the services working with them. The database is now available to services on the Island.
Its main aim is to make services better for children and young people, by helping professionals who work with them find out who else in involved with the same child or young person.
Read more on County Press Online.
This database continues to give me a knot in my stomach, despite the fact that no medical records or school records are to be included in the database and despite the fact that some vulnerable children can have their addresses shielded if their parents or guardians request it.
[From the article:
"Every local authority in England is required to sign up to it. [So security devolves to the lowest common denominator Bob]
… Anyone whose details are held on ContactPoint can ask to see the information under the Data Protection Act (1998), including parents and carers. The system uses the latest technology and security software and can only be used by people who have passed strict security checks. [Somehow, I doubt that... Bob]
Not the best report I've ever read, but it has some good points.
http://www.bespacific.com/mt/archives/022957.html
December 06, 2009
Implementing the Obama Cyber Security Strategy via the ISA Social Contract Model
Implementing the Obama Cyber Security Strategy via the ISA Social Contract Model: "The Internet Security Alliance (ISA) report aimed at taking the Obama Administration’s Cyberspace Policy Review document to the next level. The report emphasizes the need to focus on the economics of cyber security."
Some governments perceive WiFi as a legitimate tool for business.
http://www.pogowasright.org/?p=6072
S’pore Wi-Fi hotspots protected from lawsuits
December 7, 2009 by Dissent Filed under Internet, Non-U.S.
Kevin Kwang reports:
Service providers that offer public Internet access, including retail outlets such as Starbucks or McDonald’s, will not be legally liable if malicious hackers ride on their Wi-Fi hotspot to download illegal content or conduct other cybercrimes, according to a lawyer specializing in intellectual property (IP).
[Contrast with this. Bob] This week, a U.K. pub was fined after someone unlawfully downloaded copyrighted material over their open Wi-Fi network.
In Singapore, however, as long as the providers of such Internet services are not complicit or aware of the illegal act, they will not face prosecution in local courts, said Mark Lim, head of intellectual property of media and entertainment at local law firm, Tan Peng Chin.
Read more on ZDNetAsia.
A useful research tool?
http://www.bespacific.com/mt/archives/022951.html
December 06, 2009
New on LLRX.com - Research RoundUp: Business Filings Databases Updated
Research RoundUp: Business Filings Databases Updated - Kathy Biehl's guide to online corporate and business filings available provides links to and descriptions of services available from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as selected commercial services. It is the most comprehensive, reliable web resource available on the topic.
Some days, silliness comes in waves.
Prostitutes to offer free sex to UN climate summit participants
… The city, host of the December 7-18 UN climate summit, distributed postcards in Copenhagen's hotels that said "Be sustainable: Don't buy sex." It also sent letters to hotel managers inviting them to take measures to avoid prostitutes meeting clients in their establishments.
The prostitutes, whose work is not illegal in Denmark, promptly reacted to the move.
(Related?)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091206/tc_afp/chinainternetcensorpornographyoffbeat_20091206062406
China pays web surfers to find porn: report
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