10 questions: ‘Existence’ author David Brin on science fiction, science and geeks

David Brin

One could successfully argue that modern geek culture wouldn’t exist in its current form without 20th century science fiction and its fan culture, the true Ancient Geeks. Tech’s unconferences have their roots in PowerPoint-free, volunteer-organized, fan-driven science-fiction conventions run by organizations such as the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society (LASFS), which go back nearly eight… Read More…

Boss signing in to your Facebook account? There’s a law for that

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Legislatures, state and federal, are starting to react to the trend of employers — at least the creepy employers — requiring job applicants and employees to turn over usernames and passwords for personal social media accounts. Here’s a post from the Goodwin Procter law firm about a new law passed in Maryland and one in… Read More…

Privacy: Facebook and Google baking it in, but will startups follow the recipe?

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High-profile privacy breaches have increasingly been making headlines, putting the issue further onto the agenda of the tech industry. But the message hasn’t necessarily reached those aspiring entrepreneurs who are collecting user data as they try to develop the next blockbuster app. That was one of the messages this morning at the Privacy Identity Innovation… Read More…

Google’s alleged WiFi snooper has an Internet privacy patent

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Marius Milner, the Google engineer reported to be responsible for the code that allowed Street View cars to collect data from home networks, is listed as one of the inventors on a Google patent for a technology meant to thwart “hackers and other ne’er-do-wells” who “may seek to tap into communications on a network.” As… Read More…

Google patent: Background noise from phone calls could be used to target ads

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You’re attending a baseball game and call Google’s 411 service for information about a nearby restaurant. The cheers of the crowd and the sounds of the announcer are picked up by your phone. Google’s system analyzes the background noise, takes into account your location, determines that you’re at a ballgame and delivers related ads or… Read More…

Actress’s suit vs. Amazon’s IMDb may have bigger impact on privacy

juniehoang

A lawsuit against Amazon.com’s Internet Movie Database (IMDb) for disclosing an actress’s age could have a larger impact on the way online companies gather and use personal information. That’s the upshot of a New York Times article this morning, which digs into the case of the 40-year-old actress who sued Amazon.com’s Internet Movie Database (IMDb) for revealing her… Read More…

Google’s unified privacy policy takes effect, despite concerns

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Google’s new privacy policy rolled out overnight, turning more than 60 policies into one and clearing the way for the company to unify data about its users across its various online services. The company went ahead despite concerns from European regulators who asked Google to put the changes on hold. EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding said… Read More…

State AGs sound alarm over Google privacy changes

Larry Page

In a letter today to Google CEO Larry Page, attorneys general from dozens of states question the company’s plan to unify its privacy policies across its different web properties and say the company should give users the option of opting in or out of the changes. Here’s the full text of the letter, signed by… Read More…

On trust and privacy: Why I no longer trust Google

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[Guest commentary by Kathy Gill] Trust. It’s a key factor in any successful relationship, whether that relationship is between two people or a person and an organization. Although Google hasn’t been battered with privacy-related consumer trust headlines as frequently as Facebook, it has flirted with trust issues since at least 2004. That’s when Dave Winer warned:… Read More…

Thank you, body scanners: Why airport pat downs suck for humanity

TSA photo

The technologies that bring us together are making me more resentful of the ones that tear us apart. Red light cameras. Metal detectors. Running counter to the technologies of unity are the technologies of distrust. Are they necessary? Sure. And usually removed enough to be bearable. It’s when you’re forced to interact with the people… Read More…