Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Microsoft sets 'do not track' as default on IE10, ruffles feathers]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/do-not-track-is-default-on-ie10/http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/do-not-track-is-default-on-ie10/http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/01/do-not-track-is-default-on-ie10/#comments Microsoft sets 'do not track' as default on IE10, ruffles feathers

Internet Explorer 10 on Windows 8 won't be the first major browser to pack a "do not track" component, but it'll be the first to have it switched on by default. Though Microsoft doesn't yet support the feature on its own websites, it plans to help hammer out the protocols by cooperating with industry, government and standards organizations in the months ahead. With Twitter's support for the measure, the crew in Redmond isn't the only one kicking the privacy ball forward. The Digital Advertising Alliance, however, isn't pleased with the development, in no small part because it struck a deal with the White House to honor "do not track" so long as it's not a default setting. Despite the move, Microsoft said it hopes users will choose to share their data with advertisers to receive more relevant advertising. Hit the more coverage links for added details on Microsoft's feather ruffling.

[Image credit: Tomas Fano, Flickr]

Microsoft sets 'do not track' as default on IE10, ruffles feathers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 06:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Digital Advertising AllianceDigitalAdvertisingAllianceDNTdo not trackDoNotTrackFTCie 10Ie10internetInternet ExplorerInternet Explorer 10InternetExplorerInternetExplorer10MicrosoftprivacyTwitterFri, 01 Jun 2012 06:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft takes Bing Streetside offline in Germany, privacy complaints to blame]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/23/microsoft-takes-bing-streetside-offline-in-germany/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/23/microsoft-takes-bing-streetside-offline-in-germany/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/23/microsoft-takes-bing-streetside-offline-in-germany/#comments Microsoft takes Bing Streetside offline in Germany, privacy complaints to blame

Germany is notoriously privacy-minded, and services like Facebook's Friend Finder and Google's Street View have come under scrutiny in the country's courts. The latest offender to raise Germany's ire is Bing Streetside, a Street View-style photo service. Microsoft took the feature offline in the country following complaints about how Streetside displays private homes. By default, houses are visible, though Microsoft conceals the images if users submit a complaint. Still, citizens were apparently unhappy with this process, which prompted the company to axe the service while it addresses those privacy concerns. There's always Street View if you need your fix of blurred-out Berlin buildings in the meantime.

Microsoft takes Bing Streetside offline in Germany, privacy complaints to blame originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 22:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bingbing streetsideBingStreetsidegermanygoogle street viewGoogleStreetViewMicrosoftprivacyprivacy issuesPrivacyIssuesstreet photosStreetPhotosWed, 23 May 2012 22:49:00 EST<![CDATA[RunCore InVincible SSD wipes data away with the click of a button]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/16/runcore-invincible-ssd-sata-II-data-wipe/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/16/runcore-invincible-ssd-sata-II-data-wipe/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/16/runcore-invincible-ssd-sata-II-data-wipe/#comments Image

This one goes out to all the Bonds in the world. RunCore, a Chinese company specializing in the production of solid state drives, has cooked up a SATA II solution that should satisfy even the most guarded of privacy fanatics. Living up to its grandiose InVincible moniker, this aptly-named SSD's built to endure extreme temperatures ranging from -45 to 95 degrees Celsius (or -49 to 203 degrees Fahrenheit), read / write data at speeds up to 240Mbps / 140Mbps and protect your 1s and 0s from prying, less-than-reputable eyes. How so? Well, the drive's actual pièce de espionnite aiguë (that's fancy for paranoiac fail safe) incorporates a dual-button scheme for clearing away data. Users, much like Neo in ye 'ole Matrix, will have two colored choices to make: select the green button for "intelligent elimination" (aka overwriting of data) or opt for the "less subtle method" offered by the red button which applies a current to the NAND flash memory for actual physical destruction of your data. So, whether you're a high-ranking government official, a spy unlike us or just someone who can't help but look over his / her shoulder, rest assured your secrets can now be safely disposed of. Jump past the break to check out the outfit's informational video and its woefully out of sync audio track.

Continue reading RunCore InVincible SSD wipes data away with the click of a button

RunCore InVincible SSD wipes data away with the click of a button originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 May 2012 14:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>data eliminationDataEliminationInVincibleprivacyRunCoresecuritysolid state driveSolidStateDriveSSDvideoWed, 16 May 2012 14:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Data Killer turns hard drives into blank slates with the push of a button (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/14/data-killer-tuns-hard-drives-into-blank-slates-with-the-push-of/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/14/data-killer-tuns-hard-drives-into-blank-slates-with-the-push-of/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/14/data-killer-tuns-hard-drives-into-blank-slates-with-the-push-of/#comments Image

Let's say you're embroiled in an international tale of espionage and intrigue, and you've got hard drives filled with incriminating evidence and top secret information. You could dispose of that potentially dangerous data by manually wiping each disk with multiple passes of a disk erasing app or, you could pop them in the Data Killer and be done with it in seconds. Platform of Japan demonstrated the information obliterating devices at the Information Security Expo. A large powerful magnet realigns the bits on the surface of the drive's platters eliminating all trace of the data that existed before, without physically damaging the hardware. With just the push of a button a Data Killer can wipe practically any magnetic media, including tapes or an aging floppy disk. The data disposals even come in different sizes, allowing you to kill just a single 3.5-inch disk or up to 14 at a time. The larger models can even accept an intact laptop. Check out the video after the break to see it in action.

Continue reading Data Killer turns hard drives into blank slates with the push of a button (video)

Data Killer turns hard drives into blank slates with the push of a button (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 10:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>datadata crusherdata killerDataCrusherDataKillerdisk eraserDiskEraserdrive eraserDriveEraserInformation Security ExpoInformationSecurityExpoplatform of japanPlatformOfJapanprivacysecuritystoragevideoMon, 14 May 2012 10:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook proposes more transparent privacy policy, wants to know what you think of it]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/11/facebook-new-privacy-policy-open-for-public-comment/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/11/facebook-new-privacy-policy-open-for-public-comment/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/11/facebook-new-privacy-policy-open-for-public-comment/#comments Facebook proposes more transparent privacy policy, is looking for feedback from youFacebook's had some privacy foibles in the not-so-distant past, and has been working to improve its policies to better inform Facebook users how their info is exploited. Last year, the Irish Data Protection Commissioner's Office did an audit of Facebook's data usage approach, and determined that, while Facebook's doing a decent job, further details should be provided to us all. Well, the social network's recently responded by creating a Terms and Policies Hub to make its myriad policies easy to find. Additionally, it's adding new examples and explanations to its Data Use Policy about how the 'book employs cookies on its site, while also shedding some light on how our info's used for advertising and improving site operations. There's also a detailed description of the Activity Log tool that lets you see every bit of info you've entrusted to Mr. Zuckerberg, so you can better manage your pictures and wall posts. These changes aren't yet set in stone, however, because Facebook wants to know what you think before doing so. Just head on over to Facebook's Site Governance page to peruse the changes and provide feedback at your leisure, or tune into a live Q&A session with Chief Privacy Officer Erin Egan next Monday (May 14th) at noon ET to tell her face-to-digital-face.

Facebook proposes more transparent privacy policy, wants to know what you think of it originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 May 2012 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>datadata collectionDataCollectionfacebookonline privacyOnlinePrivacyprivacyprivacy policyPrivacyPolicysocial networksocial networkingSocialNetworkSocialNetworkingFri, 11 May 2012 14:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Carrier IQ hires former Verizon privacy counsel Magnolia Mobley as Chief Privacy Officer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/09/carrier-iq-hires-former-verizon-privacy-counsel-magnolia-mobley/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/09/carrier-iq-hires-former-verizon-privacy-counsel-magnolia-mobley/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/09/carrier-iq-hires-former-verizon-privacy-counsel-magnolia-mobley/#comments Carrier IQ hires former Verizon privacy counsel Magnolia Mobely as Chief Privacy OfficerIt's been several months since Carrier IQ explained its data collection practices and responded to FCC and Senatorial inquiry about its privacy policies. Despite the fact that it's no longer in the headlines, Carrier IQ's still intent on improving how it handles consumer info. That's why the firm has hired Magnolia Mobley away from Verizon (who eschewed Carrier IQ's services in favor of its own Remote Diagnostics tool), where she was Big Red's Chief Privacy Counsel. Ms. Mobely will be Carrier IQ's General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer and she's expected to help the company focus on preserving consumer privacy. You can read up on her credentials further in the PR after the break.

Continue reading Carrier IQ hires former Verizon privacy counsel Magnolia Mobley as Chief Privacy Officer

Carrier IQ hires former Verizon privacy counsel Magnolia Mobley as Chief Privacy Officer originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 May 2012 01:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Carrier IQCarrierIqchief privacy officerChiefPrivacyOfficergeneral counselGeneralCounselhirehiredhiringmagnolia mobelyMagnoliaMobelymobilepostcrossprivacyverizonWed, 09 May 2012 01:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook Messenger update makes it even harder to blow people off]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/05/facebook-messenger-app-update/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/05/facebook-messenger-app-update/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/05/facebook-messenger-app-update/#comments Facebook Messenger update makes it even harder to blow people off

Your friends just don't get it. While they're still bumming around in Nikes, dorms and doomed relationships, your life has recently become more serious. That's why you sometimes need to hide from their constant, mindless barrage of messages, and also why you probably won't install the newly updated Facebook Messenger app v1.7. In line with FB's "mobile first" strategy, it debuts key new functions on iOS and Android, including instant and compulsory "seen by" read receipts as well as optional "sent from" notifications. So, in addition to knowing how aloof you've become, they'll be able to track you down and slap your face.

Facebook Messenger update makes it even harder to blow people off originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 May 2012 18:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappapplefacebookfacebook messengerFacebookMessengergoogleiminstant messagingInstantMessagingiosiphonelocationmessagingmessaging appMessagingAppminipostmobilepostcrossprivacyread receiptread receiptsReadReceiptReadReceiptstextingupdateSat, 05 May 2012 18:11:00 EST<![CDATA[FBI reportedly pressing for backdoor access to Facebook, Google]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/05/fbi-wants-social-network-wiretap/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/05/fbi-wants-social-network-wiretap/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/05/fbi-wants-social-network-wiretap/#comments Image

Investigators at the FBI supposedly aren't happy that social networks like Facebook or Google+ don't have the same kind of facility for wiretaps that phones have had for decades. If claimed industry contacts for CNET are right, senior staff at the bureau have floated a proposed amendment to the 1994-era Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) that would require that communication-based websites with large user bases include a backdoor for federal agents to snoop on suspects. It would still include the same requirement for a court order as for phone calls, even if US carriers currently enjoy immunity for cooperating with any warrantless wiretapping. As might be expected, technology firms and civil liberties advocates like the Electronic Frontier Foundation object to deepening CALEA's reach any further, and Apple is thought to be preemptively lobbying against another definition of the law that might require a government back channel for audiovisual chat services like FaceTime or Skype. The FBI didn't explicitly confirm the proposal when asked, but it did say it was worried it might be "going dark" and couldn't enforce wiretaps.

[Image credit: David Drexler, Flickr]

FBI reportedly pressing for backdoor access to Facebook, Google originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 May 2012 14:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ApplecaleaCivil Libertiescivil rightsCivilLibertiesCivilRightsCommunications Assistance for Law Enforcement ActCommunicationsAssistanceForLawEnforcementActeffElectronic Frontier FoundationElectronicFrontierFoundationfacebookfacetimefbiFederal Bureau of InvestigationFederalBureauOfInvestigationgoogle plusgoogle+GooglePluslobbyinglobbyistsprivacyprivacy issuesPrivacyIssuesskypewiretapwiretappingSat, 05 May 2012 14:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Justice Department clears Google of WiFi wiretapping violations]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/28/justice-department-clears-google-of-wifi-wiretapping/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/28/justice-department-clears-google-of-wifi-wiretapping/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/28/justice-department-clears-google-of-wifi-wiretapping/#comments Justice Department clears Google of WiFi wiretapping violations

Two years ago, Google drove its way into a fair amount of hot water when it accidentally (as was claimed) scooped up private data over WiFi while collecting Street View and location data. Now, the Justice Department has cleared the prolific mapsters of the wiretapping violations. The DOJ made its decision not to push for prosecution based on reports from employees and investigating key documents reports Wired. The Wiretap Act (which is the relevant one here) was argued to only pertain to "traditional radio services," by US District Judge James Ware, but neither the DOJ or FCC said they could find any evidence that Google accessed the date it snared. In an extra move of openness, the search giant has also released the entire FCC report on the Street View investigation (redacted to protect identities) which can be found in the more coverage link. So, next time you see the famous camera-topped wagons roll around, you can leave your tin hat in the closet.

Justice Department clears Google of WiFi wiretapping violations originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cleareddepartment of justiceDepartmentOfJusticeDOJFCCgooglegoogle street viewGoogleStreetViewJustice DepartmentJusticeDepartmentprivacyrulingsecuritysnoopsnoopingstreet viewStreetViewwardrivingwifiwifi snoopingWifiSnoopingSat, 28 Apr 2012 15:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Senate black box bill could see 2015 car models ship with data recorders]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/20/senate-black-box-bill-could-see-2015-car-models-ship-with-data-r/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/20/senate-black-box-bill-could-see-2015-car-models-ship-with-data-r/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/20/senate-black-box-bill-could-see-2015-car-models-ship-with-data-r/#comments ImageBlack boxes aren't just for airplanes anymore, it seems. Though car companies have been installing the devices at their discretion since the early aughts, a new bill, ominously entitled Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, has just passed Senate approval containing a provision that would mandate the inclusion of these Event Data Recorders in all automobiles produced from 2015 and on. Privacy fans may already be reaching for those protesting pitchforks, but keep in mind this legislation still needs to pass the House of Representatives on its way to becoming law. And given its other, more controversial elements (i.e. revoking passports for unpaid back taxes), it could still head back to the recycle bin. If it does pass Congressional muster, you'll still have ownership of any collected data, so long as the court doesn't require you to hand it over. Regardless of the outcome, we wouldn't breathe a sigh of relief just yet -- your car might be snooping on you as we speak. Just check your owner's manual.

Senate black box bill could see 2015 car models ship with data recorders originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automakersbillblack boxBlackBoxcarcarsedrEvent Data RecorderEventDataRecorderlawlegislationprivacySenateFri, 20 Apr 2012 13:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Zero Trace gadget bags dodge 'digital exploitation,' schadenfreude]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/18/zero-trace-gadget-faraday-bags-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/18/zero-trace-gadget-faraday-bags-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/18/zero-trace-gadget-faraday-bags-on-sale/#comments zero trace faraday bagFaraday bags? Oh, yeah. For the sleuthing shyster in your life, Escape the Wolf has a new range of gadget cases that are engineered with one primary purpose: to avoid technical surveillance, mobile phone tracking and remote digital exploitation. As it turns out, these guys have been lurking undercover for just over a month now, but it looks as if they're now on sale to the masses -- civilians included. The Zero Traces line can hold both laptops and phones alike, with each piece capable of shielding GSM / CDMA, WiFi and Bluetooth devices from being "remotely exploited." The pain? Between $24.99 and $199.99, and you can part ways with varying levels of cash right there in the source link.

Zero Trace gadget bags dodge 'digital exploitation,' schadenfreude originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 01:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bagcasefaradaylaptop bagLaptopBagnavynavy sealNavySealprivacysecuritysurveillancewargadgetwolfWolf Zero TraceWolfZeroTracezero traceZeroTraceWed, 18 Apr 2012 01:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Calyx Institute to create ISP that keeps customer traffic private, away from prying governmental eyes]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/12/calyx-institute-to-create-isp-that-keeps-customer-traffic-private/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/12/calyx-institute-to-create-isp-that-keeps-customer-traffic-private/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/12/calyx-institute-to-create-isp-that-keeps-customer-traffic-private/#commentsCalyx Institute to create an ISP that keeps customer traffic private, away from prying governmental eyesWouldn't it be nice if we were free to surf the web free from fear of having our traffic monitored and emails scraped by the NSA? Well, if Nicholas Merrill has his way, we won't have to rely on anonymous browsers or proxy servers -- we'll have a new ISP built from the ground up to protect customer privacy. A non-profit, the Calyx Institute, will run the ISP that'll employ end-to-end encryption on web traffic, plus encrypted emails to prevent anyone other than the user, including the ISP itself, from seeing people's internet activity. Because of this structure, Calyx, quite literally, won't be able to comply with governmental requests to obtain customer traffic data under the Patriot or Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Acts. The best part is, such online privacy may cost as little as $20 a month, and Merrill has hopes to provide a similarly secure VoIP service at some point as well. Of course, the venture will only be possible if Merrill can raise the $2 million needed to get it going -- which is why he's pitching the idea to venture capitalists in Silicon Valley and the general public through crowd-sourced funding site IndieGogo. Want to help out? Hit the source below to make a donation.

Calyx Institute to create ISP that keeps customer traffic private, away from prying governmental eyes originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>calyx instituteCalyxInstituteencryptedencryptionfisainternetinternet service providerinternet service providersInternetServiceProviderInternetServiceProvidersispnicholas merrillNicholasMerrillpatriot actPatriotActprivacyprivatetraffic monitoringTrafficMonitoringThu, 12 Apr 2012 21:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook revealing the personal data it collects, won't spare your drunk-poking blushes]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/12/facebook-revealing-the-personal-data-it-collects-wont-spare-yo/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/12/facebook-revealing-the-personal-data-it-collects-wont-spare-yo/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/12/facebook-revealing-the-personal-data-it-collects-wont-spare-yo/#comments
Facebook's massively expanding its Download Your Information service into an all-encompassing archive of the data Mr. Zuckerberg collects about your daily dose of people-stalking. DYL was introduced in 2010 and allowed you to pull down all the photos, posts, messages, friend lists and chat conversations in the archives -- but now will also offer stored IP addresses, previous names you've used, friend requests you've made, with further categories due in the future. It'll have to sate the concerns of privacy organizations worldwide, since it's rumored to collect 84 different categories of information about you (85 if you count all those Instagram photos it just bought). It'll be gradually rolled out to all 845 million users in the coming weeks and is available from your general account settings.

Facebook revealing the personal data it collects, won't spare your drunk-poking blushes originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdvertisingConsumerConsumer RightsConsumerRightsDataData CollectionDataCollectionDownload Your InformationDownloadYourInformationFacebookMark ZuckerbergMarketingMarkZuckerbergOnline PrivacyOnlinePrivacyPrivacySocial NetworkSocial NetworkingSocialNetworkSocialNetworkingThu, 12 Apr 2012 11:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Iran swapping internet for intranet in August (update)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/10/iran-blocking-access-to-internet/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/10/iran-blocking-access-to-internet/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/10/iran-blocking-access-to-internet/#comments iran google newsThere's dealing with internet comments, and then there's this. According to a statement from Reza Taghipour, the Iranian minister for Information and Communications Technology, Iran will be shutting off access to the world wide in around five months, as it flips the switch on a nationwide "intranet" that'll act like one of the more strict corporate firewalls you may have come in contact with. The reason? It's looking to provide its citizens access to "a clean internet," which is loosely translated into "an internet sans freedom." Instead of providing access to Google, Gmail and Hotmail, users will have to register for an Iran Mail ID -- which "mandates authentic information pertaining to a person's identity, including national ID, address and full name." Evidently, it's all to prevent access to the internet that exists today -- one that "promotes crime, disunity, unhealthy moral content, and atheism" in Taghipour's mind. Crazily enough, he's right about all of that, but it's a small price to pay for access to things like this, no?

Update: Turns out, the original report here was a bit -- shall we say -- sensationalized. According to a breaking update from AFP, Iran has "denied online reports that it plans to cut access to the internet in August and replace it with a national intranet." In truth, Iran does have a plan to implement a "national information network," which is being billed as a "totally closed system that would function like a sort of intranet for the Islamic republic." To date, there's no clarity on whether the aforesaid network will exist alongside the internet or in place of it.

Iran swapping internet for intranet in August (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessblockcontrolfreedomgovernmentintranetiranispprivacyregistrationReza TaghipourRezaTaghipourTue, 10 Apr 2012 00:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Google patent app details method for generating a 'ghost profile,' a world of anonymous G+ users]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/google-patent-application-google-plus-ghost-profile/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/google-patent-application-google-plus-ghost-profile/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/google-patent-application-google-plus-ghost-profile/#comments ImageGoogle hasn't exactly had the easiest time keeping the privacy hawks off of its back, but if a recently published patent application is any indication of its future intentions, well... let's just say we could see a lot more people hiding behind an online veil. Made public today, Google's most recent patent app details a "system and method for generating a ghost profile for a social network," which would -- in theory, at least -- allow a user to use certain features in a social network without converting to a social network profile. For those curious, the ghostly profiles would be unsearchable, and comments that originated from said profiles would be shown as being from "partial names." The real question: are G+ ghosts allowed in the Facebook compound?

Google patent app details method for generating a 'ghost profile,' a world of anonymous G+ users originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ghost profileGhostProfilegooglegoogle plusGooglePluspatentpatent applicationPatentApplicationprivacysocial networkSocialNetworkThu, 29 Mar 2012 20:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Remote smartphone diagnostics: the new Carrier IQ or helpful support tool?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/remote-smartphone-diagnostics/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/remote-smartphone-diagnostics/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/remote-smartphone-diagnostics/#comments ImageThe importance of privacy has been dwindling for quite some time, and smartphones have become one of the biggest culprits. Allegations against Carrier IQ, location-based tracking, the recent concerns about Path snatching up iOS address book information -- all of these are just a few examples of mobile carriers and other wireless companies taking our personal data, selling it to the highest bidder (or using it for their own purposes) and not bothering to let us know or give us a choice. The last few aspects of our life that we choose not to share on Facebook seem to get out into the ether, whether we like it or not. And here's the scarier part: there may be companies grabbing information off of our phones right now without us knowing about it.

Too much of a doomsday scenario? Perhaps, but it's important to drive home the point that it has become so outrageous over the past year that we can't help but become nervous anytime we download an app or type in a password. Is our phone secure? How can we really be sure? Can we really trust (insert carrier or manufacturer name here)? This week, the very same situation is resurfacing as Verizon and HTC have made significant moves to install remote diagnostic tools on select devices. It's all done in the name of customer support, but how can we tell this isn't just another sneaky way of snagging our personal deets and selling them to a third party without telling us? We wanted to find out, and here's what we've learned so far.

Continue reading Remote smartphone diagnostics: the new Carrier IQ or helpful support tool?

Remote smartphone diagnostics: the new Carrier IQ or helpful support tool? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aetherpalbloatwarecustomer serviceCustomerServicehtclg revolutionLgRevolutionlogmeinlogmein remoteLogmeinRemotemobilepostcrossprivacyremoteremote diagnosticsRemoteDiagnosticssamsung droid chargeSamsungDroidChargesoftware updateSoftwareUpdateverizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessvzwTue, 27 Mar 2012 08:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese court orders Google to halt Instant search for suggesting one man be fired]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/26/japanese-court-orders-google-to-halt-instant-search-for-suggesti/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/26/japanese-court-orders-google-to-halt-instant-search-for-suggesti/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/26/japanese-court-orders-google-to-halt-instant-search-for-suggesti/#comments ImageCould Google Instant suggest you out of a job? According to one Japanese man's claims, that search algorithm is precisely what landed him a pink slip and permanent spot on the unemployment line. The Kyodo News Agency is reporting that a string of unflattering searches performed by the plaintiff's former employer allegedly linked him to a host of illegal and unflattering behavior, leading to his eventual termination. Baseless claims of a paranoiac? One Tokyo court doesn't think so, as the search giant's been issued an injunction that temporarily bars the use of autocomplete in the country. So far, Mountain View's refused to bow down to the order and maintains its service is consistent with user privacy policies. Our currently jobless John Doe-san would beg to differ and had previously sought the company's assistance in deleting the offending queries before seeking judicial aide, albeit to no avail. Should be interesting to see how this case plays out, seeing as the infraction is the first of its kind and could potentially alter the legal parameters of internet queries. We'll keep you posted on further developments as this courtroom drama continues to play out.

Japanese court orders Google to halt Instant search for suggesting one man be fired originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autocompletecourtcourtsGoogleGoogle InstantGoogleInstantinjunctionJapanprivacyPrivacy PolicyPrivacyPolicysearchMon, 26 Mar 2012 22:42:00 EST<![CDATA[FTC wants new privacy framework: asks for simple controls, transparent policies]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/26/ftc-new-privacy-framework-simple-controls-and-transparency/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/26/ftc-new-privacy-framework-simple-controls-and-transparency/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/26/ftc-new-privacy-framework-simple-controls-and-transparency/#comments ImageThere's plenty of people bothered by the dossiers of data companies like Facebook and Google can (and do) compile on their users, particularly in places across the pond. Now, the Federal Trade Commission has come up with a privacy framework to help address consumer concerns and provide companies with best practices to proliferate better privacy policies. This new plan is articulated in the FTC's recently released privacy report, and seeks to persuade companies to adopt a Privacy by Design ethos. Companies can do this by building in simplified privacy controls throughout product development and making info collection and practices transparent to users.

In order to meet these goals, the FTC came up with a five-pronged approach. First up is the widespread implementation of a Do Not Track system -- for which the W3C is currently creating an international standard -- that has already made its way into Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome to make it easy to opt out of targeted ads. Mobile services are also a priority, as the FTC wants concise, meaningful privacy disclosures to make them easy to digest when on smaller screens. Next, the FTC wants consumers to be able to easily find what personal info is held by data brokers, and is pushing those data brokers to create a centralized website to that end. ISPs, social networks, operating systems, and other so-called "large platform providers" are also under scrutiny for their ability to comprehensively track consumers, and the FTC will have a public workshop later this year to "further explore" issues related to that capability. Lastly, the Commission is working with the Department of Commerce to create business sector-specific codes of conduct, and pledges to continue to take action against companies that don't abide by their own policies.

In order to assuage fears that its framework puts too big of a financial burden on small businesses, the FTC made clear that it doesn't apply to companies that collect data from less than 5,000 customers and don't share that data with third parties. Sounds like a good plan, fellas, but we won't get too excited until we see the big boys actually implementing it.

FTC wants new privacy framework: asks for simple controls, transparent policies originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Federal Trade CommissionFederalTradeCommissionftcpolicyprivacyprivacy policyPrivacyPolicyMon, 26 Mar 2012 14:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Major ISPs agree to FCC's code of conduct on botnets, DNS attacks]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/25/major-isps-agree-to-fccs-code-of-conduct-on-botnets-dns-attack/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/25/major-isps-agree-to-fccs-code-of-conduct-on-botnets-dns-attack/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/25/major-isps-agree-to-fccs-code-of-conduct-on-botnets-dns-attack/#comments Image
The FCC's campaign to secure the internet gained new momentum last week, when a group of major ISPs signed on to a new code of conduct aimed at mitigating cybercrime. Adopted by the FCC's Communications, Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council (CSRIC), the new code targets three main security threats: botnets, DNS attacks and internet route hijacking. The Anti-Bot Code of Conduct invites ISPs to adopt sharper detection methods, and to notify and assist consumers whenever their computers are infected. The DNS code, meanwhile, offers a list of best practices by which ISPs can tighten security. Though it doesn't call for a full adoption of DNSSEC technology, the guidelines do represent a "first step" toward implementation, allowing web users to verify the authenticity of their online destinations. As for internet route attacks, the CSRIC calls for a similarly collective approach, asking ISPs to collaborate on new technologies within an industry-wide framework.

In a statement, FCC chairman Julius Genachowski said that these practices "identify smart, practical, voluntary solutions that will materially improve the cyber security of commercial networks and bolster the broader endeavors of our federal partners." The industry apparently agrees, as heavyweights like AT&T, CenturyLink, Comcast, Cox, Sprint, Time Warner Cable, T-Mobile and Verizon have already signed on. For the FCC's full statement, check out the source link below.

Major ISPs agree to FCC's code of conduct on botnets, DNS attacks originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Mar 2012 16:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-bot code of conductAnti-botCodeOfConductattbotnetcode of conductCodeOfConductcomcastCSRICfccfederal communications commissionFederalCommunicationsCommissiongovernmenthijackingindustryispJulius GenachowskiJuliusGenachowskipoliticsprivacyregulatorysecuritysprintt-mobiletime warner cableTimeWarnerCableverizonSun, 25 Mar 2012 16:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Congressmen ask devs of 34 iOS apps about user privacy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/23/congressmen-ask-devs-of-34-ios-apps-about-user-privacy/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/23/congressmen-ask-devs-of-34-ios-apps-about-user-privacy/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/23/congressmen-ask-devs-of-34-ios-apps-about-user-privacy/#comments ImageIn the wake of the Path address book fiasco, Congressmen Henry Waxman (D-CA) and G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) have followed up their initial query to Apple about privacy issues by contacting the people and companies behind 34 iOS apps. The list includes Tim Cook (again), concerning Apple's own Find My Friends, Mark Zuckerberg and Path's CEO Dave Morin, among others. The letters themselves are open for viewing on the Committee on Energy and Commerce's website, and include questions about exactly how many times the apps have been downloaded, what information they transmit back from user's devices and what happens to that data. The devs have until April 12th to respond, and while we're not sure what will happen after that, we're pretty sure this ends with someone's Hall of Fame consideration in doubt despite seven Cy Youngs and more than 4,000 strikeouts.

Congressmen ask devs of 34 iOS apps about user privacy originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 02:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecommittee on energy and commerceCommitteeOnEnergyAndCommercecongressdatafacebookfind my friendsFindMyFriendsgovernmentinquiryiosiphonemobilepostcrosspathpolicyprivacyFri, 23 Mar 2012 02:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Path vows contact data 'hashing' in next update, chases privacy certification]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/13/path-seeks-TRUSTe-privacy-certification/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/13/path-seeks-TRUSTe-privacy-certification/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/13/path-seeks-TRUSTe-privacy-certification/#comments

Path is still trying to pave over those privacy cracks, promising that its next update will "hash" the contact data it previously used to suck up without prior warning. Last month, the app was caught with its digital fingers inside users' address books and while the subsequent (and understandably swift) update allowed users to opt out, the Path devs are still looking to gain privacy certification with TRUSTe. They told The Verge that the next version will still allow contact matching without plucking the precise details at the same time, using a hashing technique that won't identify the data delivered to the social network app. The latest update adds compatibility with Nike+ GPS, plus improvements to the embedded camera and a new music recognition function. It's available now for the mobile OS of your choice at the sources below.

Path vows contact data 'hashing' in next update, chases privacy certification originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 03:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Androidappcontactshashingiosiphonemobilepostcrosspathprivacysharingsocial networksocial networkingSocialNetworkSocialNetworkingupdateTue, 13 Mar 2012 03:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook loses friends in Germany over privacy breaches]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/facebook-privacy-breaches/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/facebook-privacy-breaches/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/facebook-privacy-breaches/#commentsFacebook 'Friend Finder' breaches privacy laws, says German judgeBefore you've even sipped your morning brew, a regional German court has delivered yet another stern judgement affecting a multinational organization. This time it's Facebook back in the dock over the Friend Finder feature, which uploads a user's contact list to Zuckerberg's bunker without proper warning. Another offense involves the ownership of data -- any original photo or music track uploaded to Facebook supposedly belongs to the company and can be used however it likes, which has now been deemed to breach data protection laws. Someone ought to add this to the Harvard Student Handbook.

Facebook loses friends in Germany over privacy breaches originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 08:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consumer rightsConsumerRightsfacebookgermangermanylawsuitlegalprivacysocial networkingSocialNetworkingVZBVThu, 08 Mar 2012 08:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Google sharpens its memory, brings recent search history to Android and iOS]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/05/google-recent-search-history-for-android-ios/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/05/google-recent-search-history-for-android-ios/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/05/google-recent-search-history-for-android-ios/#comments Google sharpens its memory, brings recent search history to Android and iOSFace it, Google already knows you better than your friends or family, so why not cuddle up next to the giant and let it make your life a touch easier to manage? Today, the folks in Mountain View announced that recent search history is now accessible from Google's mobile homepage for Android and iOS, where users may now easily access the businesses and places they've searched for within the last day. We attempted to try the addition for ourselves, but it seems the new functionality hasn't yet hit every user. Naturally, you must opt-in to have your searches archived in the first place, and from there, you'll need to sign into your account from your mobile device to access the helpful tidbits. One thing is now certain: even if you've forgotten where you're going, Google is sure to remember.

Google sharpens its memory, brings recent search history to Android and iOS originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 23:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidapplegoogleiosmobilepostcrossprivacysearch historySearchHistoryweb historyWebHistoryMon, 05 Mar 2012 23:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Do we have the right to be 'forgotten' on Google? Spain asks ECJ to investigate]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/05/the-right-to-be-forgotten-on-google/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/05/the-right-to-be-forgotten-on-google/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/05/the-right-to-be-forgotten-on-google/#comments Do we have the right to be 'forgotten' on Google?Google has already tasted European hot water over its revised privacy policy, and soon the European Court of Justice (ECJ) may expand its remit to consider other related issues too. Spanish judges are asking the top court to consider complaints from 100 Spaniards who wish to have their names removed from news articles and websites. Among the complainants are a plastic surgeon who wants to delete archived references to a botched operation, and a man who appears on the Google News aggregator for alleged non-payment of social security. Google itself told Reuters that it supports the "right to be forgotten," but only if it's applied to search engines "in a way that protects both the right to privacy and the right to free expression." If only life was as simple as Pay N' Spray.

Do we have the right to be 'forgotten' on Google? Spain asks ECJ to investigate originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archivescourtecjeuropean court of justiceEuropeanCourtOfJusticegooglejudgemadridnewsprivacyright to be forgottenRightToBeForgottenspainMon, 05 Mar 2012 09:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Android and iOS expose your photos to third party apps, promise fixes]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/android-and-ios-expose-your-photos-to-third-party-apps-promise/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/android-and-ios-expose-your-photos-to-third-party-apps-promise/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/android-and-ios-expose-your-photos-to-third-party-apps-promise/#comments Oops2012 is still young, yet it's already shaping up to be a bad year for privacy and security on the mobile front. Apple found itself embroiled in a bit of a brouhaha over the iPhone address book and an app called Path. And, of course, Google was put under the microscope when mobile Safari was found to have a security flaw that its mobile ads were exploiting. Then, earlier this week, it was discovered that granting iOS apps access to your location could also expose your photos. Now it's been discovered that Android also exposes your images, though, it's doing so without asking for any permissions at all. While Apple was masking photo access with other permissions, Google is simply leaving your pics vulnerable as a part of a design quirk that came from the OS's reliance on microSD cards. Both companies have acknowledged the flaws and have said they're currently working on fixes. We're just hoping things start to quiet down soon, though -- our mobile operating systems are running out of personal data to expose. Check out the source links for more details.

Android and iOS expose your photos to third party apps, promise fixes originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappleflawgoogleioslocationloop holeLoopHolemobilepostcrossphotosprivacysecuritysecurity flawSecurityFlawThu, 01 Mar 2012 17:54:00 EST<![CDATA[This Week in Facebook: Offers, Ads and Timeline for Pages]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/this-week-in-facebook/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/this-week-in-facebook/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/this-week-in-facebook/#comments
Facebook's gently unveiled a raft of changes to its policies to boost advertising on the social network. It unveiled Timeline for pages, meaning that companies can now start uploading baby pictures and changing the cover photo every day. While adverts have been traditionally restricted to the right-rail of the site, now they'll be jammed in at will -- including in your mobile app (which the company conceded it wasn't "monetizing"), timeline and log in / out pages. Advertisers will also have access to a reach generator: once your brand reaches a set (unspecified) number of fans, you can pay to contact up to 75 percent of them with your adverts each month. Finally, there's offers: a way for businesses to share discounts and promotions with users that can then be whipped out at the store on your cellphone, which is certainly cooler than slicing out sections of the penny saver.

[Thanks, Chris]

Continue reading This Week in Facebook: Offers, Ads and Timeline for Pages

This Week in Facebook: Offers, Ads and Timeline for Pages originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdvertisingFacebookFacebook MobileFacebook TimelineFacebookMobileFacebookTimelineMobilePrivacyTimelineThu, 01 Mar 2012 16:13:00 EST<![CDATA[EU: Google's new privacy policy breaches European law]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/eu-googles-new-privacy-policy-breaches-european-law/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/eu-googles-new-privacy-policy-breaches-european-law/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/eu-googles-new-privacy-policy-breaches-european-law/#comments EU: Google's new privacy policy breaches European lawRemember how proud Google was when it unified all of its services under a single privacy policy? Well, Big G's excitement was tempered when the EU asked it to hold off on the policy's implementation while it investigated the changes. And its enthusiasm is likely all but extinguished now that EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding has declared the policy to be in breach of European law. She found fault with the fact that the EU wasn't consulted in the policy's formation, the policy doesn't meet transparency requirements, and it allows Google to give people's private data to third parties. No word on what Europa's governing body will do with such findings in hand, but it seems certain that the crew in Mountain View's got some policy revisions to make. Guess simplifying those privacy policies wasn't so simple, was it?

EU: Google's new privacy policy breaches European law originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eueuropeeuropean unionEuropeanUniongoogleprivacyprivacy issuesprivacy policyPrivacyIssuesPrivacyPolicyViviane RedingVivianeRedingThu, 01 Mar 2012 13:46:00 EST<![CDATA[FBI deactivates about 3,000 GPS tracking devices, loses sight of your car]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/fbi-deactivates-about-3-000-gps-tracking-devices-loses-sight-of/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/fbi-deactivates-about-3-000-gps-tracking-devices-loses-sight-of/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/fbi-deactivates-about-3-000-gps-tracking-devices-loses-sight-of/#commentsFBI deactivates GPS trackersFollowing a January ruling by the US Supreme Court, the FBI has deactivated some 3,000 GPS units that were potentially infringing on the Fourth Amendment. The decision seems to be making waves in the U.S. Justice Department. Andrew Weissmann, FBI General Counsel, says some of the devices have been difficult to retrieve, as the vehicles they were once tracking now move undetected. The FBI has sought temporary permission to reactivate some of the devices to locate and retrieve the hardware. Weissmann says the FBI is also developing new guidelines regarding the legality of its agent's actions -- from the application and use of tracking devices, to the extent a suspect's garbage can be searched before the agent is committing trespass. In short, the FBI is working really hard not to violate your legal right to privacy. If you happen to find something weird under you car, give 'em a call. They'd probably like it back.

FBI deactivates about 3,000 GPS tracking devices, loses sight of your car originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FBIfourth amendmentFourthAmendmentgpsgps trackingGpsTrackingpoliceprivacysearchsearch warrantSearchWarrantsupreme courtSupremeCourttrackingus supreme courtUsSupremeCourtMon, 27 Feb 2012 13:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Google tests the 'do not track' waters with a Chrome extension (Update)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/24/google-tests-the-do-not-track-waters-with-a-chrome-extension/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/24/google-tests-the-do-not-track-waters-with-a-chrome-extension/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/24/google-tests-the-do-not-track-waters-with-a-chrome-extension/#comments Keep My Opt-OutsWell, that didn't take long. One day after agreeing to implement a do not track button as part of a new consumer bill of rights, Google has given the people what they want... sort of. Keep My Opt-Outs is a Chrome extension, developed by the Mountain View team, that will prevent advertisers from using your browsing history against you. Presumably, this function will get built straight into the browser one day but, for now, you have to go dig it up in the Chrome Web Store -- far from an ideal solution. Still, a tepid step into the shallow end is better than no step at all. You can install the extension yourself at the source.

Update: As a few of you have noted, this extension has actually been available for quite some time, since Google originally announced the ad cookie blocker back in 2011. Check out the details in the team's original Public Policy blog post and combine it with a dose of web history cleaning to keep your activities to yourself.

Google tests the 'do not track' waters with a Chrome extension (Update) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>add-onaddonsbrowser extensionsBrowserExtensionschromechrome browserchrome extensionsChromeBrowserChromeExtensionsdo not trackDoNotTrackextensionextensionsgooglegoogle chromeGoogleChromekeep my opt-outsKeepMyOpt-outsopt-outprivacyFri, 24 Feb 2012 16:41:00 EST<![CDATA[White House gets behind online 'bill of rights,' companies to adopt 'do not track']]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/23/white-house-gets-behind-online-bill-of-rights/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/23/white-house-gets-behind-online-bill-of-rights/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/23/white-house-gets-behind-online-bill-of-rights/#comments White HousePresident Obama is throwing his weight behind a consumer bill of rights that includes protections against online companies in particular, and aims to safeguard customer privacy. While the plan doesn't come prepackaged with a new set of laws for companies to abide by, the Commerce Department is working to develop enforceable policies with help from the concerned parties. The bedrock of the new bill of rights is that consumers should have control over the kind of data companies collect and what they do with it. Internet firms would have to be transparent about what information is gathered and how it's used. There is also a call for limitations on the use of certain personal data. As part of the push a number of major players in the field, including Google, have agreed to include a "Do Not Track" button in their browsers and to honor the system -- the latter being a tiny detail that has made implementations of the feature ineffective until now. Hit up the source links for a few more details.

White House gets behind online 'bill of rights,' companies to adopt 'do not track' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Barack ObamaBarackObamacommerce departmentCommerceDepartmentconsumer bill of rightsConsumerBillOfRightsdo not trackdo not track buttonDoNotTrackDoNotTrackButtongovernmentonline bill of rightsOnlineBillOfRightspoliticsprivacyPrivacy PolicyPrivacyPolicywhite houseWhiteHouseThu, 23 Feb 2012 09:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Last chance to clear out Google Web History before the great data convergence]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/last-chance-to-clear-out-google-web-history/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/last-chance-to-clear-out-google-web-history/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/22/last-chance-to-clear-out-google-web-history/#comments Google Privacy PolicyThe end is nigh! For about 59 different Google ToS documents at least. After today, the new consolidated privacy policy will go into effect on March 1st, which will also consolidate much of your data across Google's properties. That means this is a your last chance to clear out El Goog's "you archives" before the great convergence of 2012. If you're not keen on Google sharing your information between its various products (though, you seemed to be okay with it being collected in the first place) today is the day to go and delete it all. Of particular concern for some is Web History, which collects your searches and sites visited and has, until now, been walled off from the rest of the Google empire. For complete instructions for how to clear out your Google Web History hit up the source link.

Update: The EFF has clarified, and we feel it necessary to follow suit, that disabling your web history does not stop Google from collecting data about you. What it does mean is that after 18 months that information is partially anonymized and that certain features, like custom search results, will not be enabled. Just as importantly, we mistakenly said that Wednesday, February 22nd was your last chance to turn off the feature. The new ToS does not go into effect until March 1st.

Last chance to clear out Google Web History before the great data convergence originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EFFElectronic Frontier FoundationElectronicFrontierFoundationgooglegoogle web historyGoogleWebHistoryprivacyPrivacy PolicyPrivacyPolicysearch historySearchHistoryterms of serviceTermsOfServicetosweb historyWebHistoryWed, 22 Feb 2012 17:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft finds Google bypassed Internet Explorer's privacy settings too, but it's not alone (update: Google responds)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/20/microsoft-finds-google-bypassed-internet-explorers-privacy-sett/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/20/microsoft-finds-google-bypassed-internet-explorers-privacy-sett/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/20/microsoft-finds-google-bypassed-internet-explorers-privacy-sett/#commentsThere was quite a stir sparked last week when it was revealed that Google was exploiting a loophole in a Apple's Safari browser to track users through web ads, and that has now prompted a response from Microsoft's Internet Explorer team, who unsurprisingly turned their attention to their own browser. In an official blog post today, they revealed that Google is indeed bypassing privacy settings in IE as well, although that's only part of the story (more on that later). As Microsoft explains at some length, Google took advantage of what it describes as a "nuance" in the P3P specification, which effectively allowed it to bypass a user's privacy settings and track them using cookies -- a different method than that used in the case of Safari, but one that ultimately has the same goal. Microsoft says it's contacted Google about the matter, but it's offering a solution of its own in the meantime. It'll require you to first upgrade to Internet Explorer 9 if you haven't already, then install a Tracking Protection List that will completely block any such attempts by Google -- details on it can be found at the source link below.

As ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley notes, however, Google isn't the only company that was discovered to be taking advantage of the P3P loophole. Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University's CyLab say they alerted Microsoft to the vulnerability in 2010, and just two days ago the director of the lab, Lorrie Faith Cranor, wrote about about the issue again on the TAP blog (sponsored by Microsoft, incidentally), detailing how Facebook and others also skirt IE's ability to block cookies. Indeed, Facebook readily admits on its site that it does not have a P3P policy, explaining that the standard is "out of date and does not reflect technologies that are currently in use on the web," and that "most websites" also don't currently have P3P policies. On that matter, Microsoft said in a statement to Foley that the "IE team is looking into the reports about Facebook," but that it has "no additional information to share at this time."

Update: Google's Senior Vice President of Communications and Policy, Rachel Whetstone has now issued a statement in response to Microsoft's blog post. It can be found in full after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft finds Google bypassed Internet Explorer's privacy settings too, but it's not alone (update: Google responds)

Microsoft finds Google bypassed Internet Explorer's privacy settings too, but it's not alone (update: Google responds) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cookiecookiesgoogleieie9internet explorerinternet explorer 9InternetExplorerInternetExplorer9microsoftP3PprivacytrackingMon, 20 Feb 2012 16:59:00 EST<![CDATA[WSJ: Safari loophole lets Google track Apple users through web ads]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/wsj-safari-loophole-lets-google-track-apple-users-through-web-a/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/wsj-safari-loophole-lets-google-track-apple-users-through-web-a/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/17/wsj-safari-loophole-lets-google-track-apple-users-through-web-a/#comments Stanford researcher Jonathan Mayer has discovered a curious Safari loophole that allows Google to track a user's browsing activity via cookie-laced web ads. As it turns out, Apple's browser normally accepts cookies from sites that a user visits, but automatically blocks them from third-party advertisers. As Mayer found out, though, advertisers can still circumvent this filter by enticing users to interact with ads in different ways. In the case of Google, the search giant embedded a "+1" button on ads produced with its DoubleClick technology, as part of an opt-in feature for Google+ users. If a user was logged in to Google+ and had agreed to see +1 ad displays, he or she would have a cookie planted on their device, thanks to a system that sent invisible forms from Apple computers or iPhones. This made it seem as if a user actually submitted the form intentionally, thereby convincing Safari to allow cookies. These cookies were only temporary, with shelf lives of up to 24 hours, but they could open the door for many more, since Safari allows sites to plant them after having received access to install at least one.

After the Wall Street Journal notified Google of this loophole, the company promptly disabled it and duly apologized, adding that it didn't realize that its +1 system would plant tracking cookies on a user's device. "We didn't anticipate that this would happen, and we have now started removing these advertising cookies from Safari browsers," Google's Rachel Whetstone explained. "It's important to stress that, just as on other browsers, these advertising cookies do not collect personal information." An Apple spokesperson, meanwhile, issued the following statement: "We are aware that some third parties are circumventing Safari's privacy features and we are working to put a stop to it."

WSJ: Safari loophole lets Google track Apple users through web ads originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingapplebrowserbrowsingcookiedataDoubleClickgooglegoogle plusgoogle+GooglePlushistoryiframeiosiphonemobilepostcrosspersonal informationPersonalInformationprivacysafarisocial networkingSocialNetworkingstanfordtrackingwebFri, 17 Feb 2012 07:04:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone address book issue prompts response from Apple, apps' access to contact data will require user permission]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/15/iphone-address-book-issue-prompts-response-apple-access-to-cont/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/15/iphone-address-book-issue-prompts-response-apple-access-to-cont/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/15/iphone-address-book-issue-prompts-response-apple-access-to-cont/#comments
A week ago today, developer Arun Thampi detailed on his blog how the Path app for iOS accessed users' contact information and uploaded that data to Path's servers -- all without any explicit permission granted on the user's part. That sparked quite the firestorm, including investigations into which other apps behaved in a similar manner (quite a few, it turns out), and some responses from a number of other app makers -- Twitter, for one, has acknowledged that it does store users' contact data, but that it now plans to adjust its app to more clearly inform users of that behavior. Now, Apple itself has also responded, with spokesman Tom Neumayr telling AllThingsD that "apps that collect or transmit a user's contact data without their prior permission are in violation of our guidelines," but that it is "working to make this even better for our customers, and as we have done with location services, any app wishing to access contact data will require explicit user approval in a future software release." Still no word on when we can expect that software update, though.

Incidentally, this news comes on the same day that Congressmen Henry Waxman and G.K. Butterfield sent a letter to Apple over the issue, asking that it respond to a number of privacy-related questions no later than February 29th. That letter can be found in full after the break.

Continue reading iPhone address book issue prompts response from Apple, apps' access to contact data will require user permission

iPhone address book issue prompts response from Apple, apps' access to contact data will require user permission originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>address bookAddressBookapplecongresscontactcontact informationContactInformationcontactsiosiphonemobilepostcrosspathpatthprivacytwitterWed, 15 Feb 2012 14:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Path apologizes, deletes user contact data and updates app]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/08/path-apologizes-deletes-user-contact-data-and-updates-app/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/08/path-apologizes-deletes-user-contact-data-and-updates-app/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/08/path-apologizes-deletes-user-contact-data-and-updates-app/#comments The path to the executive apologies is paved with good intentions -- like the one issued today by Dave Morin. The Path CEO / co-founder posted a note apologizing for the contact sharing functionality that got his iPhone app in hot water. The letter titled, simply, "We're Sorry," outlines the company's focus on security (which it takes "very, very seriously") and the intended use for the feature, which uploaded user contact info to help connect people on the service. As a sign of good faith, the company will be deleting all of the uploaded information and making available version 2.0.6 of the service, which allows users to opt-in or out of contact sharing.

Path apologizes, deletes user contact data and updates app originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contactsiosiphonepathprivacysharingsocial networksocial networkingSocialNetworkSocialNetworkingWed, 08 Feb 2012 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Oops! Motorola sold refurbished Xooms without deleting previous owners' data]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/03/oops-motorola-sold-refurbished-xooms-without-deleting-previous/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/03/oops-motorola-sold-refurbished-xooms-without-deleting-previous/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/03/oops-motorola-sold-refurbished-xooms-without-deleting-previous/#comments Usually, when passwords and personal information are exposed, it's because someone hacked a company's not-so-secure system. Motorola, however, managed to put people's info at risk without such malfeasance when it failed to wipe the memory of a batch of refurbished Xooms. The tablets in question were sold by Woot.com between October and December of last year, and Moto is claiming that it made the mistake on only small number of slates. Of course, we don't know exactly how many Xooms were shipped with previous owners' data onboard, but we do know that the company is actively attempting to make amends. Moto's offering two years of Experian identification protection services to those whose info was exposed and owners of affected Xooms are getting a little something too. Just send the device back to Motorola on the company's dime -- where it'll be properly reset and sent back to you, along with a $100 American Express gift card for your efforts. Wondering if you're among the unlucky? Hit the PR after the break for more info, and those with Wooted Xooms can plug in their slate's serial number at the source link below to find out for sure.

[Thanks, Scott]

Continue reading Oops! Motorola sold refurbished Xooms without deleting previous owners' data

Oops! Motorola sold refurbished Xooms without deleting previous owners' data originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>motorolamotorola xoommotorola xoom wifiMotorolaXoomMotorolaXoomWifipersonal informationPersonalInformationprivacyrecallsecurity breachSecurityBreachwifixoomxoom wifiXoomWifiFri, 03 Feb 2012 20:52:00 EST<![CDATA[EU regulators ask Google to 'pause' its privacy changes, need more time to investigate]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/03/google-eu-privacy-pause/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/03/google-eu-privacy-pause/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/03/google-eu-privacy-pause/#comments
Google has gone to great lengths to clarify its revamped privacy policy, but a regulatory body in the European Union thinks the company is moving a little too fast. Today, European regulators formally requested that Google "pause" its rollout, in order to give the EU more time to investigate its forthcoming changes. "Given the wide range of services you offer, and the popularity of these services, changes in your privacy policy may affect many citizens in most or all of the EU member states," the EU's Data Protection Working Party wrote in a letter to Google CEO Larry Page yesterday. "We wish to check the possible consequences for the protection of the personal data of these citizens in a coordinated way." The body didn't specify how much time it would need to investigate, but it stressed that doing so would help to ensure absolute transparency among European users. "[W]e call for a pause in the interests of ensuring that there can be no misunderstanding about Google's commitments to information rights of their users and EU citizens, until we have completed our analysis," the letter reads.

Viviane Reding, Europe's commissioner on data protection, heralded the move as an important step in asserting EU authority over online privacy and regulations, but Google was somewhat taken aback by the request. "We briefed most of the members of the working party in the weeks leading up to our announcement," said company spokesman Al Verney. "None of them expressed substantial concerns at the time, but of course we're happy to speak with any data protection authority that has questions." It's worth noting that Google isn't legally bound to heed the Working Party's request, though we'd expect the company to seek some sort of compromise with Europe's regulators, as it has in the past.

EU regulators ask Google to 'pause' its privacy changes, need more time to investigate originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>datadata protectionDataProtectioneueuropeeuropean unionEuropeanUniongooglegovernmentpersonal datapersonal informationPersonalDataPersonalInformationpolicypoliticsprivacyprivacy policyPrivacyPolicyregulatorFri, 03 Feb 2012 07:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Hawaii's online tracking law is all but dead, lead sponsor confirms]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/01/hawaiis-online-tracking-law-is-all-but-dead-lead-sponsor-confi/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/01/hawaiis-online-tracking-law-is-all-but-dead-lead-sponsor-confi/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/01/hawaiis-online-tracking-law-is-all-but-dead-lead-sponsor-confi/#commentsThe Hawaii state legislature has apparently pulled an about face on a proposed internet tracking bill, amid swelling concerns from civil libertarians and internet service providers alike. First introduced last week, the controversial measure calls for all ISPs to track and record a user's online activity and identity within individual digital dossiers. The law's supporters trumpeted it as a vital step in protecting "victims of crime," but its momentum has all but come to a halt, now that its lead champion has proclaimed its death. In a recent interview with CNET, Democratic Representative John Mizuno (pictured left) confirmed that his bill has been shelved, attributing the decision to the avalanche of critical feedback he's received (see the coverage links, below). "It's generated a lot of national attention," Mizuno explained. "I've taken into consideration the thousands of e-mails (which were often) colorful and passionate, which is absolutely fine... This bill just isn't ready. It needs a lot of work." Unfortunately, this doesn't mean spell an outright death for the law, as Mizuno still believes that keeping a record of browsing history could help authorities hunt down pedophiles and other evil doers. "I think both would be very strong pieces of evidence if there's going to be a criminal proceeding," he argued. Despite our own fundamental misgivings with Mizuno's approach, it's still encouraging to see politicians respond to public outcry so swiftly and, as with the SOPA debacle, appropriately.

Hawaii's online tracking law is all but dead, lead sponsor confirms originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ACLUbillcivil libertiesCivilLibertiescrimegovernmenthawaiihb 2288Hb2288john mizunoJohnMizunolawlaw enforcementLawEnforcementlegallegislationlegislaturemeasureoahuonline trackingOnlineTrackingpedophilepoliticsprivacywebWed, 01 Feb 2012 15:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Google clarifies what isn't changing with new privacy policy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/31/google-clarifies-what-isnt-changing-with-new-privacy-policy/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/31/google-clarifies-what-isnt-changing-with-new-privacy-policy/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/31/google-clarifies-what-isnt-changing-with-new-privacy-policy/#comments Google Privacy PolicyAs you may remember, roughly a week ago Google issued a major overhaul of its privacy policies -- condensing some 60 scattered terms of service into a single document covering a vast majority of its internet empire. Of course, this raised concern, confusion and led to stories circulating the web about the inherent danger of the revised TOS. Truth be told, most of the wild-eyed fear mongering was done by those who either had not read or had not understood what the simplified policies mean (though, we hardly fault them for being suspicious). Google is looking to allay those fears however, and has released the full text of a letter written to congress clarifying the new TOS. The important information here is presented on the Google Public Policy Blog as bullet points and that is what's not changing. Users will still be able to search without signing in, opt out of targeted ads, export their data and maintain fine-grained control over their private data. Oh and Google will never, we repeat never, sell your information to advertisers. Hit up the source link if you're still in need of more details.

Google clarifies what isn't changing with new privacy policy originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>congressgooglegoogle accountgoogle privacy policyGoogleAccountGooglePrivacyPolicyprivacyPrivacy PolicyPrivacyPolicyterms of serviceTermsOfServicetosTue, 31 Jan 2012 09:19:00 EST<![CDATA[With new privacy controls onboard, Google+ opens up to teens]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/with-new-privacy-controls-onboard-google-opens-up-to-teens/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/with-new-privacy-controls-onboard-google-opens-up-to-teens/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/with-new-privacy-controls-onboard-google-opens-up-to-teens/#comments
The world's teenage population can pontificate from a new digital platform, now that Google+ has decided to open its doors to high schoolers. Google+ VP Bradley Horowitz made the announcement yesterday, confirming that anyone old enough to own a Google account can now join the social network. In most countries, that applies to anyone older than 13 (previously, Google+ had been restricted to the 18-and-over crowd). This expansion also introduces a new set of privacy controls for younger users, who will be warned every time they try to publish a public post, and can only be contacted by those in their immediate circles. If a teen joins a Hangout, moreover, he or she will only be able to receive audio and video from those in his or her circles. Find more at the link below.

With new privacy controls onboard, Google+ opens up to teens originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>circlegooglegoogle hangoutgoogle plusgoogle+GoogleHangoutGooglePlushangoutminipostmountain viewMountainViewprivacysafetysecuritysocial mediasocial networkingSocialMediaSocialNetworkingteenagersteenswebFri, 27 Jan 2012 09:41:00 EST