Privacy

Kerry, McCain Introduced Online Privacy Bill

April 12, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <b>Privacy advocates criticize a bill focused on online data collection introduced Tuesday.</b></p> <p> Two high-profile U.S. senators have introduced legislation designed to give consumers more control over what information about them is collected online, but privacy advocates said the bill will do little to curb wide-spread data-collection practices now in place.</p>

McCain, Kerry Introduce Contentious Privacy Bill

April 12, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> WASHINGTON, D.C. (Reuters) - Senators John Kerry and John McCain introduced a tough new privacy bill on Tuesday that would require companies to notify consumers in clear language when their data is being collected, and oblige them to keep that information safe from hackers.</p> <p> There are increasing concerns about the security of consumers' personal data that companies collect. Millions of people face heightened risk of email swindles after a massive security breach suffered by Epsilon, an online marketing firm that handles email marketing lists for hundreds of clients.</p>

Google’s $700 Million ITA Buy Cleared With Conditions

April 9, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Google's entry into the online travel sector was cleared for takeoff Friday as the US Justice Department gave the green light to its $700 million purchase of flight data company ITA Software.<br /> <br /> The Justice Department's anti-trust division, however, extracted a number of concessions from Google and imposed conditions on the Internet search giant to allow the controversial acquisition to go ahead.<br /> <br />

DoJ Green-Lights Google Takeover of ITA with Several Conditions

April 8, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> The US Department of Justice says Google won't be able to move forward with its acquisition of airline software maker ITA Software unless it agrees to a set of rules designed to ensure continued competition in the market. The rules come as part of the DoJ's proposed settlement for the antitrust suit it filed against Google, but if Google agrees to the terms, the DoJ says its competition concerns will be resolved. Competitors, while somewhat pleased, still want more scrutiny.</p>

State Eyes Do-Not-Track Legislation

April 6, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <strong>Senate bill could put California in the forefront of the fight over online privacy. </strong><br /> <br /> SACRAMENTO AND SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- California is putting itself in position to lead the fight for increased online privacy by trying to pass the country's first so-called do-not-track law to keep personal data from being grabbed off the Internet. <br /> <br />

‘Do Not Track Me’ Laws Seek To Protect Consumer Privacy Online

April 6, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Privacy advocates are backing legislation that requires Internet companies doing business in California to provide consumers with a mechanism to prevent their online activities and information from being monitored. The state bill (SB 671), the so-called "Do Not Track Me" law, would allow people to opt out of the "collection, use, and storage" of personal data by any firm.</p>

State Senator’s Do Not Track Bill On Internet Data

April 5, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> A California state senator on Monday unveiled a bill that would force Internet companies doing business in the state to allow local consumers to opt out of online monitoring, adding to the building momentum behind a "Do Not Track" mandate.</p> <p> During a morning news conference in Sacramento, Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, said his proposed legislation would call on the California attorney general to force affected businesses to provide users a way to avoid having their personal information and online activity tracked, if they so choose.</p>

Pandora Filing Suggests Federal Privacy Probe

April 5, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> A grand jury sought information from Pandora Media Inc. about how the company's mobile application uses personal data, part of an apparent federal investigation into smart-phone privacy.</p> <p> <span id="articlebody">The Oakland Internet radio company disclosed the request Monday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission made in advance of Pandora's planned initial public offering.</span></p>

California Lawmaker Touts Do-Not-Track Bill

April 4, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> <b>A California state senator introduced an online do-not-track bill.</b></p> <p> A state senator in California has introduced a bill that would allow Web surfers to opt out of online tracking efforts by websites and advertising networks.</p>

Feds Probe Privacy Violations Involving Smartphone App Data

April 4, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> Federal prosecutors are taking a look at what smartphone application makers do with the data they collect from their users.<br /> <br /> Their investigation came to light Monday in a regulatory filing by Internet radio company Pandora. Oakland-based Pandora said it had received a subpoena from a federal grand jury early this year.<br /> <br />

California Introduces Do-Not-Track Bill, May Set U.S. Standard

April 4, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> April 4 (Bloomberg) -- A California bill unveiled today that would limit Web companies from tracking the state’s online consumers’ browsing habits may support national efforts for a similar law, costing the industry as much as $1.1 billion annually.<br /> <br />

Do-Not-Track Bill Introduced In California

April 4, 2011  ·  Mark Reback

<p> A state lawmaker in California has introduced a privacy bill that would require Web companies that gather data about state residents to notify consumers about the collection and allow them to opt out.</p>