Cornelius Smith
Cornelius Smith
Draft Version of Online Privacy Bill Released
Written by Curt Hopkins / May 4, 2010 3:00 PM / 0 Comments
U.S. Representatives Rick Boucher and Cliff Stearns released their draft legislation today that tackles online privacy issues. ReadWriteWeb covered the announcement of its release yesterday.
The discussion draft of the legislation sets up requirements for Internet companies and online ad networks that include "conspicuous" notice of information capture, initial user opt-in on all such collection and user opt-out afterward.
The focus of the legislation is on identifiers, such as full name, social security number, telephone number, bank account number, biometric data and so on. But it also includes information such as "persistent unique identifier" from ISP address to online nickname.
"A covered entity may not sell, share, or otherwise disclose covered information to an unaffiliated party without first obtaining the express affirmative consent of the individual to whom the covered information relates."The legislation also makes the "covered entity" responsibly for guaranteeing the safety and security of the information they gather.
Some types of information are exempt from these rules.
"No consent is required to collect and use operational or transactional data--the routine web logs or session cookies that are necessary for the functioning of the website--or to use aggregate data or data that has been rendered anonymous."To ensure the law would not be toothless, the legislation brings in a regulatory body.
"The Federal Trade Commission would adopt rules to implement and enforce the measure. States may also enforce the FTC's rules through State attorneys general or State consumer protection agencies."
gooeysphere
This is an exploration of sorts, delving into that gooey yet addictive substance that brings us all together - aka the Internet/web. We'll delve into web analytics, a subject I quite fancy these days. Here we'll also dabble into social media, a bit of art/photography, culture, and fun!
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Draft Version of Online Privacy Bill Released
New App Helps Keep Facebook's Hands Off Your Data
New App Helps Keep Facebook's Hands Off Your Data
Written by Sarah Perez / May 3, 2010 7:23 AM / 9 Comments
A new application aims to put users back in control of their private data stored on the increasingly public social networking site, Facebook. With "The Green Safe" app, Facebook users can now export their profile data for offsite storage on Green Safe's servers. Data can then be purged from Facebook itself, allowing only friends to view profile information by way of a profile page tab labeled "My Info."
Privacy Concerns for Facebook Users
With the ever-growing concern about Facebook's data-sharing policies - policies that are now under attack from several U.S. senators - people are becoming more concerned about how personal information shared with the world's largest social networking site is being used.
After already having been blindsided with "recommended settings" that automatically publicized previously private data like status updates and photos, Facebook users are now dealing with even more changes that have major privacy implications. Recently announced initiatives include things like "instantly personalized" websites that tap into your Facebook data without prior authorization, revamped profile pages where every interest of yours from bands to books is made public and new terms for Facebook application developers that allow apps to store your data indefinitely.
Despite these radical changes on Facebook's part, few users are actually deleting their Facebook accounts. Although the privacy concerns are troubling, the social network has become more than a simple pastime for many people. Instead, it has transformed into a communication tool nearly as vital as email for staying in touch with networks of friends, family, co-workers and other colleagues.
Now instead of deleting your Facebook account, The Green Safe app offers a viable alternative: keep Facebook, but remove Facebook's ability to access your data. And with the data gone from Facebook, application developers and their partners are also out of luck... at least those whose apps you install going forward.
How "The Green Safe" Works
To use The Green Safe, you grant it access just like any other Facebook application, quiz or game, then tell it to "Import Your Data." After the import is complete, follow the instructions provided to add the app to a tab on your Facebook profile. It will appear as a tab labeled "My Info", which only your friends can see. At this point, you can return to your Facebook profile and delete the information stored there, removing it from Facebook's control.
