From VeriSign’s press release: “VeriSign, Inc, the leading provider of critical infrastructure services for the Internet and telecommunications networks, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to sell the Network Solutions business unit to Pivotal Private Equity. Under the terms of the agreement, VeriSign will receive approximately $100 million…” The company will retain its… Continue Reading
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Monthly Archives: October 2003
Advocacy Group Seeks DOJ Docs in Patriot Act Lobbying Campaign
EPIC filed an action under FOIA in the U.S. District Court, DC, “seeking the expedited release of Justice Department records concerning the lobbying efforts of federal prosecutors to oppose revisions to the controversial USA PATRIOT Act. Despite widespread media coverage of the lobbying campaign, and questions as to its legality, DOJ has refused to expedite… Continue Reading
Researchers, Gov’t and Corporations Look to Evolving Info Management Applications
This New York Times article focuses on the growing interest in, and use of “text mining, a technique that academics have been experimenting with for years but for which tools have only recently become commercially available. The prospect of rapidly scanning through reams of documents is stirring interest among researchers and analysts faced with more… Continue Reading
Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Bill to Amend Patriot Act
On October 15, Idaho Senator Larry Craig was joined by colleagues from both sides of the aisle as co-sponsors to S.1709, the Security and Freedom Ensured Act of 2003 (SAFE Act), to amend the USA PATRIOT ACT to place reasonable limitations on the use of surveillance and the issuance of search warrants, and for other… Continue Reading
OMB Launches Redesigned Website
The Office of Personnel Management launched its redesigned website on October 14. From the main page, users will find quick links to federal forms, news & events, HR tools and resources, OPM publications, and e-gov initiatives. Continue Reading
Consumer Data Protection Guidelines for Financial Institutions
Federal Agencies’ Guidelines [proposed August 12, 2003, by the FDIC, OCC, Federal Reserve and OTS] regarding Notification by Financial Companies when a Security Breach Compromises Customer Data and Exposes Individuals to Identity Theft: comments submitted by the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse on October 14. Continue Reading
How to Locate and Evaluate Reliable Primary Web Resources
Using Primary Sources on the Web: “This brief guide is designed to provide students and researchers with information to help them evaluate the internet sources and the quality of primary materials that can be found online.” [via LisNews] Continue Reading
Privacy and Court Records
Chris Jay Hoofnagle, EPIC Deputy Counsel, will present the following paper, Public Records and Privacy (pdf), to the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges 77th Annual Meeting on October 17. He examines the rights and responsibilities of data collectors and data subjects in the evolving system of online public records. Continue Reading
Microsoft Obtains Patent on Unique User IDs
United States Patent 6,632,248, Customization of network documents by accessing customization information on a server computer using uniquie (note: the word unique is misspelled in the patent document itself) user identifiers. “The customization options may include a wide variety of information such as, for example, network addresses (e.g., URLs) of a user’s favorite sites, types… Continue Reading
Search Tips From Google Expert
20 Great Google Secrets, by Tara Calishain, author of Google Hacks, offers useful suggestions to make your use of the search engine more effective. Continue Reading
California Online Privacy Law Goes Into Effect July 2004
From the website of California State Assemblyman Joe Simitian: Assembly Bill 68 – Online Privacy Protection The Online Privacy and Disclosure Act of 2003 requires commercial Web site operators that collect personal information online from California residents to post a conspicuous privacy policy stating what information they collect and with whom they share the information.… Continue Reading
GAO Report on Social Security Numbers Issued to Non-Citizens
Social Security Administration: Actions Taken to Strengthen Procedures for Issuing Social Security Numbers to Noncitizens, but Some Weaknesses Remain. GAO-04-12, October 15. Highlights. Continue Reading
