Justices Hear Arguments in Energy Task Force Case. For reference, previous postings on this case. Continue Reading
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Monthly Archives: April 2004
E-Voting in CA Will Require Additional Safeguards
News reports today that the California Voting Systems and Procedures Panel will allow the November election to proceed using e-voting machines, but paper print-outs must be provided as well, and voters can choose to use only paper ballots. For reference, see previous postings on the e-voting controversy. Continue Reading
Challenge to “National Security Letter” Authority Revealed
ACLU Discloses Documents in Extraordinary Sealed Challenge to Patriot Act Spying Power. Scroll down on this page to locate a redacted copy of the complaint. Continue Reading
Survey Indicates Widespread Rate of Spyware Infection At Office
From Websense’s fifth annual Web@Work survey, April 26: “92 Percent of Organizations with at Least 100 Employees Have Been Contaminated With Spyware, Yet Only Six Percent of Employees Believe They Have Been Infected.” In related news, see A Web of Electronic Denial Continue Reading
University Consortium Sponsors Global Project on Web Filtering and Surveillance
“The OpenNet Initiative is a University-based policy research project documenting filtering and surveillance practices worldwide. Our aim is to excavate, expose and analyze these practices in a credible and non-partisan fashion to uncover the potential pitfalls of present policies to explore the possibility of unintended and unexpected consequences and thus to help inform better public… Continue Reading
Patent Office To Deploy E-Patent Reference Program
USPTO to Provide Electronic Access to Cited U.S. Patent References with Office Actions and Cease Supplying Paper Copies Continue Reading
9/11 Testimony by Bush and Cheney Will Be Off the Record
Reuters reports that the appearance of President Bush and Vice President Cheney on April 29 before the 9/11 Commission (in a private session to take place in the White House) will be conducted without benefit of a written or recorded transcript, nor will their testimony be given under oath. The article further states that Bush… Continue Reading
New UK Study Challenges Link Between National ID Cards and Security
From Privacy International, the following resources: Press release, dated April 26, 2004, with a response to the “government’s draft Bill on identity cards.” A link to the draft bill (pdf, 120 pages): Legislation on Identity Cards, A Consultation Privacy International’s new report, Mistaken Identity: Exploring the Relationship Between National Identity Cards & the Prevention of… Continue Reading
E-Gov Website Offers Comparison Pricing for Common Medications
Maryland’s Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr. today announced the availability of an online Prescription Drug Price Finder, with data “on prices for 25 of the most commonly used drugs in Maryland, as reported by the States Medical Assistance Program.” Users may search the database by county, city, zip code, and prescription drug name. See… Continue Reading
DOJ Assigns US Attorney to Investigate Senate Filegate
As a follow-up to this post on the theft of Senate Judiciary Cmte. computer files, Sen. Patrick Leahy today issued the following statement: “I have been notified that the Department of Justice has ‘assigned’ to David Kelley, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, the investigation of Republican staff theft of Democratic… Continue Reading
DHS Issues Wireless Interoperability Requirements
“SAFECOM was established to serve as the umbrella program within the Federal Government, to help local, tribal, state, and federal public safety agencies improve public safety response through more effective and efficient interoperable wireless communications. [Link] “The Statement of Requirements (SoR) for public safety communications and interoperability provides information on base level requirements for a… Continue Reading
Review of Online Mortgage Websites
Consumer Reports has published a review of six national mortgage loan websites that includes caveats about privacy issues and evaluations of respective service levels and value as compared to local bank rates. Continue Reading
