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 *************************************************** When no action is the wisest action (ICANN does good) by Milton Mueller http://www.internetgovernance.org/2012/04/14/when-no-action-is-the-wisest-action-icann-does-good/ ICANN reopens defensive registration debate http://domainincite.com/icann-reopens-defensive-registration-debate/ Domain hijack leads to registrar shutdown threat http://domainincite.com/domain-hijack-leads-to-registrar-shutdown-threat/ Registrations Open For 2012 Australia and New Zealand Internet Awards 2012 http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=17444 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/04/12/registrations-open-for-2012-australia-and-new-zealand-internet-awards/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/registrations-open-for-australia-and-new-zealand-internet-awards-2012.html No Application Details Released in TAS Glitch: ICANN http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/04/16/tas-glitch-icann/ ICANN will alert gTLD security bug victims http://domainincite.com/icann-will-alert-gtld-security-bug-victims/ What ICANN should have done about batching http://news.dot-nxt.com/2012/04/11/icann-batching-problems ICANN Answers Questions about Batching. Sort of. http://www.gtldstrategy.com/policy-updates/icann-answers-questions-about-batching-sort-of ICM Registry Submits Three Porn TLD Applications http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/04/13/icm-registry-porn-tlds/ Financial services the target in massive DDoS increase http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/view/25104/financial-services-the-target-in-massive-ddos-increase Internet groups bringing security guru to NZ http://www.techday.co.nz/netguide/news/internet-groups-bringing-security-guru-to-nz/22729/ ********************** - ICANN ********************** TAS Interruption - Update (15 April 2012) by Akram Atallah, COO ... As reported earlier, some applicants were able to see file names and user names that belonged to other applicants. An intensive review has produced no evidence that any data beyond the file names and user names could be accessed by other users. In addition, it does not appear that this issue caused any corruption or loss of data. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-15apr12-en.htm TAS Interruption - Update - Statement by Akram Atallah, COO As we have reported, ICANN has learned of a technical issue with the TLD application system software, or TAS, that allowed a limited number of users to view some other users' file names and user names in certain scenarios. We temporarily shut the system down on 12 April 2012 to protect applicant data, and to look into the technical issue and fix it. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-14apr12-en.htm Period of 12-22, April 2012: Public Comment Periods Approaching Closing Date The Following Public Comment periods are approaching their Comment or Reply Period Close dates, April 12-22 2012. As a member of the ICANN community, your timely feedback is critical to our accountability and transparency efforts. For your convenience, we have included direct links below to comments that will soon close. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-2-12apr12-en.htm Letter from Karla Valente to Chuck Gomes Proposal # 2012001, DNSSEC Implementation for .name http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/valente-to-gomes-2-12apr12-en When no action is the wisest action (ICANN does good) by Milton Mueller Although ICANN is now getting a lot of ridicule for the ?glitch? in its TLD application System, it deserves some praise and respect for the results of its April 10 board meeting. In that meeting, the board showed the involved community ? and the rest of the world ? that it is no longer going to be stampeded by extra-procedural political pressure to make yet another round of hasty amendments to its new TLD program?s policies and procedures. It passed two resolutions which, in effect, did nothing. That is, the resolutions refused to enact any more changes in the Applicant Guidebook. And in this case, nothing was exactly the right thing to do. http://www.internetgovernance.org/2012/04/14/when-no-action-is-the-wisest-action-icann-does-good/ ICANN reopens defensive registration debate ICANN?s board of directors wants more policy work done on the problem of defensive domain name registrations. http://domainincite.com/icann-reopens-defensive-registration-debate/ Domain hijack leads to registrar shutdown threat ICANN has threatened to terminate Chinese domain name registrar eName Technology after the domain 1111.com was allegedly hijacked. http://domainincite.com/domain-hijack-leads-to-registrar-shutdown-threat/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** at: About nic.at To extend our quantitative perspective on the .at zone with a qualitative aspect we decided to analyze the .at zone on the content layer to retrieve more specific information. Questions asked include: How many domains are functional? How many domains are non functional due to several technical reasons? How many domains are redirected and where do they redirect to? http://www.nic.at/en/uebernic/statistics/ips_statistics_informations/ Registrations Open For 2012 Australia and New Zealand Internet Awards 2012 auDA and InternetNZ have launched the Australia and New Zealand Internet Awards (the ANZIAs) for 2012. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=17444 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/04/12/registrations-open-for-2012-australia-and-new-zealand-internet-awards/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/registrations-open-for-australia-and-new-zealand-internet-awards-2012.html CZ.NIC Domain Report: A rise in the pace of new domains At the end of 2011 the CZ.NIC Association recorded a total of 880, 708 domains with the .CZ suffix. This means that 131,907 new domains were added to the registry of Czech national domains, the greatest yearly increase in the history of the .CZ domain. Average monthly growth in new domains in 2011 was 19,490. Should this pace continue, as running statistics suggest it will, the one-millionth domain should appear in the CZ.NIC registry by the end of this year. http://www.nic.cz/page/1042/cz.nic-domain-report--a-rise-in-the-pace-of-new-domains/ How tiny Estonia stepped out of USSR's shadow to become an internet titan The European country where Skype was born made a conscious decision to embrace the web after shaking off Soviet shackles ... For many years, each Estonian citizen had the right to a free domain name. In 2010, that changed: the government outsourced the responsibility of allocating domain names to private registrars, who now charge Estonians about ?15 for the privilege ? one of the highest rates in Europe. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/apr/15/estonia-ussr-shadow-internet-titan .PT for All? Yes: the FCCN Opens Registration May 1 The Funda??o para a Computa??o Cient?fica Nacional (?Foundation for National Scientific Computing? in English, or ?FCCN?), the Portuguese registry for .pt, will officially liberalize the extension beginning May 1, 2012. Up to this point, .pt domain name registrations were limited to legal entities within Portugal registering their own names as domain names, and to Portuguese trademark owners registering their marks as domain names. https://sedo.com/us/news/3011/The-Brief-Case---April-2012/ .RU celebrates its 18th birthday On April 7, 2012, Russian national domain .RU has celebrated its 18th birthday. Up to this date, .RU boasts a solid 3,756,162 domain names, being the fifth-largest country-code TLD. Other world's largest domains include .DE (Germany), .UK (United Kingdom), .TK (Tokelau), and .NL (Netherlands). http://cctld.ru/en/news/news_detail.php?ID=3582 uk: Nominet Internet Awards 2012 - Entry deadline extended Due to high demand we have extended the entry deadline until midday Monday 16 April. http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/?contentId=9205 ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** No Application Details Released in TAS Glitch: ICANN The recent glitch in the ICANN TLD application system software saw no users being able to being able to view competitors data apart from file names and user names that belonged to other applicants according to the most recent update on Sunday (15 April) by Akram Atallah, ICANN's COO. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=17469 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/04/16/tas-glitch-icann/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/no-application-details-released-in-tas-glitch-icann.html ICANN will alert gTLD security bug victims ICANN plans to inform each new top-level domain applicant whether they were affected by the security vulnerability in its TLD Application System, according to its latest update. http://domainincite.com/icann-will-alert-gtld-security-bug-victims/ Icann admits gTLD software flaw may have revealed rival bid details The internet naming company Icann has admitted that rival bidders for highly valuable new internet domains could have seen each others' secret bids because of flaws in its registration software. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/apr/13/icann-software-flaw-applications ICANN knew about TAS security bug last week ICANN has known about the data leakage vulnerability in its TLD Application System since at least last week, according to one new TLD applicant. http://domainincite.com/icann-knew-about-tas-security-bug-last-week/ It?s worse than you thought: TAS security bug leaked new gTLD applicant data The bug that brought down ICANN?s TLD Application System yesterday was actually a security hole that leaked data about new gTLD applications. http://domainincite.com/its-worse-than-you-thought-tas-security-bug-leaked-new-gtld-applicant-data/ ICANN: Privates leaked in top-level domain land grab blunder ICANN has revealed that it took down its TLD application system yesterday after discovering a potentially serious data leakage vulnerability. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/04/13/bug_security_icann_gtld_problems/ TAS glitch ?not an attack? says ICANN ICANN?s decision this afternoon to shut down its TLD Application System until next Tuesday was not prompted by hackers, according to the organization. http://domainincite.com/tas-glitch-not-an-attack-says-icann/ ICANN Security Glitch Revealed TLD Bid Details The recent glitch in ICANN's TLD Application System (TAS) could have resulted in applicants being able to see competitors bids. While nobody has come forth to say they saw other bid details, it is also most likely if you had knowledge of competitor's bids one would stay silent and possibly even use the information for commercial advantage. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=17458 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/04/14/icann-security-glitch/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/icann-security-glitch-revealed-tld-bid-details.html ICANN Extends Closing Date For TLD Applications One Week Due To TAS Glitch Due to a problem with the TLD Application System, ICANN has shut down the TAS until Tuesday - unless otherwise notified before that time - and so have now extended the application window for TLD applications until Friday, 20 April. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=17445 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/04/12/icann-extends-tld-closing-date/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/tas-glitchsees-icann-extend-closing-date-for-tld-applications-one-week.html Icann delays gTLD bidding for a week, blaming flaw in registration software A software hitch has forced the company which allocates new internet "domains" ? such as .com ? to extend the deadline of the biggest shakeup of online naming in the internet's history, just hours before it was due to close. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/apr/12/icann-gtld-domain-delay New Net Name System Mired in Controversy If you want to own your own TLD you have until Friday to submit your application (along with the $180,000 fee). Once the deadline passes, that is it for the foreseeable future. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304356604577339250208671514.html Deadline Extended for New Internet Domain Seekers The deadline to apply for a top-level Internet domain has been extended due a technological glitch, according to the organization that oversees the Internet. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304356604577339812144869758.html Domain name applications hit by software glitch The deadline to apply for a new TLD has been extended by just over a week to Friday, April 20th after Icann was hit by software problems. http://blogs.ft.com/tech-blog/2012/04/domain-name-applications-hit-by-software-glitch/ Is the New Top-Level Domains "Technical Issue" a Harbinger of Future gTLD Issues? by Frederick Felman Does the "technical issue" announced today in ICANN's TLD Application System (TAS) and the subsequent extension of the submission deadline call into question the stability and integrity of the new gTLD program? This development underscores the notion that ICANN could consider a more metered and staged approach to the introduction of gTLDs. https://www.markmonitor.com/mmblog/is-the-new-top-level-domains-technical-issue-a-harbinger-of-future-gtld-issues/ After ICANN's TLD Application System Glitch, Communication Is the Key By St?phane Van Gelder There were long faces all over the new gTLD ecosystem yesterday ? applicants, consultants and technical operators alike ? when ICANN took their Application System (TAS) offline and announced that it would not be brought back up for 5 days. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120213_after_icann_tld_application_glitch_communication_is_the_key/ Was ICANN's new gTLDs system hacked? There are two ways to handle a situation where your computer system may have been hacked. You can start from the worst case scenario, investigate, and work backwards - this is the process that most companies (with the notable exception of Apple) have learnt from experience is the best way to go. http://news.dot-nxt.com/2012/04/13/was-icann-hacked What ICANN should have done about batching Last week ICANN approved its "digital archery" plan for splitting up new gTLD applicants into batches. With between 1,000 and 1,500 applications expected, the batching process is going to be incredibly important, especially since, as one commentator has pointed out with some frustration, ICANN has given no indication of the time gap between batch processing. http://news.dot-nxt.com/2012/04/11/icann-batching-problems ICANN Answers Questions about Batching. Sort of. We were not expecting very much new gTLD news to come out of ICANN?s public meeting in Costa Rica, which opened this weekend. But it appears that ICANN has settled on a solution ? or maybe it?s better just to say ?process? ? for dealing with new gTLD application batching. http://www.gtldstrategy.com/policy-updates/icann-answers-questions-about-batching-sort-of .XXX Operator Applies to ICANN for More Adult Top-Level Domains ICM Registry, the registry operator for the .XXX TLD for online adult entertainment, today announced a significant move to protect .XXX participants by submitting applications for three additional adult entertainment-related TLDs ? .SEX, .PORN and .ADULT. Under new rules finalized in 2011, ICANN, the governing body for Internet names and numbers, began accepting applications for new domain extensions at the beginning of this year. http://www.icmregistry.com/press/xxx-operator-applies-to-icann-for-more-adult-top-level-domains/ ICM confirms three porn gTLD bids ICM Registry has applied to ICANN for the new gTLDs .sex, .porn and .adult. http://domainincite.com/icm-confirms-three-porn-gtld-bids/ ICM Registry Submits Three Porn TLD Applications ICM Registry, the registry operator for .XXX, has submitted applications to ICANN for three additional adult entertainment-related TLDs -- .SEX, .PORN and .ADULT. While ICM Registry is not guaranteed the TLDs, they are undoubtedly attempting to ward off competition in the adult TLD space. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=17450 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/04/13/icm-registry-porn-tlds/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/austrian-registry-easily-surpasses-new-tld-goal.html ICM Registry applies for .Sex, .Porn and .Adult ICM Registry, the same company that launched the .xxx TLD last year, announced today that it has applied for three adult related TLDs with ICANN: .SEX, .PORN and .ADULT. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/04/12/icm-registry-applies-for-sex-porn-and-adult/ ICANN and Pornographers: Comrades in Arms? According to the press reports, the Florida-based company that bought the .xxx domain last year and reaped millions in registration fees from companies, universities, organizations, and individuals seeking to protect their trademarks and names from being associated with pornography (with no intent of ever using the sites) has applied to own three more?sex, .porn, and .adult. http://www.law.com/jsp/cc/PubArticleCC.jsp?id=1202548908496 Facebook gTLD ruled out by ICANN director vote? While Google recently confirmed its new TLD plans, an ICANN director has given a big hint that rival Facebook has not applied for any new gTLDs. http://domainincite.com/facebook-gtld-ruled-out-by-icann-director-vote/ Pool.com offers $25k gTLD digital archery service Domain name drop-catcher Pool.com hopes to make a quick buck out of ICANN?s new gTLD application batching process. http://domainincite.com/pool-com-offers-25k-gtld-digital-archery-service/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Financial services the target in massive DDoS increase A new analysis from Prolexic shows a huge increase in DDoS attacks, largely sourced in Asia and primarily attacking financial institutions. http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/view/25104/financial-services-the-target-in-massive-ddos-increase uk: Hackers step up war on security services - GCHQ has been threatened with cyber-attack tomorrow The ability of Britain's security institutions to fight off the threat from online activists was cast into doubt after hackers penetrated Scotland Yard's anti-terrorism hotline and leaked conversations between staff online. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/hackers-step-up-war-on-security-services-7640780.html uk: Teenagers arrested over anti-terrorist hotline hacking Two teenagers have been arrested as part of a Scotland Yard investigation after computer hackers intercepted a call on a highly sensitive anti-terrorist hotline and leaked it on the internet. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/apr/12/met-police-anti-terrorism-hotline Pentagon sets up fast track for buying cyber war tools The Pentagon is establishing a fast-track acquisition process that would enable it to develop new cyber warfare capabilities within days or months if urgently needed, the Defense Department said in a report to Congress. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/04/13/oukin-uk-usa-defense-cyberspace-idUKBRE83C05L20120413 Proposed US cyber security bill criticised A proposed bill concerning the sharing of intelligence to combat cyber crime in the US has been criticised by civil rights campaigners and journalists. The "Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act" (CISPA) sets out to to regulate which potentially confidential information can be shared between government agencies ? such as the intelligence services and investigative authorities ? and the private sector. http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Proposed-US-cyber-security-bill-criticised-1519402.html Stuxnet worm reportedly planted by Iranian double agent using memory stick The Stuxnet computer worm used to sabotage Iran's nuclear program was planted by a double agent working for Israel. The agent used a booby-trapped memory stick to infect machines deep inside the Natanz nuclear facility, according to a report published on Wednesday. http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2012/04/stuxnet-worm-reportedly-planted-by-iranian-double-agent-using-memory-stick.ars Internet groups bringing security guru to NZ Kiwis will have a chance to hear one of the world?s foremost authorities on computer security share his thoughts next month, with Bruce Schneier, author of 11 books including Schneier On Security and Secrets and Lies: Digital Security in a Networked World, to speak at two events in Wellington on May 1. http://www.techday.co.nz/netguide/news/internet-groups-bringing-security-guru-to-nz/22729/ ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Italian court restores Mediaset's .com domain [IDG] Italy's largest private broadcaster Thursday welcomed the decision of a Rome civil court to restore its right to use the mediaset.com international Internet domain after failing in a bid to recover it from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in February. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/041212-italian-court-restores-mediaset39s-com-258218.html MediaSet has no one to blame but itself for domain name woes Italy?s largest broadcaster, MediaSet, recently lost a UDRP case for the domain name MediaSet.com. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/04/12/mediaset-domain/ Willingness to Sell Isn't Evidence of Bad Faith It is a common practice for brand owners to send a demand letter to a domain owner suspected of infringement. This can sometimes result in the parties negotiating a sale of the domain. However, if negotiations break down, the brand owner may decide to proceed with a Complaint against the domain owner. http://www.domainnamestrategy.com/2012/04/09/willingness-sell-isnt-evidence-bad-faith Beware 'rnicrosoft.com' and similar sp00fed links in e-mail I had the privilege of presenting the Live Cyber Attack Demo to a standing-room-only crowd on the morning of the third day of the FOSE conference recently in Washington, D.C. After making introductions, I handed the show off to the experts, who broke down a number of attacks such as phishing and indicated how an organization?s IT staff can detect and stop them. http://gcn.com/articles/2012/04/12/homographs-spoofed-urls-in-email-links.aspx au: Vitacost.com, Inc., v. Ronald Lee Bradley - Case No. DAU2012-0003 1. The Parties: The Complainant is Vitacost.com, Inc of Florida, United States of America, represented internally. The Respondent is Ronald Lee Bradley of Queensland, Australia. 2. The Domain Name and Registrar: The disputed domain name <vitacost.com.au> is registered with Crazy Domains Pty Ltd. ... 7. Decision: For all the foregoing reasons, in accordance with Paragraphs 4(i) of the Policy and 15 of the Rules, the Panel orders that the disputed domain name, <vitacost.com.au>, be transferred to the Complainant. http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/text.jsp?case=DAU2012-0003 ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** Apple under fire for backing off IPv6 support Apple Computer came under fire for back-pedaling on its support for IPv6, the next-generation Internet Protocol, at a gathering of experts held in Denver this week. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/041312-apple-ipv6-258241.html ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** IETF in Paris: Privacy and Web Identification tussle, Worldv6Launch Day and new things moving into the DNS Paris saw one of the largest IETF meetings in recent years with over 1400 engineers - and also a few lawyers and policy people ? gathered in a busy week. With meeting slots completely filled and additional launch and site meetings added on top, issues discussed between several working groups were the push for authentication and identification on the ever more resourceful web, World v6 Launch day (and the many life-saving efforts or Ipv4) and yet another attempt to use the Domain Name System (DNS) for another new alternative technology, this time for securing BGP routes. http://centr.org/news/ietf/04-10-2012/1909/ietf-paris-privacy-and-web-identification-tussle-worldv6launch-day-and-new ********************** - WEBHOSTING ********************** Web Hosting Sales and Promos Roundup ? April 13, 2012 In the week ending April 13, 2012, Blacknight is offering a 30-day free trial of its goMobi website builder, EuroDNS is offering its .AT domain names for a special price, HostGator is offering a discount on its Windows servers, and Action Web Group is offering 30 percent off its Jackpot Rubberband hosting plan. http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/web-hosting-sales-and-promos-roundup-april-13-2012 ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Busy Sales Week Topped by Two 6-Figure Deals Including One That Ranks Among The Year's Five Biggest Sales Flowers aren't the only things blossoming this spring - domain sales also seem to be busting out all over. This past week was led by two six-figure sales including one that ranks as the 5th biggest transaction reported so far in 2012. That is PhoneMarket.com, a name that sold at Sedo.com for $180,000. http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2012/20120411.htm March 2012 domain prices reach record high, according to IDNX domain name price index Sedo, the leading online domain marketplace and monetization provider, today announced record high prices in the domain name industry, based on the latest figures from IDNX, the Internet Domain Name Index. IDNX has shown consecutive growth over the past five months, indicating a full rebound from 2011?s financial crisis, and suggesting that the remainder of 2012 could see even stronger figures. https://sedo.com/presse/presse.php?tracked=&partnerid=&language=us&id=452 Domain prices reach record highs in March This is according to IDNX, the first scientific grade price index for the domain market. IDNX?the internet domain name price index?has shown a consistent growth five months running, and the figures for March 2012 have broken previous records. https://sedo.com/us/news/3007/Domain-prices-reach-record-highs-in-March/ ********************** REPORTS & RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** Measuring the Internet: The Data Challenge This working paper reviews a number of the challenges and opportunities confronting analysts interested in measuring the Internet and its economic and social impacts. It identifies several additional challenges to the measurement issue, in addition to all of the normal problems one expects when measuring information and communication technologies (ICTs). These challenges are related to: the rapidly changing nature of the Internet, the need for more granular data in order to understand the complex nature of the Internet, and the phenomenon of big data and the resulting ability to measure almost anything. http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/science-and-technology/measuring-the-internet_5k9bhk5fzvzx-en Broadband Internet and Political Participation: Evidence for Germany by Nina Czernich [Kyklos] Abstract: Previous studies found the introduction of the today well established media radio and television to affect political participation. This paper evaluates the effect of the relatively recent introduction of a new medium, broadband internet. OLS results suggest a positive association between DSL availability and voter participation across German municipalities. However, the roll?out of DSL networks is not random. The paper exploits the fact that DSL availability depends on a municipality's distance to the nearest interconnection point to the existing voice?telephony network. Instrumental?variable results using this distance to predict DSL availability confirm the effect of DSL availability on voter participation. http://ssrn.com/abstract=2036931 ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Why one in five U.S. adults don't use the Internet Even though the Internet has become a key tool for accessing services, getting an education, finding jobs, getting the news, keeping up with people you know and much more, one in five U.S. adults still does not use the Internet at all, according to a new Pew report. http://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/13/tech/web/pew-not-using-internet/index.html 1 in 5 Americans are 'Internet Innocents' When you're using the Internet every day as most of us are, it's hard to imagine a world without cyberspace, but that's the case for 20 percent of American adults, according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project. http://www.pcworld.com/article/253807/1_in_5_americans_are_internet_innocents.html Digital differences Overview: When the Pew Internet Project first began writing about the role of the internet in American life in 2000, there were stark differences between those who were using the internet and those who were not. Today, differences in internet access still exist among different demographic groups, especially when it comes to access to high-speed broadband at home. The ways in which people connect to the internet are also much more varied today than they were in 2000. As a result, internet access is no longer synonymous with going online with a desktop computer. Read more ... http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Digital-differences.aspx New Clarity on China Internet Outage When China?s internet goes haywire, it?s not just eager microblog users who notice. Thursday?s two-hour blip, during which a chunk of China?s internet traffic stopped, likely set off alarm bells at major internet companies across the globe as they scrambled to ensure their networks weren?t the ones blocking Chinese traffic. http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2012/04/13/new-clarity-on-china-internet-outage/ China Web Suffers Temporary Blackout A slew of Chinese and foreign websites were unavailable in China for about two hours on Thursday, as officials issued warnings against spreading rumors online. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304356604577340220581079482.html Nearly Half of European Online Audience Visit Sports Sites comScore ... released an overview of internet usage in Europe, showing that 386.6 million Europeans went online in February 2012 for an average of 28.2 hours per person. http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Press_Releases/2012/4/Nearly_Half_of_European_Online_Audience_Visit_Sports_Sites ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Facebook Offers More Disclosure to Users Facebook, seeking to address concerns about the personal information it collects on its users, said Thursday that it would provide any user with more about the data it tracks and stores. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/13/technology/facebook-offers-more-disclosure-to-users.html Facebook: User Info Safe Under Controversial Cyber Legislation If controversial cybersecurity legislation is passed, Facebook said Friday, it would not share sensitive user information with government officials. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/04/facebook-says-user-information.php Facebook weighs in on cybersecurity legislation Facebook has added its voice to the debate over the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA), saying it supports aspects of the legislation, but wants to work with lawmakers to address privacy concerns about the bill. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/facebook-weighs-in-on-cybersecurity-legislation/2012/04/13/gIQASkDGGT_story.html Facebook is scared of the internet ... Silicon Valley was always competitive but barriers to entry in the late stages of the social network boom are so low, and capital so plentiful, that creative destruction is on fast-forward. If Facebook, which is about to launch its initial public offering, will pay $1bn to neutralise Instagram, how much are Path, Pinterest and others yet to be invented worth? http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/b9783142-82fe-11e1-ab78-00144feab49a.html Behind Instagram's Success, Networking the Old Way Past midnight, in a dimly lighted warehouse jutting into the San Francisco Bay, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger introduced something they had been working on for weeks: a photo-sharing iPhone application called Instagram. What happened next was crazier than they could have imagined. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/14/technology/instagram-founders-were-helped-by-bay-area-connections.html ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* Child porn found in game consoles Police are increasingly seizing gaming consoles from child pornography suspects, as the devices evolve from simple entertainment systems into all-purpose data hubs connected to the internet. http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/child-porn-found-in-game-consoles-20120415-1x1kr.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/child-porn-found-in-game-consoles-20120415-1x1kr.html AFP say gaming consoles being used for child porn Gaming consoles are being used to download or distribute child pornography, according to police. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/technology/afp-reveal-gaming-consoles-are-being-used-to-watch-child-porn/story-fn7celvh-1226327741607 uk: Sexting: a new teen cyber-bullying 'epidemic' Cheltenham has many claims to fame: gorgeous Regency architecture; the Gold Cup; GCHQ. But last week it hit the headlines for a far more undesirable reason: a 14-year-old boy from the town was arrested for posting a pornographic video of himself and his girlfriend on Facebook. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/facebook/9199126/Sexting-a-new-teen-cyber-bullying-epidemic.html nz: Call for nationwide youth text monitoring The developer of a software programme to monitor youth cellphone use is calling for the country's major telcos to roll the technology out nationwide. http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/call-nationwide-youth-text-monitoring-4832340 nz: Teens warned about posting dodgy images online A girl who posted a reportedly sexual image of herself on a social networking site was wrong to trust her online friends with it, a cyber safety expert says. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10798360 au: Web of Hate Cyber-bullying has become a major issue in Australia, leading to anxiety, withdrawal from school and even suicide. http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/101east/2012/04/2012410124437777232.html ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Porn producer's copyright complaint pits Hollywood against Google A powerful lobby group that represents the interests of the biggest Hollywood movie studios has aligned itself with an obscure Miami gay porn producer, in the ongoing battle to protect copyrighted material online. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/11/players-online-copyright-pornographers-lawsuit ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** European Commission consults on rules for wirelessly connected devices - the "Internet of Things" [news release] The "Internet of Things" (IoT) is a future in which everyday objects such as phones, cars, household appliances, clothes and even food are wirelessly connected to the Internet through smart chips, and can collect and share data. The European Commission wants to know what framework is needed to unleash the potential economic and societal benefits of the IoT, whilst ensuring an adequate level of control of the devices gathering, processing and storing information. The information concerned includes users' behavioural patterns, location and preferences. The Commission wants to ensure that the rights of individuals are respected and is launching a public consultation inviting comments by 12th July 2012. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/12/360 ********************** SPAM ********************** Is there any way to stop the scourge of text message spam? Two years ago, I got a text message from a number with a Las Vegas area code. ?Thanks for visiting our site!? it read. ?Claim your $100 Gift card at topgiftsnow.com. Gift Code: 13Z76F. To end reply STOP.? Annoyed, I typed ?STOP? and hit send. The next day I got another one. ?STOP,? I typed again. Then came the deluge. ?Clearance pricing on new cars!? my phone buzzed. ?Start a career in law enforcement!? ?You have 1 unread message from your secret crush!? At first they were all from Las Vegas. Then they were from Oregon, Idaho, and Nebraska. Every buzz meant another text message charge on my bill. http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2012/04/how_to_stop_text_spam_why_cellphone_spam_is_on_the_rise_and_what_you_can_do_about_it_.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/15/how-to-outsmart-text-mess_n_1426627.html ********************** ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL ********************** Opinion: The Cybercrime Wave That Wasn?t In less than 15 years, cybercrime has moved from obscurity to the spotlight of consumer, corporate and national security concerns. Popular accounts suggest that cybercrime is large, rapidly growing, profitable and highly evolved; annual loss estimates range from billions to nearly $1 trillion. While other industries stagger under the weight of recession, in cybercrime, business is apparently booming. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/15/opinion/sunday/the-cybercrime-wave-that-wasnt.html Smartphone Patents: The Never-Ending War - Even Minor Features Figure in Big Battles as Rivalry Heats Up Customers shopping for Apple Inc.'s iPhone might pay little attention to the gadget's "slide to unlock" feature, but you would never know that from a quick glance at Apple's current roster of patent lawsuits. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303624004577339931560320116.html Patent wars - the plague of the internet age [AFP] The internet Age is becoming as known for patent litigation as it is for online innovation. From the makers of computer chips to creators of smartphones and designers of videogames, rivalries have spread from marketplaces to courtrooms with combatants warring over rights to use technology. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10799200 us: Trouble in Trolltown: Judges Increasingly Catching On to Copyright Trolls' Unfair Tactics Life under the bridge is a bit less comfortable for copyright trolls these days, as a series of legal losses continues to undermine their misguided business model. Trolls make their money through variations on a simple scheme: file mass copyright lawsuits against thousands of people at once without regard for whether they're in the right court, get a judge to give them power to obtain identifying information for the anonymous ?Does,? and then send settlement demand letters threatening to name these Does in a lawsuit if he or she doesn?t pay up. In many cases, troll lawsuits are based on allegations of downloading pornography, creating additional pressure to settle rather than risk the embarrassment of being publicly named as watching dirty movies online. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/04/trouble-trolltown ********************** SECURITY ********************** Financial services the target in massive DDoS increase A new analysis from Prolexic shows a huge increase in DDoS attacks, largely sourced in Asia and primarily attacking financial institutions. http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/view/25104/financial-services-the-target-in-massive-ddos-increase uk: Hackers step up war on security services - GCHQ has been threatened with cyber-attack tomorrow The ability of Britain's security institutions to fight off the threat from online activists was cast into doubt after hackers penetrated Scotland Yard's anti-terrorism hotline and leaked conversations between staff online. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/hackers-step-up-war-on-security-services-7640780.html uk: Teenagers arrested over anti-terrorist hotline hacking Two teenagers have been arrested as part of a Scotland Yard investigation after computer hackers intercepted a call on a highly sensitive anti-terrorist hotline and leaked it on the internet. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/apr/12/met-police-anti-terrorism-hotline Pentagon sets up fast track for buying cyber war tools The Pentagon is establishing a fast-track acquisition process that would enable it to develop new cyber warfare capabilities within days or months if urgently needed, the Defense Department said in a report to Congress. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/04/13/oukin-uk-usa-defense-cyberspace-idUKBRE83C05L20120413 Proposed US cyber security bill criticised A proposed bill concerning the sharing of intelligence to combat cyber crime in the US has been criticised by civil rights campaigners and journalists. The "Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act" (CISPA) sets out to to regulate which potentially confidential information can be shared between government agencies ? such as the intelligence services and investigative authorities ? and the private sector. http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Proposed-US-cyber-security-bill-criticised-1519402.html Stuxnet worm reportedly planted by Iranian double agent using memory stick The Stuxnet computer worm used to sabotage Iran's nuclear program was planted by a double agent working for Israel. The agent used a booby-trapped memory stick to infect machines deep inside the Natanz nuclear facility, according to a report published on Wednesday. http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2012/04/stuxnet-worm-reportedly-planted-by-iranian-double-agent-using-memory-stick.ars Internet groups bringing security guru to NZ Kiwis will have a chance to hear one of the world?s foremost authorities on computer security share his thoughts next month, with Bruce Schneier, author of 11 books including Schneier On Security and Secrets and Lies: Digital Security in a Networked World, to speak at two events in Wellington on May 1. http://www.techday.co.nz/netguide/news/internet-groups-bringing-security-guru-to-nz/22729/ ********************** PRIVACY ********************** us: Google Is Faulted for Impeding U.S. Inquiry on Data Collection When Google first revealed in 2010 that cars it was using to map streets were also sweeping up sensitive personal information from wireless home networks, it called the data collection a mistake. On Saturday, federal regulators charged that Google had ?deliberately impeded and delayed? an investigation into the data collection and ordered a $25,000 fine on the search giant. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/15/technology/google-is-fined-for-impeding-us-inquiry-on-data-collection.html Unanswered Questions in F.C.C.?s Google Case One of the most audacious projects ever to come out of Google was the plan to photograph and map the inhabited world, one block at a time. But a report over the weekend from federal regulators has rekindled questions over exactly what the company was doing ? questions the search giant has spent years trying not to answer. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/16/technology/fccs-google-case-leaves-unanswered-questions.html eu: How will the new law on cookies affect internet browsing? We are being watched. The websites we visit, and the advertisers who promote products on those sites, are tracking our online activity, building a profile of where we go and in some cases what we do when we get there. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/apr/13/new-law-cookies-affect-internet-browsing This internet provider pledges to always put your privacy first A new privacy-protecting, US-based internet service and telephone provider still in the planning stages could become the FBI's worst nightmare. http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-57412225-281/this-internet-provider-pledges-to-put-your-privacy-first-always/ http://www.cnet.com.au/this-internet-provider-pledges-to-always-put-your-privacy-first-339335891.htm us: Consumer Privacy in the Obama Administration: Address by Assistant Secretary Strickling at Hudson Institute I want to thank Harold Furchtgott-Roth and the Hudson Institute for inviting me to talk about the Obama Administration?s blueprint to protect consumer data privacy. About six weeks ago, the Administration introduced a blueprint to improve consumer privacy protections and ensure that the Internet remains an engine for innovation and economic growth. My agency, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, played a key role in developing this policy, and we are leading the Administration?s work to put it into practice. http://www.ntia.doc.gov/speechtestimony/2012/address-assistant-secretary-strickling-hudson-institute ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Web freedom faces greatest threat ever, warns Google's Sergey Brin The principles of openness and universal access that underpinned the creation of the internet three decades ago are under greater threat than ever, according to Google co-founder Sergey Brin. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/apr/15/web-freedom-threat-google-brin The Increasingly Censorious World: 47% of All Internet Users Experience Censorship, Says OpenNet Initiative According to the OpenNet Initiative (ONI)--a joint initiative of Harvard University, the University of Toronto and the SecDev Group--47% of the world's Internet users experience some form of fractured Internet. ONI bases their research on technical testing in 74 countries, 42 of which the researchers found engage in "some form of filtering of content." Though the aforementioned statistic (47%, or 960 million Internet users) includes countries like Morocco that engage only in "selective" blocking of websites, 31% of the world's Internet users live in countries that engage in "substantial" or "pervasive" online censorship. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/04/week-censorship-increasingly-censorious-world Nervous Kremlin seeks to purge Russia's internet of 'western' influences Unlike other media, the internet in Russia, has developed largely untouched by the arm of the state. The protests have prompted many to wonder: is that about to change? http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/apr/15/kremlin-purge-russia-internet-western-influences China's censors tested by microbloggers who keep one step ahead of state media In the opaque world of Chinese censorship, a few red lines shine through the murk. One of the clearest is: no gossip about top political leaders, their families or internal party affairs. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/apr/16/internet-china-censorship-weibo-microblogs The UK government's war on internet freedom Last summer in the wake of the London riots, British Prime Minister David Cameron insisted that the government should have the power to censor social media and "stop [alleged rioters] from communicating via these websites". But after Cameron's plan was widely compared to the tactics of former Egypt President Hosni Mubarak - not to mention the same social media services were instrumental in helping organise post-riot cleanup - the proposal never materialised. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/04/201241373429356249.html ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** Copyright in the digital age: Australia, ACTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement In February this year, Attorney-General Nicola Roxon announced the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) would conduct an inquiry into copyright law to make sure it was keeping pace with the digital age. http://www.techworld.com.au/article/421434/copyright_digital_age_australia_acta_trans-pacific_partnership_agreement/ http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/421434/copyright_digital_age_australia_acta_trans-pacific_partnership_agreement/ How tiny Estonia stepped out of USSR's shadow to become an internet titan The European country where Skype was born made a conscious decision to embrace the web after shaking off Soviet shackles http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/apr/15/estonia-ussr-shadow-internet-titan nz: New legislation website a hit with lawyers Redesign of the New Zealand legislation website is getting positive reactions from lawyers and other interested parties. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/new-legislation-website-a-hit-with-lawyers ********************** MISCELLANEOUS ********************** au: CSIRO's $220m WiFi deal trumped by an app SEASONED lawyer and investment banker Simon McKeon has been doing deals for a long time. But even he admits to shaking his head over this week's tale of two kids in the US flogging a smartphone application designed to share photographs called Instagram to Facebook for $US1 billion ($962 million). http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/economics/csiro-is-tapping-australias-prized-technology/story-e6frg926-1226326208395 Legal tips for engaging datacentres When signing on a new datacentre provider, businesses and government should get their lawyers to check over the three key areas of physical security, data security and copyright, according to Baker and McKenzie partner James Halliday. http://www.zdnet.com.au/legal-tips-for-engaging-datacentres-339336009.htm ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Iraq Emerges From Isolation as Telecommunications Hub Iraq, cut off from decades of technological progress because of dictatorship, sanctions and wars, recently took a big step out of isolation and into the digital world when its telecommunications system was linked to a vast new undersea cable system serving the Gulf countries. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/16/technology/iraq-emerges-from-isolation-as-telecommunications-hub.html au: NBN puts rural areas ?on the map?, inquiry hears The National Broadband Network (NBN) will be a game changer for regional Australia, allowing major telecommunication firms to enter the broadband market for the first time, a joint parliamentary committee has heard. http://www.afr.com/p/technology/nbn_puts_rural_areas_on_the_map_6IwX4MvEWWnudV34np7GFP au: Wireless claims not supported by facts [news release] Recent claims that ?the rise of mobile internet through smartphones and tablets threatens to make the NBN a waste of money? and ?out of date? were not supported by the facts, NBN Co said today. http://www.nbnco.com.au/news-and-events/news/wireless-abs-data.html au: Vodafone to offer fixed-line services Telecommunications provider Vodafone says the National Broadband Network will allow it to offer fixed-line services in Australia for the first time. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-16/vodafone-to-offer-fixed-line-services/3952846 nz: Telecom struggling to win back mobile customers Telecom still has its work cut out recovering lost love in the mobile market, according to a Roy Morgan survey carried out for the Commerce Commission that examined why customers changed their provider. http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6734411/Telecom-struggling-to-win-back-mobile-customers nz: Huawei dealers keep mum on spying claims Huawei dealers are keeping schtum on recent spying claims involving the Chinese-owned company. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/huawei-dealers-keep-mum-on-spying-claims us: Landline rules frustrate telecoms More than 130 years after the first residential phone line was installed, telecom companies are pressing to be freed from the obligation of providing low-cost fixed-line telephone service to homes, a move critics say will leave Americans with less reliable or more expensive options. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/landline-rules-frustrate-telecoms/2012/04/12/gIQAG2XvDT_story.html ********************************** ONLINE CHILD ABUSE ARRESTS/COURT CASES ********************************** au: Mother jailed over child porn, sex abuse A woman has been jailed for the systematic sexual abuse of her own children, including broadcasting live pictures of them to an international internet paedophile ring. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-12/mother-jailed-over-child-porn2c-sexual-abuse/3946990 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2012 ------ David Goldstein email: david at goldsteinreport.com web: http://goldsteinreport.com/ http://davidgoldstein.tel/ 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 Mon Apr 16 2012 - 08:51:20 UTC
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