Reuters Opinion - Why Web Giants would benefit from a ‘do not track’ policys
Reuters op-ed: "The Federal Trade Commission has issued a report recommending that browsers include a “Do Not Track” mechanism that would allow people to surf the web without sites collecting and sharing data about their activities. In the same way that the “Do Not Call” list hampered that ability of some (but alas, not all) telemarketers to interrupt our dinners with unwanted calls, the idea sounds like bad news for web sites that target ads based on such data. But in the end, such a move could be just what web giants like Google and Facebook need to get their users to opt in to sharing data, rather than opting out."

My Way News - WikiLeaks website blocked behind Chinese firewall
My Way News reports: "Links to the WikiLeaks website were blocked within China on Wednesday amid potentially embarrassing claims made in leaked U.S. diplomatic cables posted to the site. Attempts to access wikileaks.org and cablegate.wikileaks.org were met with a notice saying the connection had been reset. That's the standard response when a website is being blocked by Chinese authorities who exert rigid controls over Internet content."

Comment: I'm normally opposed to Chinese censorship of the internet, but in this case, I think it's entirely appropriate.

My Way News - Leading cell phone carriers in mobile payments bid
My Way News reports: "Three of the country's leading cell phone carriers have formed a joint venture aimed at allowing people to make purchases with their mobile phones. And they say the technology they plan to introduce could eventually do away with any need for cash, credit cards or even metro passes - it will all be done with a wave of a cellphone."

My Way News - Saudi Arabia blocks Facebook over moral concerns
My Way News reports: "An official with Saudi Arabia's communications authority says it has blocked Facebook because the popular social networking website doesn't conform with the kingdom's conservative values. The official says Saudi's Communications and Information Technology Commission blocked the site Saturday and an error message shows up when Internet users try to access it."

Reuters - World Bank chief surprises with gold standard idea
Reuters reports: "Leading economies should consider adopting a modified global gold standard to guide currency rates, World Bank president Robert Zoellick said on Monday in a surprise proposal before a potentially acrimonious G20 summit."

Reuters - TIMELINE - Gold's history as a currency standard
Reuters reports: "Leading economies should consider readopting a modified global gold standard to guide currency movements, said World Bank president Robert Zoellick."

CNN.com - Mobile-phone cash register Square open for business
CNN reports: "Square, an application that turns a smartphone into a mobile cash register, is open for business. Created by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, Square uses a free download and plastic card reader to let users accept credit card payments."

Reuters - G20 statement to pledge commitment to market FX rates
Reuters reports: "Group of 20 finance leaders will pledge on Saturday to commit themselves to pursue market-determined exchange rates and refrain from 'competitive devaluation' of their currencies, a G20 source said."

Comment: I expect this meeting to be very contentious and would not be surprised to see some surprises from China on behalf of emerging economies.

My Way News - Facebook says apps transmitted user information
My Way News reports: "The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that several popular Facebook applications have been transmitting users' personal identifying information to dozens of advertising and Internet tracking companies. Facebook said it is working to fix the problem, and was quick to point out that the leaks were not intentional, but a consequence of basic Web mechanisms."

BBC News - Bruce Schneier warns 'profits killing personal privacy'
BBC News reports: "Personal privacy is in danger of being killed off by the profit-making motives of firms which hold our data, security expert Bruce Schneier has warned [...] While the death of personal privacy had been predicted for a long time, rapid technological changes posed a mortal danger to it, he said."

My Way News - Homeland Security and spy agency to work together
My Way News reports: "Computer experts at the secretive National Security Agency are teaming up with the Homeland Security Department in an effort to strengthen the nation's defenses against cyber attacks [...] U.S. government and private networks are increasingly under attack by hackers and other cyber criminals. The officials said the plan will include increased oversight by legal and privacy professionals to insure that individuals rights are protected."