Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Facebook Strikes Deal to Create New Social Network in China]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/facebook-baidu-deal-new-social-network-in-china/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/facebook-baidu-deal-new-social-network-in-china/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/facebook-baidu-deal-new-social-network-in-china/#comments baidui Facebook is reportedly working with China's largest search engine to create a new, jointly owned social network. The collaboration with Baidu would allow Facebook to get a foothold in the Chinese market while giving Baidu the chance to capitalize on Mark Zuckerberg's network-building expertise. The new site would still need to be approved by Chinese's Internet regulators, who retain final say on pretty much everything. And it definitely wouldn't be able to use the Facebook.com URL, which remains blocked throughout the mainland.

SwitchedFacebook Strikes Deal to Create New Social Network in China originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baidubusinesscensorshipchinafacebookMarkZuckerbergpoliticssearchSocialNetworkingthe+social+networkthesocialnetworktopWebMon, 11 Apr 2011 14:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Will No Longer Collect Street View Photos in Germany]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/google-will-no-longer-collect-street-view-photos-in-germany/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/google-will-no-longer-collect-street-view-photos-in-germany/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/google-will-no-longer-collect-street-view-photos-in-germany/#commentsGoogle has decided to stop collecting Street View photos in Germany, where regulators have spent much of the past two years railing against the search giant for violating the privacy of German residents. A company spokesman confirmed the decision in a statement sent to the Register, explaining that the images gathered across 20 German cities will remain available online, but reiterating that Google has "no plans to launch new imagery" in the country.

SwitchedGoogle Will No Longer Collect Street View Photos in Germany originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>germanygooglegoogle street viewgoogle street view in germanyGoogleStreetViewGoogleStreetViewInGermanyimagephotospoliticsprivacystreet viewStreetViewtopWebMon, 11 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[West Bank Settlers Spread Propaganda Using Violent Video Games]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/west-bank-settlers-spread-propaganda-using-violent-video-games/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/west-bank-settlers-spread-propaganda-using-violent-video-games/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/west-bank-settlers-spread-propaganda-using-violent-video-games/#comments Israeli Propaganda Games Using video games as propaganda is nothing new. The U.S. has been doing it with 'America's Army' for some time, while Hezbollah has employed 'Special Force' to spread its message. But those games might seem quaint and diplomatic in the face of a series of games from Residents' Councils of Samaria and Binyamin, an advocacy group for Jewish settlers in the West Bank. The organization has released a trio of violent shoot-'em-ups with Biblical roots and a pro-Israeli bent. The first, 'Judah Maccabee,' puts players in the role of a Maccabee soldier (a rebel army that took control of Judea from the Greeks around 167 B.C.) as he infiltrates a Greek camp. The second, 'Ahab in Samaria,' has players defending Israel from invading soldiers. 'Ammunition Hill,' the most recent game, puts players in the boots of a soldier during the invasion of East Jerusalem during the Six-Day War.

The games are rough-looking by American standards, with simplistic play reminiscent of 'Doom.' They were developed by Virtual 3D, a company that primarily traffics in archaeological software, using Shockwave (a relative of Flash). The games aren't going to win any converts to the settlers' cause, and will probably further put off those who are already unsympathetic. But propaganda will always have its place, and in the digital age that place is online games.

SwitchedWest Bank Settlers Spread Propaganda Using Violent Video Games originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AhabInSamariaAmmunitionHillgamingisraelJudahMaccabeepoliticspropagandatopVideoGamesvirtual 3dVirtual3dMon, 11 Apr 2011 11:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Julian Assange Says WikiLeaks Is More Accountable Than Most Governments, Gets a Little Sassy About It]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/julian-assange-says-wikileaks-is-more-accountable-than-most-gove/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/julian-assange-says-wikileaks-is-more-accountable-than-most-gove/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/julian-assange-says-wikileaks-is-more-accountable-than-most-gove/#commentsJulian Assange thinks WikiLeaks is more accountable than any democratic government in the world. And if you dare say otherwise, you'll probably get sued.

That was essentially the message that Assange conveyed over the weekend, during his first public appearance since being arrested in December, amid accusations of rape and sexual assault. Speaking to an audience at a public debate in London, Assange claimed that his whistleblowing organization is more accountable than most democratically elected governments -- simply because WikiLeaks relies upon personal donations, rather than corporate money.

Continue reading Julian Assange Says WikiLeaks Is More Accountable Than Most Governments, Gets a Little Sassy About It

SwitchedJulian Assange Says WikiLeaks Is More Accountable Than Most Governments, Gets a Little Sassy About It originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>governmentJulianAssangelawsuitlibellondonmediamoneypoliticsTheGuardiantoptransparencyWebWikileaksMon, 11 Apr 2011 10:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Russia Won't Ban Gmail or Skype Amid Security Concerns]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/russia-wont-ban-gmail-or-skype-amid-security-concerns/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/russia-wont-ban-gmail-or-skype-amid-security-concerns/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/11/russia-wont-ban-gmail-or-skype-amid-security-concerns/#commentsIt looks like Russia won't be banning Skype or Gmail, after all. The Kremlin was reportedly considering blocking both services, along with Hotmail, in response to a major cyberattack that crippled the country's most popular blog and an independent news site. Some within the Kremlin had believed the services posed a major threat to national security, but some critics had thought the government may have just been looking for an excuse to tighten its control over the Web -- ahead of December's parliamentary elections and next year's presidential race.

SwitchedRussia Won't Ban Gmail or Skype Amid Security Concerns originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banCyberAttackemailGmailgooglehotmailkremlinpoliticsrussiasecurityskypetopWebMon, 11 Apr 2011 09:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Man Goes to Prison for Threatening Eric Cantor on YouTube]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/norman-lebook-prison-for-eric-cantor-threats-on-youtube/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/norman-lebook-prison-for-eric-cantor-threats-on-youtube/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/norman-lebook-prison-for-eric-cantor-threats-on-youtube/#commentsA man named Norman LeBoon is headed to prison after making threats to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in a video posted to YouTube. In the clip, the 38-year-old LeBoon called the Republican "a liar" and "a Lucifer," and promised to shoot him. LeBoon pleaded guilty to the charges in November, and, on Thursday, was sentenced to two years in prison, along with an additional three years of supervised release.

SwitchedMan Goes to Prison for Threatening Eric Cantor on YouTube originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimeEricCantorlawpoliticsprisonrepublicansThreattopvideoWebyoutubeFri, 08 Apr 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Convicted Hacker Says He Committed Credit Card Heist for U.S. Government]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/albert-gonzalez-says-he-committed-credit-card-heist-for-u-s-go/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/albert-gonzalez-says-he-committed-credit-card-heist-for-u-s-go/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/albert-gonzalez-says-he-committed-credit-card-heist-for-u-s-go/#commentsThe hacker who orchestrated the biggest computer crime operation in U.S. history is alleging that the American government authorized him to do so.

Last year, 29-year-old Albert Gonzalez pleaded guilty to hacking into computer systems at TJX, Office Max, Dave & Busters, Heartland Payment Systems and other companies, in order to steal some 130 million credit card numbers. He received a 20-year prison sentence, which he's currently serving at a low-security facility in Michigan.

Continue reading Convicted Hacker Says He Committed Credit Card Heist for U.S. Government

SwitchedConvicted Hacker Says He Committed Credit Card Heist for U.S. Government originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Albert GonzalezAlbertGonzalezcredit cardsCreditCardscybercrimegovernmenthackerlawlawyerspoliticssecret serviceSecretServicesecuritytjxtopFri, 08 Apr 2011 13:35:00 EST<![CDATA[U.S. Might Use Facebook, Twitter to Broadcast Terrorism Alerts]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/07/u-s-might-use-facebook-twitter-to-broadcast-terrorism-alerts/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/07/u-s-might-use-facebook-twitter-to-broadcast-terrorism-alerts/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/07/u-s-might-use-facebook-twitter-to-broadcast-terrorism-alerts/#commentsfacebook loginThe U.S. government is considering using Facebook and Twitter to issue terrorism warnings, as part of its revamped terror alert system.

According to a draft of a Homeland Security plan obtained by the AP, the government would broadcast the warnings via Facebook and Twitter "when appropriate," and only after federal, state and local officials have already been alerted. But these warnings won't be quite as complex as before. The new system features only two alert levels -- 'elevated' and 'imminent' -- rather than the five colors that comprised the previous scale.

Continue reading U.S. Might Use Facebook, Twitter to Broadcast Terrorism Alerts

SwitchedU.S. Might Use Facebook, Twitter to Broadcast Terrorism Alerts originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alertfacebookHomeland SecurityHomelandSecuritypoliticsSocialNetworkingterrorismtoptwitterwarningWebThu, 07 Apr 2011 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Obama, Zuckerberg to Hold Town Hall Meeting on Facebook]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/06/obama-zuckerberg-to-hold-town-hall-meeting-on-facebook/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/06/obama-zuckerberg-to-hold-town-hall-meeting-on-facebook/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/06/obama-zuckerberg-to-hold-town-hall-meeting-on-facebook/#comments obama and zuckerberg The White House has announced that President Obama will hold a Town Hall meeting later this month, alongside Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and company COO Sheryl Sandberg. The event, scheduled for April 20th, will be held at Facebook headquarters and live-streamed via the social network. You can RSVP on the White House Facebook page or submit your questions to the President here.

SwitchedObama, Zuckerberg to Hold Town Hall Meeting on Facebook originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barack obamaBarackObamafacebookfacebook town hallFacebookTownHallMarkZuckerbergobamapoliticspresident obamaPresidentObamaSocialNetworkingTownHallWebWed, 06 Apr 2011 09:40:00 EST<![CDATA[House Moves to Repeal Net Neutrality Rules, Obama's Veto Looms]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/06/house-moves-to-repeal-net-neutrality-rules-obamas-veto-looms/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/06/house-moves-to-repeal-net-neutrality-rules-obamas-veto-looms/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/06/house-moves-to-repeal-net-neutrality-rules-obamas-veto-looms/#comments house bill The House of Representatives has approved the procedures for a joint resolution that would overturn the FCC's controversial Net neutrality rules. The resolution (PDF) is scheduled for a vote on Thursday in the GOP-controlled House. If it passes, it would then move on to the Democratic-controlled Senate, where its chances of survival are less certain. Even if it passes the Senate, though, the White House would likely veto the measure.

SwitchedHouse Moves to Repeal Net Neutrality Rules, Obama's Veto Looms originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 08:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DemocratsFCChouse of representativesHouseOfRepresentativesNet NeutralityNetNeutralityobamapoliticsrepublicanstopvetoWebwhite houseWhiteHouseWed, 06 Apr 2011 08:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Urdu Translation Software Understands Nuance]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/rohini-srihari-urdu-translation-app-understands-nuance/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/rohini-srihari-urdu-translation-app-understands-nuance/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/rohini-srihari-urdu-translation-app-understands-nuance/#comments urdu translator A computer scientist at the University of Buffalo has developed a new program capable of taking automated translation beyond the literal.

Rohini Srihari began working on her software in the hopes of improving computerized translations of Urdu -- a linguistic blend of Hindi and Persian that is widely spoken in Pakistan, and by many Muslims in India. Urdu is a particularly difficult language for computers to translate because its grammar is so different from most Western languages, and its Arabic script can connote important subtleties in meaning. As a result, most digital translations of Urdu remain comparatively basic and literal -- something that Srihari wanted to change.

Continue reading Urdu Translation Software Understands Nuance

SwitchedUrdu Translation Software Understands Nuance originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arabichistorylanguageMiddleEastpakistanpoliticsRohiniSrihariscienceSocialNetworkingtoptranslationtwitterurduWebTue, 05 Apr 2011 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Manning Used Data-Mining Software to Obtain Documents, Army Claims]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/bradley-manning-used-data-mining-software-army-claims/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/bradley-manning-used-data-mining-software-army-claims/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/bradley-manning-used-data-mining-software-army-claims/#commentsArmy Pfc. Bradley Manning, the man suspected of supplying WikiLeaks with thousands of confidential military documents, used unauthorized data-mining software to obtain the information, according to the Army.

The Army alleges that Manning installed the software on computers connected to the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRN), which is believed to be the source of the 250,000 diplomatic cables and 500,000 field reports that WikiLeaks has published. Officials say Manning installed the code once between February 11th and April 3rd, 2010, and a second time around May 4th -- the day he was demoted after getting into a spat with another soldier.

Continue reading Manning Used Data-Mining Software to Obtain Documents, Army Claims

SwitchedManning Used Data-Mining Software to Obtain Documents, Army Claims originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armyBradleyManningcrimecybercrimeDataMiningdocumentshackingmilitarypoliticssecuritysoftwaretopWikileaksTue, 05 Apr 2011 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Court Dismisses Challenges to Net Neutrality Rules, Leaves Door Open for Future Suits]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/court-dismisses-challenges-to-net-neutrality-rules-leaves-door/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/court-dismisses-challenges-to-net-neutrality-rules-leaves-door/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/court-dismisses-challenges-to-net-neutrality-rules-leaves-door/#commentsChallenges to the FCC's new Net neutrality rules filed by Verizon and MetroPCS have been dismissed by a federal appeals court judge. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia tossed out the cases on a technicality. Since the rules had not yet been published in the federal register, it was too early to file challenges to them. The decision does not prevent either company from filing suit again after the new regulations are published however, and, according to Forbes, Verizon is planning to refile. The FCC is already under fire from congressional Republicans who voted in February to overturn the rules. For its part, Verizon likes its chances, having filed suit in the same court that came down on the side of Comcast in April of 2010 after the FCC rebuked the company for blocking P2P traffic.

How the battle will play out is anyone's guess. Though the U.S. Court of Appeals in D.C. has sided with ISPs over Net neutrality before, that doesn't guarantee that it will find in Verizon's favor this time around. And any efforts to repeal the rules will likely be met with stiff opposition by the Obama administration and Senate Democrats. Still, House Republicans are not above playing politics, having inserted language barring the FCC from using federal funds to implement the rules into a broad spending bill, which Congress is under intense pressure to pass.

SwitchedCourt Dismisses Challenges to Net Neutrality Rules, Leaves Door Open for Future Suits originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>courtfccmetropcsNetNeutralitypoliticstopverizonTue, 05 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Jersey Feds Call Grand Jury Investigation Into Smartphone Apps]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/feds-call-grand-jury-investigation-into-smartphone-ap/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/feds-call-grand-jury-investigation-into-smartphone-ap/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/05/feds-call-grand-jury-investigation-into-smartphone-ap/#commentsFederal prosecutors in New Jersey have called for a grand jury investigation to determine whether or not smartphone apps have been illegally gathering and spreading users' personal information.

According to the Wall Street Journal, federal authorities are looking into whether or not app manufacturers properly disclosed the kinds of personal information their apps collect from users, and whether or not they provided justification for doing so. Failure to notify and inform consumers about data gathering could constitute a violation of federal law, a source close to the investigation explained.

Continue reading New Jersey Feds Call Grand Jury Investigation Into Smartphone Apps

SwitchedNew Jersey Feds Call Grand Jury Investigation Into Smartphone Apps originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidAppleappsdataFederalInvestigationgoogleGrandJuryiphoneNewJerseypandorapoliticsprivacysmartphonetopTue, 05 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Conservative Group Turns to Wikis to Take on Obama]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/crossroads-gps-wikiaccountability-takes-on-obama/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/crossroads-gps-wikiaccountability-takes-on-obama/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/crossroads-gps-wikiaccountability-takes-on-obama/#comments Wikiaccountability Conservative group Crossroads GPS is turning to the wiki model of crowdsourcing information for its latest project, called Wikiaccountability. The site targets the actions of the Obama administration, encouraging participants to file Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and post the information to the site. Users don't just post raw data, though; they also analyze what is posted and craft articles detailing ways in which the group feels the administration has violated its own stated transparency goals.

Unlike Wikipedia, though, Wikiacountability is not 100-percent publicly editable. Because of its partisan nature, the possibility for vandalism is much higher, so editors must be approved before they can make any changes to the site. The site is only a few days old and it's clearly too early to judge. So far, all posts and edits have been made by only two people, but the site's success rests on being able to attract a small army of contributors. But even if the site itself fails to take off, it may succeed in educating people about FOIA, and can at least claim a moral victory. Steven J. Law, the president of the group, told the New York Times, "People automatically assume only journalists can file FOIA requests." Much of the site so far is focused on educating potential contributors about how that law works.

SwitchedConservative Group Turns to Wikis to Take on Obama originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crossroads gpsCrossroadsGpsFreedom of Information ActFreedomOfInformationActpoliticstopwebwikiwikiaccountabilityMon, 04 Apr 2011 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple, Intel Vow to Stop Using Conflict Minerals From Africa]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/apple-intel-vow-to-stop-using-conflict-minerals-from-africa/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/apple-intel-vow-to-stop-using-conflict-minerals-from-africa/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/apple-intel-vow-to-stop-using-conflict-minerals-from-africa/#comments gold mine Apple and Intel have both decided to stop using conflict minerals to manufacture products, as part of the Conflict-Free Smelter program.

Conflict minerals include valuable commodities such as gold, titanium, tungsten and tin, which generate massive revenues used to fund wars in Central Africa, and, more specifically, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Beginning next year, all U.S. companies will be required by law to disclose their mineral supplies and identify any purchases that may be linked to the Congo conflict. By agreeing to the Conflict-Free Smelter program, though, Apple and Intel have effectively given themselves a head-start, which could help mitigate future controversy.

Continue reading Apple, Intel Vow to Stop Using Conflict Minerals From Africa

SwitchedApple, Intel Vow to Stop Using Conflict Minerals From Africa originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applechinaconflict mineralsConflictMineralscongoDemocratic Republic of the CongoDemocraticRepublicOfTheCongoIntelmanufacturingpoliticstoptradewarMon, 04 Apr 2011 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[New Book on Google Reveals Details on China, CEO's Political Donations]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/steven-levy-in-the-plex-reveals-china-details/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/steven-levy-in-the-plex-reveals-china-details/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/steven-levy-in-the-plex-reveals-china-details/#commentsIn his new book, 'In the Plex,' tech journalist Steven Levy traces the history of Google and exposes some juicy details about the company along the way.

The New York Times recently reviewed an advanced copy of the book, and highlighted some of its most interesting revelations. Eric Schmidt, for example, reportedly wanted to censor some Google search results in order to hide a political donation he made during his tenure as the company's CEO. His plans were derailed, however, when Google exec Sheryl Sandberg said it was "unacceptable," according to the Times. (Company spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker says Schmidt denies Levy's allegations.)

Continue reading New Book on Google Reveals Details on China, CEO's Political Donations

SwitchedNew Book on Google Reveals Details on China, CEO's Political Donations originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bookbookscensorshipchinaeric schmidtEricSchmidtgooglelarry pageLarryPagepoliticssearchsergey brinSergeyBrinsteven levyStevenLevytopWebMon, 04 Apr 2011 11:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Lawyer Files $1 Billion Lawsuit Against Facebook, Zuckerberg Over Palestinian Intifada Page]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/larry-klayman-files-billion-dollar-lawsuit-against-facebook/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/larry-klayman-files-billion-dollar-lawsuit-against-facebook/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/larry-klayman-files-billion-dollar-lawsuit-against-facebook/#commentsEarlier this week, Facebook pulled a controversial page calling for a Third Palestinian Intifada after facing intense pressure and criticism from Israeli politicians and organizations like the Anti-Defamation League. When it eventually decided to remove the page, the social network explained the decision by pointing out that comments on the page had "deteriorated to direct calls for violence," thereby warranting its termination per company policy. One lawyer, however, thinks Facebook should've yanked the page much earlier -- and he's asking for more than $1 billion to help heal the wounds.

Political activist Larry Klayman is the man behind the billion-dollar, class-action lawsuit, filed yesterday in Washington. Klayman, who is Jewish, alleges that Facebook and CEO Mark Zuckerberg (also Jewish) intentionally kept the Intifada page active in order to "further their revenues and the net worth" of the company. Doing so, he claims, put Klayman's own life in jeopardy, since he has been "called a Zionist publicly by radical Palestinians and other such Arabic interests." Naturally, this led Klayman to consider himself "a target of this call to kill Jews."

Continue reading Lawyer Files $1 Billion Lawsuit Against Facebook, Zuckerberg Over Palestinian Intifada Page

SwitchedLawyer Files $1 Billion Lawsuit Against Facebook, Zuckerberg Over Palestinian Intifada Page originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookintifadaIsraellarry klaymanLarryKlaymanlawsuitMark ZuckerbergMarkZuckerbergPalestinepoliticsSocialNetworkingthe social networkTheSocialNetworktopWebFri, 01 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bahrain Releases Dissident Blogger One Day After Arresting Him]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/bahrain-releases-mahmoud-al-youssef-dissident-blogger/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/bahrain-releases-mahmoud-al-youssef-dissident-blogger/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/bahrain-releases-mahmoud-al-youssef-dissident-blogger/#comments bahrain funeral Authorities in Bahrain have released a dissident blogger, just one day after arresting him at his home. Mahmoud al-Youssef was taken into custody early Wednesday morning, as part of a nationwide campaign against opposition activists and protesters. The 50-year-old al-Youssef, who blogs in English, has long criticized the Bahrain regime for restricting freedom of expression, and has been an outspoken advocate for political reform. On Thursday evening, he confirmed to the AP that he'd been released after a brief detainment, without providing further details.

SwitchedBahrain Releases Dissident Blogger One Day After Arresting Him originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arrestbahrainbahrain protestsBahrainProtestsbloggerdissidentsfreedom of speechFreedomOfSpeechgovernmentmahmoud al-youssefMahmoudAl-youssefmiddle eastMiddleEastpoliticsprotesttopWebFri, 01 Apr 2011 09:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Files Antitrust Complaint Against Google in E.U. Court]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/microsoft-files-antitrust-complaint-against-google/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/microsoft-files-antitrust-complaint-against-google/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/microsoft-files-antitrust-complaint-against-google/#comments google sign A decade after fighting a major antitrust lawsuit, Microsoft has filed exactly the same charges against Google. Today, the company will file a formal antitrust complaint with the European Union, joining a collection of small companies that have already made similar charges against the search giant.

Microsoft is hoping that the E.U. will take some action against Google, and perhaps convince regulators in the U.S to do the same. In Europe, several small Internet firms have filed charges against Google, arguing that the company's search engine unfairly favors its own products, thereby hindering competition.

Continue reading Microsoft Files Antitrust Complaint Against Google in E.U. Court

SwitchedMicrosoft Files Antitrust Complaint Against Google in E.U. Court originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingantitrustBingbusinessEuropeanUniongooglelawsuitMicrosoftmoneypoliticssearchtopWebyoutubeThu, 31 Mar 2011 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Google, FTC Reach Settlement on Buzz Privacy Case, John Kerry Wants to Go Further]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/google-buzz-settlement-ftc-john-kerry-wants-more/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/google-buzz-settlement-ftc-john-kerry-wants-more/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/google-buzz-settlement-ftc-john-kerry-wants-more/#commentsGoogle reached a historic settlement with the Federal Trade Commission yesterday, bringing an end to the FTC's investigation into Google Buzz -- the social network that has mired the company in allegations of privacy violations.

Under the settlement, Google will have to implement a "comprehensive privacy program," and will be subject to independent audits for the next two decades. Yesterday's announcement marks the first time that the FTC has targeted a company for violating privacy rules outlined in the U.S.-E.U. Safe Harbor Framework. It's also the first settlement explicitly requiring a firm to create a stronger privacy policy.

Continue reading Google, FTC Reach Settlement on Buzz Privacy Case, John Kerry Wants to Go Further

SwitchedGoogle, FTC Reach Settlement on Buzz Privacy Case, John Kerry Wants to Go Further originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 09:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consumerftcFtcSettlementgoogleGoogleBuzzJohnKerrylawpoliticsprivacysocialnetworkingtopwebThu, 31 Mar 2011 09:19:00 EST<![CDATA[America Develops Cell Phone Panic Button for Pro-Democracy Activists]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/america-cellphone-panic-button-for-pro-democracy-activists/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/america-cellphone-panic-button-for-pro-democracy-activists/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/america-cellphone-panic-button-for-pro-democracy-activists/#commentsOne of America's newest tools in the war against tyranny could be a cell phone "panic" button. According to Reuters, the U.S. State Department wants to equip pro-democracy activists in the Middle East with technology that could wipe phones of sensitive data in the event that they are arrested or their cell phones are confiscated. Initiating the panic sequence would erase the phone book, call history and messages, while also broadcasting an alert to other protesters.

The technology therefore would make it easier to spread word about an arrest, and to keep that arrest from creating a domino effect (by which any person found in the contacts of a protester's cell phone could be incarcerated). We're sure there are plenty of people in Libya, Yemen and Syria who wish they'd had this technology weeks ago.

SwitchedAmerica Develops Cell Phone Panic Button for Pro-Democracy Activists originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsgovernmentPanicButtonpoliticsprivacytopWed, 30 Mar 2011 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook Changes Mind, Shuts Down Palestinian Intifada Page]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/facebook-shuts-down-palestinian-intifada-page/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/facebook-shuts-down-palestinian-intifada-page/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/facebook-shuts-down-palestinian-intifada-page/#comments facebook page Retreating from its previous stance, Facebook yesterday announced that it had pulled a page calling for a Third Palestinian Intifada. Israeli Cabinet Minister Yuli Edelstein wrote Mark Zuckerberg last week to request that the page be shuttered, but Facebook initially refused to do so; the company claimed that there was nothing overtly violent about the page, which was established as a call for peaceful protests on May 15th.

What happened afterward should surprise no one familiar with the hype effect. Facebook's public policy communications manager Andrew Noyes noted that "after the publicity of the page, more comments deteriorated to direct calls for violence," which the page's creators parroted in turn.

Continue reading Facebook Changes Mind, Shuts Down Palestinian Intifada Page

SwitchedFacebook Changes Mind, Shuts Down Palestinian Intifada Page originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookintifadaisraelMarkZuckerbergMiddleEastpalestinepalestinianspoliticsprotectionSocialNetworkingThirdPalestinianIntifadatopWed, 30 Mar 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Judge Ruling on Copyright Law Used to Be a Lobbyist for RIAA]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/judge-beryl-howell-used-to-be-riaa-lobbysit/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/judge-beryl-howell-used-to-be-riaa-lobbysit/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/judge-beryl-howell-used-to-be-riaa-lobbysit/#commentsLast week, U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell issued a ruling that would make it easier for copyright holders to obtain personal information on anyone suspected of illegally downloading copyrighted files. The verdict was met with complaints from ISPs and consumer rights groups, with many arguing that it would allow copyright holders to pursue frivolous lawsuits in the hopes of striking lucrative settlement deals. Perhaps more troubling than Howell's ruling, however, is her resume.

Before being appointed as a federal judge, Howell served as General Counsel of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, where she helped draft the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), the No Electronic Theft Act, and other intellectual property laws. She also used to work as the Executive Managing Director and General Counsel at a consulting firm called Stroz Friedberg. Said firm specializes in digital crime, and is well-versed in the technology used to trace and identify file sharers. More recently, though, Stroz Friedberg has begun lobbying on behalf of the RIAA -- and that's where Howell's objectivity could be called into question.

Continue reading Judge Ruling on Copyright Law Used to Be a Lobbyist for RIAA

SwitchedJudge Ruling on Copyright Law Used to Be a Lobbyist for RIAA originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BerylHowellbittorrentConflictOfInterestcopyrightCopyrightInfringementcourtfilesharingIllegalDownloadsjudgeslawsuitlobbyistsobjectivitypoliticsriaaStrozFriedbergtopWebTue, 29 Mar 2011 13:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Barack Obama Has a Computer and an iPad, Because He's the President]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/barack-obama-computer-and-ipad/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/barack-obama-computer-and-ipad/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/barack-obama-computer-and-ipad/#comments barack obama As President of the United States, Barack Obama gets to enjoy some pretty sweet perks. Big house, private jet, personal chef -- and yes, his very own computer. He has an iPad, too, in case you were wondering. Univision's Jorge Ramos posed these hard-hitting questions during a recent interview with the President, who replied with a blank stare, before coolly reminding Ramos that he's the President. Check out the interview here.

SwitchedBarack Obama Has a Computer and an iPad, Because He's the President originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BarackObamacomputerinterviewipadobamapoliticspresidenttopunivisionTue, 29 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[WSJ: U.S. Companies Helped Censor Internet in Middle East]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/us-companies-helped-censor-internet-in-middle-east/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/us-companies-helped-censor-internet-in-middle-east/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/us-companies-helped-censor-internet-in-middle-east/#commentsWhen the Middle East erupted in revolution earlier this year, many regimes responded to the upheaval by ramping up their online censorship efforts. And, according to the Wall Street Journal, a lot of them had help from American software companies.

Throughout the region, governments have been using technologies and tools developed by U.S. firms to clamp down on the Web. McAfee reportedly supplied filtering software to ISPs in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, with Blue Coat Systems providing supplementary hardware to the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain. A forthcoming report from OpenNet shows that ISPs in at least nine Middle East countries have used "Western-made tools for the purpose of blocking social and political content, effectively blocking a total of over 20 million Internet users from accessing such websites."

Continue reading WSJ: U.S. Companies Helped Censor Internet in Middle East

SwitchedWSJ: U.S. Companies Helped Censor Internet in Middle East originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlueCoatSystemscensorshipFreedomOfSpeechInternetJonathan ZittrainJonathanZittrainmcafeeMiddleEastpoliticsprotestsecuritysoftwareStateDepartmenttopWebMon, 28 Mar 2011 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[NYT: Facebook Wants Obama Press Secretary Gibbs to Join the Team]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/facebook-eyes-robert-gibbs/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/facebook-eyes-robert-gibbs/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/facebook-eyes-robert-gibbs/#commentsFormer White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs is in talks with Facebook to join its communications team, according to the New York Times. Gibbs left the White House team last month, after two years of service as press secretary (the longest one can serve without suffering permanent soul damage). Although Gibbs has reportedly planned to work on Obama's 2012 reelection bid before fully entering the private sector, Facebook apparently hopes that he will accelerate the transition. Rumor has it that Facebook wants Gibbs to head up its communications efforts in advance of its initial public offering early next year. After two years of dealing with the White House press corps, convincing people that Facebook is a good investment (or that it actually cares about your privacy) should be a walk in the park.

SwitchedNYT: Facebook Wants Obama Press Secretary Gibbs to Join the Team originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookpoliticsPressSecretaryRobertGibbstopWhiteHouseMon, 28 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[German Politician Exposes Personal Data Gathered by Cell Phone Companies]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/malte-spitz-found-deutsche-telekom-tracked-personal-data-via-cell-phones/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/malte-spitz-found-deutsche-telekom-tracked-personal-data-via-cell-phones/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/malte-spitz-found-deutsche-telekom-tracked-personal-data-via-cell-phones/#commentsLooking for another reason to feel paranoid about your privacy? German politician Malte Spitz may have found one.

Spitz recently sued his mobile provider, Deutsche Telekom, in order to obtain data that the company had collected on his own whereabouts. Deutsche Telekom complied, and handed over all the geographic information it had gathered over a six-month period. As it turns out, the provider recorded Spitz's location on more than 35,000 occasions in six months, or about 78-percent of the time.

Continue reading German Politician Exposes Personal Data Gathered by Cell Phone Companies

SwitchedGerman Politician Exposes Personal Data Gathered by Cell Phone Companies originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphonesdataDeutscheTelekomgermanylawsuitLocationMalteSpitzmarketingmobilePersonalInformationpoliticsprivacytopMon, 28 Mar 2011 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Using Google to Dissect Arab Revolutions]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/using-google-to-dissect-arab-revolutions/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/using-google-to-dissect-arab-revolutions/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/using-google-to-dissect-arab-revolutions/#comments egyptian on twitter The revolutions across the Middle East may have ushered in a new era of U.S. intelligence-gathering -- one that could even include Google.

Gabriel Koehler-Derrick, an instructor at West Point, and Joshua Goldstein, from Princeton, recently used Google Trends to analyze the terms that Web users in Egypt searched at the height of the country's recent upheaval. "What we did was a comparison of search terms over time starting from the moment the Internet was plugged back in by the government of Egypt on Jan. 25, and moving forward for a period of about 30 days to see what we could find out," Koehlser-Derrick explained to NPR.

Continue reading Using Google to Dissect Arab Revolutions

SwitchedUsing Google to Dissect Arab Revolutions originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>egyptgoogleGoogleTrendsintelligenceMiddleEastMiddleEastProtestsopensourcepoliticstopTunisiaWebFri, 25 Mar 2011 12:10:00 EST<![CDATA[RIM Pulls Drunk-Driving BlackBerry Apps, Pleases Democratic Senators]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/rim-pulls-drunk-driving-blackberry-apps-pleases-democratic-sena/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/rim-pulls-drunk-driving-blackberry-apps-pleases-democratic-sena/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/rim-pulls-drunk-driving-blackberry-apps-pleases-democratic-sena/#commentsRIM has decided to pull all BlackBerry apps designed to help drivers avoid sobriety checkpoints, in response to a request filed by four Democratic Senators. Thus far, at least one app has already vanished from the BlackBerry App World, a fact that drew praise from New York Senator Charles Schumer. "RIM's decision to remove these apps from their online store proves that when it comes to drunk driving, there should not be an app for that," Schumer said. Neither Apple nor Google has responded to the Senators' request.

SwitchedRIM Pulls Drunk-Driving BlackBerry Apps, Pleases Democratic Senators originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsBlackBerryCharlesSchumerDrunkDrivinglawpolicepoliticsRIMsafetytopThu, 24 Mar 2011 10:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Democratic Senators Ask Apple to Remove DUI Checkpoint Apps]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/democratic-senators-ask-apple-to-remove-dui-checkpoint-apps/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/democratic-senators-ask-apple-to-remove-dui-checkpoint-apps/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/23/democratic-senators-ask-apple-to-remove-dui-checkpoint-apps/#commentsA group of Senators is asking Apple to remove from its App Store all apps designed to help drunk drivers avoid checkpoints -- apps that the politicians consider "harmful to public safety."

In a letter, four Senators -- Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Tom Udall (D-NM) -- argued that apps that help drivers avoid speed traps, sobriety checkpoints and police radar pose serious risks to other motorists. "Giving drunk drivers a free tool to evade checkpoints, putting innocent families and children at risk, is a matter of public concern," the Senators wrote in a letter to Apple, Google and BlackBerry manufacturer Research in Motion. "We hope that you will give our request to remove these applications from your store immediate consideration."

Continue reading Democratic Senators Ask Apple to Remove DUI Checkpoint Apps

SwitchedDemocratic Senators Ask Apple to Remove DUI Checkpoint Apps originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AppleappsAppStoreBlackBerryDemocratsdrunkDrunkDrivingduigooglelawPhantomAlertpolicepoliticsRIMtopWed, 23 Mar 2011 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[China Ramps Up Online Censorship, To No One's Surprise]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/china-online-censorship-ramps-up/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/china-online-censorship-ramps-up/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/china-online-censorship-ramps-up/#comments internet cafe in beijing China has always maintained tight control over what its citizens read and write online. But according to the New York Times, the Leviathan of governmental censorship seems to be digging its tentacles even deeper into the lives of mainland Web surfers.

In the wake of the Middle East protests, the Chinese regime has only ratcheted up its surveillance and censorship of electronic communications in an attempt to quell even the slightest hint of anti-government sentiment. On Sunday, Google accused the government of blocking or disrupting its Gmail service within the country, and of blaming the interruption on technical errors. (China, for what it's worth, says Google's claims are "unacceptable.")

Continue reading China Ramps Up Online Censorship, To No One's Surprise

SwitchedChina Ramps Up Online Censorship, To No One's Surprise originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>censorshipchinachineseCommunistgooglemonitoringpoliticsprotestsecuritysurveillancetopWebTue, 22 Mar 2011 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[NATO Psyops Broadcast Over Libya Caught by Amateur Eavesdropper]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/huub-blackbox-catches-nato-psyops-libya-broadcasts/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/huub-blackbox-catches-nato-psyops-libya-broadcasts/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/huub-blackbox-catches-nato-psyops-libya-broadcasts/#comments EC-130 Commando Solo It used to be that spying on military aircraft required the sort of technology and training that only a government-backed espionage outfit could manage. Those days are long gone. Now, with a few hundred dollars' worth of radio gear and a little Web savvy, a private citizen can gather a surprising amount of information about supposedly secret government and military operations. Dutch radio enthusiast and digital forensics specialist "Huub" (also known as "BlackBox" and @FMCNL on Twitter) snagged a rather interesting recording of a Commando Solo psyops plane flying over Libya, broadcasting a not-so-subtle threat to Libyan ships in the harbor: "If you attempt to leave port, you will be attacked and destroyed immediately."

The broadcast from the radio-happy EC-130 was just part of Huub's discoveries. He was also able to identify the call signs and tail numbers of numerous NATO craft, and even track their movements. Huub relies on a number of sources for his information, including broadcasts from air traffic control and NATO itself. But there is also a fair amount of data-mining and trickery involved in pinpointing transponder data and eavesdropping on secret transmissions.

Continue reading NATO Psyops Broadcast Over Libya Caught by Amateur Eavesdropper

SwitchedNATO Psyops Broadcast Over Libya Caught by Amateur Eavesdropper originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackboxCommandoSolofmcnlhuublibyamilitarynatoOperationOdysseyDawnpoliticspsyopsspytopTue, 22 Mar 2011 13:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Appeals Court Reinstates Lawsuit Against Federal Wiretapping]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/appeals-court-reinstates-lawsuit-against-federal-wiretapping/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/appeals-court-reinstates-lawsuit-against-federal-wiretapping/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/appeals-court-reinstates-lawsuit-against-federal-wiretapping/#commentsThe ACLU and other civil liberties groups can continue their legal battle against a federal wiretapping law, now that a New York appeals court has reinstated their lawsuit.

At issue is a 2008 federal law known as the FISA Amendments Act, which empowered the U.S. government to conduct widespread electronic surveillance on suspected terrorists. The ACLU's challenge had been previously thrown out by a district court judge in Manhattan, who claimed that the plaintiffs had failed to provide evidence that their own e-mails and phone calls had been under surveillance.

Continue reading Appeals Court Reinstates Lawsuit Against Federal Wiretapping

SwitchedAppeals Court Reinstates Lawsuit Against Federal Wiretapping originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acluAmnestyInternationalconstitutioncourtemailfisaHumanRightsWatchlawlawsuitpoliticsprivacysurveillanceterrorismtopwiretappingTue, 22 Mar 2011 11:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Censorship Goes Both Ways: The Case for an Ex-Gay App]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/21/case-for-exodus-international-iphone-app/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/21/case-for-exodus-international-iphone-app/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/21/case-for-exodus-international-iphone-app/#commentsPerhaps you've heard of this Exodus International iPhone app fracas? The leading organization behind the ex-gay movement (the belief that religious counseling can help LGBT people "struggling" with their sexualities to reorient themselves to heterosexuality) recently had its official app approved by Apple, and gay rights groups are now in an uproar. Surprise?

Despite the fact that Apple deemed the app to contain "no objectionable content," gay rights advocates are fuming. They say that Exodus and its ex-gay crusade are rooted in messages of shame and bigotry, and that its agenda-serving app only serves to spread hate.

The ex-gay movement itself has been characterized by its opponents as everything from a laughable curiosity ("Pray away the gay!") to a cultish brainwashing operation. I'm not going to define it one way or another, because I haven't been targeted by any of its members myself. But I will say that, despite being an openly gay man, I think this app deserves a chance. That's right: I'm defending Exodus International.

Continue reading Censorship Goes Both Ways: The Case for an Ex-Gay App

SwitchedCensorship Goes Both Ways: The Case for an Ex-Gay App originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleappsAppStorecensorshipcyberbullyingex+gay+appex-gayex-gay+appex-gay+iphone+appex-gayappex-gayiphoneappexgayappExodusInternationaliphoneitunesopinionpoliticsreligiontopMon, 21 Mar 2011 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinese Government Messing With Gmail, Google Says]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/21/china-gmail-glitches-due-to-government-google-says/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/21/china-gmail-glitches-due-to-government-google-says/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/21/china-gmail-glitches-due-to-government-google-says/#comments google in china Having trouble with your Gmail in China? Google politely requests that you blame the government, not the company. For several weeks now, users in China have been complaining about glitches within the popular mail program. When Google's engineers looked into the issues, they discovered that the Chinese government was the source of the problem. "Relating to Google there is no issue on our side... This is a government blockage carefully designed to look like the problem is with Gmail," a Google spokesperson told The Guardian.

Strangely enough, the news comes almost a year to the day after Google announced that it would start redirecting Google.cn users to Hong Kong Google, having discovered that the Chinese government had hacked into a number of human rights activists' accounts. This latest activity comes on the heels of a Chinese Internet crackdown meant to control the information relating to the popular uprisings in the Middle East. Skype, meanwhile, has been blocked since December. With the recent launch of a state-owned search engine, perhaps it's not inconceivable that Google will be the next to go.

SwitchedChinese Government Messing With Gmail, Google Says originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>censorshipchinaChinaGmailChineseGovernmentGmailgooglegoogle.cnhackHumanRightspangusopoliticstopMon, 21 Mar 2011 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Web Pioneer Tim Berners-Lee Supports Net Neutrality]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/17/tim-berners-lee-supports-net-neutrality/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/17/tim-berners-lee-supports-net-neutrality/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/17/tim-berners-lee-supports-net-neutrality/#comments tim berners-lee The man who invented the Internet seems pretty worried about the future of net neutrality. During a roundtable discussion in London yesterday, Tim Berners-Lee warned that a two-tiered Internet would threaten the openness upon which the Web has thrived. "Best practices should also include the neutrality of the net," he told a group of representatives from various content companies, including Facebook, Skype and the BBC.

According to Berners-Lee, "every customer should be able to access every service, and every service should be able to access every customer." Plans to divide the Internet into a two-speed highway would seriously jeopardize its growth, he warned. "The web has grown so fast precisely because we have had two independent markets, one for connectivity, and the other for content and applications," Berners-Lee explained.

Continue reading Web Pioneer Tim Berners-Lee Supports Net Neutrality

SwitchedWeb Pioneer Tim Berners-Lee Supports Net Neutrality originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 09:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessispNet NeutralityNetNeutralitypoliticsTim Berners-LeeTimBerners-leetopukWebThu, 17 Mar 2011 09:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Obama Administration Urges Congress to Adopt 'Privacy Bill of Rights']]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/obama-administration-privacy-bill-of-rights/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/obama-administration-privacy-bill-of-rights/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/obama-administration-privacy-bill-of-rights/#commentsThe Obama administration is pushing Congress to adopt a so-called "privacy bill of rights," in order to offer greater protection for Americans concerned about online data gathering and targeted advertising.

Assistant Secretary of Commerce Lawrence E. Strickling is expected to propose the legislation today during a hearing of the Senate Commerce Committee. A source familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal that the administration would support any bill that adheres to the recommendations outlined in a December report from the Commerce Department.

Continue reading Obama Administration Urges Congress to Adopt 'Privacy Bill of Rights'

SwitchedObama Administration Urges Congress to Adopt 'Privacy Bill of Rights' originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingcongressdo not trackDoNotTracklawObama AdministrationObamaAdministrationpersonal dataPersonalDatapoliticsprivacyprivacy bill of rightsPrivacyBillOfRightsprotectiontopWebWed, 16 Mar 2011 13:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Julian Assange Says WikiLeaks Helped Shape Middle East Protests]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/julian-assange-wikileaks-helped-shape-middle-east-protests/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/julian-assange-wikileaks-helped-shape-middle-east-protests/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/julian-assange-wikileaks-helped-shape-middle-east-protests/#commentsDuring a speech at Cambridge University yesterday, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange suggested that his whistleblowing organization played a significant role in the recent protests across the Middle East and North Africa.

According to Assange, WikiLeaks' diplomatic cables may have convinced Middle Eastern leaders that they wouldn't be able to rely on U.S. assistance if military forces were to suddenly turn against the government.

Continue reading Julian Assange Says WikiLeaks Helped Shape Middle East Protests

SwitchedJulian Assange Says WikiLeaks Helped Shape Middle East Protests originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diplomatic cablesDiplomaticCablesegyptHillary ClintonHillaryClintonJulian AssangeJulianAssangemiddle eastMiddleEastpoliticstopTunisiaWebWikileaksWed, 16 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[House Republicans Take Step Toward Repealing Net Neutrality Rules]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/house-republicans-take-step-toward-repealing-net-neutrality-rule/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/house-republicans-take-step-toward-repealing-net-neutrality-rule/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/house-republicans-take-step-toward-repealing-net-neutrality-rule/#commentsHouse Republicans are moving forward with their plan to repeal the FCC's new net neutrality regulations. Yesterday, the GOP-controlled House Commerce Committee voted to overturn the rules by a 30-23 vote that split along party lines. The vote comes less than a week after a House Subcommittee approved the measure by a similarly partisan vote. The FCC is also facing legal challenges from Verizon and Metro PCS Communications, but had no comment on yesterday's vote.

SwitchedHouse Republicans Take Step Toward Repealing Net Neutrality Rules originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessFCCHouseNet NeutralityNetNeutralitypoliticsregulationrepealrepublicanstopvoteWebWed, 16 Mar 2011 09:50:00 EST