February 2008 – MichaelZimmer.org

Germany’s High Court Protects Computer Privacy

Posted by Michael Zimmeron February 29, 2008in Information Law & Policy, Privacy1 Comment

The German Constitutional Court, ruling on the constitutionality of secret online searches of computers by government agencies, has created a new "basic right to the confidentiality and integrity of information-technological systems" as derived from the German Constitution. The AP reports:…

More (Limited) Peeks into Google Health

Posted by Michael Zimmeron February 28, 2008in Privacy, Search Engines3 Comments

Google has provided some more information about their beta eHealth product, including this claim regarding privacy and security: Privacy and Security - Due to the sensitive and personal nature of the data that will be stored in Google Health, we…

Computers, Freedom, & Privacy: Technology Policy ’08

Posted by Michael Zimmeron February 28, 2008in Events, Privacy

The call for papers for the 2008 Computers, Freedom & Privacy conference has been released. This year's theme is "Technology Policy '08". Details below: COMPUTERS, FREEDOM, AND PRIVACY: TECHNOLOGY POLICY '08 http://cfp2008.org/ 18th Annual CFP conference May 20-23, 2008 Omni…

Web Search: Multidisciplinary Perspectives

Posted by Michael Zimmeron February 25, 2008in Publications, Search Engines3 Comments

I'm pleased to announce that Web Search: Multidisciplinary Perspectives has, after 2 years in the making, been published in the Information Science and Knowledge Management series by Springer. Co-edited with Amanda Spink, Web Search is a collection of chapters approaching…

Google Tests its eHealth Platform, Privacy Promised

Posted by Michael Zimmeron February 22, 2008in Privacy, Search Engines6 Comments

Google announced the start of a pilot project to test its own electronic health records storage platform. The same privacy concerns that arise when considering Microsoft's HealthVault solution apply here: How is the data stored? Is it encrypted? Who can…

More Designing for Privacy: Microsoft HealthVault

Posted by Michael Zimmeron February 20, 2008in Privacy, Search Engines, Values In Design2 Comments

Similar to my recent probes and interactions with the designers of the social networking site Moli, I recently enjoyed the opportunity to discuss privacy-related design issues with the product manager for Microsoft's HealthVault platform. HealthVault is Microsoft's attempt to provide…

More on Moli, and Designing for Privacy

Posted by Michael Zimmeron February 15, 2008in Privacy, Social Media, Values In Design1 Comment

Earlier this week, Technology Review ran a piece discussing the social networking site, Moli, which allows users to manage multiple identities through a common login, controlling who gets to see what aspect of their lives. I was quoted in the…

Moli: Maintaining Multiple Personas Online, Sharing More Personal Information

Posted by Michael Zimmeron February 11, 2008in Privacy, Social Media, Values In Design3 Comments

Technology Review has a piece discussing the new social networking site, Moli. Moli's claim to fame is the ability to have multiple social networking profiles linked by a common login, each with its own privacy settings. This can be especially…

123 Meme: Libraries, National Security, Freedom of Information Laws and Social Responsibilities

Posted by Michael Zimmeron February 9, 2008in Libraries, Social Media

Yet another blog meme, courtesy of folks at Chronicles of Dissent (by way of Threat Level). This time I'm supposed to grab the nearest book, open to page 123, go down to the 5th sentence and type up the 3…

Microsoft Makes $44.6 Billion Bid for Yahoo

Posted by Michael Zimmeron February 1, 2008in Platforms, Search Engines

Breaking news that could shake up the search industry, as well as having broader implications for concentration of user data (if we can convince the FTC of the connections between antitrust and privacy wrt online businesses rely on user data…