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 *************************************************** Schmidt: UN treaty a 'disaster' for the internet http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/regulation/2012/02/29/schmidt-un-treaty-a-disaster-for-the-internet-40095155/ ICANN plays the name game with domain names http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20120229_8464.php au: Parliament .info filter removed http://www.zdnet.com.au/parliament-info-filter-removed-339332715.htm Australian Domain Names http://www.zimbio.com/Altiyan+Childs/articles/hc7cThxJLNj/Australian+Domain+Name EU regulator urges ICANN to block applications for '.bank' and '.fin' domains http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2012/february/eu-regulator-urges-icann-to-block-applications-for-bank-and-fin-domains/ Aussie non-profits to benefit from proposed .NGO domain http://www.communitynews.infoxchange.net.au/news/detail.chtml?filename_num=407520 Bodog Online Gaming Founder Indicted For Money Laundering, Website Seized http://webfarm.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-28/bodog-online-gaming-founder-indicted-for-money-laundering-website-seized.html ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** Schmidt: UN treaty a 'disaster' for the internet Internet freedom and innovation are at risk of being stifled by a new United Nations treaty that aims to bring in more regulation, Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt has warned. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/regulation/2012/02/29/schmidt-un-treaty-a-disaster-for-the-internet-40095155/ China/Russia Want U.S. to Relinquish Control of the Internet & Mobile Telecom: China & Russia Want U.S. to Relinquish Control of the Internet & Mobile Telecommunications, Hand it over to the United Nations Instead: http://www.examiner.com/conservative-in-san-francisco/china-russia-want-u-s-to-relinquish-control-of-the-internet-mobile-telecom ca: Nations must step up to set global rules for Internet governance, conference told [PostMedia News] While they couldn't agree on how it should be done, all of the speakers at Monday's 2012 Canadian Internet Forum agreed that government needs to take a more active role in Internet governance. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Nations+must+step+global+rules+Internet+governance+conference+told/6217740/story.html http://www.canada.com/Nations+must+step+global+rules+Internet+governance+conference+told/6218024/story.html UN agency seeks to quell fears over its plans for the Internet A gathering of United Nations diplomats overseas has some in the U.S. worried about a potential takeover of the Internet by foreign powers ? with others claiming such fears are wildly overhyped. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/02/27/un-agency-seeks-to-quell-fears-over-its-plans-for-internet/ Is the web closing? Continued entrepreneurship - such as AOL in the 1990s - always threatens to restrict the internet, but never does by Esther Dyson Within the tech community, there is much angst about whether the web is about to be "closed". Will it be controlled by companies such as Apple, Facebook and Google, or will it remain "open" to all? Will individuals be able to reach any content they choose? Will developers be able to serve users on any platform? http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/dyson42 http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/02/201222115324885604.html A Sticky WCIT by Paul Szyndler The World Conference on International Telecommunications is more important to those who follow internet governance generally believe, auDA Manager for International and Government Relations Paul Szyndler writes. http://blog.auda.org.au/2012/02/27/a-sticky-wcit/ ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** ICANN.ORG Redesign Welcomes the Global Visitor Our long-planned redesign of ICANN.ORG just went live today, 27 February. The new information architecture arranges the resources that ICANN.ORG offers in a more logical arrangement. More than 38,000 pages and files were carefully examined and migrated into the best locations following extensive consultation with the ICANN community, including: http://blog.icann.org/2012/02/icann-org-redesign-welcomes-the-global-visitor/ ICANN plays the name game with domain names The group that manages the Internet's domain-name system is facing a real test of confidence. The Commerce Department is weighing whether to renew the contract under which ICANN performs technical functions that help make the Web run smoothly. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20120229_8464.php http://www.nationaljournal.com/columns/wired-in-washington/name-game-20120228 New gTLD magic number upped to 144 The number of registered new gTLD applicants has increased to 144, according to ICANN. http://domainincite.com/new-gtld-magic-number-upped-to-144/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** au: Parliament .info filter removed A filter blocking access to .info top-level domains for senators and departmental staff has been lifted, following complaints from Greens communications spokesperson Scott Ludlam. http://www.zdnet.com.au/parliament-info-filter-removed-339332715.htm Australian Domain Names An Overview: What is auDA auDA (au Domain Administration Ltd) is the government-endorsed manager of the Australian domain name space. auDA is an independent, not-for-profit body. http://www.zimbio.com/Altiyan+Childs/articles/hc7cThxJLNj/Australian+Domain+Name Registration Rules For .PT Liberalised 1 May In an attempt to make .PT domain names more accessible, the Foundation for National Scientific Computing, has announced changes to registration policies to take place on 1 March. The changes mean anyone can register a .PT domain name and registrants will no longer have to be associated with a brand or company. http://www.domainpulse.com/?p=7819 http://www.domainnews.com/en/registration-rules-for-pt-liberalised-1-may.html FCCN announces the liberalization of .pt domain registration The Foundation for National Scientific Computing announced, at a press conference, the liberalization of .pt domain registration, from May 1, 2012. At the conference, there were also made public the new rules for registering .pt domain names. https://www.dns.pt/documents/10156/8682129a-ab6c-44f4-a856-940044ca4827 University .xxx domains: The aftermath Summary: The introduction of .xxx domains caused concern in academia ? but have fears been realized? http://www.zdnet.com/blog/igeneration/university-xxx-domains-the-aftermath/15411 ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** ANA AND CRIDO Urge ICANN to Adopt ?Do Not Sell? Registry to Address Challenges With ?Defensive Registrations? in Top Level Domain Name Expansion Program The Association of National Advertisers (ANA) and the Coalition for Responsible Domain Oversight (CRIDO) have urged ICANN to adopt a ?Do Not Sell? registry or some similar approach to address the serious concerns Internet stakeholders have about the need for ?defensive registrations? to protect their brands in the TLD expansion program. http://www.ana.net/content/show/id/23009 Comments of the EBA to the ICANN on the planned Top Level Domain Names .bank and .fin ... The EBA has had the opportunity to examine the issue of the envisaged new TLDs ending in ?.bank? and ?.fin? in detail and to discuss it in the latest meeting of its Board of Supervisors in December 2011. It has come to the conclusion that there are many supervisory concerns surrounding the operation of the proposed TLDs by the ICANN, relating mostly to the great potential, according to the EBA view, for misuse by unscrupulous individuals, and that, therefore, any plans for their operation should ideally be discontinued. http://www.eba.europa.eu/Publications/Consumer-Protection-issues/Comments-of-the-EBA-to-the-ICANN-on-the-planned-To.aspx European Banking Authority hits out at .bank domain plans The European Banking Authority (EBA) has called on Icann to ditch plans to allow '.bank' and '.fin' TLDs, warning that they could be used by phishers to trick customers. http://www.finextra.com/news/fullstory.aspx?newsitemid=23472 EU regulator urges ICANN to block applications for '.bank' and '.fin' domains Fraudsters could pass themselves off as regulated financial services companies as a result of the ability to register domain names under the '.bank' and '.fin' suffixes, a European banking regulator has said. http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2012/february/eu-regulator-urges-icann-to-block-applications-for-bank-and-fin-domains/ Euro banks slam dot-bank plan European banking regulators have slammed an American-led plan to create a new ".bank" TLD, saying it could give way to "a more dangerous form of phishing". http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/02/28/euro_banks_slam_dot_bank_plan/ Monte Cahn and Michael Berkens get trademarks for ?Right of the Dot? Right of the DotRight of the Dot, the new TLD advisory company founded by Monte Cahn and Michael Berkens, has been granted two trademarks related to its brand. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/02/29/monte-cahn-and-michael-berkens-get-trademarks-for-right-of-the-dot/ Aussie non-profits to benefit from proposed .NGO domain The Public Interest Registry (PIR), the non-profit organisation that managers the .ORG domain, is applying for the creation and management of a new .NGO domain that will be available exclusively to NGOs, non-profits and the community sector worldwide. http://www.communitynews.infoxchange.net.au/news/detail.chtml?filename_num=407520 AU chooses UniForum to administer .africa domain [Computerworld Zambia] The African Union (AU) has chosen the South Africa .za central registry operator, UniForum, as its preferred registry operator to administer the upcoming .africa TLD. http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=7BDEBB0D-D465-6BFE-FE40E79EA7B136CA Sedari working on .africa gTLD bid Sedari has been contracted to support the controversial African Union-backed .africa TLD application. http://domainincite.com/sedari-working-on-africa-gtld-bid/ Four companies given OK for .osaka While GMO Registry announced yesterday that it had been given government approval to apply for the geo-gTLD .osaka, apparently it was not alone. http://domainincite.com/four-companies-given-ok-for-osaka/ GMO Receives Government Support For .OSAKA The Japanese GMO Registry has received support from the Osaka Prefectural Government to operate the .OSAKA gTLD, should the application to ICANN be successful. http://www.domainpulse.com/?p=7823 GMO to apply for .osaka gTLD GMO Registry has won governmental support for a .osaka new TLD bid for the Japanese prefecture of Osaka. http://domainincite.com/gmo-to-apply-for-osaka-gtld/ M+M in bizarre Bengaluru gTLD bid Minds + Machines is to apply to ICANN for .bangaluru, a TLD for the Indian city of Bengaluru. http://domainincite.com/mm-in-bizarre-bengaluru-gtld-bid/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Companies should secure their websites before worrying about DDoS attacks from Anonymous [IDG] Organizations that look to protect themselves against attacks launched by the Anonymous hacktivist collective should make sure that their Web applications are secure before deploying anti-DDoS (distributed denial-of-service) solutions, says security firm Imperva in a new report. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9224660/Companies_should_secure_their_websites_before_worrying_about_DDoS_attacks_from_Anonymous http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/250787/imperva_companies_should_secure_their_websites_before_worrying_about_ddos_attacks_from_anonymous.html nic.at launches DNSSEC security standard for .at-domains Leap day on the Internet: 29 February 2012 is also a special day for the .at-zone. At 11.35 a.m., the local domain registry nic.at activated the security extension DNSSEC for .at-domains. http://www.nic.at/en/uebernic/current_issues/nicat_news/news_view/article/81/nicat-fuehrt-sicherheitsstandard-dnssec-fuer-at-domains-ein/ Six cybersecurity questions for in-house counsel Cybersecurity is a hot topic these days. While overall federal IT spending for 2013 is projected to decrease between 1%-4% for DoD and civilian agencies, federal investment in cybersecurity is expected to rise; Congress is actively debating enhanced cybersecurity legislation packages; and Government IT specialists are furiously warding off the daily slog of hacks, worms, viruses and intrusions. http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=7ec9b3cd-a536-4e14-946c-9af7f7c96ac7 In Attack on Vatican Web Site, a Glimpse of Hackers' Tactics The elusive hacker movement known as Anonymous has carried out Internet attacks on well-known organizations like Sony and PBS. In August, the group went after its most prominent target yet: the Vatican. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/27/technology/attack-on-vatican-web-site-offers-view-of-hacker-groups-tactics.html Report: NATO needs more cyber capabilities Government officials have warned that cyberattacks are rapidly becoming one of the greatest threats to the United States and its allies, but a new report says the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is still playing catch up. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20120228_2060.php Researchers suggest U.S, China engage on cyberattack issues A new report proposes China and the United States discuss taboo hacking topics, such as cyberattacks, to cool cybersecurity relations before the dispute becomes as explosive as global finance. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20120228_6587.php US House subcommittee questions cybersecurity at power networks While new computer technology has made power grids more effective, systems designed to secure those networks from cyberattacks continue to lag, Government Accountability Office officials told a House subcommittee on Tuesday. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20120228_4633.php GOP Senators To Unveil Rival Cybersecurity Proposals Six Republican senators plan to unveil a cybersecurity bill on Thursday to compete with legislation backed by Senate Democratic leaders and the White House. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/02/gop-senators-to-unveil-rival-c.php ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** U.S. seizes sports gaming website Bodog.com Founder Calvin Ayre and three others are indicted on charges of illegal gambling and money laundering, continuing the government's crackdown on Internet betting. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-bodog-20120229,0,7450176.story Bodog Online Gaming Founder Indicted For Money Laundering, Website Seized Calvin Ayre, a Canadian who founded online-gambling company Bodog in 1994, was indicted by U.S. prosecutors in Baltimore for conducting an illegal business that generated more than $100 million in winnings. http://webfarm.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-28/bodog-online-gaming-founder-indicted-for-money-laundering-website-seized.html Here?s A UDRP That Will Drive The TM Crowd Nuts MariahRadio.com In A UDRP issued today a one member panel denied the complaint of a trademark holder on the domain name MariahRadio.com http://www.thedomains.com/2012/02/27/heres-a-udrp-that-will-drive-the-tm-crowd-nuts-mariahradio-com/ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** Just What If The IPv4 Addresses Did Run Out? It's a question we should all ask. For the average IT user or network manager it's a significant point to actually consider. For a managed services company such as SAS Group, based down in an actually leafy bit of "greater" Crawley, it's a fundamental question to ask. http://www.computerweekly.com/blogs/it-networks-and-communications-blog/2012/02/just-what-if-the-ipv4-addresse.html IPv6 Stat Leapfrogs Expectations and Illustrates Important Role Registrars Play in Uptake by Tom Coffeen Since 2005, Infoblox has commissioned a survey by The Measurement Factory, a research firm that specializes in performance testing and protocol compliance. The studies examine key aspects of the Internet's Domain Name infrastructure with results that uncover trends in DNS server configuration and deployed features. Some topics that have helped define the survey over the years have been arguably more leading edge (DNSSEC), while others are best described as quotidian (lame servers). http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120228_ipv6_stat_leapfrogs_expectations_important_role_of_registrars/ IPv6 security: Difficult but doable, panelists say The depletion of fresh IPv4 addresses over the last year has heightened interest in the secure deployment of IPv6, and a series of sessions on the next generation Internet Protocols are being offered for the first time at the RSA Conference being held this week. http://gcn.com/articles/2012/02/29/rsa-12-ipv6-security.aspx ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** us: Sellers asking big bucks for Gingrich domain names Analysts might not be sold on Newt Gingrich winning the Republican presidential nomination, but website addresses that predict a Gingrich-versus-President Obama matchup are asking for big bucks. http://thehill.com/capital-living/in-the-know/212893-sellers-asking-big-bucks-for-gingrich-domain-names ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Is the web closing? Continued entrepreneurship - such as AOL in the 1990s - always threatens to restrict the internet, but never does by Esther Dyson Within the tech community, there is much angst about whether the web is about to be "closed". Will it be controlled by companies such as Apple, Facebook and Google, or will it remain "open" to all? Will individuals be able to reach any content they choose? Will developers be able to serve users on any platform? http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/dyson42 http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/02/201222115324885604.html au: Most online sales 'made on domestic sites' An in-depth study of online shopping trends in Australia has thrown into disarray common perceptions about consumer spending. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-27/most-online-sales-not-overseas-study-finds/3854940 sg: Survey: Mobile now more popular than TV Singapore consumers are increasingly turning to their mobile devices as the primary gateway to the Internet and key influencer of their purchasing decisions, with 47 percent turning to their handsets--compared to 34 percent for television--before buying a product. http://www.zdnetasia.com/survey-mobile-now-more-popular-than-tv-62304037.htm ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** The Mounting Minuses at Google+: Playing Catch-up to Facebook, Google's Social Network Is a Virtual Ghost Town ... It turns out Google+ is a virtual ghost town compared with the site of rival Facebook Inc., which is preparing for a massive initial public offering. New data from research firm comScore Inc. shows that Google+ users are signing up?but then not doing much there. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204653604577249341403742390.html ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** Optical memory could ease Internet bottlenecks Bits of data travelling the Internet have a tough commute ? they bounce back and forth between optical signal lines for efficient transmission and electrical signal lines for processing. All-optical routers would be more energy efficient, but their development has been hindered by a lack of optical memory devices. Now, researchers have developed just such a device, paving the way towards a faster, more energy-efficient Internet. http://www.nature.com/news/optical-memory-could-ease-internet-bottlenecks-1.10108 ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* us: Advocacy group takes aim at antiporn bill requiring ISP data retention [IDG] One of the advocacy groups that worked to stall the controversial Stop Online Piracy Act in the U.S. Congress has taken aim at a bill that would require U.S. ISPs to retain the Internet Protocol logs of all their customers for a year, in the name of fighting online child pornography. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/022712-advocacy-group-takes-aim-at-256675.html au: Stephen Conroy scoffs at claims censor scheme will stall web THE Gillard government has challenged claims that its controversial plan to censor the internet will bring the web screeching to a halt. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/conroy-scoffs-at-claims-censor-scheme-will-stall-web/story-e6frgakx-1226284452166 ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** One Year Later, Nokia and Microsoft Start to Deliver One year ago, Jo Harlow, the head of smartphones at Nokia, stood before a packed Barcelona convention hall to explain the Finnish company?s new software alliance with Microsoft, a few days after the agreement had been announced in London. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/technology/one-year-later-nokia-and-microsoft-start-to-deliver.html ********************** ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL ********************** Search engine poisoning: How malicious sites fool your filters Studies of how traffic is delivered to malicious websites show that a large percentage is coming from popular search engines. ?Searching and clicking can be dangerous,? said Chris Larsen, malware research team leader at Blue Coat Systems. http://gcn.com/articles/2012/02/29/rsa-8-search-engine-poisoning.aspx Anonymous hackers: Police arrest 25 in four countries Police in Latin America and Europe have arrested 25 suspected members of the Anonymous hacking group, according to Interpol. The authorities in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Spain carried out the arrests and seized 250 items of IT equipment and mobile phones, Interpol says. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-17195893 Interpol Site Knocked Offline Following Anonymous Arrests Interpol?s Web site went down Tuesday just hours after the international police agency announced the arrest of 25 suspected members of the hacking collective Anonymous in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Spain. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/interpol-site-knocked-offline-following-anonymous-arrests/ Interpol: 25 Suspected Anonymous Hackers Arrested In New Crackdown Interpol said Tuesday that 25 suspected members of the loose-knit Anonymous hacker movement have been arrested in a sweep across Europe and South America. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/28/interpol-anonymous-hackers_n_1306630.html au: Law struggles to catch up to the runaway internet The ongoing furore around Optus?s move to challenge the existing broadcasting paradigm with its audacious bid to replay almost-live sports coverage on mobiles was a high-profile example of technology capability outstripping current legal and business planning. http://www.afr.com/p/technology/law_struggles_to_catch_up_to_the_O120MlKUjjgDZdAJs8C6xN au: Google appeal case could reshape law Google, one of the most powerful players in the advertising world, needs to be held responsible for ambush marketing carried out by its customers, the consumer watchdog told the Federal Court, in a case that could shape trade practices law. http://www.afr.com/p/technology/google_appeal_case_could_reshape_Q0N2T7j0ZVRWTHL9oUiLwN Yahoo and Facebook: battle looms over patent rights Yahoo has demanded licensing fees from Facebook for the use of its technology, potentially engulfing social media in the patent battles and lawsuits raging across much of the tech sector. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/feb/28/yahoo-facebook-battle-patent Yahoo threatens Facebook as social media patent war looms Yahoo has demanded licensing fees from Facebook for use of its technology, the companies said on Monday, potentially engulfing social media in the patent battles and lawsuits raging across much of the tech sector. http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/02/28/facebook-yahoo-patents-idINDEE81R04320120228 Singapore defamation actions stir up political blogosphere Over the last week, three separate actions by political and business leaders in Singapore against a political Web site and a blogger have sent everyone scrambling for their defamation textbooks. http://www.zdnetasia.com/blogs/singapore-defamation-actions-stir-up-political-blogosphere-62304011.htm ********************** SECURITY ********************** Six cybersecurity questions for in-house counsel Cybersecurity is a hot topic these days. While overall federal IT spending for 2013 is projected to decrease between 1%-4% for DoD and civilian agencies, federal investment in cybersecurity is expected to rise; Congress is actively debating enhanced cybersecurity legislation packages; and Government IT specialists are furiously warding off the daily slog of hacks, worms, viruses and intrusions. http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=7ec9b3cd-a536-4e14-946c-9af7f7c96ac7 In Attack on Vatican Web Site, a Glimpse of Hackers' Tactics The elusive hacker movement known as Anonymous has carried out Internet attacks on well-known organizations like Sony and PBS. In August, the group went after its most prominent target yet: the Vatican. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/27/technology/attack-on-vatican-web-site-offers-view-of-hacker-groups-tactics.html Report: NATO needs more cyber capabilities Government officials have warned that cyberattacks are rapidly becoming one of the greatest threats to the United States and its allies, but a new report says the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is still playing catch up. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20120228_2060.php Researchers suggest U.S, China engage on cyberattack issues A new report proposes China and the United States discuss taboo hacking topics, such as cyberattacks, to cool cybersecurity relations before the dispute becomes as explosive as global finance. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20120228_6587.php US House subcommittee questions cybersecurity at power networks While new computer technology has made power grids more effective, systems designed to secure those networks from cyberattacks continue to lag, Government Accountability Office officials told a House subcommittee on Tuesday. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20120228_4633.php GOP Senators To Unveil Rival Cybersecurity Proposals Six Republican senators plan to unveil a cybersecurity bill on Thursday to compete with legislation backed by Senate Democratic leaders and the White House. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/02/gop-senators-to-unveil-rival-c.php ********************** PRIVACY ********************** France Says Google Privacy Plan Likely Violates European Law The French data protection authority said Tuesday that Google?s new privacy policy appeared to violate European Union law, raising the stakes in a showdown with the company only days before it planned to put the new system into effect. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/29/technology/france-says-google-privacy-plan-likely-violates-european-law.html Google 'fails to meet EU rules' on new privacy policy Google's new privacy policy may violate the European Union's data protection laws, according to the French data regulator. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17192234 Google's new privacy policy breaches European law, say data regulators [IDG] Google's new privacy policy does not comply with European data protection law, and the company should delay its introduction pending an investigation of the changes, the French data privacy regulator told Google CEO Larry Page in a letter on Monday. But the company said once again that it will press ahead with the new policy, set to go live on Thursday. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/416868/google_new_privacy_policy_breaches_european_law_say_data_regulators/ Microsoft joins Google+ dispute in EU - sources Microsoft and several other firms have complained to EU antitrust regulators about Google's social networking tool, two people familiar with the matter said, in a move that may prompt the EU to broaden its ongoing investigation into Google. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/02/28/uk-microsoft-google-eu-idUKTRE81R14J20120228 Threat to Online Privacy Starts With the Way the Internet Makes Money by Edward Wasserman, Knight Foundation professor of journalism ethics, Washington and Lee University There's something quaint about the ruling last week from an appeals court in Indiana concerning an anonymous comment posted on the Indianapolis Star's website. The 2009 posting suggested a local notable had embezzled money from a troubled project, and he wanted to sue for defamation. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/edward-wasserman/online-privacy-data-tracking_b_1304214.html us: NTIA Soliciting Input on Privacy Codes of Conduct The Commerce Department said on Wednesday said it will begin seeking comments on what issues should be addressed in the development of voluntary industry codes of conduct aimed at improving consumer privacy. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/02/ntia-soliciting-input-on-priva.php NTIA: Mobile Privacy May Be a Top Priority in New Push [IDG] Transparency about the personal data that mobile applications collect may be at the top of the agenda as the U.S. Department of Commerce begins work on privacy codes of conduct for online businesses. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/251006/ntia_mobile_privacy_may_be_a_top_priority_in_new_push.html NTIA: Multistakeholder Process to Develop Consumer Data Privacy Codes of Conduct NTIA is requesting comment on substantive consumer data privacy issues that warrant the development of legally enforceable codes of conduct, as well as procedures to foster the development of these codes. NTIA invites public comment on these issues from all stakeholders with an interest in consumer data privacy, including the commercial, academic and civil society sectors, and from federal and state enforcement agencies. http://www.ntia.doc.gov/federal-register-notice/2012/multistakeholder-process-develop-consumer-data-privacy-codes-conduct ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** nz: Reach of US' IP laws raises concerns in TPP talks New Zealand Internet and technology lobby groups are planning to attend the 11th round of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks in Australia to voice concerns that U.S.-backed intellectual property laws could be imposed on TPP partner states. http://www.chinapost.com.tw/business/asia/new-zealand/2012/02/28/332981/Reach-of.htm ********************** MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Disruptions: Growing Too Big for a Conscience ... Now, 12 years later, Google has more than 30,000 employees with annual revenue of $38 billion and growing, and although it still sees itself as a company doing good, its latest actions raise the question: Is Google too big not to be evil? http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/growing-too-big-for-a-conscience/ ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Vodafone boss calls for moratorium on mobile phone regulation The chief executive of Vodafone, Vittorio Colao, has called for a "moratorium on regulation" in the telecoms industry, warning that unless Europe stops imposing price cuts, mobile companies will slash investment in networks. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/feb/27/vodafone-boss-moratorium-mobile-phone-regulation Wireless network demands push carriers to innovate Executives from three wireless carriers offered testimony Tuesday showing how an explosion of both wireless users and devices is forcing them to expand their networks even though doing so might not lead to an equivalent increase in revenue. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9224716/Wireless_network_demands_push_carriers_to_innovate au/nz: IT groups raise fears over IP "cartel" proposals in trans-Pacific trade talks New Zealand Internet and technology lobby groups are planning to attend the 11th round of the Trans-Pacific Partnership(TPP) talks in Australia to voice concerns that U.S.-backed intellectual property laws could be imposed on TPP partner states. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/business/2012-02/27/c_131434051.htm ACCC green lights Telstra separation plan The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has accepted Telstra's plan for structural separation, which is required for final approval of its participation in the National Broadband Network. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-28/accc-approves-telstra-separation-plan/3856848 ACCC approval puts Telstra over last NBN regulatory hurdle Telstra's participation in the National Broadband Network has cleared the final regulatory hurdle after the competition watchdog said it had accepted the telco's structural separation undertakings. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/accc-approval-puts-telstra-over-last-nbn-hurdle/story-e6frg8zx-1226283682370 Ship Accidents Sever Data Cables Off East Africa Undersea data cables linking East Africa to the Middle East and Europe were severed in two separate shipping accidents this month, causing telecommunications outages in at least nine countries and affecting millions of Internet and phone users, telecom executives and government officials said. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203833004577249434081658686.html East Africa internet access slows to a crawl after anchor snags cable The old theory that a butterly flapping its wings can cause a hurricane on the other side of the world may be somewhat far-fetched. But that a ship dropping anchor can disrupt the lives of millions has become painfully evident. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/feb/28/east-africa-internet-access-anchor At Mobile World Congress, execs hunt for network-sharing deals [Bloomberg] Phone-company executives gathering at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week will be looking for network-sharing deals to divvy up the costs of high- speed systems for bandwidth-hogging video and gaming services. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/at-mobile-world-congress-execs-hunt-for-network-sharing-deals/2012/02/27/gIQAjhjBeR_story.html EU presses button on mobile roaming price cuts European Union lawmakers voted for steeper cuts to mobile phone roaming charges on Tuesday in a move that defied calls by the chief executives of Vodafone and France Telecom for a moratorium on revenue-hitting telecoms regulation. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/28/eu-roaming-idUSL5E8DS5RF20120228 MEPs back cheaper European data-roaming rates European lawmakers have backed a heftier cut to the cost of data roaming than set out by EU regulators, after recommending proposals that could go to a general European Parliament vote within months. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/regulation/2012/02/28/meps-back-cheaper-european-data-roaming-rates-40095152/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2012 --------- David Goldstein email: goldstein_david at 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 Wed Feb 29 2012 - 23:54:53 UTC
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