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Daily Archives: March 8, 2013

EFF- How To Opt Out of Receiving Facebook Ads Based on Your Real-Life Shopping Activity

EFF: “Facebook has announced that it’s teaming up with four of the world’s largest corporate data brokers to “enhance” the ad experience for users. Datalogix, Epsilon, Acxiom, and BlueKai obtain information gathered about users through online means (such as through cookies when users surf the web) as well as through offline means (such as through loyalty cards at supermarkets and product warranty cards). Through the new relationship with Facebook, companies will be able to display advertisements to Facebook users based on data that these data brokers have on individuals…We recommend you use a tool such as Ghostery (now available on Firefox, Safari, Chrome, Opera and Internet Explorer) or Abine’s DoNotTrackMe (available in Firefox, Safari, Chrome and Internet Explorer) or AdBlockPlus with EasyPrivacy Lists. See more comprehensive instructions in our 4 Simple Changes to Stop Online Tracking.”

FTC Staff Report Examines Growing Use of Mobile Payments Report Includes Recommendations for Industry

News release: “As part of its efforts to ensure that consumers are protected in the growing mobile marketplace, the Federal Trade Commission issued a staff report today highlighting key issues facing consumers and companies as they adopt mobile payment services. The report, titled Paper, Plastic… or Mobile? An FTC Workshop on Mobile Payments, is based… Continue Reading

VA Review of Alleged Transmission of Sensitive VA Data Over Internet Connections

VA Office of Inspector General, Office of Audits and Evaluations – Review of Alleged Transmission of Sensitive VA Data Over Internet Connections, March 6, 2013 “We substantiated the allegation that VA was transmitting sensitive data, including PII and internal network routing information, over an unencrypted telecommunications carrier network. Office of Information and Technology (OIT) personnel… Continue Reading

Working Paper – Information Flows in Dark Markets: Dissecting Customer Currency Trades

Information Flows in Dark Markets: Dissecting Customer Currency Trades, by Lukas Menkhoff, Lucio Sarno, Maik Schmeling and Andreas Schrimpf. Working Papers No 405, March 2013. Bank for International Settlements “We study the information in order flows of different customer segments in the world’s largest over-the-counter market, the foreign exchange market. The analysis draws on a… Continue Reading

From Dirty to Green: Increasing Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Environmental Justice Communities

From Dirty to Green: Increasing Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Environmental Justice Communities, Deborah Behles, Golden Gate University School of Law, 2013. Villanova Law Review, Vol. 58, No. 1, 2013. Available at SSRN “The stifling summer heat that raged across the nation was difficult for everyone, but one group had a more difficult time… Continue Reading

Financial crises and bank funding: recent experience in the euro area

Financial crises and bank funding: recent experience in the euro area, by Adrian Van Rixtel and Gabriele Gasperini. Working Papers No 406, March 2013. Bank for International Settlements. “This paper provides an overview of bank funding trends in the euro area following the 2007-09 global financial crisis and the euro area crisis. It shows that… Continue Reading

CRS Reports remain out of public domain – new legislation seeks wider access

Sunlight Foundation Blog, by Matthew Rumsey: March 7, 2013, “Representatives Leonard Lance (R-NJ) and Mike Quigley (D-IL) reintroduced legislation that will make it easier for the public, the media, and government employees to better understand the important policy matters facing Congress. The bipartisan “Public Access to Congressional Research Service Reports Resolution of 2013” would ensure… Continue Reading