» The key word here is “purported.” Critics of SOPA alleged that the text of the bill was too draconian, and would have allowed for shutting down entire websites for questionable infractions (for example, linking to a message board with a comment that directed users to a site with copyrighted material). Opposition to CISPA, however, comes due to privacy concerns: Critics say the bill allows private companies (such as Facebook and Microsoft which opposed SOPA but support CISPA) to exchange personal information and private data with the government a bit too easily. We’ve still got to delve into the nitty-gritty here, but we recommend you seek out a few different takes on the legislation. TechDirt and Geekosystem are both opposed, GigaOm is so-so, and Lifehacker has a nice rundown as to why Facebook and Microsoft opposed SOPA but support CISPA.
House Republicans blocked a measure Tuesday night that would have let the Federal Communications Commission prevent employers from forcing workers to reveal their Facebook passwords.
Democrats offered the legislation as part of bill to slap new restrictions on FCC rules after a string of reports about employers insisting on access to social media accounts — a practice that some senators already want investigated by the Justice Department.
[…]
The measure failed, 184 to 236, with no Republicans voting for it.
So wait, why is this getting voted down again? This should have blanket support. Here’s part of the answer, from Republican Rep. Greg Walden: “You don’t protect the consumer. And there are many of us who after this debate concludes and moves on, would be happy to work with you on legislation because I think this is a real issue that we all share, and that is protecting privacy. This doesn’t do that.”
As a user, you shouldn’t be forced to share your private information and communications just to get a job. And as the friend of a user, you shouldn’t have to worry that your private information or communications will be revealed to someone you don’t know and didn’t intend to share with just because that user is looking for a job. That’s why we’ve made it a violation of Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities to share or solicit a Facebook password.Facebook’s Chief Privacy Officer, Erin Egan • Responding to a recent Associated Press story that discussed potential employers who would ask job applicants for their passwords. Facebook thinks that’s a no-no, and promises it may even consider legal action against companies that use Facebook information in this way. It’s good to see that Facebook is on the same page as us about this matter.
Dear potential employers: This is not your house. Do not ask for the keys. Do not expect, while we’re out working hard, to open up the fridge and grab out a Yuengling, kick up your feet on the couch and watch an episode of “How I Met Your Mother” on the Roku. Do not expect to take a shower in our bathroom or try on the neckties in our closet. Our guitar: Not your property to practice “Wonderwall” on — it has no jurisdiction on our ability to sort paperwork or solve complex problems. If you think it does, find someone else. And don’t even think about trying to change the thermostat. You are not allowed inside unless we let you in. And we’re not letting you in. If you’re a job-seeker, and the employer is asking for passwords to e-mail or various social media accounts, we suggest that you tell them exactly where to take that job and shove it. So potential employers who have no respect for the personal lives of employees: Shove it. (hat tip toxiedesigns)
» An advertising play: “We can provide more relevant ads too,” Google points out. “For example, it’s January, but maybe you’re not a gym person, so fitness ads aren’t that useful to you.” More relevant for users, possibly, but more relevant for advertisers, too? It’ll be interesting to see what happens a few months down the line with this policy.
Frustrated with fellow bus riders incessantly talking on their cell phones, a Philadelphia man began jamming the cell reception to silence their conversations.
The NBC10 Investigators tracked down the cell phone zapper who targets talkers on a SEPTA bus route. Not only does he admit doing it, he thinks it’s a good thing.
The man, who calls himself Eric, told the NBC10 Investigators, “I guess I’m taking the law into my own hands and quite frankly, I’m proud of it.”
Not sure how we feel about this. Do you think it’s good that he does this?
» There’s one particularly amazing line in this story: ”In some cases, he said, the FBI sought court orders to obtain permission to turn the devices on briefly — only in order to locate and retrieve them.” If you remember, the FBI had to stop using tracking devices as the result of a Supreme Court ruling that ruled that the practice was illegal without a warrant. So everyone, have a small chuckle at the fact that FBI can’t find some of its GPS devices.
In Canada, politician uses classy tactic to push online surveillance bill: Regarding his Protecting Children from Internet Predators Act, which would force ISPs to hand over personal info without warrants, MP Vic Toews fought off critics by saying people “can either stand with us or with the child pornographers.” Seriously. (ht papastain) source
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“Twitter Inc. has acknowledged that after mobile users tap the “Find friends” feature on its smartphone app, the company downloads users’ entire address book, including names, email addresses and phone numbers, and keeps the data on its servers for 18 months.
The company also said it plans to update its apps to clarify that user contacts are being transmitted and stored. The company’s current privacy policy does not explicitly disclose that Twitter downloads and stores user address books.”
Read more on the LA Times: Twitter stores full iPhone contact list for 18 months, after scan.
Sounds like Path was only the tip of the iceberg on this whole privacy thing.
… but wait a second. Wasn’t W.W. Norton on the list of SOPA supporters? Yeah, they were (that’s from Creative America, an industry site set up specifically to support SOPA, by the way). Perhaps the wrong people to make the argument about privacy and protecting consumer rights in terms of online content?
Facebook asked me to pass this on to you. They require it of all visitors to their facilities. It only applies to things that you might accidentally stumble upon while you are there and covers nothing discussed during our news conference. Please either bring a signed copy or be ready to sign upon arrival.An official for Washington state Attorney General Rob McKenna • In a message sent prior to a press conference that McKenna was holding with Facebook at the company’s Seattle office. Yes, that’s right: Facebook wanted journalists to sign non-disclosure agreements TO COVER A PRESS CONFERENCE IN THEIR BUILDING. Talk about being all paranoid about privacy or something. The company later backed down before the press conference began, with another McKenna official saying “You may disregard the non-disclosure agreement that we sent earlier.” Fail.
Do you trust them? That’s sort of the principal question at the heart of the Carrier IQ debate, since it’s been revealed that the company’s eponymous software is pervasive (they claim to be running on 140,000,000 mobile devices), largely impossible to detect or disable, and equipped to record nearly everything you do on your device, down to logging keystrokes. Whether or not this software has the power to be used for gross invasions of privacy seems obvious enough — it definitely can. Carrier IQ’s argument, however, is that their data collection is at the behest of the client companies who run the software on their phones, and functions to help companies improve customer experience with the mobile devices in question. However, operating secretly with no security options or ability to easily turn it off, Carrier IQ is courting serious controversy. source
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