Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is a premium feature in many new cars. However, as this New York Times article details, these systems may be used for “Big Brother” surveillance by law enforcement, often without the knowledge or permission of the car owner.
Accurate, Focused Research on Law, Technology and Knowledge Discovery Since 2002
Monthly Archives: December 2003
New CIA Museum Exhibits Exotic Techie Gadgets from Bygone Era
The CIA’s Directorate of Science and Technology is exhibiting some of its historic, unique and formerly secret techie gadgets, dating back to the 1940s, for employees and invited guests only, according to this AP report: “…the exhibits include a robotic catfish, a remote-controlled dragonfly and a camera strapped to the chests of pigeons..” Continue Reading
Campaigns Increasingly Leverage Digital Applications
Clicking for President – Blogs, meetups, listservs, and other online tools bring a digital aspect to every campaign. Continue Reading
EPIC Reviews Major Privacy Issues of 2003
“EPIC’s survey of the 2003 Privacy Year in Review notes the collapse of Total Information Awareness, surveillance cameras in schools, a Supreme Court victory for privacy, legal battles over the Do Not Call list, busted luggage locks, anti-terrorism law used for routine criminal investigations, and a conservative radio commentators asking for privacy.” Continue Reading
Nielsen/Net Ratings Internet Access Survey
Three Out of Four People Connect to the Internet Through Non-Browser Based Applications: “…76 percent of active Web surfers access the Internet using a non-browser based application. Media players, instant messages and file sharing applications are the most popular Internet applications.” See also The Fabulous Disappearing Internet. Continue Reading
Natural Resources Defense Council Best of the Web 2003
The Natural Resources Defense Council announced their choices for the best environmental websites of 2003 here. Continue Reading
RFID-Based Technology Proposed to Track Cows in Wake of Health Scare
As a follow-up to my posting U.S. Animal Tracking Database Still Under Development, this AP article, Mad Cow Scare May Spur High-Tech Tracking. What is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)? Previous beSpacific postings on RFID See also BSE Information and Resources from the USDA Continue Reading
DoD Inspector General Audit Report on Terrorism Information Awareness Program
Information Technology Management, Terrorism Information Awareness Program, December 12, 2003, Deparment of Defense, Office of the Inspector General. “This report completes our response addressing concerns of Senators Grassley, Nelson, and Hagel and discusses whether development of the DARPA TIA program included safeguards to ensure the technology was properly managed and controlled in an operational environment…DARPA… Continue Reading
Blogging, Politics, Journalism and, Opinions
Freewheeling ‘bloggers’ are rewriting rules of journalism. Continue Reading
Gov’t Warning Issued About Terrorists and Almanacs
FBI urges police to watch for people carrying almanacs: An FBI Intelligence Bulletin warning indicates that almanacs may be used by terrorists “to assist with target selection and pre-operational planning,” but acknowledges that use of such reference works may constitute “legitimate recreational or commercial activities.” The Register wonders if this includes the CIA World Factbook. Continue Reading
Recent Research Report on Travel Websites
From ConsumerWeb Watch, a report issued December 8, Booking and Bidding in the Blind: An In-Depth Examination of Opaque Travel Web Sites From the Executive Summary: “Booking travel can be complicated, but the complexities increase tremendously when a consumer books through an “opaque” travel Web site such as Hotwire or Priceline that does not reveal… Continue Reading
National League of Cities Resolution on Patriot Act
Amend PATRIOT Act Urges National League of Cities: “Portions of the USA PATRIOT Act compromise the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights and should be amended, says a resolution recently passed by the National League of Cities at its annual meeting. The resolution says that while the National League of Cities believes that efforts to… Continue Reading
