Accurate, Focused Research on Law, Technology and Knowledge Discovery Since 2002

Author Archives: Sabrina I. Pacifici

SIPRI Top 100 arms-producing and military services companies in the world excluding China, 2011

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute: “The SIPRI Top 100 lists the world’s 100 largest arms-producing and military services companies (excluding Chinese companies)[a], ranked by their arms sales in 2011. The list is based on the comprehensive SIPRI Arms Industry Database, which contains financial and employment data on the world’s major arms-producing and military services companies.” Continue Reading

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… Continue Reading

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

BLS – February payroll employment rises (+236,000); unemployment rate edges down (7.7%)

New release: “Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 236,000 in February, and the unemployment rate edged down to 7.7 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment increased in professional and business services, construction, and health care. Household Survey Data: The unemployment rate edged down to 7.7 percent in February but has shown… Continue Reading

New GAO Reports – Cybersecurity, Defense Technology Development, National Defense, Food Assistance

Cybersecurity – A Better Defined and Implemented National Strategy Is Needed to Address Persistent Challenges, GAO-13-462T, Mar 7, 2013 Defense Technology Development – Technology Transition Programs Support Military Users, but Opportunities Exist to Improve Measurement of Outcomes, GAO-13-286, Mar 7, 2012 National Defense – Department of Defense’s Waiver of Competitive Prototyping Requirement for Combat Rescue… Continue Reading