CNET News - 3M to buy biometrics firm Cogent for $943 million
CNET News reports: "The decision of 3M--a massive conglomerate--to acquire Cogent is based on its view that the biometrics market is booming. Cogent is a player in the $4 billion market, which 3M asserts will grow more than 20 percent over the next year. 3M said it is especially interested in using Cogent's services to reach law enforcement agencies."
2010/08/31
2010/08/26
Gizmodo - Our Worst Nightmares About the Government Tracking Us Just Came True
Gizmodo reports: "That decision says it's okay for the government to track our movements, everywhere we go, without so much as a scratched slip of paper, eliding all of the protections that are supposedly in place to prevent that kind of thing from happening."
Gizmodo reports: "That decision says it's okay for the government to track our movements, everywhere we go, without so much as a scratched slip of paper, eliding all of the protections that are supposedly in place to prevent that kind of thing from happening."
2010/08/16
My Way News - Threats of int'l BlackBerry bans echo US debate
My Way News reports: "Threats by the governments of India, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to shut down BlackBerry's corporate e-mail services reflect unease about a technology that the U.S. government also took a while to accept. The foreign governments are essentially a decade behind in coming to terms with encryption, a technology that's fundamental to the Internet as a medium of commerce."
My Way News reports: "Threats by the governments of India, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to shut down BlackBerry's corporate e-mail services reflect unease about a technology that the U.S. government also took a while to accept. The foreign governments are essentially a decade behind in coming to terms with encryption, a technology that's fundamental to the Internet as a medium of commerce."
2010/08/13
NYTimes.com - Judges Divided Over Growing GPS Surveillance
The New York Times reports: "The GPS tracking dispute coincides with a burst of other technological tools that expand police monitoring abilities — including automated license-plate readers in squad cars, speed cameras mounted on streetlight poles, and even the widely discussed prospect of linking face-recognition computer programs to the proliferating number of surveillance cameras."
Comment: Those who are the defenders of a free society must be very careful now in establishing the rules and precedents that will be followed for years to come. Technology is either now at the point or very near the point of giving governments and corporations the ability to monitor people in real-time in both public and private spaces. What are the rules, what protections from abuse (the checks and balances) will be built into this system, and what recourse do citizens have?
The New York Times reports: "The GPS tracking dispute coincides with a burst of other technological tools that expand police monitoring abilities — including automated license-plate readers in squad cars, speed cameras mounted on streetlight poles, and even the widely discussed prospect of linking face-recognition computer programs to the proliferating number of surveillance cameras."
Comment: Those who are the defenders of a free society must be very careful now in establishing the rules and precedents that will be followed for years to come. Technology is either now at the point or very near the point of giving governments and corporations the ability to monitor people in real-time in both public and private spaces. What are the rules, what protections from abuse (the checks and balances) will be built into this system, and what recourse do citizens have?
My Way News - India eyes Google and Skype in security crackdown
My Way News reports: "India may ask Google and Skype for greater access to encrypted information once it resolves security concerns with BlackBerrys, which are now under threat of a ban, according to a government document and two people familiar with the discussions."
My Way News - Questions and answers about BlackBerry objections
My Way News provides,"questions and answers about foreign countries planning to ban the use of BlackBerry's messaging and Web services."
My Way News reports: "India may ask Google and Skype for greater access to encrypted information once it resolves security concerns with BlackBerrys, which are now under threat of a ban, according to a government document and two people familiar with the discussions."
My Way News - Questions and answers about BlackBerry objections
My Way News provides,"questions and answers about foreign countries planning to ban the use of BlackBerry's messaging and Web services."
My Way News - PayPal hopes to make micropayments easier online
My Way News reports: "PayPal wants to make it easier to buy low-cost digital goods online, whether it's a single article on a news website or virtual items in a video game. Scott Thompson, the online payment service's president, said Thursday that PayPal plans to roll out a payment product by the end of the year that helps businesses collect 'micropayments' on the Web."
My Way News reports: "PayPal wants to make it easier to buy low-cost digital goods online, whether it's a single article on a news website or virtual items in a video game. Scott Thompson, the online payment service's president, said Thursday that PayPal plans to roll out a payment product by the end of the year that helps businesses collect 'micropayments' on the Web."
NYTimes.com - Obama Signs Border Bill to Increase Surveillance
The New York Times reports: "President Obama signed into law a $600 million bill on Friday to pay for 1,500 new border agents, additional unmanned surveillance drones and new Border Patrol stations along the southwest border."
The New York Times reports: "President Obama signed into law a $600 million bill on Friday to pay for 1,500 new border agents, additional unmanned surveillance drones and new Border Patrol stations along the southwest border."
2010/08/12
My Way News - India sets Aug. 31 deadline for BlackBerry info
My Way News reports: "India's Home Ministry threatened Thursday to block BlackBerry corporate e-mail and messaging services unless the device's manufacturer makes them accessible to its security agencies by Aug. 31 [...] India has asked for encrypted BlackBerry communications to be made easily available to its intelligence and law enforcement agencies, saying that the services could be used by militant groups."
My Way News reports: "India's Home Ministry threatened Thursday to block BlackBerry corporate e-mail and messaging services unless the device's manufacturer makes them accessible to its security agencies by Aug. 31 [...] India has asked for encrypted BlackBerry communications to be made easily available to its intelligence and law enforcement agencies, saying that the services could be used by militant groups."
2010/08/11
USATODAY.com - Saudi Arabia to continue BlackBerry service
USA Today reports: "Saudi Arabia's telecommunications regulator on Tuesday said it would allow BlackBerry messaging services to continue in the kingdom, citing 'positive developments' with the device's Canadian manufacturer."
Comment: Well, I guess that can only mean one thing, RIM caved.
USA Today reports: "Saudi Arabia's telecommunications regulator on Tuesday said it would allow BlackBerry messaging services to continue in the kingdom, citing 'positive developments' with the device's Canadian manufacturer."
Comment: Well, I guess that can only mean one thing, RIM caved.
HuffPo - Eric Schmidt On Privacy (VIDEO): Google CEO Says Anonymity Online Is 'Dangerous'
The Huffington Post reports: "Google knows what you watch, what you search, and even with whom you're friends. The availability of all this information raises an important question: Where does Google CEO Eric Schmidt stand on the issue of online privacy? [...] Speaking on a panel at the event, Schmidt argued that anonymity on the Internet is dangerous. 'In a world of asynchronous threats, it is too dangerous for there not to be some way to identify you,' he said."
The Huffington Post reports: "Google knows what you watch, what you search, and even with whom you're friends. The availability of all this information raises an important question: Where does Google CEO Eric Schmidt stand on the issue of online privacy? [...] Speaking on a panel at the event, Schmidt argued that anonymity on the Internet is dangerous. 'In a world of asynchronous threats, it is too dangerous for there not to be some way to identify you,' he said."
2010/08/10
My Way News - Info freedom at center of Gulf's BlackBerry debate
My Way News reports: "It's a tug-of-war over data and security that finds echoes in China's censorship fight with Google Inc., and highlights the way rapid technological change is sowing unease in countries where the unfettered flow of digital information is seen as a threat. Like China and Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia actively police the Internet, blocking access to pornography and material deemed politically or morally objectionable. Neither Gulf state allows organized political opposition or direct elections of national representatives. Freedom of expression is limited."
Comment: This recent effort to spy on cell phone networks is coming from repressive countries with terrible human rights records. Should we be concerned? You bet! Not every government has a legitimate interest to spy on their citizens - because not every government is legitimate.
My Way News reports: "It's a tug-of-war over data and security that finds echoes in China's censorship fight with Google Inc., and highlights the way rapid technological change is sowing unease in countries where the unfettered flow of digital information is seen as a threat. Like China and Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia actively police the Internet, blocking access to pornography and material deemed politically or morally objectionable. Neither Gulf state allows organized political opposition or direct elections of national representatives. Freedom of expression is limited."
Comment: This recent effort to spy on cell phone networks is coming from repressive countries with terrible human rights records. Should we be concerned? You bet! Not every government has a legitimate interest to spy on their citizens - because not every government is legitimate.
2010/08/04
My Way News - Indonesia joins countries mulling BlackBerry ban
My Way News reports: "Indonesia said Wednesday it is considering following the lead of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in banning BlackBerry services, adding to pressure on device maker Research in Motion Ltd. to give governments greater access to data [...] BlackBerry phones are known to be popular both among businesspeople and youth in the kingdom who see the phones' relatively secure communication features as a way to avoid attention from the authorities."
My Way News reports: "Indonesia said Wednesday it is considering following the lead of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in banning BlackBerry services, adding to pressure on device maker Research in Motion Ltd. to give governments greater access to data [...] BlackBerry phones are known to be popular both among businesspeople and youth in the kingdom who see the phones' relatively secure communication features as a way to avoid attention from the authorities."
2010/08/03
My Way News - Saudi Arabia orders Blackberry ban starting Friday
My Way News reports: "Saudi Arabia is ordering its mobile operators to halt BlackBerry services throughout the kingdom this week, heightening tensions between device maker Research in Motion Ltd. and governments demanding greater access to data sent on the phones [...] Earlier on Tuesday, RIM denied that it had agreed to heightened surveillance of its corporate clients by the Indian government [...] India and the UAE aren't alone in wanting more control over BlackBerry messaging. Bahrain has threatened to crack down on spreading news using the devices. And industry experts say they believe RIM offered China some concessions before the BlackBerry was introduced there."
My Way News reports: "Saudi Arabia is ordering its mobile operators to halt BlackBerry services throughout the kingdom this week, heightening tensions between device maker Research in Motion Ltd. and governments demanding greater access to data sent on the phones [...] Earlier on Tuesday, RIM denied that it had agreed to heightened surveillance of its corporate clients by the Indian government [...] India and the UAE aren't alone in wanting more control over BlackBerry messaging. Bahrain has threatened to crack down on spreading news using the devices. And industry experts say they believe RIM offered China some concessions before the BlackBerry was introduced there."
2010/08/02
My Way News - UAE: BlackBerry crackdown will affect visitors too
My Way News reports: "Emirati authorities say the move is based on security concerns because BlackBerry data are automatically shipped to company computers abroad, where it is difficult for local authorities to monitor for illegal activity or abuse. Critics of the crackdown say it is also a way for the country's conservative government to further control content it deems politically or morally objectionable [...] automatic encryption makes BlackBerry data far more difficult, if not impossible, for authorities to monitor."
My Way News - Questions and answers about UAE's BlackBerry ban: "Q: Why is the United Arab Emirates banning BlackBerry e-mails?
A: In short, the corporate version of the BlackBerry system is too hard to eavesdrop on. The e-mails and messages are encrypted while in transit, and even Research In Motion Ltd., the Canadian company that makes the BlackBerry, doesn't have the keys to decrypt them. The system is designed to keep corporate and government secrets safe, but the UAE is concerned that it could provide cover for illegal activity."
WSJ.com - U.A.E. to Suspend BlackBerry Services
The Wall Street Journal reports: "The U.A.E. ban is the latest in a string of skirmishes world-wide for RIM as governments try to monitor and control communications. Kuwait, India and China are among countries that reportedly have asked RIM for easier data access as a condition for operating within their borders."
Comment: A country is throwing a temper tantrum because they can't spy on a cell phone network. Really. Here's hoping that BlackBerry owner RIM will stand firm and not cave in. Why should a service provider collude with a foreign government to allow them to spy on their subscribers? Well, for the money, of course.
My Way News reports: "Emirati authorities say the move is based on security concerns because BlackBerry data are automatically shipped to company computers abroad, where it is difficult for local authorities to monitor for illegal activity or abuse. Critics of the crackdown say it is also a way for the country's conservative government to further control content it deems politically or morally objectionable [...] automatic encryption makes BlackBerry data far more difficult, if not impossible, for authorities to monitor."
My Way News - Questions and answers about UAE's BlackBerry ban: "Q: Why is the United Arab Emirates banning BlackBerry e-mails?
A: In short, the corporate version of the BlackBerry system is too hard to eavesdrop on. The e-mails and messages are encrypted while in transit, and even Research In Motion Ltd., the Canadian company that makes the BlackBerry, doesn't have the keys to decrypt them. The system is designed to keep corporate and government secrets safe, but the UAE is concerned that it could provide cover for illegal activity."
WSJ.com - U.A.E. to Suspend BlackBerry Services
The Wall Street Journal reports: "The U.A.E. ban is the latest in a string of skirmishes world-wide for RIM as governments try to monitor and control communications. Kuwait, India and China are among countries that reportedly have asked RIM for easier data access as a condition for operating within their borders."
Comment: A country is throwing a temper tantrum because they can't spy on a cell phone network. Really. Here's hoping that BlackBerry owner RIM will stand firm and not cave in. Why should a service provider collude with a foreign government to allow them to spy on their subscribers? Well, for the money, of course.
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