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Monthly Archives: February 2004

New Data Mining Application Allows Users to Create Extensive, Targeted Online Libraries

Mercury News reported on IBM’s WebFountain Advanced Text Analytic Solutions, which according to this IBM overview, “enables access to multi-terabyte data stores of unstructured and semi-structured data. This includes internet data, weblogs, bulletin boards, enterprise data, legacy data, licensed content, newspapers, magazines and trade journals.” The article states that the application is currently gathering data… Continue Reading

TSA Sought Censorship of Files from Commercial Database

The link to this article from CQ’s Homeland Security subscriber publication, titled TSA Asks Media to Expunge Public Testimony on Airport Security Problems comes via Secrecy News. It states that TSA requested the removal of two pages of unclassified hearing testimony, presented last November, from the online archives of Federal Document Clearing House (FDCH), a… Continue Reading

User Vulnerabilities Linked to Anti-Spyware Programs

The Spyware Warrior blog, referenced in this article is a useful resource for current information on malware, trojan horses, and purported spyware, disguised as anti-spyware. Users beware, and the importance of staying informed is facilitated by the the efforts of reliable advice accompanied by regular updates to track the frequency with which such vulnerabilities are… Continue Reading

FTC Approves Joint Rules on Fair Credit Reporting Act

From the FTC press release today: “The notice provides a background summary of FACTA and the rulemaking, contains an overview of the public comments received, and includes a section-by-section analysis of the final effective dates rules..” Federal Trade Commission (16 C.F.R. Part 602) and Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 C.F.R. Part… Continue Reading

Washingtonpost.com To Require More Reader Info

The Washington Post announced that through a section-by-section introdution over the next month, readers of washingtonpost.com will have to provide additional information beyond the familiar triad of zip code, age and gender (this information is referred to as “ZAG”). Joining other major national newspapers including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and the Chicago… Continue Reading

New Database Launched on Past and Present U.S. Governors

National Governors Association (NGA) Launches Governors Legacy Project: “NGA launched a user-friendly comprehensive database of all past and present U.S. governors. Called the “Governors Legacy Project,” this service allows users to search for valuable information about governors…users [can] learn more about these state policymakers by searching a variety of question fields – including term of… Continue Reading

Data Mining and Your Driver’s License

“The SWIPE Toolkit is a collection of web-based tools that sheds light on personal data collection and usage practices in the United States. The tools demonstrate the value of personal information on the open market and enable people to access information encoded on a driver’s license or stored in some of the many commercial data… Continue Reading