general internet news - November 23

[David Goldstein <goldstein_david@yahoo.com.au>]

Hi all,

A change in the order of the topics in the news today that reflect the popularity of topics on my website. I hope it's a little more useful in that the more interesting topics are towards the top for most of you.

Cheers
David

Don't forget to check out http://auda.org.au/domain-news/ for today's
edition of the complete domain news, including an RSS feed - already
online!





And see my website - http://technewsreview.com.au/ - for daily updates in between postings.



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Sponsored by the Singapore Internet Research Centre
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/sci/sirc/

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Google U.S. Web search share jumps to 58.5 percent [Reuters]
http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKN2121132720071121

UK broadband use reaches new high
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7105242.stm

Facebook users raise privacy complaints over new tracking for marketing
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/22/1195321901158.html

Video spam and other nastiness set for 2008
http://www.techworld.com/news/index.cfm?NewsID=10714

Richard Thomas: Individuals value their privacy - institutions do not [Information Commissioner]
http://comment.independent.co.uk/commentators/article3182300.ece

IPhone Must Be Offered Without Contract Restrictions, German Court Rules
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/21/technology/21iphone.html

de: Skype encryption stumps police [Reuters]
http://uk.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUKL21173920071122
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10477899

Microsoft closes pro-anorexia websites
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article2916356.ece

uk: Langham says child porn viewings compassionate
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2214015,00.html

Actor Chris Langham tells of 'compassionate' viewing of child porn
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article2906052.ece

EU's Mandelson: U.S. needs to change gambling laws [Reuters]
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-6219619.html

How the web shaped the Australian election [AAP]
http://stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,0a28,00.html


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INTERNET USE
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Google U.S. Web search share jumps to 58.5 percent [Reuters]
Google enjoyed one of its biggest monthly gains in U.S. Web search market share in October, building on consistent gains over the past two years, according to industry data out on Wednesday.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKN2121132720071121
http://www.news.com/2100-1038_3-6219821.html
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-6219821.html

comScore Releases October U.S. Search Engine Rankings [news release]
... In October, Google Sites increased its lead atop the core search ranking with 58.5 percent of U.S. searches, gaining 1.5 share points versus the previous month. Yahoo! Sites ranked second with 22.9 percent, followed by Microsoft Sites (9.7 percent), Ask Network (4.7 percent) and Time Warner Network (4.2 percent).
http://www.comscore.com/press/release.asp?press=1908

UK broadband use reaches new high
Almost 90% of British net users are using broadband and average speeds are climbing, official figures reveal.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7105242.stm

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SOCIAL NETWORKING
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Facebook users raise privacy concerns [AP]
Some users of the online hangout Facebook are complaining that its two-week-old marketing program is publicising their purchases for friends to see.
http://www.ioltechnology.co.za/article_page.php?iSectionId=2885&iArticleId=4139489

Facebook users raise privacy complaints over new tracking for marketing
Some users of the online hangout Facebook are complaining that its two-week-old marketing program is publicizing their purchases for friends to see. Those users say they never noticed a small box that appears on a corner of their Web browsers following transactions at Fandango, Overstock and other online retailers. The box alerts users that information is about to be shared with Facebook unless they click on "No Thanks." It disappears after about 20 seconds, after which consent is assumed.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/22/1195321901158.html
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/22/1195321901158.html

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NEW TECHNOLOGIES
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Amazon unveils mobile library the size of a book
Amazon yesterday launched its first electronic book reader as the online retailer looks to drag one of the last bastions of the analogue world into the digital age. Amazon's device, called Kindle, can hold more than 200 titles from best-selling books to the latest edition of The Washington Post. Only available through Amazon's US store, it costs $399 (£195).
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/nov/20/amazon.news

Amazon Reading Device Doesn’t Need Computer [AP]
Jeff Bezos knows that the world is not exactly clamoring for another way to read electronic books. “If you go back in time, the landscape is littered with the bodies of dead e-book readers,” Mr. Bezos, the chief executive of Amazon.com, said yesterday.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/20/business/20bookxx.html

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SPAM
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Video spam and other nastiness set for 2008
MessageLabs has unveiled its security predictions for 2008, and unsurprisingly the forecast is a tad gloomy, with video file spam among other nastiness predicted for the coming year.
http://www.techworld.com/news/index.cfm?NewsID=10714

12 spam research projects that might make a difference
Those who commit cybercrime know they need to stay on the cutting edge of technology to come up with new and different ways to swindle people. Luckily, the good guys are also spending time in research labs developing ways to thwart the latest tricks employed by spammers, phishers and other criminals. This article lists 12 research projects underway that focus on new technology and techniques to stop spam. While in many cases these projects are reacting to exploits already in use, such as image spam and phishing, the work by these researchers is designed to counter spammers’ current developments and may also lead to prevention of future ones. This list, by no means complete, contains select papers recently made public.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/112007-spam-research.html

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DIGITAL DIVIDE
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Ban Ki-moon stresses role of science and technology in Africa’s development [UN News Service]
Marking Africa Industrialization Day today, United Nations officials stressed the importance of science, technology and human resources in supporting the continent’s efforts to alleviate poverty and achieve sustainable development. “One of the most effective channels for eradicating poverty, creating wealth and enhancing competitiveness is through the acquisition, adaptation and application of relevant technologies,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message for the Day.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=24731

Partnership to grow Internet information in African nations
Increasing awareness about Internet Governance issues and working together on the development and growth of the Internet in Africa are part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the African Telecommunications Union (ATU).
http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/410/23/19843.html

Make ICTs more accessible [reg req'd]
The 5th International Conference on Open Access ended last week in Bagamoyo, Tanzania after successful deliberations. Leadership, ICT infrastructure for development, ICT infrastructure, M-Applications and ICT in business were some of the issues that were discussed at the conference.
http://hana.ru.ac.za/article.cfm?articleID=1770

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ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL
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uk: They've got your number: State's hunger for personal data raises security fears
There are increasing fears that Britain could suffer a repeat of the HM Revenue & Customs data loss as the scale and breadth of personal information held by government bodies continues to grow inexorably. As the police step up their search for the two missing Inland Revenue computer discs containing the banking and personal details of 25 million people, ministers have been warned that the potential exposure to theft and identify fraud could be present for many years to come.
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article3182301.ece

Richard Thomas: Individuals value their privacy - institutions do not [Information Commissioner]
Privacy matters now more than ever. Research by my office – the Information Commissioner's Office – published earlier this month highlighted that nine out of 10 people are concerned that organisations do not treat their personal information properly. People also rank protecting personal information as the second most important social issue – perhaps surprisingly ahead of the environment and the NHS.
http://comment.independent.co.uk/commentators/article3182300.ece

uk: Brace yourselves for new wave of e-mail scams, say security experts
Banks and security experts expect a wave of scam e-mails and bogus mailshots after the loss of the personal data of 25 million people. Executives from the largest high street banks fear that if the data falls into criminal hands the most damaging attack could come in the form of fake direct mail campaigns, possibly conducted over several years. “They could post leaflets that appear to come from a customer’s bank, would be able to quote an account number, be correctly addressed and could invite recipients to phone a fake call centre to apply for, say, a special offer,” one banker said. “Once you call, they ask for your password – and bingo.”
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/money/consumer_affairs/article2917521.ece

Report: E-Commerce Fraudsters' Haul May Reach US$3.6B in 2007
It is becoming increasingly unsafe to buy or otherwise conduct business online, according to the ninth annual CyberSource survey on e-commerce fraud. Fraudsters will divert approximately $3.6 billion from U.S. e-commerce in 2007, a 20 percent increase over 2006, based on survey results. Merchants are working aggressively to hold back the tide. Their various online security products and related best practices are keeping the fraud rate stable, notes CyberSource. Still, it's requiring the expenditure of more resources to keep fraudsters at bay.
http://ecommercetimes.com/story/60394.html

IPhone Must Be Offered Without Contract Restrictions, German Court Rules
Last month, French law forced Apple to promise that consumers could buy a version of its iPhone in this country without having to be locked into a long-term contract with Orange, the only mobile phone operator offering the new device. Now, the same issue is tripping up Apple’s plans to sell the music-playing cellphone in Germany, the largest European telephone market. Last week, the Vodafone Group won the first round of a legal case against T-Mobile over its exclusive deal to sell the iPhone there.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/21/technology/21iphone.html

de: Fresh blow for exclusive Apple iPhone strategy
Apple’s iPhone strategy was dealt a fresh blow today when its exclusive partner in Germany — Europe’s largest market — was forced to make the gadget available on rival networks. T-Mobile said that it would, with immediate effect, make the phone accessible to other mobile operators.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/telecoms/article2914903.ece

de: Skype encryption stumps police [Reuters]
German police are unable to decipher the encryption used in the internet telephone software Skype to monitor calls by suspected criminals and terrorists, Germany's top police officer said.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUKL21173920071122
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10477899

au: Scores selling stolen cars on eBay: Govt
The New South Wales Government is planning to expand an investigation that has found 106 people are believed to have been illegally selling cars on auction site eBay.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/21/2096844.htm

INTERNET LAW - SINGAPORE: INFRINGEMENT AND ENFORCEMENT OF REGISTERED TRADEMARKS
Singapore is a small but potent former British trading colony, established as part of the Crown in 1819. After declaring independence in 1965, it blossomed into one of the world's premier economies, based upon positioning itself as a dynamic trading hub. A chief aspect of the surge of prosperity in this tiny nation has been respect for private property and a stern regime of protection for such rights.
http://www.ibls.com/internet_law_news_portal_view.aspx?s=articles&id=775068FC-B2D5-4C46-B5AE-623CE0A69D13

Pressure Mounts Against Google-DoubleClick
Google's quest to buy DoubleClick hit a few bumps this past week as European regulators and U.S. senators continued to question whether the deal creates a monopoly that shuts out competitors in the growing and lucrative online advertising sector.
http://www.forbes.com/technology/2007/11/21/google-doubleclick-antitrust-tech-cx_wt_1121googledc.html

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CENSORSHIP
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Microsoft closes pro-anorexia websites
Microsoft has abruptly closed down four “pro-anorexia” websites in Spain following a complaint that they were endangering the lives of teenage girls. The websites, which offer tips such as “take up smoking” and “if your stomach rumbles, hit it”, were accused of teaching teenagers how to starve themselves.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article2916356.ece

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CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION
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uk: Langham says child porn viewings compassionate
The comedy actor Chris Langham today claimed he was being "compassionate and sympathetic" when he looked at the child porn that put him in prison. The Bafta award-winner, who was released early from jail last week, denied he had any sexual interest in children but admitted looking at the images was "completely wrong".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2214015,00.html

Actor Chris Langham tells of 'compassionate' viewing of child porn
Chris Langham, the disgraced comedy actor, today launched an attempt to restore his reputation after serving a prison sentence for downloading child pornography. In a television interview less than a week after his release, Langham, 58, said that he was tempted to kill himself when it became public that he had been arrested.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article2906052.ece

au: Schoolboy whiz helps draft Labor cyber policy
Tom Wood, the 16-year-old schoolboy who circumvented the Government's $84 million internet filter scheme, has been enlisted by Labor to draft a sizeable chunk of its cyber safety policy. And in the process he has been drawn into a vicious mud-slinging match between the Labor and Liberal parties.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/21/1195321833867.html
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/21/1195321833867.html
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/articles/2007/11/21/1195321841803.html
http://stuff.co.nz/4283253a28.html

us: How to catch an online predator
In trying to catch creeps who prey on children, Detective Michele Deery has stalked through cyberspace as many different people. She's been a 14-year-old girl and a 55-year-old man. Recently, she posed as the mother of two adolescent daughters who was willing to turn her fictitious children over for sex with a stranger. The man was arrested when he arrived for a rendezvous at a diner. "I like my work," Detective Deery says. "It's important work."
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/21/1195321793493.html

us: Missouri city makes Internet harassment a misdemeanor in wake of 13-year-old's suicide
City officials unanimously passed a measure Wednesday making online harassment a crime, days after learning that a 13-year-old girl killed herself last year after receiving cruel messages on the Internet.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/11/17/1194767007753.html
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/17/1194767007753.html
http://www.charlotte.com/nation/story/373331.html
http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest+News/World/STIStory_179382.html

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GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY
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EU's Mandelson: U.S. needs to change gambling laws [Reuters]
European trade chief Peter Mandelson said the United States should let foreign companies into its multibillion-dollar online gaming market instead of trying to compensate European firms for shutting them out. "The U.S. has so far opted for compensation to make right what is wrong. I don't think compensation does that job," he told members of the European Parliament on Tuesday.
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-6219619.html

uk: Regulator targets fake drugs sold on internet
The medicines watchdog is to step up covert internet purchases and testing of suspect pharmaceuticals as part of a new strategy to be unveiled on Thursday. Michael Deats, head of enforcement at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, told the FT that he planned more testing of patented drugs, as well as strengthening of generic drugs testing, tougher criminal sentencing, greater cross-border police co-operation and introduction of 24-hour telephone hotlines.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/aee3d1d0-989f-11dc-8ca7-0000779fd2ac.html

How the web shaped the Australian election [AAP]
The Australian election campaign has shown the internet is becoming an integral part of the political landscape, with politicians, activists and comedians all using it to have their voice heard.
http://stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,0a28,00.html

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COMMENT, MICROSOFT & DEVELOPMENTS
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CONFERENCE: Ethics, Technology and Identity; June 18-20 of 2008, The Hague, the Netherlands
Information technology plays an increasingly important role in society and in human lives. Identity Management Technologies (e.g. biometrics, profiling, surveillance), in combination with a variety of identification procedures and personalized services are ubiquitous and pervasive. This calls for careful consideration and design of collecting, mining, storing and use of personal information. This conference aims to discuss the theme of ‘identity’ in light of new (information) technology. Key-note speakers are David Velleman, Oscar Gandy, Robin Dellon and David Shoemaker.
http://ethicsandtechnology.eu/index.php/news/comments/ethics_technology_and_identity/

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MOBILE/WIRELESS
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Retail Wi-Fi wide open to hackers, study finds
A study has discovered that while retailers are physically securing their businesses to prevent theft, they are not taking the same precautions with their wireless security.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/11/20/Retail-Wi-Fi-wide-open-to-hackers_1.html

ITU Approves 450MHz and 700MHz Bands for 3G and Next Generation (IMT) Mobile Services
The CDMA Development Group (CDG) has applauded the decision made by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) approving the identification of the 450-470MHz and 698-862MHz frequency bands for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) services during the 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-2007). The CDG expects the decision to further stimulate the growth and deployment of CDMA2000 systems in the 450MHz band (CDMA450) and 700MHz band around the globe.
http://www.wirelessdesignasia.com/article-7354-internationaltelecommunicationsunionapproves450mhzand700mhzbandsfor3gandnextgenerationimtmobileservi-Asia.html

ITU allocates post 2015 frequencies
The World Radio Conference, discussion forum of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), has allocated five frequency blocks for use by future mobile telephony technologies, with member countries signed up to the blocks they like the look of and aren't using for anything else.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/11/21/wrc_07/

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ARRESTS/COURT CASES FOR CHILD PORN
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au: Policeman jailed for internet sex chats
A Northern Territory policeman has been jailed for using the internet to try to lure a 14-year-old girl into meeting him for sexual activity.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/21/2096900.htm
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22796771-26103,00.html


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Check out http://auda.org.au/domain-news/ for the most recent edition of the domain news, including an RSS feed - already online!

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For information on subscriptions to the domain name and/or general internet news please contact me. For archives of postings to the list, see http://lists.technewsreview.com.au/pipermail/technewsreview/. Also see http://technewsreview.com.au/ for recent updates.

Sources include Quicklinks <http://qlinks.net/> and BNA Internet Law News <http://www.bna.com/ilaw/>.

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(c) David Goldstein 2007

 
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David Goldstein
 address: 4/3 Abbott Street
           COOGEE NSW 2034
           AUSTRALIA
 email: Goldstein_David @yahoo.com.au
 phone: +61 418 228 605 (mobile); +61 2 9665 5773 (home)
 
"Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim Flannery





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