When Free Isn’t Really Free: Free applications may include adware, spyware, virusus, and result in copyright infringement lawsuits (music downloading). The article refers to the CDT report on spyware issued last week, about which I posted here and legislation to protect consumers against the collection of personal data via spyware, about which I posted here. Continue Reading
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Category Archives: E-Commerce
UN Report on the State of Global E-Commerce
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, E-Commerce and Development Report 2003 (228 pages, pdf). From the press release: “The E-Commerce and Development Report focuses on trends in information and communications technologies (ICT), such as e-commerce and e-business, and on national and international policy and strategy options for improving the development impact of these technologies… Continue Reading
New Survey Indicates Growing Consumer Concern With ID Theft
A recently conducted customer information protection survey highlights increasing consumer concerns regarding the security of their personal data in online transactions, especially in the e-tail arena. The survey identifies specific companies (including American Express, eBay and AOL) and industries (including hospitals, pharmacies and banks) in whom respondents indicated particular trust. Continue Reading
New Link to CRS Reports on First Amendment Issues
From FAS, this link to CRS reports for Congress on First Amendment topics, from the First Amendment Center. The 16 reports were published in 2003, and address topics that include Internet privacy, freedom of press and speech, and regulation of the telemarketing industry. Continue Reading
E-Mail Publisher’s Commentary on CAN-SPAM Act
The CAN-SPAM Act of 2003: Real Reform or Political Pork? by Neil J. Squillante: “Many of my peers in the online marketing industry claim that requiring permission (opting in) would destroy emails commercial potential. I disagree and can personally attest to the fact that permission is good for business. If companies produce outstanding email newsletters… Continue Reading
Privacy Groups Organize Opposition to ID Technology Used on Consumer Goods
From PrivacyRights.org, Position Statement on the Use of RFID on Consumer Products: “Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is an item-tagging technology with profound societal implications. Used improperly, RFID has the potential to jeopardize consumer privacy, reduce or eliminate purchasing anonymity, and threaten civil liberties. As organizations and individuals committed to the protection of privacy and civil… Continue Reading
Effective Corporate Use of the Web
From BusinessWeek.com: The Web Smart 50: Areas evaluated include collaboration, customer service, customization, streamlining, management and cutting edge applications. “Meet the masters of the Web. We’ve divided them into six categories and have shown how they’re using the Web to benefit their customers — and themselves.” Continue Reading
Variant of Worm Seeks to Steal Credit Card Info
New worm variant targets identity data: A new twist has been applied to an email worm, called Mimail, that appeared this past August, and it has been harnassed specifically to steal credit card data from customers of PayPal, the online payment service, which is owned by eBay. Continue Reading
Search Inside the Book Services Hailed and Condemned
Dipping into books online: Is it stealing?: “Amazon.com says its new ‘Search Inside the Book’ feature has boosted sales. But authors worry that people will read just what they need and not buy the book.” Continue Reading
FTC Issues Advisory to Online Retailers on Shipping Claims
FTC “Surf” of 51 Internet Retailers Designed to Strengthen Consumer Confidence in Online Shopping: In an effort to ensure that holiday shoppers receive their purchases within the time frame promised on the sites of web retailers, and that their purchase are accompanied by proper warranties, the FTC has issued letters to 37 e-tailers to reinforce… Continue Reading
Two New Reports Survey Registrar Services and Market Share
From Ben Edelman, Berkman Center for Internet & Society, Harvard Law School: Survey of Domain Registration Services – “Numerous competitive registrars offer diverse domain registration services to individuals, companies, and organizations. This site attempts to index and analyze their service offerings, facilitating analysis by other researchers and in preparation for additional analysis by the author.”… Continue Reading
New Version of IE to Include Ad Blocker
According to News.com, Microsoft will include a a pop-up blocker in the new version of Internet Explorer for Windows XP, early next year. Continue Reading
