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[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[Pandora Provides Detailed Data, Including GPS Coordinates, to Advertisers]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/pandora-provides-detailed-data-including-gps-coordinates-to-ad/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/pandora-provides-detailed-data-including-gps-coordinates-to-ad/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/08/pandora-provides-detailed-data-including-gps-coordinates-to-ad/#commentsAfter it was revealed earlier this week that several smartphone app makers, including Pandora, were being targeted by a federal grand jury in New Jersey for illegally gathering and distributing user information, security firm Veracode decided to do its own analysis.

It took a look at the Android version of Pandora's streaming music app, and found that it was feeding data to five different advertising platforms: AdMarvel, AdMob, comScore, Google.Ads, and Medialets. It appears the Pandora is feeding GPS coordinates, as well as the user's birthday, gender, postal code and Android ID, to AdMob. The other ad networks received similar data -- with comScore pulling in Android IDs, and Medialets receiving very detailed GPS data, including bearing and altitude, as well as information about model and version of Android.

Continue reading Pandora Provides Detailed Data, Including GPS Coordinates, to Advertisers

SwitchedPandora Provides Detailed Data, Including GPS Coordinates, to Advertisers originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsgpsLocationDatapandoraprivacytopwebFri, 08 Apr 2011 09:20:00 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['Porn Wikileaks' Reveals Adult Stars' Real Names, Home Addresses]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/porn-wikileaks-reveals-adult-stars-real-names-home-addresses/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/porn-wikileaks-reveals-adult-stars-real-names-home-addresses/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/porn-wikileaks-reveals-adult-stars-real-names-home-addresses/#comments Porn WikiLeaks The adult film industry is up in arms over 'Porn WikiLeaks' -- a new site offering the real names, birth dates and other private information belonging to more than 15,000 adult actors and actresses.

As Gawker reported last week, Porn WikiLeaks obtained this information from a patient database at an STD testing clinic in California. In addition to the porn stars' real names, the leaked database from the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation (AIM) contained their home addresses, information on their family members, and copies of their state ID cards. Most entries posted to Porn WikiLeaks feature only an actor's name, date of birth and stage name -- basic, but potentially disastrous information for any ex-performer looking to hide his or her past. Some entries go much further.

Continue reading 'Porn Wikileaks' Reveals Adult Stars' Real Names, Home Addresses

Switched'Porn Wikileaks' Reveals Adult Stars' Real Names, Home Addresses originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adultgayhivmessage boardsMessageBoardspatientpornporn wikileaksPornWikileaksprivacysextopWebWikileakswikileaks+pornwikileakspornMon, 04 Apr 2011 09:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter Confirms Your Long UberSocial DM's Might Be Public]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/twitter-confirms-your-long-ubersocial-dms-might-be-public/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/twitter-confirms-your-long-ubersocial-dms-might-be-public/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/twitter-confirms-your-long-ubersocial-dms-might-be-public/#comments saftey tweet Twitter has issued a warning to all UberSocial and Twitroyd users after discovering that some direct messages sent via the apps have become publicly visible. Twitter's Trust and Safety Team confirmed the vulnerability yesterday, explaining that it could affect any direct messages exceeding 140 characters in length, sent via "d username." Twitter says it has notified the apps' developer and is working to bring both UberSocial and Twitroyd "into compliance w/our privacy policies."

SwitchedTwitter Confirms Your Long UberSocial DM's Might Be Public originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsprivacysafetysecuritySocialNetworkingtoptwitroydtwitterubersocialWebFri, 01 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Creepy' App Uses Photo Data to Pinpoint Your Location]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/creepy-app-uses-photo-data-to-pinpoint-your-location/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/creepy-app-uses-photo-data-to-pinpoint-your-location/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/31/creepy-app-uses-photo-data-to-pinpoint-your-location/#comments cree.py Ever wonder how easy it would be for someone to track your every move? You can now find out with a new app called 'Creepy.'

Created by 26-year-old Yiannis Kakavas, 'Creepy' is a software package that allows users to pinpoint anyone's location, using geographic data embedded within shared photos. All you have to do is type in a person's Twitter or Flickr username, and hit the 'Geolocate Target' button. The app will then gather all the geographic information available online, via photos that the 'target' has shared online.

Continue reading 'Creepy' App Uses Photo Data to Pinpoint Your Location

Switched'Creepy' App Uses Photo Data to Pinpoint Your Location originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appscree.pycreepycreepy appcreepy+appcreepyappflickrgeolocationLocationmapsphotosprivacysecuritySocialNetworkingsoftwaretoptwitpictwitterWebyfrogThu, 31 Mar 2011 15:30:00 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[BP Loses Laptop and 13,000 Claimants' Personal Data]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/bp-loses-laptop-and-13-000-claimants-personal-data/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/bp-loses-laptop-and-13-000-claimants-personal-data/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/30/bp-loses-laptop-and-13-000-claimants-personal-data/#commentsBP is now involved in a spill of a different kind -- a massive leak of personal data. The company confirmed to the AP that an employee lost a laptop containing information on some 13,000 claimants filing for compensation from the Gulf oil spill. It does not appear the data has been used for any malicious purposes yet. Hopefully, BP's laptops are just as prone to exploding as its drilling platforms are.

SwitchedBP Loses Laptop and 13,000 Claimants' Personal Data originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BPIdentityTheftPersonalDataprivacytopWed, 30 Mar 2011 17:10:00 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[Simple 'Color' Hack Lets You Snag Anyone's Photos, Regardless of Location]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/simple-color-hack-lets-you-snag-anyones-photos-regardless-of/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/simple-color-hack-lets-you-snag-anyones-photos-regardless-of/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/simple-color-hack-lets-you-snag-anyones-photos-regardless-of/#commentsThe new social photo-sharing app 'Color,' which shares photos with and from everyone within a 150-foot radius, landed last week, and immediately garnered some raised eyebrows from those concerned with silly things like privacy. But sharing your photos with anyone and everyone who might walk down the same block as you seems like a trivial complaint, now that security researcher and Veracode chief technology officer Chris Wysopal has figured out a pretty simple way to remove the location limitations.

Wysopal realized that, with the help of a jailbroken iPad and an app called 'FakeLocation,' he could trick 'Color' into thinking he was anywhere. The result? He could then snag the photos of anyone in that area without physically being there. (A similar trick can be pulled off with a rooted Android phone and a location-spoofing app that reports fake GPS coordinates.)

Continue reading Simple 'Color' Hack Lets You Snag Anyone's Photos, Regardless of Location

SwitchedSimple 'Color' Hack Lets You Snag Anyone's Photos, Regardless of Location originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappscolorColorLocationgpsiosprivacytopTue, 29 Mar 2011 12:20:00 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['Color' App Takes Your Photos Public, Shows Users in 150-Foot Radius]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/color-app-takes-your-photos-public-shows-users-in-150-foot-ra/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/color-app-takes-your-photos-public-shows-users-in-150-foot-ra/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/color-app-takes-your-photos-public-shows-users-in-150-foot-ra/#commentsLala founder Bill Nguyen's new 'Color' app is keeping the app hype machine rolling by raising $41 million... before launch. The Lala founder's app arrived today at Color.com (the domain having been purchased for a cool $350,000) with commentators claiming that it will "transform the way people communicate with each other." Nguyen has been given huge media exposure by everyone from the New York Times and Fast Company to industry veterans like John Battelle. Photo apps built around sharing (e.g. 'Instagram' and 'Path') have proven extremely popular in the past year, and Color adds another element to the endlessly hyped mobile and social mix: location.

Continue reading 'Color' App Takes Your Photos Public, Shows Users in 150-Foot Radius

Switched'Color' App Takes Your Photos Public, Shows Users in 150-Foot Radius originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappsbill+nguyen+colorBillNguyenbillnguyencolorcellphonescolorcolor+appcolor+app+socialcolor.comcolor.com+appcolor.comappcolorappcolorappsocialcolouriosiphoneprivacyThu, 24 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook Rolls Out 'Social Ads,' But Here's How to Opt-Out]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/facebook-social-ads-roll-out-how-to-opt-out/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/facebook-social-ads-roll-out-how-to-opt-out/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/facebook-social-ads-roll-out-how-to-opt-out/#comments facebook opt out Facebook has begun rolling out its controversial 'Social Ads' campaign, which allows companies to use your name and profile picture in advertisements targeted to your friends.

Under the new service, users who 'like' certain pages, events or apps could have their name and picture displayed in online ads for participating companies. If you 'like' Starbucks, for example, your face may pop up in an ad or a promotion on someone else's account. Ads with your name will be visible only to the friends who are allowed to see your status updates and Wall posts. As always, then, your visibility will depend upon how restrictive your privacy settings are.

Continue reading Facebook Rolls Out 'Social Ads,' But Here's How to Opt-Out

SwitchedFacebook Rolls Out 'Social Ads,' But Here's How to Opt-Out originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingfacebookopt-outprivacySocial AdsSocialAdsSocialNetworkingTargetedAdvertisingtopWebThu, 24 Mar 2011 09:22:00 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[FBI Investigating Hacking Ring Responsible for Swiping Nude Celeb Pics]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/19/fbi-investigates-celebrity-nude-pics-hacking-ring/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/19/fbi-investigates-celebrity-nude-pics-hacking-ring/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/19/fbi-investigates-celebrity-nude-pics-hacking-ring/#comments jessica alba, selena gomez and scarlett johansson It ain't a nice time to be a female star. The FBI is investigating a hacking ring it believes is responsible for swiping "sensitive" material from the e-mail accounts and phones of dozens of stars. According to TMZ, 50 celebrities (including Selena Gomez, Jessica Alba and Scarlett Johansson) have been targeted, with nude photos and embarrassing videos allegedly stolen. Supposedly, all the attacks can be traced to a single ringleader who is motivated by the sheer thrill of the chase. (Sure, why not? Do your job for the love of the work, man.)

This is hardly the first time hackers have targeted celebrities. In 2008, a 19-year-old hacker made headlines for leaking racy images of Miley Cyrus, which were stolen from her e-mail account. But if this is indeed the work of a single entity, it would certainly be the biggest attack. And, it's worth adding that, whatever the intention, the focus on only female celebrities -- some of them not out of their teens -- just adds an extra layer of insidiousness.

SwitchedFBI Investigating Hacking Ring Responsible for Swiping Nude Celeb Pics originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 19 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebrityfbihackhackinginternetjessica albaJessicaAlbaJosh HollyJoshHollyMiley CyrusMileyCyrusprivacyscarlett johanssonScarlettJohanssonsecurityselena gomezSelenaGomeztmztoptrainreqwebSat, 19 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Over 200,000 Partygoers RSVP to Facebook Sweet 16]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/200000-partygoers-rsvp-facebook-sweet-16/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/200000-partygoers-rsvp-facebook-sweet-16/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/200000-partygoers-rsvp-facebook-sweet-16/#comments Facebook Sweet 16 Posting an event on Facebook used to be a quick and convenient way to let your friends know where a party was, or when your band was performing. Now it's becoming a good way to hand your home address over to thousands of anonymous strangers. An Australian girl joined an exclusive league of Facebook event planners who saw thousands of revelers RSVP to their low-key parties. The girl sent the invite to friends, announcing that it would be an open house party "as long as it doesn't get out of hand." But within 24 hours of posting the event, it had clearly gotten out of hand -- with over 200,000 people responding that they would be attending.

It turns out that a 17-year-old boy had hijacked the event page and sent it to well over 200,000 people, revealing the girl's home address to untold thousands of strangers. The boy has been charged by police and, sadly, the party has been canceled. Hopefully it's not too late to get a refund on our plane tickets...

SwitchedOver 200,000 Partygoers RSVP to Facebook Sweet 16 originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiafacebookpartyprivacysocial networkingSocialNetworkingtopWed, 16 Mar 2011 17:35:00 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[Math is Hard: TSA Botched Radiation Levels on Body Scanners]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/tsa-math-error-airport-body-scanners/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/tsa-math-error-airport-body-scanners/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/16/tsa-math-error-airport-body-scanners/#comments airport body scanner The TSA says it will be re-testing hundreds of airport body scanners after its last round of tests found radiation levels 10 times higher than expected -- a number the agency chalked up to a calculation error.

"We understand it as a calculation error," TSA spokesman Sarah Horowitz told Wired, before explaining how difficult it can be to remember to divide by the number of units tested. The TSA claims that the error came about when technicians -- who typically test the radiation output of a machine 10 times in a row -- forgot to divide the total output by 10.

Continue reading Math is Hard: TSA Botched Radiation Levels on Body Scanners

SwitchedMath is Hard: TSA Botched Radiation Levels on Body Scanners originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airportBodyScannersMathIsHardMillimeterWavenewsmainprivacysciencetoptransportationtransportation security administrationTransportationSecurityAdministrationtraveltsaWed, 16 Mar 2011 12:35:00 EST<![CDATA[41% of Facebook Users Willing to Serve Up Personal Info to Complete Strangers]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/41-of-facebook-users-willing-to-serve-up-personal-info/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/41-of-facebook-users-willing-to-serve-up-personal-info/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/41-of-facebook-users-willing-to-serve-up-personal-info/#comments Freddi Staur
Security firm Sophos has proven once again that, despite most of the attention and scorn being focused on companies like Facebook and Google, you are your own worst enemy when it comes to online security. The company ran an experiment in which it sent an invite to 200 randomly selected accounts to befriend one Freddi Staur -- an anagram for "ID fraudster." Of those 200 people 82 accepted the request and revealed at least some personal data to the fake account. Of those 82, an alarming number shared e-mail addresses (72-percent), dates of birth (84-percent), home address (78-percent) and phone numbers (23-percent). One user even revealed his mother's maiden name. All of this information could easily be used to steal a person's identity.
Sophos senior security analyst Ron O'Brien told AllThingsD that while "collecting 'friends' is encouraged by social-networking and business-networking sites... people need to be more selective about whom they provide information to." As always, the key to protecting your privacy online is a healthy dose of caution and skepticism. Even if you can't bring yourself to reject friend requests from strangers, the least you should do is review your privacy settings on social networks like Facebook, and make sure your most personal data is hidden even from friends. Or, if you feel it necessary to keep your contact information available for those who know you, create a white list by using the "customize" option on your privacy page to create a group of people who are allowed to view your information. By default, your personal data will be hidden from anyone not explicitly added to the list.

Switched41% of Facebook Users Willing to Serve Up Personal Info to Complete Strangers originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookidentity theftIdentityTheftprivacysecuritysocial networkingSocialNetworkingsophostopTue, 15 Mar 2011 15:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Etsy's Privacy Policy is Beginning to Look a Bit Like Facebook's]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/etsys-privacy-policy-is-beginning-to-look-a-bit-like-facebooks/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/etsys-privacy-policy-is-beginning-to-look-a-bit-like-facebooks/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/etsys-privacy-policy-is-beginning-to-look-a-bit-like-facebooks/#comments edward cullen's eyes Here's a Regretsy not made of yarn and 'Twilight' fantasies: Indie shop Etsy has made all of its user activity public, linked its profiles with Facebook's and published real names. The Facebook-like move has irritated Etsy fans, but blog Etsy Bitch has figured a way to undo the settings: just go your profile and editing choices. The site has not yet commented on this baffling move, but did mention why buyer feedback was public.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Since we ran this story, Etsy has contacted us to say that all of the purchases and feedback on Etsy are set, by default, on private.]

SwitchedEtsy's Privacy Policy is Beginning to Look a Bit Like Facebook's originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>etsyetsy privacyEtsyPrivacyprivacyregretsytopUser AgreementUserAgreementwebTue, 15 Mar 2011 10:46:00 EST<![CDATA[N.Y. Teacher Could Be Fired Over Controversial Facebook Post]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/christine-rubino-could-be-fired-facebook-post/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/christine-rubino-could-be-fired-facebook-post/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/christine-rubino-could-be-fired-facebook-post/#comments
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A Brooklyn teacher could be out of a job very soon, after making some controversial comments about her students on Facebook.

Just a day after a 12-year-old girl drowned on a school field trip to the beach, fifth-grade teacher Christine Rubino posted a status update, implying that her students may deserve the same fate. "After today, I'm thinking the beach is a good trip for my class. I hate their guts," Rubino wrote. A friend soon commented, asking, "Wouldn't you throw a life jacket to little Kwami?" But the teacher said she wouldn't -- not even "for a million dollars."

Continue reading N.Y. Teacher Could Be Fired Over Controversial Facebook Post

SwitchedN.Y. Teacher Could Be Fired Over Controversial Facebook Post originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 08:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brooklynchristine+rubinochristinerubinofacebooknew yorkNewYorkny+teacher+facebooknyteacherfacebookprivacyrubino+brooklyn+teacherrubinobrooklynteacherschoolSocialNetworkingStatusstudentsteacherstopwebTue, 15 Mar 2011 08:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Privacy Lawyer: 'Should the Internet Just Learn to Forget?']]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/10/google-peter-fleischer-right-to-be-forgotten/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/10/google-peter-fleischer-right-to-be-forgotten/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/10/google-peter-fleischer-right-to-be-forgotten/#commentsPeter Fleishcher, Google's global privacy counsel, took to his personal blog to address a push by several European countries to grant a "right to oblivion" or "right to be forgotten" to their netizens. There are several different ideas at issue, but one of the most controversial is that people have a right to remove information about themselves from the Web if they feel that data is out-of-date or inaccurate. Before launching into his lengthy and interesting argument, Fleishcher makes it clear that he is speaking only for himself and not for Google. But ultimately he says that "more and more, privacy is being used to justify censorship."

Continue reading Google Privacy Lawyer: 'Should the Internet Just Learn to Forget?'

SwitchedGoogle Privacy Lawyer: 'Should the Internet Just Learn to Forget?' originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googlePeter FleischerPeterFleischerpoliticsprivacytopwebThu, 10 Mar 2011 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Your Guide to Private Browsing]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/08/how-to-browse-privately-chrome-safari-firefox-ie/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/08/how-to-browse-privately-chrome-safari-firefox-ie/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/08/how-to-browse-privately-chrome-safari-firefox-ie/#comments surprised man on computer InPrivate, Incognito, Private Browsing -- whatever they want to brand it -- all modern browsers offer a special mode designed to keep what you do online a secret from prying eyes. Despite different names and origins at different companies, they all work in basically similar ways: A new browser session is created that operates separately from your existing one, with its own history and cookies that are erased when the window is closed. And though it can keep a snoop from seeing what sites you've visited by going through your history, it doesn't make you anonymous on the Web. Advertisers and law enforcement will still be able to track you.

Continue reading Your Guide to Private Browsing

SwitchedYour Guide to Private Browsing originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebenefits+of+private+browsing+safaribenefitsofprivatebrowsingsafaribrowsingchromefeaturesfirefoxgoogleIEIncognitoInPrivateinternet explorerInternetExplorermicrosoftmozillaoperaporn modePornModeprivacyprivate browsingPrivateBrowsingsafaritipstopwebTue, 08 Mar 2011 14:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Thanks to Targeted Advertising, Now Your TV is Watching You]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/08/thanks-to-targeted-advertising-now-your-tv-is-watching-you/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/08/thanks-to-targeted-advertising-now-your-tv-is-watching-you/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/08/thanks-to-targeted-advertising-now-your-tv-is-watching-you/#commentsTargeted ads have long lived online, but nobody's quite figured out how to take advantages of personalized advertising and apply them to other media -- that is, until now. Cable and satellite companies are now testing systems that monitor your TV viewing habits and deliver ads based on that data. Cablevision is already broadcasting different ads to different customers watching the same show throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

The system works by anonymously matching customer names and addresses with other information gathered by third parties, and deciding which ad to show in that household. Another system from Simulmedia Inc. is slightly less intrusive; it monitors what shows are being watched, and then breaks viewers down into categories, such as "heartstringers" (romantic-comedy watchers) and "fake news followers" ('The Daily Show' set). An algorithm then determines the best best ads to deliver to those viewer groups.

Continue reading Thanks to Targeted Advertising, Now Your TV is Watching You

SwitchedThanks to Targeted Advertising, Now Your TV is Watching You originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingCablevisionprivacysimulmediatargeted advertisingTargetedAdvertisingtoptvTue, 08 Mar 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Students Face Expulsion For Calling Teacher Pedophile on Facebook]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/07/students-face-expulsion-calling-teacher-pedophile-on-facebook/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/07/students-face-expulsion-calling-teacher-pedophile-on-facebook/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/07/students-face-expulsion-calling-teacher-pedophile-on-facebook/#commentsA 13-year old Georgia girl is facing expulsion and relocation to an "alternative school" after she called one of her teachers a pedophile on Facebook. The girl, Alejandra Sosa, and two of her classmates who commented on the post must now go before a disciplinary tribunal for what Chapel Hill Middle School calls a "level one" offense: the worst category of transgression in the student handbook. Sosa posted the message because she was angry with her teacher, but said it was intended as a joke. She claims that she now regrets posting it, and understands that what she did was wrong.

The parents of the three students, though upset with their kids' behavior, think the school and its principal, Jolene Morris, have gone too far. Sosa claims that Morris took her to the school's library after catching wind of the post. She claims the principal then demanded she log into her Facebook account; she then took the keyboard and mouse from the student to read through her Wall posts, before telling Sosa to delete the messages. The father of William Lambert, one of the other students implicated in the incident, says that Morris also violated his son's privacy by demanding that Sosa log into her Facebook account; Lambert had called the teacher a rapist in a comment on Sosa's original post.

Continue reading Students Face Expulsion For Calling Teacher Pedophile on Facebook

SwitchedStudents Face Expulsion For Calling Teacher Pedophile on Facebook originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alejandra sosaAlejandraSosaeducationfacebookfirst amendmentFirstAmendmentlibelprivacyschoolsocial networkingSocialNetworkingtopwebMon, 07 Mar 2011 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter, Facebook Still Reluctant to Join Free Speech Initiative]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/07/twitter-facebook-reluctant-to-join-global-network-initiative/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/07/twitter-facebook-reluctant-to-join-global-network-initiative/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/07/twitter-facebook-reluctant-to-join-global-network-initiative/#comments Three years ago, some of the world's leading tech companies agreed to participate in the Global Network Initiative (GNI) -- a code of conduct designed to protect online speech and privacy around the world. The initiative was originally launched in response to brewing tensions in China, where some Internet companies were accused of complying with government censorship policies in order to pursue profit-driven agendas. Today, the GNI can count corporations like Google, Microsoft and Yahoo among its prized members, but there are still some glaring omissions -- including Facebook, and Twitter.

According to its code of conduct, all initiative participants are required "to avoid or minimize the impact of government restrictions on freedom of expression," while doing their best to protect user privacy whenever government regulations "compromise privacy in a manner inconsistent with internationally recognized laws and standards." All companies and organizations are subject to evaluations from independent auditors, who determine whether or not their policies comply with the initiative's objectives.

Continue reading Twitter, Facebook Still Reluctant to Join Free Speech Initiative

SwitchedTwitter, Facebook Still Reluctant to Join Free Speech Initiative originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>freedom of speechFreedomOfSpeechglobal network initiativeGlobalNetworkInitiativegovernmentmiddle eastMiddleEastpoliticsprivacyregulationsecuritySocialNetworkingtopWebMon, 07 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Student Sues FBI for Putting a Tracking Device on His Car]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/04/yasir-afifi-sues-fbi-over-tracking-device/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/04/yasir-afifi-sues-fbi-over-tracking-device/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/04/yasir-afifi-sues-fbi-over-tracking-device/#comments FBI Tracking Device Last year, U.S.-born college student Yasir Afifi found an FBI tracking device stashed under his car. Now Afifi is suing the agency, claiming his civil rights were violated when law enforcement begain tracking him without a warrant. Judges have gone back and forth over whether or not GPS tracking ought to require a search warrant, and Afifi hopes his case will settle the debate once and for all.

SwitchedStudent Sues FBI for Putting a Tracking Device on His Car originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FBIgpslawprivacytopYasir AfifiYasirAfifiFri, 04 Mar 2011 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Complexity Is Killing Us: A Security State of the Union With Eugene Spafford of CERIAS]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/state-of-the-union-security-eugene-spafford/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/state-of-the-union-security-eugene-spafford/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/state-of-the-union-security-eugene-spafford/#commentsFor our second annual spotlight on cyber-security, Switched turned to a renowned expert in the field: Eugene H. Spafford, Professor of Computer Science at Purdue University. Among his many professional associations and corporate and governmental advisory roles, Spafford is the Executive Director of the Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS), which supports research in information, security and communication infrastructures. A legend among those who were around for the early days of the Internet, Spaf (as he's known) is credited as one of the major contributors to the system for organizing Usenet, and analyzed one of the first known computer worms. When asked what OS he'd recommend over any others, Spaf refused to be pigeon-holed, which became understandable when he explained that he maintains seven computers of his own, with a cornucopia of OSes installed among them. He did admit, however, that since 1987 his main machine has always been a Mac -- although his current one is stuffed to the gills running OS X, Windows, Linux and BSD Unix.

Continue reading Complexity Is Killing Us: A Security State of the Union With Eugene Spafford of CERIAS

SwitchedComplexity Is Killing Us: A Security State of the Union With Eugene Spafford of CERIAS originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceriascyber+warcyberwareugene h spaffordEugeneH.SpaffordEugeneHSpaffordfeaturesInternetinterviewsprivacyPurduePurdueUniversitysecurityThu, 03 Mar 2011 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Beijing to Track Citizens' Cell Phones 'To Ease Traffic Congestion']]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/beijing-to-track-citizens-cell-phones-to-ease-traffic-congesti/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/beijing-to-track-citizens-cell-phones-to-ease-traffic-congesti/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/03/beijing-to-track-citizens-cell-phones-to-ease-traffic-congesti/#comments cell phone in beijing A savvy reader has informed Slashdot that the city of Beijing will soon begin tracking its citizens' cell phones -- ostensibly "to ease traffic congestion." According to the website of the Central People's Government, Beijing's cell phone-owning population (about 70-percent) will be tracked in real time as part of the project, which is called "Platform for Citizen Movement Information."

SwitchedBeijing to Track Citizens' Cell Phones 'To Ease Traffic Congestion' originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beijingcellphonechinagovernmentpoliticsprivacytopThu, 03 Mar 2011 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Hacked and Hijacked! What to Do if Your Identity Gets Stolen]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/01/what-to-do-identity-stolen-hacked-and-hijacked/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/01/what-to-do-identity-stolen-hacked-and-hijacked/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/01/what-to-do-identity-stolen-hacked-and-hijacked/#comments Identity Swiped

Symptoms:

Imagine the pit in your stomach: finding charges on your credit cards or bank statements for items you didn't buy; applying for credit or a mortgage and being denied due to delinquencies on accounts you didn't open. The amounts for the previous year's reported income on your annual Social Security statement is incorrect, and for more than you earned. Or you get a letter or call from the IRS attempting to collect on back taxes for income you never made. Or you've stopped receiving credit card statements in the mail -- even when you have a balance due. Even more frightening, you may also have recently had issues with your PC, or been unable to log into online financial accounts. Maybe you've found that your e-mail or social networking accounts have been compromised.

Continue reading Hacked and Hijacked! What to Do if Your Identity Gets Stolen

SwitchedHacked and Hijacked! What to Do if Your Identity Gets Stolen originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicefeatureshowtoidentityIdentityTheftprivacysecurityTue, 01 Mar 2011 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook Still Wants to Share Users' Personal Info With Third-Party Developers]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/01/facebook-to-share-phone-numbers-home-address-with-developers/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/01/facebook-to-share-phone-numbers-home-address-with-developers/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/01/facebook-to-share-phone-numbers-home-address-with-developers/#comments mark zuckerberg Facebook plans to go ahead and share its users' home addresses and phone numbers with third-party developers, despite the concerns of privacy advocates, members of Congress, and just about everyone else.

Yesterday, the company released a response (PDF) to Representatives Ed Markey and Joe Barton, who had penned a letter to CEO Mark Zuckerberg earlier this month voicing their concerns over the proposed feature. Facebook acknowledged that it's exploring different ways to "enhance user control" over the data-sharing mechanism, and revealed that it is "actively considering" whether or not to exclude users who are below the age of 18. But the social network made clear its intent to move forward with the feature.

Continue reading Facebook Still Wants to Share Users' Personal Info With Third-Party Developers

SwitchedFacebook Still Wants to Share Users' Personal Info With Third-Party Developers originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 09:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>addressappsdataDataSharingdeveloperEdMarkeyfacebookFacebookAppsJoeBartonMarkZuckerbergPhoneNumberpoliticsprivacysecuritySocialNetworkingthird-partytopWebTue, 01 Mar 2011 09:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook Unveils Simplified Privacy Policy Draft, Asks Users for Feedback]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/28/facebook-simplified-privacy-policy-draft/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/28/facebook-simplified-privacy-policy-draft/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/28/facebook-simplified-privacy-policy-draft/#commentsFacebook is trying to streamline its notoriously baroque privacy policy -- and it's looking to its users for help.

On Friday, the social network unveiled a revised version of its policy, which was put together in consultation with a variety of privacy groups, policy makers and regulators. Though the substance of the document remains unchanged, Facebook's revamped policy is now presented in a noticeably more user-friendly layout; information is divided into smaller, more digestible sections, each of which is titled in more colloquial terms (e.g., "How advertising works," "Your information and how it is used").

Continue reading Facebook Unveils Simplified Privacy Policy Draft, Asks Users for Feedback

SwitchedFacebook Unveils Simplified Privacy Policy Draft, Asks Users for Feedback originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>draftfacebookFacebookPrivacylayoutprivacyPrivacyPolicySocialNetworkingtopWebMon, 28 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Wants Swiss Government to Lift Restrictions on Street View]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/google-wants-swiss-to-live-street-view-restrictions/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/google-wants-swiss-to-live-street-view-restrictions/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/google-wants-swiss-to-live-street-view-restrictions/#comments google streetview in switzerland Google's ongoing legal battle with European regulators has shifted to Switzerland. Today, the company asked a Swiss court to lift restrictions on its Street View service that have been in place for more than a year. The curbs were originally implemented in response to demands from authorities and privacy advocates, who claimed that the feature violated individual rights to privacy.

Speaking before a Federal Administrative Court in Bern, Google's lawyers argued that the Street View service is comparable to similar features offered by rival companies, and pointed out that all images of individual faces and license plate numbers are automatically blurred.

Continue reading Google Wants Swiss Government to Lift Restrictions on Street View

SwitchedGoogle Wants Swiss Government to Lift Restrictions on Street View originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>courteuropegoogleGoogleStreetViewphotospoliticsprivacyStreetViewswitzerlandtopWebThu, 24 Feb 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook Issues Response to FTC, Defends Privacy Policy, User Engagement]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/facebook-to-ftc-defends-privacy-policy/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/facebook-to-ftc-defends-privacy-policy/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/facebook-to-ftc-defends-privacy-policy/#commentsFacebook has issued a lengthy response to the Federal Trade Commission's plan to protect online privacy, outlining the social network's long-term philosophy on the issue and its plans for the future.

In its response, Facebook admitted that the government should play a role in protecting user information on the Web, but argued that online companies should be allowed some freedom to regulate their own platforms, for the sake of innovation. While the social network agreed that it's important for companies to be more transparent about their privacy policies, it emphasized that the FTC should also consider consumers' ever-changing approach toward digital privacy.

Continue reading Facebook Issues Response to FTC, Defends Privacy Policy, User Engagement

SwitchedFacebook Issues Response to FTC, Defends Privacy Policy, User Engagement originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessfacebookftcgovernmentpoliticsprivacyregulationSocialNetworkingtopThu, 24 Feb 2011 10:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Maryland Dept of Corrections Stops 'Asking' Applicants for Facebook Password]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/23/maryland-stops-asking-applicants-for-facebook-login/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/23/maryland-stops-asking-applicants-for-facebook-login/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/23/maryland-stops-asking-applicants-for-facebook-login/#comments Robbert Collins Just days after the ACLU took up the case of Robert Collins, a corrections officer from Maryland who was asked to provide his Facebook password during a job interview, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Corrections Services has temporarily suspended its policy of requesting such information. Rick Binetti, the Department's director of communications, told The Atlantic that there have been misunderstandings about the policy, saying that the department does not "demand" login information from applicants, but merely "asks if an applicant would provide this information." Login details are provided "voluntarily," he says -- and, if an applicant refuses, "it is not held against them."

It's maybe a bit misleading, though, to say that merely requesting social networking account information isn't at all coercive. With an economy in which many are still struggling to find work, employment-starved applicants might feel obligated to turn over any information requested by an interviewer.

SwitchedMaryland Dept of Corrections Stops 'Asking' Applicants for Facebook Password originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookMarylandDepartmentOfCorrectionsprivacyRobertCollinsSocialNetworkingtopWed, 23 Feb 2011 14:25:00 EST<![CDATA['Doodle-4-Google' Collected Kids' Art, Social Security Numbers]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/23/doodle-4-google-collected-kids-social-security-numbers/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/23/doodle-4-google-collected-kids-social-security-numbers/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/23/doodle-4-google-collected-kids-social-security-numbers/#comments google doodle In a recent piece for the Huffington Post, filmmaker Bob Bowdon accused Google of harvesting social security numbers and other personal information from children "under the guise of an art contest."

The annual contest, called 'Doodle-4-Google,' was launched as a campaign to celebrate "the creativity of young people," and asked students to send in illustrations adhering to a simple theme: "What I'd like to do someday." In order to submit their drawings, though, all 33,000 students who entered the contest were required to provide Google with some of their personal data, including the last four digits of their social security numbers, hometown, date of birth, and parents' full contact information.

Continue reading 'Doodle-4-Google' Collected Kids' Art, Social Security Numbers

Switched'Doodle-4-Google' Collected Kids' Art, Social Security Numbers originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artArtContestdoodle-4-googlegoogleGoogleArtGoogleDoodlekidsPersonalInformationprivacySocialSecuritytopWebWed, 23 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Maryland Dept. of Corrections Demands Applicants' Facebook Passwords]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/21/robert-collins-forced-give-up-facebook-password-for-job/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/21/robert-collins-forced-give-up-facebook-password-for-job/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/21/robert-collins-forced-give-up-facebook-password-for-job/#comments Robert Collins According to the ACLU (and most rational human beings), The Maryland Department of Corrections crossed a line when it demanded that Officer Robert Collins (who tells his story in the video after the break) turn over his Facebook password during a job interview. As part of the department's background check procedures, all new applicants and those seeking recertification are required to turn over usernames and passwords for social media accounts. This, predictably, has set off alarms with privacy advocates who view this as a gross violation of an individual's rights. Note, this is not reading an applicants public Twitter feed; this is digging through personal correspondance and rummaging through posts made not just by the applicant, but by his or her friends and family.

The case will undoubtedly spark debate about whether or not a potential employer has the right to request access to your personal social networking accounts. Allow us to make this argument very easy for you: no. No they don't.

Continue reading Maryland Dept. of Corrections Demands Applicants' Facebook Passwords

SwitchedMaryland Dept. of Corrections Demands Applicants' Facebook Passwords originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aclufacebookmaryland department of correctionsMarylandDepartmentOfCorrectionsprivacyRobert CollinsRobertCollinssocial networkingSocialNetworkingtopMon, 21 Feb 2011 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Skipping School? Anaheim Truants Tracked via GPS]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/18/gps-devices-track-anaheim-students/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/18/gps-devices-track-anaheim-students/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/18/gps-devices-track-anaheim-students/#commentsA school district in Anaheim, California is experimenting with a new system for getting chronically truant students to school, and on time. Seventh and eighth graders in the district with four or more unexcused absences are issued a small GPS device. Every morning, an automated system calls the students to remind them to get to school. Students are then required to use the tracking device to check in five times throughout their day, including at 8 p.m., well after school is through. The participants are also assigned a coach who calls three times a week to check in on the students. Participation in the trial is voluntary on the part of the students and the parents who want to avoid having to repeat a grade or, worse, face time in juvenile hall and a $2,000 fine for truancy.

The devices cost between $300 and $400 each, and roughly $8 per day to operate (a total of about $18,000 per student). Some critics might see this as a waste of money that could be better spent hiring additional teachers or avoiding layoffs. The local board defends the program saying it loses $35 per day for every absent student, so the GPS program essentially pays for itself. And the technology has proven quiet effective. Similar programs in San Antonio and Baltimore saw attendance rates among chronically truant students jump from 77-percent to 95-percent on average. (Still, there is a slight drop once the tracking stops.) To avoid lost devices, parents are financially responsible for the tracker in their possession. At the end of the six-week trial with 75 students, the district will decide whether to expand the program to additional schools.

SwitchedSkipping School? Anaheim Truants Tracked via GPS originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anaheim californiaAnaheimCaliforniaeducationgpsguardtraxprivacyschooltopFri, 18 Feb 2011 13:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Professor's 'Freedom Box' Could Thwart Web Spies and Government Kill Switches]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/17/eben-moglen-freedom-box-thwart-web-spies/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/17/eben-moglen-freedom-box-thwart-web-spies/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/17/eben-moglen-freedom-box-thwart-web-spies/#commentsEben Moglen, a professor at Columbia Law School, has a vision -- one in which every household has a tiny server, about the size of an AC adapter, through which it connects to the Internet. The so-called Freedom Box would protect users from would-be spies, government kill switches and privacy-invading corporations. We already have the technology needed to create a truly independent Web connection that operates beyond the control of outside entities. The hardware is cheap (roughly $99 for the mini-servers), and the software is free (thanks to the efforts of open-source developers). The trouble is, the process of setting up such a device is far too involved for the average person. "We are firing a bullet at the heart of oppression and privacy invasion," Moglen told the Wall Street Journal. But, to make sure his aim is true, the software must be not only easy, but "fun to use," as well.

It is only useful to create a decentralized network of encrypted servers that would make it impossible for oppressive regimes to track down dissidents or cut of Internet service if lay people can set it up without assistance from a technician. Moglen describes the Freedom Box (which exists only in prototype form at the moment) as "essentially a personal assistant," and explains that, if the UI cannot be made more user friendly, "it's going to be a real obstacle to use." Moglen hopes to raise roughly $500,000 for the project. With that amount of funding, the first commercial Freedom Boxes could be available within a year, and the ability of regimes, like the recently toppled one in Egypt, to cut off Internet access could be a thing of the past.

SwitchedProfessor's 'Freedom Box' Could Thwart Web Spies and Government Kill Switches originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EbenMoglenfreedom boxFreedomBoxprivacysecuritytopwebThu, 17 Feb 2011 13:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Dick Durbin Asks Mark Zuckerberg to Create Facebook Anonymity Option]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/14/dick-durbin-asks-mark-zuckerberg-to-create-facebook-anonymity-op/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/14/dick-durbin-asks-mark-zuckerberg-to-create-facebook-anonymity-op/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/14/dick-durbin-asks-mark-zuckerberg-to-create-facebook-anonymity-op/#commentsIllinois Democratic Senator Richard Durbin wrote a letter to Mark Zuckerberg last week, asking the Facebook CEO to offer stronger online protection to political dissidents who use the social network for organizing protests.

Citing the recent upheavals in Egypt and Tunisia, Durbin argued that Facebook should allow people to use fake names in order to avoid persecution from authoritarian regimes. He also called upon the company to join the Global Network Initiative -- a "voluntary code of conduct" for corporations, aimed at protecting human rights on the Web.

Continue reading Dick Durbin Asks Mark Zuckerberg to Create Facebook Anonymity Option

SwitchedDick Durbin Asks Mark Zuckerberg to Create Facebook Anonymity Option originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anonymitydick durbinDickDurbinegyptfacebookMarkZuckerbergpoliticsprivacyproposalprotestpseudonymsRichardDurbinsecuritySenateSocialNetworkingtopTunisiaWebMon, 14 Feb 2011 11:40:00 EST