Privacy

Google’s Effort to Skirt Regulation May Invite More Scrutiny

June 18, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Google's motto is “don’t be evil.” But its recent acquisition of Waze, reportedly for $1 billion in cash, shows that just because you’re not evil, it doesn’t mean you can’t be aggressive in pushing the boundaries of the law.</p> <p>The question now is whether the United States government pushes back and forces Google to give back its new toy.</p>

BREAST CANCER GENES INCLUDED IN NEW TEST

June 15, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>Pathway to market DNA screening that looks for mutations</b></p> <p>A new cancer test from San Diego-based Pathway Genomics will include results for two breast cancer genes formerly patented by Myriad Genetics. A Supreme Court decision on Thursday invalidated those and other patents on naturally occurring DNA.</p> <p>Pathway’s Hereditary Cancer DNA Insight test will go on sale in August, said CEO Jim Plante. The test will screen for mutations in more than 30 genes involved in breast, ovarian, colorectal and other cancers.</p>

Participants Call for End Date on Do Not Track Talks

June 14, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>On September 21, 2011, members of a <a href="http://www.w3.org/2011/tracking-protection/">working group</a> tasked with creating a new set of industry standards for online privacy gathered for their first official face-to-face meeting.</p> <p>One by one, representatives from Yahoo, Microsoft, the Federal Trade Commission, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and elsewhere arrived at the Stata Center, the <a href="http://web.mit.edu/facilities/construction/completed/stata.html">flamboyant Frank Gehry-designed</a> computer science center on MIT’s campus.</p>

Does Encryption Really Shield You from Government’s Prying Eyes?

June 14, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><strong>Encrypting data may not guard against surveillance, some experts say, while others argue in favor of taking steps to protect privacy</strong></p> <p>If you're thinking about encrypting email in light of revelations about U.S. government spying, you may be wasting your time.</p>

Why We Lack Good Privacy Guidelines

June 13, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>Technology innovations have served to strip away privacy. They could also be the key to restoring it.</b></p> <p>When it comes to preserving their privacy in the digital age, many Americans may feel as if they are caught between King Kong and Godzilla.</p>

Consumer Group Wants Antitrust Agencies to Block Google’s Waze Deal

June 12, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>U.S. antitrust agencies should block Google's proposed acquisition of crowdsourced mapping app Waze because the deal would take away Google's major competitor in mobile maps, consumer group Consumer Watchdog said.</p>

Block Google’s Buyout of Waze, Group Tells Regulators

June 12, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Google's acquisition of Israeli maps and traffic data firm Waze should be blocked on antitrust grounds, according to Consumer Watchdog.</p> <p>It is calling on regulators in the United States to block the billion dollar acquisition, writing to both the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) and to the Federal Trade Commission. The deal will require regulatory approval to go ahead.</p>

Google Waze Acquisition Needs Antitrust Probe – Consumer Watchdog

June 12, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><strong>US pressure group asks Department of Justice to investigate search giant's $1.3bn takeover of Israel-based traffic app</strong></p> <div id="article-body-blocks"> <p>The US Department of Justice has been urged to block <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/jun/11/google-buys-waze-maps-billion">Google's $1.3bn acquisition of the traffic app Waze</a>, on antitrust grounds.</p>

Consumer Watchdog to FTC: Shut Down This Google-Waze Deal Now

June 12, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Consumer Watchdog believes that with Google’s purchase of competing major maps app Waze, the company is in prime position to take over the maps market. <a href="http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/cltrdojwaze061213.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The group wrote a letter</a> “urging’ the Federal Trade Commission to block the acquisition deal today.</p>

Tech Titans Speak Out for More PRISM Transparency

June 12, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><strong>Google, Microsoft, Facebook and other companies named as PRISM participants now admit their involvement and are asking the government to allow them to clarify the extent of their participation to the public. "It's clear their reputations have been damaged, probably with good cause," said John Simpson, privacy project director at Consumer Watchdog.</strong></p>

Analysis: Why Google Can Flatly Deny Knowledge of Prism

June 12, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Google is in a <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/06/12/google-nsa-servers-secure-ftp/2416181/" title="http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/06/12/google-nsa-servers-secure-ftp/2416181/">mad scramble</a> to distance itself from the National Security Administration's controversial Prism data mining program.</p> <p>So are Microsoft, Yahoo, Facebook, Apple, AOL, Skype (now part of Microsoft) and Paltalk -- the other tech companies mentioned in PowerPoint slides depicting the Prism program, slides that were leaked by whistleblower Edward Snowden.</p>

Battery Maker Exide Technologies Files for Bankruptcy Protection

June 10, 2013  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>In its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, Exide cites the forced suspension of operations at its Vernon lead-recycling plant and other economic factors.</b></p> <p>Battery maker Exide Technologies filed for bankruptcy protection Monday, citing the forced suspension of operations at its Vernon lead-recycling plant and other economic factors.</p>