CyberLaw Blog

Archive for the ‘Data Protection’ Category

Google Data Admission Angers European Officials: (New York Times)
European privacy regulators and advocates have reacted angrily to the disclosure by Google, the world’s largest search engine, that it had systematically collected private data since 2006 while compiling its Street View photo archive. After being pressed by European officials about the kind of data the company compiled in creating the archive — and what it did with that information — Google acknowledged that it had collected snippets of private data around the world. In a blog post on its Web site, the company said information had been recorded as it was sent over unencrypted residential wireless networks as Google’s Street View cars with mounted recording equipment passed by

(Via QuickLinks Update.)

Germany Asks Google to Surrender Private Data: “The demand by a German regulator increased pressure on the company over its collection of private data from unsecured home wireless networks.

(Via NYT > Technology.)

Google claims its privacy protections are adequate in response to regulators’ criticisms: “Google has responded to the criticisms of 10 privacy commissioners and their demands that it improve its record on the privacy protections in new product launches by saying that it is already doing enough on privacy.“

(Via OUT-LAW News.)

EU privacy watchdogs say Facebook changes ‘unacceptable’: “Europe’s privacy watchdogs have issued a rebuke to Facebook, telling the social networking site that changes it made to the site’s privacy settings late last year were ‘unacceptable’.“

(Via OUT-LAW News.)

EU Parliament calls for data rights charter: “Internet users should be able to demand that their information is removed from company systems even if it was collected with their consent, the European Parliament has said. The Parliament has also called for a charter of individuals’ internet rights.“

(Via OUT-LAW News.)

Google rapped over privacy issues by 10 nations: “(BBC)
Canada’s Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart has sent an open letter to Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt. The letter raises concerns about privacy issues surrounding social network tool Google Buzz and Google Street View. It calls for Google to adhere to a set of ‘fundamental privacy principles’ when creating new services in future. Ms Stoddart’s counterparts in nine other countries, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain and the UK., have signed it too.”

(Via QuickLinks Update.)

German court rejects police data snooping store: “

Leaves Euro spooks in limbo

Germany’s High Court has told police and secret services that they must stop storing email and telephone data and delete information already collected.…

“

(Via The Register – Public Sector.)

Google says sorry and changes Buzz after privacy outcry: “Google has made major changes to the way its new social networking service works after being at the centre of a storm of criticism claiming that the service had violated users’ privacy.”

(Via OUT-LAW News.)

Google Alters Buzz to Tackle Privacy Flaws: (New York Times)
Google moved quickly to contain a firestorm of criticism over Buzz, its new social network, taking the unusual step of announcing changes to the product over the weekend to address privacy problems. Google has decided to alter one of the most vehemently criticized features in Buzz: the ready-made circle of friends that Buzz gives new users based on their most frequent e-mail and chat contacts. Now, instead of automatically connecting people, Buzz merely suggests to new users a group of people that they may want to follow or want to be followed by. See also HOW TO: Integrate Facebook, Twitter, and Buzz into Your Gmail (Mashable), Buzz or Bust by Leslie Harris, President and CEO of the Center for Democracy & Technology, Google boss says ‘nobody was harmed’ by Buzz debacle (Guardian) and Google facing lawsuit over Buzz privacy in federal court (Ars Technica).

(Via QuickLinks Update.)

ACLU challenges US laptop border searches: “

Civil liberties assessment still pending

Privacy campaigners are continuing a legal challenge against random laptop border searches by US customs amid concerns there may be a racial bias in those delayed and inconvenienced by stop and search powers introduced as part of the war on terror.…

“

(Via The Register – Public Sector.)