Comparing Search Data Retention Policies of Major Search Engines

Well, according to Microsoft. As part of the on-going battle among major search engines related to search data retention policies, Microsoft has published this chart attempting to summarize and compare the state of anonymization in the search industry (click to…

With Latitude, Google Actually Got it (Mostly) Right

This week, Google launched Google Latitude, a new Google Maps feature that lets users share location data with friends, using either a mobile phone or through an interface on iGoogle. (see how it works here) Unsurprisingly, concerns have arisen regarding…

University Sororities Banning Facebook during Rush

Here's an interesting story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noting that some Marquette University sororities are requiring their pledges keep off of Facebook until the rush is over. There seems to be two possible reasons for the Facebook blackout. One,…

Electronic Medical Records: Threats & Opportunities

It has been a while since I wrote about electronic/online medical records, but two stories popped onto my radar that deserve mention. The first focuses on the inherent threats of having medical information stored and displayed electronically: bugs. Apparently one-third…

“Is My Cellphone Spying on Me?” Eagle Eye DVD Commentary

Following up, the DVD for the hit action/thriller movie “Eagle Eye” has been released. The second disc of the 2-disc special edition includes the commentary "Is My Cellphone Spying on Me?", featuring reflections on technology and surveillance by the actors…

Blacklisting Wikipedia to Prevent Spread of Child Porn Increases Spread of Child Porn

File this under "duh" - via Wired Threat Level: Wikipedia's functionality was returning to normal Tuesday after an internet watchdog group removed the online encyclopedia from a child porn watchlist. The brouhaha began Saturday, when the England-based Internet Watch Foundation…

“Should we be scared?”: Privacy & technology (WUWM “Lake Effect”)

I recently taped an interview with Milwaukee's public radio affiliate, WUWM, and it aired today. The topic was privacy and technology, focusing mostly on how to balance the speed and ubiquity of new technology, the conveniences they provide, and the…