Don't forget to check out http://www.auda.org.au/domain-news/ for the archive of the last 3 months of the news. And see my website - http://GoldsteinReport.com/ - for daily updates in between postings. *************************************************** The domain name news is supported by auDA *************************************************** ICANN Ombudsman Announces Departure http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-28oct10-en.htm Understand the Value of Defensive Domain Registrations by Elisa Cooper http://www.circleid.com/posts/20101029_understand_the_value_of_defensive_domain_registrations/ New TLD applications to open May 2011 http://domainincite.com/new-tld-applications-to-open-may-2011/ Smart grids raise risk of cyberattack, says US expert http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/security/2010/10/29/smart-grids-raise-risk-of-cyberattack-says-us-expert-40090680/ APEC Cyber Security Awareness Day [news release] http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/088 Marijuana Web Names Snapped Up, in Case of Legalization http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/28/us/28pot.html ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** Proclaimed Dead, Web Is Showing New Life Twenty autumns ago, Tim Berners-Lee, a British computer scientist, came up with a catchy name for a revolutionary project that aimed to open the Internet to the masses. ?The World Wide Web,? he called it, and the image proved to be so evocative that, for many people, the Web has become synonymous with the Internet. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/technology/01webwalls.html ITU congress: where Kabbadi meets telecoms There have been light moments in the day-long slogs at the Plenipotentiary. We were treated to one yesterday when a representative from no less than the Vatican made an intervention in the middle of some contentious discussions about the internet. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/10/28/itu_report/page2.html ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** ICANN Ombudsman Announces Departure Frank Fowlie has announced that he will be leaving his position as Ombudsman for ICANN, effective on or before 31 January 2011. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-28oct10-en.htm ICANN Ombudsman Announces Departure - Search for a Successor To Begin Immediately Frank Fowlie has announced that he will be leaving his position as Ombudsman for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), effective on or before 31 January 2011. http://icann.org/en/news/releases/release-28oct10-en.pdf Letter from Peter Dengate Thrush to Heather Steinmeyer and Alan Drewson New gTLDs Overarching Issues http://icann.org/en/correspondence/dengate-thrush-to-steinmeyer-drewson-27oct10-en.pdf Letter from Diane Duke, Free Speech Coalition, to ICANN Board, Peter Dengate Thrush and John Jeffrey .XXX sTLD and GAC statements http://icann.org/en/correspondence/duke-to-dengate-thrush-jeffrey-27oct10-en.pdf Slate of Three Candidates Selected for Position of the At-Large Selected Voting Board Director The At-Large Board Candidate Evaluation Committee (BCEC) recently announced the slate of three candidates for the position of At-Large selected voting Board Director. The three candidates, in alphabetical order by family name, are: S?bastien Bachollet, Pierre Dandjinou and Alan Greenberg. http://www.atlarge.icann.org/announcements/announcement-29oct10-en.htm ICANN begins to find its feet with published Board materials Credit where credit?s due, the disclosure of Board materials of the organisation that oversees the domain name system, ICANN, has greatly improved since its first and woeful effort. http://kierenmccarthy.com/2010/10/29/icann-finds-feet-board-materials/ ICANN Board Sets Timeline For New TLD Launch At the ICANN board meeting last week a single line resolution related to the new TLD launch gave a very clear indication of a timeline: http://www.newtldguide.com/2010/10/icann-board-sets-timeline-for-new-tld-launch.html Understand the Value of Defensive Domain Registrations by Elisa Cooper The bulk of corporate domain portfolios largely consist of defensive registrations which often include common misspellings, product names, and abbreviations in countries where they may not even be doing business. More than ever, with the launch of new generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) expected to occur next year, companies are now taking a hard look at their defensive holdings and asking themselves whether or not they really need all of these registrations. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20101029_understand_the_value_of_defensive_domain_registrations/ New TLD applications to open May 2011 ICANN has named the date for its planned launch of the new top-level domain application process. http://domainincite.com/new-tld-applications-to-open-may-2011/ WIPO Activities Related to New gTLDs These pages seek to provide a distillation of WIPO?s Activities Related to New gTLDs designed to assist in the prevention and resolution of domain name-related trademark abuse. http://wipo.int/amc/en/domains/newgtld/ ICANN could fast-track final new TLD guidebook ICANN is considering a fast-track process for the final version of its new top-level domain Applicant Guidebook that could see it approved this December, documents have revealed. http://domainincite.com/icann-could-fast-track-final-new-tld-guidebook/ Fate of porn domain left in government hands The porn-only .xxx internet domain is set to come under review by international governments, after ICANN deferred voting on the proposal until December. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/10/30/xxx_last_hurdle/ Embattled ICANN Ombudsman Leaving ICANN Ombudsman Frank Fowlie has announced he will leave his post no later than January 31 of next year. http://domainnamewire.com/2010/10/28/embattled-icann-ombudsman-leaving/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** Budapest joins the city TLD bandwagon A Hungarian consortium is set to apply for .bud, a top-level domain to represent Budapest. http://domainincite.com/budapest-joins-the-city-tld-bandwagon/ Christmas starts early at .eu The countdown to the .eu Christmas competition has begun. Register a .eu domain name between 25 November and 25 December 2010 and stand the chance to win one of 100 iPod Touches. http://www.eurid.eu/en/content/christmas-starts-early-eu Afilias and .JO Registry Bring Native Language E-mail to Arabic Internet Users Afilias and the National Information Technology Center of Jordan today announced that they have partnered to produce the first public demonstration of an e-mail message between two completely internationalized (or IDN) e-mail addresses in the Arabic language, using Afilias' new IDN e-mail technology and a fully IDN domain name and IDN TLD from the .JO registry. http://www.afilias.info/news/2010/10/29/afilias-and-jo-registry-bring-native-language-e-mail-arabic-internet-users Employ Media answers .jobs critics The .jobs registry has responded to insinuations from its critics that it set out to break its own sponsorship rules with a plan to open up the TLD to generic and geographic domain names. http://domainincite.com/employ-media-answers-jobs-critics/ Nepal Government to monitor .NP domain registration Government of Nepal is going to monitor on Nepal?s Country domain .np registration. It was previously authorized to a Private company, Mercantile Communications Pvt. ltd. Still Mercantile Communications Pvt is maintaining on .np domains registration. http://www.mosotechnology.com/domain-names/nepal-government-to-monitor-np-domain-registration/ Change of Registration Terms for .?? Preorders From October 25, 2010 a new ?? registration preorder procedure will come into effect. Change of domains registration policy in ?? TLD will primarily concern the auction rules for the domains, for which two or more preorder requests will be received by the start of public registration. http://www.nic.ru/news/en/2010/25.10.regl-ch.html NameJet and RegistryPro Partner to Auction Premium Three-Character Domains NameJet and RegistryPro announced today a partnership to auction eleven premium, three-character .PRO domains starting November 16th, 2010. RegistryPro agreed to partner with NameJet based on the success of previous premium domain auctions hosted on the NameJet platform. http://registry.pro/press-releases/2010/1025.shtml Serious problems in one quarter of key domains in .se zone For the fourth consecutive year, .SE (The Internet Infrastructure Foundation) has reviewed how government agencies and other key social functions manage their Internet presence. The review showed that more than 25 percent of the inspected .se domains still have severe problems concerning quality and accessibility ? a year-on-year decline of 2 percent. There are also major issues regarding the management of core details pertaining to e-mail and websites. http://www.iis.se/en/pressmeddelanden/allvarliga-fel-i-en-fjardedel-av-viktiga-domaner-i-se-zonen-2 se: Statement concerning One.com ... .SE closed One.com for new registrations as of September 14, 2010. The reason for this action was that the company had registered .se domain names that had not been ordered by those customers. http://www.iis.se/en/pressmeddelanden/yttrande-gallande-one-com .SO Sunrise Period Registration launches The .SO Sunrise Period Registration is launching as scheduled on November 1st, 00:00UTC. Your production environment will be activated at same time. http://soregistry.so/ Sunrise for .so domains starts tonight .SO Registry, manager of the internet?s newest open-doors top-level domain, will open its systems for sunrise registrations in a few hours, at midnight UTC. http://domainincite.com/sunrise-for-so-domains-starts-tonight/ Tuvalu?s Dot-TV domain code likely to drop in value, says consultant An internet consultant says he expects the value of Tuvalu?s domain code dot-TV to diminish with the emergence of more generic domain names. http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=56724 uk: Understand why it makes sense to secure your DNS Nominet and Infoblox are holding a joint seminar on 11 November that will cover all of the latest issues and developments about DNSSEC. http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/?contentId=7959 .XXX Pushed Off Until Colombia ICANN Meeting In December The ICANN board had a meeting yesterday and the question of the day was would ICANN grant final approval and sign the contract with .XXX. The answer is no. http://www.thedomains.com/2010/10/29/xxx-pushed-off-until-colombia-icann-meeting-in-december/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Smart grids raise risk of cyberattack, says US expert Smart electricity grids present information security problems for critical national infrastructures, especially for the US, according to a technology expert from the US Department of Energy. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/security/2010/10/29/smart-grids-raise-risk-of-cyberattack-says-us-expert-40090680/ Cyber defenders, attackers probe Stuxnet's secrets No one may ever know for sure who built computer worm Stuxnet or why, but now it is out there it could prove as big a game changer for industrial system security as the Sept. 11 attacks were for aviation. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-52511320101028 APEC Cyber Security Awareness Day [news release] Attorney-General, Robert McClelland and Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy today marked the inaugural Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Cyber Security Awareness Day. http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/088 Fighting botnets: Service rates reputation of IP addresses Startup service provider ipTrust today said it was offering a program that lets businesses avoid botnets and infected machines by letting them know whether IP addresses are linked to suspicious behavior. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/102810-iptrust-botnets.html VeriSign to deploy DNSSEC in .com next March VeriSign is to start rolling out the DNSSEC security protocol in .net today, and will sign .com next March, the company said today. http://domainincite.com/verisign-to-deploy-dnssec-in-com-next-march/ China appears able to operate inside U.S. networks for months China could use mature technologies to exploit computer networks for intelligence collection against U.S. government and industry networks, operating inside targeted networks for months, according to a U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission report to Congress. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20101029_8967.php ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** IDN ccTLD Addition to (Now Paperless) ccTLD Policy As of October 20, 2010, the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center is providing domain name dispute resolution services for both .AE and ??????. (dotEmarat) pursuant to the newly modified UAE Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UAE DRP) and Rules for UAE Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UAE DRP Rules), and World Intellectual Property Organization Supplemental Rules for UAE Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy. http://wipo.int/amc/en/domains/ae/ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** AT&T lagging while others lead on IPv6 Is AT&T behind on IPv6 deployment? That's one of the key questions facing U.S. government agencies and corporations as they scramble to deploy next-generation Internet technology ahead of the fast-approaching exhaustion of IP addresses using the current standard, known as IPv4. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/102710-att-ipv6.html ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Marijuana Web Names Snapped Up, in Case of Legalization It was just about a year ago that Kevin Faler came up with his get-rich-quick marijuana scheme. No, he does not plan to sell the drug, even if Californians vote next week to become the first state in the nation to fully legalize it. He intends to sell the Internet real estate that could one day lead to marijuana Web sites. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/28/us/28pot.html 1,000s of marijuana domain names registered in US More than 1,000 marijuana-related internet domain names have been snapped up as California, US, readies for the potential legalisation of the narcotic. http://www.siliconrepublic.com/new-media/item/18527-domain-names-go-to-pot/ Creditors Ready to Receive First $10 Million from Sex.com Sale The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Central California has handed down an order approving the sale of Sex.com to Clover Holdings Limited for $13 million. http://domainnamewire.com/2010/10/28/creditors-ready-to-receive-first-10-million-from-sex-com-sale/ A Quintet of 6-Figure Sales Highlight Domain Aftermarket Action Over the Past Two Weeks ... The past fortnight has been a good one for the aftermarket with five six-figure sales reported. Zero.com led the pack after changing hands for $379,420 through Moniker/SnapNames. The runner-up spot went to Wicker.com, a domain that Tal Moore picked up for $230,000 through WebsiteProperties.com (this domain has had a website on it but Moore told me he bought it for the domain name only as the existing site produced no significant revenue and would have to be redeveloped). DiscountVouchers.com completed the first three with a $157,000 deal hammered out in the AcornDomains.co.uk forum. http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2010/20101027.htm 6-Figure Sale at Sedo and Sensational Outing for ccTLDs Highlight This Week's Aftermarket Action Sedo uncorked a $150,000 sale with RedWine.com to take the top spot on this week's domain sales chart. However, it was ccTLDs, rather than the .coms, that dominated the new all extension Top 20 Chart. With 12 country code domains claiming positions on the elite list and two other spots going to non .com gTLDs, only six .com domains earned places on the Big Board - the fewest since we began tracking the aftermarket seven years ago. http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2010/20101013.htm Parking Statistics Cleanup An Important Update from Sedo At Sedo, we're dedicated to offering only the highest quality products and services to help you make the most of your domain portfolio. In a continued effort to do so, we've made some important changes to Sedo's parking program and are conducting a parking statistics "cleanup." https://sedo.com/links/showlinks.php3?tracked=&partnerid=&language=us&Id=2728 ********************** REPORTS & RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** Publication, Innocent Dissemination and the Internet after Dow Jones & Co. Inc. v. Gutnick by David Rolph [University of New South Wales Law Journal/Sydney Law School Research Paper] Abstract: The High Court of Australia?s landmark decision in Dow Jones & Co Inc v Gutnick (2002) 210 CLR 575; [2002] HCA 56 was the first decision by a final appellate court on the issue of jurisdiction over internet defamation. It raised a range of important issues, such as the meaning of ?publication? for the purposes of defamation, the place of publication, the ?multiple publication? rule and the application of basic principles of conflict of laws to internet defamation. Fundamentally, it turned upon whether existing legal principles, with or without some adaptation, could adequately accommodate the challenges posed by internet technologies. http://ssrn.com/abstract=1699027 ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** UK's internet industry worth ?100bn - report The internet is worth ?100bn to the UK economy, more than 7% of national income, according to a report out today. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/oct/28/net-worth-100bn-uk 'Nation of internet shopkeepers' pumps ?100bn into the economy The internet is worth ?100bn to the British economy, making a larger contribution than transport or utilities, as the country becomes "a nation of digital shopkeepers". http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/nation-of-internet-shopkeepers-pumps-163100bn-into-the-economy-2118518.html Britain's ?100bn internet economy leads the world in online shopping A quarter of a century after the first ".uk" internet domain name was registered in Britain, the internet is now more valuable to the country's economy than the transport, construction or utilities industries, a report published today will claim. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/oct/28/britain-internet-economy-online-shopping UK internet economy 'worth billions' The internet is worth ?100bn a year to the UK economy, a study has concluded. The research, which was commissioned by Google, found that the internet accounts for 7.2% of the UK's gross domestic product (GDP). http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11635318 Computer gaming: An American firm wants to turn computer games into a global spectator sport The first round is over and 32 of the world?s best professional computer-game players are through to the next stage of the Global Starcraft 2 League being played in Seoul, South Korea. Over the next two weeks the players, including the reigning champion, Kim Won-ki (better known by his online moniker ?FruitDealer?), will marshal their armies, ponder their strategies and crush their foes. The finalists will play in front of an audience of thousands (and hundreds of thousands more online) for an $87,000 first prize and the respect due the best Starcraft 2 player on the planet. http://www.economist.com/node/17363780?story_id=17363780 Google sees "huge" Latam online market opportunity Google Inc is looking to partner with computer manufacturers and telecoms companies in Latin America to connect with what it sees as a "huge" growth opportunity for getting local businesses online, the company's top executive for the region said on Thursday. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-52528920101028 The Netherlands Leads Europe in Online Visit Frequency; Average Internet User in the Netherlands Spent Nearly 32 Hours Online in September 2010 comScore released a study of internet usage in the Netherlands based on the comScore Media Metrix audience measurement service. The data revealed that the Netherlands ranked highest among European countries in terms of frequency of internet visitation with 78.2 visits per visitor in September 2010. Dutch internet users also exhibit strong engagement with an average of 31.9 hours per visitor spent online in September 2010. Users spent most of their time on Portals (7.2 hours), followed by Instant Messaging (6.9 hours), Social Networking (3.5 hours) and E-Mail (3.1 hours). http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Press_Releases/2010/10/The_Netherlands_Leads_Europe_in_Online_Visit_Frequency ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** Microsoft's Push Into Gesture Technology Prepare for Windows 8: Minority Report Edition. Microsoft said on Friday that it was buying Canesta, a small Silicon Valley company that specializes in gesture-recognition technology. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/30/technology/30chip.html Chinese Supercomputer Wrests Title From U.S. A Chinese scientific research center has built the fastest supercomputer ever made, replacing the United States as maker of the swiftest machine, and giving China bragging rights as a technology superpower. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/28/technology/28compute.html China claims supercomputer crown China has claimed the top spot on the list of the world's supercomputers. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11644252 China's Tianhe-1A takes supercomputer crown from US China has overtaken the US as home of the world's fastest supercomputer. Tianhe-1A, named for the Milky Way, is capable of sustained computing of 2.507 petaflops ? equivalent to 2,507 trillion calculations each second. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/oct/28/china-tianhe-1a-fastest-supercomputer ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ ACMA supports Day for Daniel with national Cybersmart activities The Australian Communications and Media Authority, through its Cybersmart program, is joining forces with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation to promote child safety as part of tomorrow?s national Day for Daniel event. The ACMA will host a number of Cybersmart Detectives activities in schools across Australia to help raise awareness of online risks and staying safe. http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_312335 au: Prosecutor pursues first 'sexting' conviction in case involving naked 13-year-old DAMIEN "EZZY" EADES is caught up in legal history but perhaps not in the way he would have liked. The 20-year-old from Sydney's western suburbs is at the centre of Australia's first "sexting" case, after a schoolgirl sent a nude photo of herself to his mobile phone. The maximum penalty he faces is a two-year jail term. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/prosecutor-pursues-first-sexting-conviction-in-case-involving-naked-13yearold-20101031-178xv.html Sydney man to face 'sexting' trial A Sydney man is facing a possible jail term after being ordered to stand trial in Australia's first "sexting" case. Damien Eades, 20, is facing an indecency charge after exchanging photographs via mobile phone with a 13-year-old girl. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8116212/ nz: Blacklist to protect kids Groundbreaking cellphone technology has been launched in a bid to stop teenagers being harassed by text bullies. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10684301 nz: Parents warned on iPhone dangers An iPhone function can let strangers see where children holding the phones are - and a watchdog warns parents to find out exactly what the devices are capable of before bringing them into their homes. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10683811 nz: Vigilance urged over smart phone technology [ONE News] Parents are being warned of the risks their children could face while using smart phones which allow strangers to know their exact location. http://tvnz.co.nz/technology-news/vigilance-urged-over-smart-phone-technology-3866574 ca: Draft Report on the 2010 Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada's Consultations on Online Tracking, Profiling and Targeting and Cloud Computing In the spring of 2010, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) held consultations with Canadians on online tracking, profiling and targeting; and cloud computing. We received numerous written submissions and held three public events in Toronto, Montreal and Calgary. The goal of the consultations was to learn more about certain industry practices, explore their privacy implications, and find out what privacy protections Canadians expect with respect to these practices. The consultations were also intended to inform the next legislative review process for the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). http://www.priv.gc.ca/resource/consultations/index_e.cfm U.S. regulator taking on cyberbullying in schools Schools receiving subsidies for Internet service will have to teach students about cyberbullying and the responsible use of social networking sites, the U.S. telecommunications regulator said on Friday. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-52557620101029 http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE69S32G20101029 us: FCC Cracking Down On Cyberbullying The U.S. telecommunications regulator said on Friday that schools receiving subsidies for Internet service will have to teach students about the dangers of cyberbullying and the responsible use of social networking sites. http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1940949/fcc_cracking_down_on_cyberbullying/index.html ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** German court sets file sharing damages at ?15, not ?300 A German court has said that a teenager who was guilty of posting copyrighted material to a file sharing network must pay ?15 in damages per track and not the ?300 the rights holders were demanding. http://out-law.com/page-11506 Music pirate launches new assault on US The internet entrepreneur credited with the dubious honour of all but inventing online piracy has revealed he is to launch a fresh attempt to bring free music to millions of US web users. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/music-pirate-launches-new-assault-on-us-2120496.html ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Android faces critical security study An analysis by Coverity, the code analysis group, of the most critical part of the Android smartphone operating system has turned up programming errors, some of which could allow hackers or malicious applications to access users? e-mail or other sensitive information http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/10b955ba-e519-11df-8e0d-00144feabdc0.html 3G network brings internet to Mount Everest climbers Mount Everest climbers can now surf the internet and make video calls through a 3G network, Nepalese telecoms firm Ncell says. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11651509 Nepal firm takes high speed Internet to Mount Everest A private telecom firm took high speed Internet facilities to the top of the world on Thursday when it launched Nepal's first 3G services at the base camp of Mount Everest. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE69R4Q220101028 Norway tries to nip 4G advertising confusion in the bud [IDG] Mobile operators have started using 4G to describe a variety of different services, which analysts and consumer organizations think can end up confusing consumers. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/209172/.html Most smartphone users breach employers? security, says survey More than half of mobile device users access their employer's networks every day without permission, a survey has found. More than 80% of users of mobile devices, whose security is not controlled by a company, say they have accessed work information. http://out-law.com/page-11498 New European research aims at making gadget batteries last longer [Reuters] Making a mobile battery last ten times longer is a first target for a large research project that IBM, Infineon and a number of European universities unveiled this week. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-52473020101027 http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/new-research-aims-at-making-gadget-batteries-last-longer-20101028-174co.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/new-research-aims-at-making-gadget-batteries-last-longer-20101028-174co.html India backs off on Blackberry ban threat [AP] India has followed the United Arab Emirates in backing off from a threat to ban popular services on Blackberry devices, amid growing global concern over access to encrypted information. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/india-backs-off-on-blackberry-ban-threat-2120947.html Google bans 'love spying' application A mobile phone application which helps jealous lovers keep tabs on their partners by secretly forwarding their texts has been removed from sale by Google after the company decided it violated its terms. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/google-bans-love-spying-application-2119451.html Mobile phone market slowing, smartphones still booming Cellphone market growth slowed slightly in the September quarter due to worries over economic growth and component shortages, and the market growth would slow further in the current quarter, researchers said on Friday. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-52531620101029 Android smartphone sales lift Motorola profits Motorola on Thursday reported that its mobile-device business posted an operating profit for the first time in three years. http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20020999-266.html http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/financials/2010/10/28/android-smartphone-sales-lift-motorola-profits-40090677/ Motorola cellphone unit turns profit after 3 years Motorola Inc made money from its phones for the first time in more than three years, helped by smartphones running Google Inc's Android software, and its shares rose 2 percent. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE69R3X720101028 http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-52516220101028 ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** Smart grids raise risk of cyberattack, says US expert Smart electricity grids present information security problems for critical national infrastructures, especially for the US, according to a technology expert from the US Department of Energy. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/security/2010/10/29/smart-grids-raise-risk-of-cyberattack-says-us-expert-40090680/ Cyber defenders, attackers probe Stuxnet's secrets No one may ever know for sure who built computer worm Stuxnet or why, but now it is out there it could prove as big a game changer for industrial system security as the Sept. 11 attacks were for aviation. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-52511320101028 APEC Cyber Security Awareness Day [news release] Attorney-General, Robert McClelland and Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy today marked the inaugural Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Cyber Security Awareness Day. http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/088 Google Agrees to Change Ad Policy to Settle Case Google has pledged to overhaul its rules and procedures for blocking certain advertisers from buying ?sponsored links? on its search engine as part of a settlement with French authorities announced Thursday. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/29/technology/29google.html Google pledges AdWords clarity, France ends probe Google Inc has pledged to change rules and procedures for its keyword advertising policy in France to settle an investigation by the French antitrust regulator and stave off a possible fine. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-52519320101028 http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE69R29D20101028 Google will warn of Adwords policy changes to settle case [IDG] The French competition authority closed a case against Google on Thursday, after the company promised to better inform users of its Adwords search advertising service of its policies, and to provide advance warning of any changes. The case followed a complaint from Navx, a French database publisher. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9193659/Google_will_warn_of_Adwords_policy_changes_to_settle_case http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/209056/.html Austria to go to court on data protection directive [IDG] In the latest of a series of actions meant to bolster the E.U.-wide,1995 Data Protection Directive, the European Commission announced on Thursday that it is taking Austria to court for failing to establish a completely independent data protection authority. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/102810-austria-to-go-to-court.html http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/209035/.html nz: Cold-calling scammers a rising threat Internet watchdog Netsafe is warning of cold-calling scammers ramping up attacks on New Zealand computer users. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10683667 Vigilance urged over smart phone technology [ONE News] Parents are being warned of the risks their children could face while using smart phones which allow strangers to know their exact location. http://tvnz.co.nz/technology-news/vigilance-urged-over-smart-phone-technology-3866574 Phone scammers target NZ [ONE News] New Zealanders being rung from overseas are being duped into allowing access to their computers and bank accounts. http://tvnz.co.nz/technology-news/phone-scammers-target-nz-3860983 nz: Computer scam fears A computer scam is gaining momentum. It involves the scammer cold calling a victim and claiming to be from an IT support helpdesk. They offer personal information about the victim to sound authentic, but the info is stolen from websites. The caller then plants malware on the victim's computer or offers to fix the computer for a fee paid for by credit card. http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=184761 Netsafe warns NZ computer users about increase in cold-calling scams Warning computer users in New Zealand about the increased intensity of cold-calling scams in the country, Internet watchdog Netsafe has advised the people to hang up their phones as soon as they a particular call appears suspicious. http://www.topnews.us/content/228169-netsafe-warns-nz-computer-users-about-increase-cold-calling-scams New scam gaining momentum - NetSafe Telephone scams are becoming increasingly popular warns NetSafe as a new scam gains momentum. http://www.3news.co.nz/New-scam-gaining-momentum---NetSafe/tabid/423/articleID/183596/Default.aspx Experts are concerned a cold-calling computer scam could escalate A computer scam is gaining momentum. http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=121669 Cold calling scam gaining momentum - NetSafe NetSafe - a non-profit whose backers include the Ministry of Education and InternetNZ - today warns of a scam that is gaining momentum in New Zealand. http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/cold-calling-scam-gaining-momentum-netsafe-132240 nz: Cold calling scam targeting Kiwis NetSafe is warning of a scam that is gaining momentum in New Zealand. http://www.techday.co.nz/netguide/news/cold-calling-scam-targeting-kiwis/18344/1/ Beware new computer fixing scam, Northland residents warned The scam is being reported around the country and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has warned people against falling into the trap. http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/local/news/beware-new-computer-fixing-scam-northland-resident/3928101/ ************************** PRIVACY ************************** What the Internet Knows About You Imagine that a company could use the Web to rate your health, your employability?even your dating appeal. Welcome to the credit score of the future. http://www.newsweek.com/2010/10/22/forget-privacy-what-the-internet-knows-about-you.html UK MPs question Google over Street View data breaches MPs have accused Google of deliberately collecting wi-fi data for commercial gain. It is another twist to events kicked off by the search giant collecting of millions of pieces of sensitive information via its Street View cars. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11650692 A Reassured F.T.C. Ends Google Street View Inquiry The Federal Trade Commission announced Wednesday that it had ended its investigation of Google?s collection of Internet users? personal communications by the company?s Street View cars. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/28/technology/28google.html au: Google not serious about privacy, says Labor senator Doug Cameron [AAP] A Labor senator has likened Google's approach to privacy laws as similar to the exploitation of sweatshop workers across Asia. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/government/google-not-serious-about-privacy-says-labor-senator-doug-cameron/story-fn4htb9o-1225945256520 http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/googles-privacy-approach-likened-to-exploitation-of-sweatshop-workers-20101029-176oa.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/googles-privacy-approach-likened-to-exploitation-of-sweatshop-workers-20101029-176oa.html ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Turkey lifts two-year ban on YouTube Turkey has lifted its ban on YouTube, two years after it blocked access to the website because of videos deemed insulting to the country's founder. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11659816 Turkey lifts YouTube ban Turkey has lifted its ban on video-sharing website YouTube as material deemed insulting to Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk has been removed. http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE69T1JE20101030 http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-52568220101031 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/31/3053006.htm Turkey lifts two-year ban on YouTube Turkey has lifted its ban on YouTube two years after cutting off access because of videos deemed insulting to the country's founder. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20021288-93.html Britain urges U.S. to take down extremist websites Britain on Thursday called on the United States to take down websites used by extremists and urged more concerted action to thwart militant threats before resorting to war. http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-52527020101028 http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE69R58520101028 ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** UK watchdog to meet Home Office about plans to track email and phone use The information commissioner is to meet the Home Office to clarify his concerns over the potential privacy risks involved in a revived Whitehall project to track the email, internet and mobile phone use of everyone in Britain. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/oct/27/information-commissioner-home-office-track-email Data retention policy treats all Australians as potential criminals The Attorney-General (A-G) department?s proposed data retention plans would make all Australians crime suspects, Greens Senator, Scott Ludlam, said at a Senate Committee enquiry. http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/366219/data_retention_policy_treats_all_australians_potential_criminals/ au: Privacy Commissioner calls for accountability, consistency on data retention talks The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, has told a Senate inquiry that any talks about a data retention regime from organisations or government needed to be consistent and accountable to stakeholders. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/366212/privacy_commissioner_calls_accountability_consistency_data_retention_talks/ nz: Web body says fibre deal may be illegal The Government risks riding roughshod over international obligations with plans to give investors in its ultra-fast fibre broadband network a 10-year regulatory holiday, according to an internet users advocacy group. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10684427 ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* Missing voice on corporate tax reform: Corporations The next time you hear some statesmen from the business community complaining that American companies can't compete internationally because of our highest-in-the-world 35 percent corporate tax rate, think of Google. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/28/AR2010102807139.html Sales of Video Game and Flagship Software Lift Microsoft Microsoft?s profit engine is humming along nicely, even if most investors remain unimpressed and the software giant?s stock price is stagnant. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/29/technology/29soft.html Microsoft profits from record first-quarter sales Microsoft has announced a 51% rise in first-quarter profit, thanks to higher sales of its flagship Windows and Office software. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11648532 Big name firms form alliance to drive cloud standards Some of the world's biggest companies are using their market clout to demand that computer equipment makers change the way they make their machines. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11641158 ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** APEC sets new target for broadband penetration by 2020 Pacific Rim economies on Sunday set an ??ambitious?? target of diffusing high-speed broadband networks by 2020 and agreed to cooperate on promoting effective use of information and communication technologies in such fields as education, medical care, environmental protection and disaster management. http://www.japantoday.com/category/technology/view/apec-to-set-new-target-for-broadband-penetration-by-2020 nz: Joyce: Funding Pacific cable not a priority [Dominion Post] Communications Minister Steven Joyce has responded coolly to a suggestion to help fund a US$400 million (NZ$520m) communications cable that Pacific Fibre wants to lay between Australasia and the United States. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/4292134/Joyce-Funding-Pacific-cable-not-a-priority nz: Capital?s broadband network hits 15 and storms on CityLink celebrated its 15th birthday this month in Wellington, but despite this miletsone the company won?t be resting on its laurels. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/capitals-broadband-network-hits-15-and-storms-on nz: Opinion: Why Newton?s law applies to telecommunications Memories of my school days are a bit hazy and admittedly more convenient than accurate. One memory that does stand out is Sir Isaac Newton?s Third Law of Motion. You will probably remember it as something like; ?For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction?. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/opinion-why-newtons-law-applies-to-telecommunications Broadband in America: Verizon has paid dearly to build a fast network. Now it needs customers Verizon can get shirty about the word ?fibre?. America?s second-biggest telecoms operator successfully complained to the Better Business Bureau that competitors had touted ?fibre-optic fast? to consumers, even though their broadband networks did not run fibre all the way to the home, as Verizon does. This is not just a techies? argument. By an order of magnitude, an all-fibre network is the fastest way to move information from one place to another on the internet and Verizon has the largest such network in America. The difficult bit is making money from it. http://www.economist.com/node/17363790?story_id=17363790 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2010 --------- David Goldstein email: goldstein_david§yahoo.com.au web: http://davidgoldstein.tel/ http://goldsteinreport.com/ phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9665 5773 - office/home "Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim FlanneryReceived on Sun Oct 31 2010 - 23:26:14 UTC
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