Memorandum of Legal Opinion, Library Procedures for Disabling Software Filtering and Unblocking Web Sites, by Janet M. LaRue, Chief Counsel, Concerned Women for America. (via LISNews.com) Continue Reading
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Monthly Archives: August 2003
UK and EU Plans to Track Vehicular Activity Via Microchip Technology
The proposed Electronic Vehicle Identification (EVI) system would require the installation of read-only microchips in all new vehicles whose purpose is to provide information on vehicular operation, including location and related activity such as speeding infractions, car theft, and parking violations. See also this EU document, Intelligent Transport Systems, Electronic vehicle identification, that details the… Continue Reading
Police Dept. Adopts Wireless Tech
From Federal Computer News, this interesting article about the adoption of wireless laptops to expand information exchange between Syracuse, New York police officers in their vehicles and civilian counterparts in the office. Continue Reading
Radio Frequency ID Tags and the Food Industry
RFID Gussied Up With Biosensors. After noting that radio frequency id tags (RFID) are in use, and proposed, for a range of consumer items, it is important to mention that the associated privacy controversy also involves the food industry. Under the auspices of the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (“Safety”) Act of 2002 (the… Continue Reading
California ID Theft Laws
California Identity Theft Laws, Compiled July 2003, by the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. Continue Reading
Commentary on Patriot Act and CAPPS II
CAPPS II is very much in the news recently, with articles on the subject appearing in the Washington Times, Washington Post, and Federal Computer News. Rights advocates slam new screening system: “Conservative and liberal advocates are banding together to oppose new airline passenger screening methods that they say will be a “quantum leap” in government… Continue Reading
Tracking Your Location Through Wireless Devices
As a follow-up to my recent posting on radio frequency ID tags in consumer goods, here is an article, WhereWare, that describes how wireless devices (notebooks, PDAs, cell phones) will be used as location tools to track their “owners every movement.” Continue Reading
DVD Code Copying Decision from CA Supreme Court
Today, the California Supreme Court issued a decision (53 pages, pfd) in DVD Copy Control Inc. v. Andrew Bunner, resolving “the apparent conflict between California’s trade secret law and the free speech clauses of the United States and California Constitutions.” Thanks to Jim Tyre for the heads-up. For reference, see this EFF press release: “The… Continue Reading
FCC Extends the Effective Date of Amended Fax Advertising Rules
From the FCC press release, August 19: “The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has extended to January 1, 2005, the effective date of its new rules requiring written consent before sending advertising faxes. This action does not change the effective date for the comprehensive telemarketing rules, including other rules regarding faxes, adopted on June 26, 2003.… Continue Reading
Lifespan of CD-RWs Critically Short
cdfreaks.com reports on a study by the Dutch magazine, PC-Active, involving tests on 30 separate brands of recordable CDs to ascertain whether data and audio tracks saved on the disks was still readable after a 20 month period. The very bad news was that despite marketing indicating data is stable for up to ten years,… Continue Reading
Thomson Acquires Techstreet
From the Techstreet press release, August 25: “Today, the Thomson Corporation (TSX: TOC; NYSE:TOC) announced that it has acquired Techstreet, Inc. a digital content delivery company that provides full-text industry standards and specifications to engineers, researchers, and technical and information professionals worldwide… The Techstreet unique offering also includes a large collection of technical books, materials… Continue Reading
H-P Develops Prototype E-book
From BBC News: “Researchers at Hewlett Packard have developed a prototype electronic book which can hold a whole library on a device no bigger than a paperback. The brushed metal device is about one centimetre thick and looks like an oversized handheld computer. The technological tome is dominated by a screen and a series of… Continue Reading
