|
Date |
Article Title |
Publication |
Author |
Synopsis |
|
6/29/2009 |
La protection des donnees
ne veut pas se laisser deborder par Facebook |
Tribune de Geneve |
|
Switzerland's Federal Data Protection Commissioner
Hanspeter Thür released his annual report. |
|
6/29/2009 |
Spy Society |
Mirror.co.uk |
Matt Roper |
The Daily Mirror recently exercised
the Freedom of Information Act in an effort to discover
the amount of data amassed on the average British
citizen. |
|
6/29/2009 |
Think-tank proposes
decentralised data storage |
V3.co.uk |
Phil Muncaster |
The Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) feels the government
should give citizens more control over their personal
data. |
|
6/27/2009 |
20% of ID theft victims
not reimbursed |
MoneyHighStreet.com |
Staff Writer |
Which? is calling on the Financial
Services Authority (FSA) to provide guidance that would
help identity theft victims recover their losses. |
|
6/25/2009 |
EU data monitors outline
Facebook ground rules |
euobserver.com |
Leigh Philips |
The Article 29 Working Party opinion on social
networking warns that users of social networking sites,
not just the sites themselves, must follow EU data
protection rules. |
|
6/25/2009 |
European Commission probes
privacy concerns over tracking technologies |
Computer Active |
Dinah Greek |
The European Commission has launched an inquiry into the
privacy implications of pervasive tracking technologies. |
|
6/24/2009 |
EU lays out web privacy
rules |
Wall Street Journal |
|
European officials want social networking sites to
comply with EU privacy laws. |
|
6/24/2009 |
Data privacy debate to
come to the fore, experts say |
printweek.com |
William Mitting |
The editor of Data Strategy
magazine says more transparency is on the way when it
comes to data management regulation. |
|
6/23/2009 |
You can't ban parents from
taking pictures, schools told |
Mail Online |
James Slack |
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) says the
Data Protection Act does not prohibit parents from
photographing their children and friends at school
events. |
|
6/23/2009 |
Italian Court Postpones
Trial of Four Google Execs |
PC
World |
Paul Meller |
Court proceedings were set to continue today in the
trial against four Google executives accused of
defamation and privacy violations, but proceedings were
postponed until fall due to the translator's absence. |
|
6/23/2009 |
Privacy regulator to step
up spot checks on EU bodies |
Out-law.com |
|
The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) will
conduct more compliance spot checks of EU bodies and
agencies. |
|
6/23/2009 |
Google trial in Italy:
freedom vs. responsibility |
Associated Press |
Ariel David |
Critical testimony from a Google video technician could
not be heard in the criminal trial against four Google
executives when an interpreter failed to show up in
Milan court. |
|
6/22/2009 |
Mobile phone directory
firm faces legal questions over breaches of privacy law |
Mail Online |
Staff Writer |
The company behind a controversial mobile phone
directory that launched Friday is struggling to defend
its procurement of mobile phone numbers. |
|
6/22/2009 |
City council rapped for
data breach |
Crain's Manchester Business |
Simon Binns |
The Manchester City Council breached the Data Protection
Act in failing to adequately protect the personal
information of school employees. |
|
6/19/2009 |
Social marketing 'faces
privacy curbs' |
Ashdown Group |
Jon
Aspinell |
The Article 29 Working Party has published its concerns
about the collection and use of social networkers'
personal information. |
|
6/18/2009 |
Facebook hit by privacy
blow |
FT.com |
Richard Waters |
European data protection regulators want tougher
restrictions on social networks' release of users'
personal information to third-party developers. |
|
6/18/2009 |
ICO to investigate
Parcelforce data breach |
IT
Pro |
Asavin Wattanajantra |
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) will
investigate the loss of personal data by a Royal Mail
entity. |
|
6/17/2009 |
Ministers 'do not value
privacy' |
BBC News |
|
The Lords Constitution Committee will debate the state's
use of surveillance in British society. |
|
6/17/2009 |
Google bows to pressure
for German Street View |
Associated Press |
|
German data protection officials and Google have reached
a compromise on certain aspects of the company's Street
View feature. |
|
6/16/2009 |
Tories will end 'Big
Brother' state |
guardian.co.uk |
Press Association |
Shadow security minister Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones
says a future Tory Government would "substantially
curtail" the Regulatory of Investigatory Powers Act
(RIPA) and would draw back the "database state." |
|
6/16/2009 |
Privacy notices must be
consumer friendly, says Information Commissioner |
PublicTechnology.net |
|
Research findings have indicated that privacy policies
baffle consumers. |
|
6/16/2009 |
Privacy stepped up for
Google Street View |
swissinfo.ch |
|
Swiss data protection commissioner Hans-Peter Thür
announced that Google must adhere to Swiss laws before
rolling out its Street View service in that country. |
|
6/15/2009 |
Information Commissioner
Thomas awarded CBE |
Brand Republic News |
Noelle McElhatton |
Outgoing Information Commissioner Richard Thomas has
been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List,
being appointed as a CBE for public service. |
|
6/13/2009 |
Privacy watchdog sees risk
of rumor in child abuse database |
guardian.co.uk |
David Hencke |
The Information Commissioner has expressed concern about
two databases intended to help protect children. |
|
6/11/2009 |
French Senate Issues
Report on Privacy in the Digital Age |
Hunton & Williams Privacy Blog |
|
The French Senate's Commission on Laws released a report
on privacy in the digital age. |
|
6/10/2009 |
Insurance giant rapped on
knuckles over DPA breach |
The Register |
John Leyden |
Insurance firm Amicus Legal has signed a formal
undertaking with the Information Commissioner's Office
(ICO) for breaching the Data Protection Act. |
|
6/9/2009 |
Opt out or your number's
up for mobile phone privacy |
Times Online |
Elizabeth Judge |
A
first-of-its-kind mobile phone directory goes live. |
|
6/9/2009 |
Data watchdog clears
mobile phone directory |
The Register |
Chris Williams |
The UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) says
Connectivity's mobile phone directory service is
"privacy friendly." |
|
6/9/2009 |
Swedish Regulators Look at
Handling of Mobile Location Data |
PC
World |
Mikael Ricknäs |
Swedish regulators are looking into mobile operators'
practice of selling customers' location information. |
|
6/5/2009 |
Germany, Google Still in
Conflict Over Street View Data |
PC
World |
Jeremy Kirk |
Talks continue between Google and German data protection
officials regarding the company's Street View feature. |
|
6/5/2009 |
All new IT systems should
build in privacy safeguards, says ICO |
Computer Weekly |
Warwick Ashford |
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is reminding
UK organisations to put privacy up front when developing
new IT systems. |
|
6/4/2009 |
ICO raps hospital for
breach |
IT
Pro |
Nicole Kobie |
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has required
the Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust to sign a "formal
undertaking" on data protection. |
|
6/3/2009 |
The French Government
wants to spy on electronic communications |
European Digital Rights |
|
A proposed French law on domestic security would give
the Criminal Investigative Police access to citizens'
electronic communications in some cases. |
|
6/3/2009 |
British Standard on data
protection is published |
Out-law.com |
|
The new British data protection standard, BS 10012:2009,
requires that organisations designate a senior manager
to be accountable for managing personal data. |
|
6/2/2009 |
One in five firms have
breached Data Protection Act |
Computing |
Bryan Glick |
The British Standards Institution (BSI) today released a
new data protection standard, along with survey results
suggesting that it comes at a good time. |
|
5/27/2009 |
Google Street View to
launch despite privacy complaints |
The Local |
|
Google will launch the German version of its Street View
feature "promptly." |
|
5/27/2009 |
EU sues Sweden, demands
law requiring ISPs to retain data |
ARS Technica |
Nate Anderson |
Sweden's failure to bring data retention legislation to
the table has prompted the European Commission to sue
the state. |
|
5/26/2009 |
Patients gain right to
scrub e-records from NHS database |
The Register |
John Leyden |
NHS officials have reversed their earlier stance that
patients would not be allowed to have their personal
medical information removed from a proposed national
medical database. |
|
5/25/2009 |
NHS 'loses' thousands of
medical records |
The Independent |
Michael Savage |
British Information Commissioner Richard Thomas has
called for an immediate overhaul of NHS information
security efforts. |
|
5/22/2009 |
ICO to launch web
data-protection code |
ZDNET.co.uk |
Tom
Espiner |
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) will next
year publish a data protection code of practice for Web
companies. |
|
5/20/2009 |
Europe defends data
protection law |
Computer Weekly |
Mark Ballard |
At
a conference in Brussels this week, European officials
backed the EU Data Protection Directive, with Article 29
Working Party president Alex Turk saying that Europe
will not weaken its data protection standards for the
sake of global commerce. |
|
5/20/2009 |
Protecting Privacy:
Hamburg Reaches Deal with Google on Street View |
Spiegel Online |
|
Hamburg's data protection authority and Google have
reached a preliminary arrangement regarding the
company's online mapping service, Street View. |
|
5/19/2009 |
The cracks in data privacy |
European Voice |
Lorenzo Valeri and Neil Robinson |
Two of the authors of a recently released RAND Europe
report on the EU Data Protection Directive say that the
EU probably does not need to issue a new directive soon,
but regulators should address discordance in member
states' privacy regulations and enforcement approaches. |
|
5/19/2009 |
Google gets fast-track in
trial in Italy defamation case |
MacWorld |
Philip Willan |
The judge in the defamation case against four Google
executives granted Google lawyers' request for a
fast-track procedure. |
|
5/19/2009 |
Google Threatened With
Sanctions Over Photo Mapping Service in Germany |
New York Times |
Kevin J. O'Brien |
A
German data protection official said that Google must
provide written guarantees on 12 points surrounding its
Street View service by 10 a.m. today, or face sanctions. |
|
5/19/2009 |
UK Says Privacy Laws
Enough to Keep Phorm in Check |
Guardian |
Reuters |
In
response to a citizens' online petition, the UK
government said that Britain's data protection laws
offer sufficient protection from certain behavioral
advertising techniques. |
|
5/17/2009 |
Swiss narrowly accept
biometric passport |
pr-inside.com |
Associated Press |
Swiss voters narrowly approved a referendum to add
biometric technologies into passports. |
|
5/15/2009 |
Privacy tsar: Gov't will
collect less data |
ZDNET.co.uk |
|
Outgoing UK Information Commissioner Richard Thomas says
the tide is turning against government's tendency to
collect data |
|
5/14/2009 |
ASA chief to be next
privacy watchdog |
Computing |
Tom
Young |
Christopher Graham has been officially confirmed as
Britain's new information commissioner. |
|
5/14/2009 |
Time to elect our
information commissioner |
Guardian |
Michael Cross |
Michael Cross notes the expanded role of the Information
Commissioner's Office (ICO) and wonders whether the
expansion, and the increased government funding to
sustain it, might mean it's time for Britons to elect
their information commissioner. |
|
5/13/2009 |
EC sets out privacy
requirement for smart RFID tags |
ComputerWorld |
Paul Meller |
The European Commission (EC) issued a formal
recommendation on the privacy-sensitive deployment of
radio frequency identification technology (RFID). |
|
5/13/2009 |
Increase in complaints
over personal data |
The Irish Times |
Paul Cullen |
Data Protection Commissioner Billy Hawkes noted a
decrease in spam complaints in 2008. |
|
5/13/2009 |
EU data directive needs to
get real, says report |
Computer Weekly |
Warwick Ashford |
UK Information Commissioner Richard Thomas says he hopes
the results of a Rand Europe study on the EU Data
Protection Directive will stimulate debate. |
|
5/13/2009 |
Health insurance sold
patient data illegally |
The Local |
|
Public insurers may have sold confidential patient
information to private insurers. |
|
5/12/2009 |
North-east NHS chiefs hunt
data files thief |
Press & Journal |
Stephen Christie |
An
NHS official said yesterday that a hospital employee may
be responsible for the theft of 175 new mothers' medical
information. |
|
5/12/2009 |
Greece puts the brakes on
Street View |
BBC News |
|
The Greek data protection agency has banned Google from
expanding its Street View mapping service until
regulators receive more information from the company. |
|
5/12/2009 |
Basis of data protection
law is out of date, says privacy regulator |
Out-law.com |
|
A
RAND Europe study questions the efficacy of the EU Data
Protection Directive. |
|
5/11/2009 |
Baby records theft sparks
inquiry |
BBC News |
|
NHS officials are investigating the apparent theft of
175 records from its Aberdeen Maternity Hospital. |
|
5/8/2009 |
Grumbles as Google "Street
View" cars begin prowling Budapest |
caboodle.hu |
|
Google camera cars arrived in Budapest last week to
photograph the city's byways for the company's Street
View mapping service. |
|
5/7/2009 |
Europe Votes Sweeping
Telecom Reform |
Business Week |
David Meyer |
The European Parliament passed legislation requiring
European telecoms and Internet service providers (ISPs)
to notify their customers in the event of a personal
data breach. |
|
5/7/2009 |
Privacy watchdog concerned
over electronic health records |
Computing |
Tom
Young |
Britain's Information Commissioner has concerns about
the security of electronic patient records. |
|
5/6/2009 |
Chemists and post offices
to take fingerprints as part of national ID scheme |
Telegraph.co.uk |
Tom
Whitehead |
Britain's Home Secretary is in talks with chemists,
postal authorities and others about capturing citizens'
biometrics for the nation's new identification cards. |
|
5/6/2009 |
E.U. to Consider More
Stringent Reporting of Data Breaches |
New York Times |
Kevin J. O'Brien |
Telecommunications commissioner Viviane Reding said the
European Commission (EC) will pursue a law requiring
most businesses, agencies and organizations to notify
customers in the event they lose sensitive customer
data. |
|
5/5/2009 |
Commission wants stronger
sanctions against online spam |
EuropeanVoice.com |
Judith Crosbie |
European telecoms and consumer protection commissioners
believe better privacy protections will help boost
consumer confidence in e-commerce. |
|
5/1/2009 |
Swiss government to back
UBS in US tax case |
Forbes |
Associated Press |
The Swiss government is requesting a Miami court reject
a U.S. government petition to force UBS to disclose the
names of suspected tax evaders. |
|
5/1/2009 |
Behavioural advertising: a
Phorm in a teacup? |
vnunet.com |
Rosalie Marshall |
The privacy debate surrounding behavioural targeting
continues to rage, with government officials on both
sides of the Atlantic and beyond exploring the legality
of the method. |
|
4/30/2009 |
Passaporto biometric, privacy a rischio |
LaNotizia.ch |
|
Swiss citizens will vote on a biometric passport
referendum May 17. |
|
4/30/2009 |
Newly added questions: Is
Phorm's new website really going to stop foul play? |
Guardian |
Charles Arthur |
A
new Web site launched by the behavioural targeting firm,
Phorm, aims to "set out the true story," which, the
company says, has been distorted in "a smear campaign
orchestrated by a small but dedicated band of online
'privacy pirates...'" |
|
4/29/2009 |
Swedish ISP Says It Will
Not Store Customer IP Addresses |
IDG via PC World |
Mikael Ricknäs |
Swedish ISP Tele2 has decided not to store customer IP
addresses in response to customer demand after Sweden
implemented a law to make it easier for copyright
holders to go after file sharers. |
|
4/29/2009 |
Satellite to track school
children on Denbighshire buses |
Denbighshire Visitor |
Andrew Davies |
A
NEW satellite tracking system is set to watch the every
move of school pupils on public transport. |
|
4/28/2009 |
Physical dimension' of net
raises security concerns |
ZDNet |
Steve Ranger |
The use of technologies such as RFID will force a
rethink of how IT security is implemented, because the
adoption of such devices will mean the internet takes on
a "physical dimension" rather than just living inside
PCs, according to Ari Juels, chief scientist and
director of RSA Labs. |
|
4/28/2009 |
Experts wary of latest Big
Brother comms data plans |
VNUNet |
Rosalie Marshall |
The government confirmed that its plans for retaining
all communications data, including logs of phone calls,
internet visits and emails, would not include the
development of a £12bn centralised 'super database' to
store the information. |
|
4/28/2009 |
David Blunkett: 'ID cards
should be scrapped' |
Telegraph |
Tom
Whitehead |
David Blunkett, the former Home Secretary, has said that
the ID card scheme should be scrapped, eight years after
he first introduced the idea. |
|
4/28/2009 |
Commission seeks external
advice on internet privacy |
EuropeanVoice |
Judith Crosbie |
The European Commission (EC) will seek outside opinions
on how best to address a so-called privacy paradox among
youth |
|
4/27/2009 |
Internet privacy: Mind
your own business |
The Journal |
Fred Cate |
Center for Information Policy Leadership advisor Fred
Cate says that protecting privacy in this world of
widespread data collection and information sharing
requires many tools, "... but most of all it requires
strong laws that impose serious obligations on industry
to act as stewards, not merely processors, of our data,
and firm limits on government access to those data." |
|
4/27/2009 |
Government wants phone and
internet providers to track users |
Guardian |
Alan Travis |
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said that the Home Office no
longer plans to store citizens' communications details
in a centralized, state-run database. |
|
4/27/2009 |
UK outlines Facebook monitoring plans |
ZDNet |
Tom
Espiner and David Meyer |
The UK government wants communications service providers
to record, retain and process details of all
communications that take place over their networks, the
home secretary said on Monday. |
|
4/27/2009 |
Plan to monitor all
internet use |
BBC News |
Dominic Casciani |
Communications firms are being asked to record all
internet contacts between people as part of a
modernisation in UK police surveillance tactics. |
|
4/27/2009 |
National database dropped
but all our communications will still be monitored |
Telegraph |
Tom
Whitehead |
Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, scrapped plans for a
national communications database amid privacy fears, but
every email, phone call and website visit will still be
monitored by the Government. |
|
4/27/2009 |
Google Street View to
launch desptie privacy concerns |
The Local |
|
Google will launch the German version of its Street View
mapping service "promptly." |
|
4/26/2009 |
Defending the public space |
Guardian |
Michael Cross |
Supporters of liberty should not merely accept the
Information Commissioner's Office ruling that Google
Street View does not contravene the Data Protection Act.
They should applaud it. |
|
4/24/2009 |
Street View nod prompts
call for privacy watchdog reform |
rinf.com |
Chris Williams |
The London-based Privacy International (PI) group is
asking government officials to reform the Information
Commissioner's Office (ICO). |
|
4/24/2009 |
Paying billions for our
database state |
Guardian |
Henry Porter |
It
is cost rather than privacy concerns that will save us
from Labour's megalomaniac surveillance schemes - a
point underlined this morning when David Cameron was
interviewed on the Today programme. |
|
4/24/2009 |
The great British data
free-for-all |
Guardian |
Sue
Miller |
Yesterday's important House of Lords debate on civil
liberties and electronic surveillance highlighted two
areas in which the EU has stepped into the gaping hole
left by the UK government. |
|
4/24/2009 |
Stolen NHS laptop has
records of 1,400 Scots |
Aberdeen Press & Journal |
Ryan Crighton |
The UK Information Commissioner is demanding an
explanation for a breach of personal information at
Scotland's Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. |
|
4/23/2009 |
Google Street View cleared
of breaking Data Protection Act |
Guardian |
Matthew Weaver |
Google Street View: a ban would be disproportionate to
the privacy risks, the Information Commissioner's office
says. |
|
4/23/2009 |
Common sense on Street
View must prevail, says the ICO |
Information Commissioner's Office |
|
The ICO has confirmed to Privacy International that the
removal of an entire service of this type would be
disproportionate to the relatively small risk of privacy
detriment. |
|
4/23/2009 |
Taking the privacy battle
to the streets |
What PC? |
Gareth Morgan |
When the residents of Broughton rose up against Google
Street View, were they striking a blow for freedom, or
succumbing to an irrational fear? |
|
4/23/2009 |
Phorm not worried by
government ISP investigation |
IT
Pro |
Nicole Kobie |
The new All Party Parliamentary Group on Communications
will look intoissuse like online privacy and behavioural
advertising. |
|
4/23/2009 |
Workers name their price
for company secrets |
Out-Law News |
|
More than one in three workers have said that they would
be willing to sell their employer's secrets to a
stranger. |
|
4/23/2009 |
The UK Minority Report:
Has 'Precrime' |
Pakistan Daily |
|
A
recent article in the UK Independent entitled, Police
identify 200 children as potential terrorists, heralds
what looks to be the unofficial beginning of British law
enforcement's own "Pre-crime" program. |
|
4/23/2009 |
Doubt cast over
ContactPoint security assurances No, Minister |
The Register |
John Leyden |
A
UK government minister has issued assurances about the
security of the government's child protection database
ContactPoint, but the minister's assurances are
incomplete, if not misguided, says one expert. |
|
4/23/2009 |
UK rejects privacy group's
gripes about Google Street View |
Ars Technica |
Jacqui Cheng |
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) in the UK
has once again given the thumbs-up to Google's Street
View after reviewing complaints from a UK privacy group. |
|
4/23/2009 |
Time to Put the Brakes On
the Cybersecurity Act of 2009
And heed Eisenhower's famous warning |
WebProNews |
Jason Lee Miller |
What is essentially a federal government power grab
combined with a giant money grab for industry is a real
and perhaps unnecessary threat to your privacy and
personal security. |
|
4/22/2009 |
MPs to prove ISP snooping
and throttling |
The Register |
Chris Williams |
A
cross-party group of MPs and Lords has launched an
inquiry into certain Internet practices that are reliant
on deep packet inspection (DPI) technology. |
|
4/22/2009 |
Web founder makes online
privacy plea |
AFP via Google |
|
Internet pioneer Tim Berners-Lee echoed a call he made
at a House of Lords roundtable event last month: certain
behavioural advertising practices threaten the integrity
of the World Wide Web. |
|
4/22/2009 |
Information Commissioner
contacted 74 times over Street View concerns |
Out-Law News |
|
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has received
74 complaints about the service Google Street View. |
|
4/22/2009 |
Spy chiefs size up net
snoop gear - Deep packet inspection bonanza |
The Register |
Chris Williams |
The security minister has confirmed officials are
considering installing technology that could enable
on-demand wiretapping of all communications passing over
the internet by the intelligence services and law
enforcement. |
|
4/22/2009 |
Swedish 'Pirate Party'
surges following P2P ruling |
EurActiv |
|
The 'pirates' will now contest the European elections in
June on their usual mandate of copyright law reform,
abolishing patents and increased privacy rights for EU
citizens. |
|
4/22/2009 |
European Union, World
Anti-Doping Agency poised for more confrontation |
The Canadian Press |
|
An
independent European Union advisory panel released a
report critical of the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA)
'whereabouts' rule for Olympic-level athletes. |
|
4/22/2009 |
EU panel says WADA should
reassess "whereabouts" rule |
Reuters |
Darren Ellis |
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) should reassess its
so-called "whereabouts" rule as many points contravene
the European Union's privacy laws, a key EU panel said. |
|
4/21/2009 |
Google video trial stays
in Milan, but Fast-Track possible |
CIO |
Philip Willan |
The criminal trial of four Google executives will stay
in Milan. |
|
4/21/2009 |
Surveillance Britain |
What PC? |
Jon
Thompson |
The rise of surveillance and databases in the UK has led
to comparisons with Big Brother. |
|
4/21/2009 |
Labour is stifling the
right to protest |
Guardian |
Henry Porter |
The news that government officials have been passing
intelligence on climate change activists to a power
company serves to underline the unhealthy closeness
between big business and the British government during
the Labour years. |
|
4/21/2009 |
Recession-hit UK 'fears ID
theft' |
BBC News |
|
Nearly three-quarters of UK consumers think that they
are at greater risk of identity theft and credit card
fraud as a result of the world financial crisis. |
|
4/20/2009 |
Consumer study finds fraud
fears deepening |
Computer Business Review |
Kevin White |
|
|
4/20/2009 |
MySpace insider data
breach leads to HQ shutdown |
SiliconRepublic.com |
Marie Boran |
While the usual cause of a data breach at a
social-networking site is down to an outsider hacking
into the database, last week's breach at MySpace was
attributed to an employee who gathered the names, social
security numbers and other personal information on a
number of his co-workers. |
|
4/20/2009 |
Serious data breach by
British Council leads to tough action from Information
Commissioner |
PublicTechnology.net |
|
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has required
the British Council to sign a formal Undertaking based
on its violation of the Data Protection Act. |
|
4/20/2009 |
Under-caution spam faxer fined over £6,000 |
Out-Law News |
|
An
Enforcement Notice from the Information Commissioner's
Office (ICO) didn't stop a debt recovery firm from
sending hundreds more unwanted faxes. |
|
4/20/2009 |
ICO rules against British
Council Disc loss doh! |
The Register |
Kablenet |
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has found
the British Council in breach of the Data Protection Act
after the loss of an unencrypted computer disc. |
|
4/20/2009 |
Council use of RIPA needs to be reined in, says Government |
Out-Law News |
|
The Government has admitted that local authorities have
abused surveillance powers and has ordered a review of
snooping law the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act
(RIPA). |
|
4/19/2009 |
Councils defend the right
to snoop |
Scotsman |
David Leask |
SCOTLAND's biggest Town Hall snoopers have slashed their
use of controversial MI5-style surveillance operations. |
|
4/19/2009 |
Leaders' personal data
leaked after EU-US summit |
Deutsche Welle |
|
The Czech EU presidency admitted Saturday that personal
data of European leaders who travelled to a recent EU-US
summit in Prague had been leaked. |
|
4/19/2009 |
Councils' surveillance
powers under review |
Wales on Sunday |
Sarah Bunney |
A
MOVE to review councils' use of anti-terror laws to spy
on the public has been welcomed by campaigners and
politicians who fear we increasingly live in a Big
Brother-style society. |
|
4/17/2009 |
Gov't wants 'greater
transparency' in use of local surveillance powers |
Guardian |
Hélène Mulholland and Vikram Dodd |
Review of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act
designed to stop legislation being used for 'trivial'
purposes. |
|
4/17/2009 |
NHS stems data breaches
with USB sticks |
Computerworld UK |
John E. Dunn |
The UK has made a start at shedding its reputation as a
data breach hotspot with the news that 100 hospitals are
to start using encrypted USB sticks from Swedish company
BlockMaster. |
|
4/17/2009 |
Council powers to spy on
the public are cut |
The Times |
Richard Ford |
Councils are to have their powers to snoop on the public
severely curtailed. |
|
4/16/2009 |
ISP sabotages file sharing
law |
The Local |
|
As
of April 1, Swedish courts can order Internet operators
to submit the details of their clients if they are
suspected of sharing files illegally. |
|
4/16/2009 |
Amazon bars controversial
Phorm technology from its sites |
Out-Law News |
|
Amazon has barred web monitoring advertising system
Webwise from accessing its web sites. |
|
4/16/2009 |
Wikipedia Opts Out of
Phorm User-Tracking |
Wired News |
Ryan Singel |
Wikipedia told the controversial U.K. advertising firm
Phorm on Thursday not to spy on Wikipedia's users,
saying the company's plan to monitor what sites people
visit on the net invaded people's privacy. |
|
4/16/2009 |
Online and anonymous:
Swedish ISP won't retain Internet data |
Ars Technica |
Nate Anderson |
Now that Swedish ISPs are required to turn over user
data to courts for all sorts of offenses, one ISP is
fighting back by refusing to archive such data in the
first place. The
move is legal… for now. |
|
4/16/2009 |
Commission threatens
action on social networking, RFID privacy |
Out-Law |
|
The European Commission has said that it will take
action against countries which do not protect people
against privacy invasions from new technologies. It said
that it would be particularly vigilant about the use of
social networking and ID chips. |
|
4/16/2009 |
Websites should back
Phorm: answer to monetising the internet |
Telegraph |
Rupert Neate |
Phorm, the Aim-listed company behind the secret
advertising trials which on Tuesday invoked the wrath of
the EU, has an incredibly bad reputation but its
technology could be the only way companies will actually
make money out of the internet advertising. |
|
4/16/2009 |
Amazon opts out of Phorm's
targeted internet advertising system after privacy fears |
Guardian |
Richard Wray |
European Commission authorities said they would take
action against the British government for not complying
with EU data protection laws by allowing Phorm to employ
its targeted advertising technology on an Internet
service provider's network. |
|
4/15/2009 |
Use a proxy, go to jail? |
Econsultancy |
Patricio Robles |
Web proxy servers are not new. These servers, which
serve as 'middlemen' for accessing the web, are often
used by corporations to accelerate web browsing through
caching and to filter traffic. |
|
4/15/2009 |
Report: Data
theft soars, Organised crime behind 90% |
Computerworld UK |
Siobhan Chapman |
In
its 2009 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR),
Verizon investigated 90 data breach cases that exposed a
285 million records, which is equivalent to nine records
per second. |
|
4/15/2009 |
EU, WADA to intensify
talks on data protection |
USA Today |
Derek Gatopoulos |
Although European and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
officials reached a compromise on some data protection
matters recently, privacy discussions will continue |
|
4/14/2009 |
UK's privacy laws illegally inadequate, says Europe |
Out-Law News |
|
UK
laws protecting the privacy of people's communications
are inadequate. |
|
4/14/2009 |
EU to sue
Britain over Internet privacy |
Associated Press via Google |
Aoife White |
The European Union started legal action against Britain
on Tuesday for not applying EU data privacy rules that
would restrict an Internet advertising tracker, called
Phorm, from watching how users surf the web. |
|
4/14/2009 |
Citizens' privacy must
become priority in digital age |
The Sofia Echo |
Clive Leviev-Sawyer |
In a video address, European Telecommunications
Commissioner Viviane Reding asserted that the European
Commission will go farther and farther to protect the
privacy rights of Europeans, if need be. |
|
4/14/2009 |
Use of Web Tracking Tool
Raises Privacy Issue in Britain |
New York Times |
Kevin O'Brien |
A
report on the European Commission's threat to take the
British government to court for its failure to enforce
European law. |
|
4/14/2009 |
Privacy firm drops
advisory work |
BBC News |
|
The UK privacy consultancy 80/20 will discontinue its
advisory work due to its founders' involvement in the
advocacy group Privacy International. |
|
4/14/2009 |
EU starts action against
Britain over data privacy |
Reuters |
Huw
Jones |
The European Commission is taking legal action against
Britain for its application of certain EU rules on
privacy and electronic communications. |
|
4/12/2009 |
Google Street View does
not breach privacy laws |
Guardian |
Jamie Doward |
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has again
deemed that Google's Street View application does not
breach personal privacy. |
|
4/10/2009 |
Tiny storage devices pose
biggest data security risk |
The Irish Times |
Karlin Lillington |
USB drives are cheaper and hold more data than ever.
iPods and digital cameras are ubiquitous. As a result,
it's increasingly difficult for companies to secure
their data. |
|
4/9/2009 |
Builders' blacklist
triggers data protection clampdown |
Information World |
Archana Venkatraman |
Industry experts hope that the Information
Commissioner's recent action on a consultant who
collected and sold the personal information of thousands
will trigger organisations to shore up their compliance
with data protection laws. |
|
4/9/2009 |
UK gov delays new data
breach powers |
The Register |
Chris Williams |
The March target for publishing legislation to give the
Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) more regulatory
powers has passed. |
|
4/9/2009 |
Panel says WADA
whereabouts rule breaks EU laws |
Reuters |
Darren Ennis |
A
European Union panel will release its legal opinion on
anti-doping rules that require Olympic-level athletes to
disclose their locations every day |
|
4/9/2009 |
Google streetview creator
on privacy issues |
Times Online |
Mike Harvey |
Google is determined to continue rollout of its Street
View service despite the protests, the human chain and
the formal complaints that accompanied its introduction
in Britain last month. |
|
4/9/2009 |
e-Crime Congress Survey
Reveals Jail Sentence for a CEO a Fitting Punishment for
Data Breach |
CSO |
|
A
survey of more than 100 IT security professionals at the
eCrime Congress in London last month revealed that 66
percent feel that C-level executives and boards should
be held responsible in the event of a data breach. |
|
4/8/2009 |
Google using IP addresses
to localise search |
Out-Law |
|
Google will refine its search results using information
gleaned from users' IP addresses. |
|
4/7/2009 |
Phorm eyes launch after
hard year |
BBC News |
Daren Watters |
Phorm says it will move ahead with plans to launch its
online advertising service. |
|
4/7/2009 |
EU Parliament Considers
Requiring User Consent for Cookies |
ClickZ |
Jack Marshall |
Members of the European Parliament (MEP) are considering
an ePrivacy Directive amendment aimed at giving Internet
users more control over firms' tracking of their online
activities. |
|
4/6/2009 |
German discount chain Lidl
fires domestic boss |
DW-World.de |
|
The head of domestic operations at German supermarket
chain Lidl has been fired for his part in violating
German data protection laws. |
|
4/5/2009 |
Internet records to be
stored for a year |
Telegraph |
David Barrett |
The Internet and e-mail habits of Britons will be stored
for a period of 12-months under a European Union
directive that goes into effect. |
|
4/3/2009 |
Watch out Broughton!
Street View fans plan to descend on 'privacy' village
for photo fest |
Mail Online |
Andy Dolan and Eddie Wrenn |
Neighbors in a Cambridgeshire village formed a human
chain around a Google Street View car, prompting the
driver's hasty retreat and a fresh round of debate about
the company's online mapping service. |
|
4/2/2009 |
Study challenges BT claims
of "anonymous' data |
The Guardian |
Wendy Davis |
University of Cambridge researchers this week unveiled
the results of a project showing how Facebook public
profiles could be used to find personal information,
opening users' to potential misuse by marketers or
fraudsters. |
|
4/2/2009 |
Privacy groups oppose
advert targeting |
Computer Weekly |
Warwick Ashford |
A
survey of 1,000 British consumers has revealed that 45
percent are open to targeted advertising as long as they
have the choice to opt-out. |
|
4/1/2009 |
EC publishes Q&A on
overseas data transfer |
The Register |
|
The European Commission has published a Q&A on overseas
data transfers. |
|
3/31/2009 |
Online advertisers face
tighter EU privacy laws |
Guardian |
Ian
Traynor |
At
a meeting in Brussels, the European commissioner for
consumer affairs said that Web users' rights are being
abused by those who seek to profit on their data. |
|
3/30/2009 |
Patients' GP notes found
in car |
EDP24 |
Shanu Lowthorpe |
A
man looking to purchase a used car found the sensitive
medical notes of nearly 40 patients alongside the
driver's seat. |
|
3/30/2009 |
Bahn Boss Mehdorn Offers
Resignation Amid Data Privacy Scandal |
DW-World |
|
Deutsche Bahn boss Hartmut Mehdorn has resigned, reports
Deutsche Welle. |
|
3/29/2009 |
E.U. Warns Internet
Companies on User Privacy |
New York Times |
Stephen Castle |
The European Commission's consumer affairs chief will
challenge Internet companies to agree on new privacy
principles, or else. |
|
3/28/2009 |
DNA scan 'could cut cost
of insurance - even if results kept secret |
Times Online |
Mark Henderson |
An
insurance industry official has suggested that premiums
could be lowered for customers who undergo personal DNA
scans. |
|
3/27/2009 |
Web Giants Mull Response
to Behavioral Privacy Concerns |
ClickZ |
Jack Marshall |
The UK-based Open Rights Group (ORG) earlier this week
sent a letter to Google, AOL, Microsoft, Yahoo and other
major online players urging them to prevent the tracking
of their users' interactions by the behavioral targeting
firm Phorm. |
|
3/26/2009 |
Daily Digest 26 March |
ENN |
Bryan Collins |
Despite vast stores of personal data, only about half of
Ireland's organisations have formal data retention or
destruction policies. |
|
3/25/2009 |
Google lawyers seek
transfer of ilan privacy trial |
IDG News |
Philip Willan |
In
an Italian court Google lawyers argued that the
defamation and invasion of privacy case against four of
the company's executives should be heard in Turin,
rather than Milan, because the video at the heart of the
case was recorded there. |
|
3/25/2009 |
UK must pry on data to
block threats: ex-spy boss |
Reuters |
William Maclean |
In
a paper for the Institute of Public Policy Research, a
former British security chief says surveillance is
necessary to prevent terrorism. |
|
3/25/2009 |
Facebook, Bebo and MySpace
'to be monitored by security services' |
Times Online |
Murad Ahmed |
Home Office ministers revealed yesterday that social
networking data might be included in the government's
Intercept Modernisation Programme (IMP). |
|
3/24/2009 |
Call to 'shut down' Street
View |
BBC News |
|
Privacy International (PI) has filed a formal complaint
with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) about
Google's Street View mapping service, which launched in
Great Britain last week. |
|
3/24/2009 |
London health authority
put on notice over data breach |
The Register |
John Leyden |
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has issued
an enforcement order to an NHS organisation for
violating the Data Protection Act. |
|
3/24/2009 |
Controversial ContactPoint
database dalayed again amid new security fears |
Telegraph |
Heidi Blake |
The discovery of security gaps in a database housing the
personal information of every child in England has
delayed its implementation. |
|
3/23/2009 |
Should ICO get spot check
powers over businesses? |
IT
Pro |
Nicole Kobie |
In
its review of proposed data protection changes within
the Justice and Coroners Bill, the Joint Committee on
Human Rights deemed that the Information Commissioner
should have the power to spot check private businesses. |
|
3/23/2009 |
Swiss Banks and the End to
Privacy |
Wall Street Journal |
|
What was once considered a right to privacy seems to be
transforming into a duty to disclose. |
|
3/23/2009 |
Call to scrap 'illegal
databases' |
BBC News |
|
A
new report says that one quarter of Britain's government
databases are illegal and should be scrapped or
redesigned. |
|
3/22/2009 |
Google Street View forced
to remove images |
The Independent |
Jane Merrick |
Google launched its Street View mapping service in the
UK last week and has had hundreds of take-down requests
since. |
|
3/20/2009 |
Privacy campaigner vows
legal challenge to Google Street View |
The Register |
Out-Law.com |
A
privacy campaigner intends to pursue a legal challenge
against Google's Street View service. |
|
3/19/2009 |
Google launches Street
View in UK |
Guardian |
Richard Wray |
Google has launched its Street View mapping service in
25 British cities. |
|
3/18/2009 |
Government data-sharing
proposals dropped |
vnunet.com |
Tom
Young |
The government has dropped its plans to share widely
the data contained in a government database. |
|
3/18/2009 |
Judge Rules Google Trial
Will Move Forward |
IAPP |
|
The criminal trial against four Google executives
accused of defamation and privacy law violations resumed
yesterday in a Milan court. |
|
3/17/2009 |
Italian judge dismisses
initial Google defense argument |
The Industry Standard |
Philip Willan |
An
Italian judge has dismissed Google's claim that the
plaintiff in a defamation and invasion of privacy case
against the company did not have a valid mandate to
bring the case forward. |
|
3/16/2009 |
Administrative Court: Data
retention is "invalid" |
Stoppt die Vorratsdatenspeicherung! |
|
The Administrative Court of Wiesbaden has ruled that
blanket retention of citizens' data violates their
privacy. |
|
3/16/2009 |
Hotline allows workers to
find out if they were blacklisted on secret database |
Guardian |
Rob
Evans |
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has
established a hotline for workers who suspect they were
blacklisted from employment as a result of data
protection law violations |
|
3/16/2009 |
Google lawyers seek to
halt Italy trial |
Times Online |
Richard Owen |
Prosecutors resume their case against four Google
executives in the Court of Milan. |
|
3/16/2009 |
CCTV effect:
No place to hide |
The Times of India |
Mansi Choksi & Chinmayi Shalya |
India is the latest country to debate the prevalence of
closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras for crime
prevention. |
|
3/13/2009 |
Switzerland to relax
banking secrecy laws |
Telegraph |
Abigail Townsend |
The Swiss government has agreed to adopt Organisation
for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
standards and to co-operate with countries investigating
tax evasion on a case-by-case basis. |
|
3/13/2009 |
European Parliament
reaches good balance between data protection
& transparency |
Public Technology |
|
European Data Protection Supervisor Peter Hustinx is
satisfied with the European Parliament's handling of
transparency and data protection considerations. |
|
3/13/2009 |
Online privacy demanded by
web founders |
Telegraph |
Matt Warman |
The creator of the World Wide Web has come out against
behavioural advertising. |
|
3/12/2009 |
Liechtenstein
eases bank secrecy aimed crackdown |
Reuters |
Jason Rhodes |
Liechtenstein will ease its bank secrecy law and commit
to international standards on tax transparency and data
exchange. |
|
3/10/2009 |
UK gov gets twitchy on
Google feature creep |
The Register |
Bill Ray |
Four Members of Parliament (MPs) signed an Early Day
Motion on Tuesday regarding Google's Latitude service. |
|
3/9/2009 |
Swoop on builders database
shows privacy watchdog does have teeth |
ComputerWeekly |
Warwick Ashford |
The Information Commissioner's recent shutdown of a
database used for blacklisting construction industry
employees shows that the privacy regulator has teeth and
is willing to use them. |
|
3/9/2009 |
ICO vows prosecution over
builders' blacklist |
Out-Law.com |
|
The Information Commissioner's Office has issued an
enforcement notice to the construction industry
consultant responsible for selling the personal
information of more than 3,000 workers without their
consent. |
|
3/9/2009 |
Google Docs suffers
privacy glitch |
Cnet |
Stephen Shankland |
A
privacy glitch caused some Google Docs users to
inadvertently share a small number of documents. |
|
3/9/2009 |
Data sharing clause 152
dropped |
E-Health Insider |
Fiona Barr |
E-Health Insider reports that the
government will not enable the sharing of personal data
across departments, as planned. |
|
3/8/2009 |
Swiss, Luxembourg, Austria
defend bank secrecy |
Reuters |
Michele Sinner |
Switzerland, Luxembourg and Austria stand united on
protecting their banking secrecy tradition. |
|
3/6/2009 |
EC expects legal issues
around Phorm to be resolved |
ZDNet |
Tom
Espiner |
The European Commission (EC) will likely give the
go-ahead to Phorm. |
|
3/6/2009 |
Europeans push for more
online rights to privacy |
Macworld |
Paul Meller |
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) yesterday
debated a report that calls for a better balance between
the need for security and the right to privacy on the
Internet. |
|
3/6/2009 |
Firm 'sold workers' secret data |
BBC News |
|
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) will
prosecute a company for its part in a widespread
pre-employment screening scheme that led to the
blacklisting of certain workers. |
|
3/5/2009 |
Identity in a crisis |
SiliconRepublic |
Marie Boran |
Officials are urging job seekers to be mindful of the
information they include on resumes and to be discerning
about where they post them in order to prevent identity
theft. |
|
3/5/2009 |
Organ transplantation and
the data protection issue |
Sofia Echo |
Clive Leiviev-Sawyer |
European Data Protection Supervisor Peter Hustinx has
recommended a greater emphasis on the protection of
organ donors' and recipients' personal information. |
|
3/4/2009 |
Rights:
Spain Disconnecting Pre-Paid Phones in November
Unless Users Identify Themselves |
Gizmodo |
Jesus Diaz |
The Spanish government will in November disconnect the
pre-paid phones of users who fail to register their
personal information with the line. |
|
3/4/2009 |
Web advertisers seek to
avoid tougher rules |
Financial Times |
Tim
Bradshaw |
The UK Internet Advertising Bureau--a consortium of
players in the British advertising industry--has drawn
up self-regulatory guidelines on behavioural targeting. |
|
3/3/2009 |
Local authorities must
change privacy practices for children, says report |
Out-Law |
|
The group Action on Rights for Children (ARCH) has
produced a report urging local English authorities to
change their rules regarding the collection of
children's information. |
|
3/3/2009 |
EU nations oppose
extension of data breach notification law |
Out-Law |
|
The EU Council of Ministers opposes Parliamentary plans
to extend data breach notification requirements beyond
telecom companies. |
|
3/1/2009 |
Health records of Brown
and Salmond 'hacked' |
Scotland on Sunday |
David Leask |
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and First Minister
Alex Salmond are among other well-known Scots whose
medical files have been breached by health workers. |
|
2/27/2009 |
Parents urged to guard
children's data |
Times Online |
Alexandra Frean |
England's Independent Schools Council (ISC) is
encouraging its member schools to educate parents on
ContactPoint, the new government database housing
private information on the 11 million English children
under the age of 18. |
|
2/27/2009 |
Information Commissioner
Richard Thomas warns of surveillance culture |
Times Online |
Alexi Mostrous and Richard Ford |
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas says that
"creeping surveillance" is undermining democracy. |
|
2/26/2009 |
Tax crack-down divides EU |
European Voice |
Jim
Brunsden |
Austria and Luxembourg stand united in their resistance
to release the names of bank account-holders. |
|
2/25/2009 |
Fight against terror
'spells end of privacy' |
The Guardian |
Alan Travis |
In
a research paper for the Institute for Public Policy,
former Whitehall security and intelligence coordinator
Sir David Omand concedes that there are privacy costs in
the government's plans to mine the personal data of
innocent citizens, but that the proposed measures are
essential to its national security strategy. |
|
2/24/2009 |
Privacy watchdogs repeat
call for data breach notification law |
Out-Law |
|
In
a revised opinion on changes to the EU Privacy and
Electronic Communications Directive, the Article 29
Working Party has again called for widespread data
breach notifications. |
|
2/19/2009 |
US takes Swiss bank UBS to
court for 52,000 more names |
GenevaLunch |
Ellen Wallace |
A
day after UBS, Switzerland's largest bank, agreed to
turn over the names of hundreds of its American clients
to U.S. officials, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
announced it will take the bank to court in an effort to
get more names of clients suspected of tax evasion. |
|
2/19/2009 |
A Swiss Bank Is Set to
Open Its Secret Files |
New York Times |
|
The UBS decision to release the names of certain
American clients, in breach of the Swiss banking secrecy
tradition, in order to end a tax probe by U.S.
authorities. |
|
2/18/2009 |
Fear over blanket CCTV at
pubs |
Morning Advertiser |
John Harrington |
Officials in some areas are basing pub license approvals
on the owner's willingness to install closed circuit
television (CCTV) and release footage to police upon
request. |
|
2/18/2009 |
Google sued in Italy over
uploaded video content |
USA Today |
Eric Lyman |
Legal proceedings in the case against Google executives
continued yesterday, with Judge Oscar Magi determining
that the case, and three secondary claims, should be
heard. |
|
2/17/2009 |
Why security breach
notification laws are a good thing |
Out-Law |
Bruce Schneier |
Bruce Schneier believes that data breach notification
laws force companies to improve their security. |
|
2/13/2009 |
Deutsche Bahn shaken by
spying scandal |
BBC News |
Tristana Moore |
Berlin's data protection commissioner is among those
looking into Deutsche Bahn's use of covert surveillance
in the workplace. |
|
2/12/2009 |
EU presses UK over online advertising system |
Webwereld |
Jeremy Kirk |
The European Commission is warning officials in the UK
that it is thus far unsatisfied by response to inquiries
related to the privacy implications of Webwise, a
behavioral targeting platform developed by technology
concern Phorm and scheduled to be launched by British
Telecom by the end of the year. |
|
2/12/2009 |
BT will launch Phorm by
end of 2009 |
CIO UK |
Carrie-Ann Skinner |
In
spite of the outcry from privacy advocates and the
public, British Telecommunications announced it plans to
launch the controversial behavioral targeting platform
Phorm by the end of the year. |
|
2/12/2009 |
Commission dismantles data
watchdog group |
European Voice |
Judith Crosbie |
The EU Privacy Commission has dismantled a panel of five
privacy experts established to review European data
protection legislation following complaints by the
French that the group represented "American interests." |
|
2/11/2009 |
Half of people do not
understand online forms |
Telegraph |
Christopher Hope |
Citing a recent survey, Britain's privacy watchdog,
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas, says that
nearly three-quarters of the country's citizens do not
understand the privacy implications of forms they fill
out that may give organizations the right to sell or
trade their personal information. |
|
2/10/2009 |
Deutsche Bahn Spying
Scandal Grows |
DW
World |
|
In
the wake of the workplace surveillance scandal at
Deutsche Bahn, some are calling for CEO Hartmut
Mehdorn's removal. |
|
2/10/2009 |
EU court throws out
challenge to anti-terror rule |
Associated Press |
|
The European Union Court of Justice on Tuesday dismissed
as unfounded challenges by Ireland and Slovakia to an
anti-terror law requiring that governments retain
telephone and Internet data for a period of six months. |
|
2/9/2009 |
Jobseekers targeted in
'data theft' scams |
The Irish Times |
Elaine Edwards |
Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner Billy Hawkes is
warning job seekers to be on the alert for scam artists
attempting to use the promise of employment to trick
individuals into disclosing personal information. |
|
2/9/2009 |
MPs confirm new
Information Commissioner |
Out-Law |
|
The House of Commons Justice Committee has given its
approval for Information Commissioner nominee
Christopher Graham, clearing the way for his full
approval by Parliament. |
|
2/8/2009 |
UK citizens private
information being lost at record rate |
Times Online |
Alexi Mosterous |
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas reported that
personal information loss in the UK rose an alarming 36
percent in 2008 and that more than 100 breach incidents
had been reported to the Information Commissioner's
Office in the last three months alone. |
|
2/8/2009 |
Government comiling travel
details |
The Press Association |
|
The British government is in the process of building a
massive database to compile and process the travel
records of millions of its citizens. |
|
2/6/2009 |
Tension between right to
privacy and authorities' desire for data |
Guardian |
Afua Hirsch |
According to a report issued today in the United
Kingdom, there is a growing tension between the
government's desire to collect more information and the
country's efforts to collect and analyze information
that is "weaken[ing] the constitutional foundations on
which democracy and good governance have traditionally
been based in this country." |
|
2/5/2009 |
DPA Issues Fine for
YouTube Video |
Spanish Data Protection Agency |
|
In the wake of recent
media reports surrounding a video uploaded to YouTube's
Italian site, the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD)
on Wednesday took enforcement action against those
responsible for uploading a video clip on the Spanish
site, and declared that publishing the image of a person
on YouTube without that person's consent is a grave
violation of the Organic Law on Data Protection (LOPD). |
|
2/4/2009 |
ICO helps organisations
identify 'personal data' |
Out-Law |
|
The Information Commissioner's Office has released a
technical guide to help organisations comply with the
Data Protection Act. |
|
2/3/2009 |
EU security agency draws
'privacy baseline' for ID cards |
The Register |
John Leyden |
The European Network and Information Security Agency
(ENISA) yesterday released a position paper intended to
raise awareness on the need to protect the privacy of
data contained on national ID cards. |
|
2/3/2009 |
Additional Claim Filed
Against Google |
IAPP |
Tracey Bentley |
The Italian judge hearing the case against four Google
executives suspended a decision in today's Criminal
Court of Milan proceedings in order to consider certain
procedural issues. |
|
2/2/2009 |
Privacy professional
facing criminal charges |
IAPP |
Tracey Bentley |
Google's global privacy counsel will appear in Italian
court this week on criminal charges of defamation and
failure to exercise control over personal data. |
|
1/30/2009 |
Bosses sign pledge to
protect personal data |
ZDNet |
|
Several public-sector organisations and private
companies have signed onto the Information
Commissioner's 10-point Personal Information Promise. |
|
1/29/2009 |
Commission for Personal
Data Protection fines CEZ 100 000 leva |
SofiaEcho |
Rene Beekman |
Bulgaria's Commission for Personal Data Protection
(CPDP) has fined electricity distribution company CEZ
for continued breaches of privacy protection
regulations. |
|
1/29/2009 |
Eu mulls new data
protection initiatives |
EurActiv.com |
|
At
a European Parliament conference celebrating Data
Privacy Day yesterday, EU Justice and Home Affairs
Commissioner Jacques Barrot said that Brussels will
launch a Europe-wide public consultation on how to
reinforce data protection by April. |
|
1/29/2009 |
All data breaches must be
made public |
ZDNet |
Peter Hustinx |
European Data Protection Supervisor Peter Hustinx says
that selectivity when it comes to mandatory breach
notifications is a no-win. |
|
1/27/2009 |
EU warns on Facebook
privacy |
International Herald Tribune |
James Kanter |
European Commission officials say young people should
have a greater awareness about data privacy and privacy
risks. |
|
1/27/2009 |
Alarm over security of
children's database |
Times Online |
Rosemary Bennett, Alexandra Frean |
By
government ministers' estimates, about 390,000 people
will have access to the new national database,
ContactPoint, which will house the personal information
of all English children under the age of 18. |
|
1/23/2009 |
U.K. Orders ISPs to
Archive Private E-mail Records |
Information Week |
K.C. Jones |
Starting March 15, British Internet service providers
(ISPs) will hoard citizens' e-mail traffic. |
|
1/22/2009 |
Home Office guilty of data
breach |
BBC News |
|
The Home Office has entered into an agreement with the
Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) to better
protect the personal information it holds on Britons. |
|
1/21/2009 |
Legal Eye:
Does Home Office online surveillance go too far? |
Silicon.com |
Ruth Hoy |
Warrantless searching of personal computers by police is
already allowed under Britain's Regulation of
Investigatory Powers Act, but the recent Home Office
announcement that it will align with EU plans to allow
such searches and increase data sharing and access
between European police forces has some questioning the
potential pitfalls. |
|
1/18/2009 |
Internet privacy:
Government warns email providers over targeted online
advertising |
Telegraph |
David Barrett |
Concerns about intrusions on privacy have prompted Home
Office ministers and the Department for Business,
Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) to meet with
industry leaders about the use of technologies that help
advertisers discover users' interests through their
e-mail text and search engine queries. |
|
1/18/2009 |
Swiss to hand over data to
end UBS tax case-report |
Reuters |
Lisa Jucca |
In
an about-face, the Swiss government has decided to
release certain data on American UBS clients, in breach
of its own bank secrecy laws, in order to end a tax
probe by U.S. authorities |
|
1/16/2009 |
Government data sharing
plan could extend to private sector |
OUT-LAW.com |
|
Proposed amendments to the 1998 Data Protection Act
(DPA) would give government officials the authority to
share information collected on citizens with
private-sector organisations. |
|
1/13/2009 |
ASA's Christopher Graham
set to become information commissioner |
Guardian |
Mark Sweney |
Pending House of Commons approval, Christopher Graham
will become the UK's next information commissioner. |
|
1/13/2009 |
Privacy safeguards need to
be strengthened says European Data Protection Supervisor |
PublicTechnology.net |
|
European Data Protection Supervisor Peter Hustinx on
Friday adopted an opinion on the ePrivacy Directive,
currently under review, that includes recommendations
for streamlining provisions. |
|
1/13/2009 |
Don't sleepwalk into Big
Brother Surveillance Schools Warned |
The Hearld |
Stephen Naysmith |
A
paper by university researchers says that the use of
biometric technologies in Scottish schools won't go
away, and that education officials should incorporate
topics related to the use of such technologies into
curricula. |
|
1/12/2009 |
Data protection is as
important as crime for nine out of 10 people, survey
finds |
Telegraph |
Christopher Hope |
Nine out of 10 people feel data protection is as
important as crime. |
|
1/12/2009 |
Privacy watchdog warns
companies on self-serving privacy policies |
OUT-LAW.com |
|
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has
published a code of practice on creating privacy
policies. |
|
1/10/2009 |
High Court dismisses
company's challenge to stop data prosecution |
Irish Times |
Ray
Managh |
Ireland's High Court last week threw out a legal
challenge involving the Data Protection Commissioner's
ability to prosecute some involved in electronic
marketing campaigns. |
|
1/10/2009 |
HSE to investigative
discovery of hospital files on Derry street |
Irish Times |
FIONA GARTLAND and GEORGE JACKSON |
Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner will investigate
how the medical records of Letterkenny General Hospital
patients wound up in a Derry alleyway. |
|
1/9/2009 |
Security probe after data
breach at prison |
lep.co.uk |
Aasma Day |
A
USB stick containing the personal details of thousands
of prisoners is missing. |
|
1/9/2009 |
A warrantless abuse of
privacy |
Irish Times |
Karlin Lillington |
Karlin Lillington says Irish citizens should be
"worried--very worried" about recent developments
affecting the privacy of UK citizens. |
|
1/8/2009 |
BSI proposes new data
protection standard |
Computing |
Phil Muncaster |
BSI British Standards is inviting public comment on a
new draft standard that the body hopes will help firms
comply with the Data Protection Act. |
|
1/8/2009 |
Email law 'an attack on
privacy' |
Press Association |
|
While privacy regulators and advocates continue to lobby
Internet service providers (ISPs) for shorter data
retention periods, law enforcement and some governments
want them extended. |
|
1/5/2009 |
Police 'encouraged' to
hack more |
BBC News |
Flora Graham |
The Home Office has agreed to an EU plan that encourages
police to remotely access personal computers, no warrant
necessary, in an effort to detect cybercrime. |
|
12/31/2008 |
Private firm may track all
emails and calls |
Guardian |
Alan Travis & Richard Norton-Taylor |
The private sector will manage the proposed new
communications superdatabase that will track the calls,
e-mails and Internet activities of UK citizens. |
|
12/29/2008 |
Data Protection Authority
approves smart card |
Dutch News |
Jacob Kohnstamm |
After three years of denials, the Netherlands' Data
Protection Authority has given approval to a digital
transit smart card for use by Rotterdam Metro. |
|
12/29/2008 |
Google Street View 'to be
launched in Britain in spring' |
The Telegraph |
Jon
Swaine |
Google's controversial "Street View" service, which
provides a 360-degree street level view of cities around
the globe, is set to launch in the U.K. this coming
spring when London, Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham
are added to the list. |
|
12/29/2008 |
Big Brother CCTV (complete
with CPS evidence kit) to spy on pupils aged four -
complete with CPS kit |
dailymail.co.uk |
Jason Lewis |
A
classroom-monitoring CCTV system, sold in the U.K. along
with evidence bags approved by the Crown Prosecution
Service, is being marketed as a deterrent to disruptive
and violent behavior by students as young as age four. |
|
12/28/2008 |
Official raises doubts
over data privacy in Germany |
The Local |
|
A
number of privacy breaches and scandals affecting
Germany and its citizens has prompted that country's
commissioner for data protection. |
|
12/26/2008 |
European Union voices
concern over inadequacy of privacy bill |
Today's Zaman |
ERCAN YAVUZ ANKARA |
A
European Union official says the Turkish government's
data protection bill needs revision before being passed. |
|
12/23/2008 |
New mandates for EDPS:
Peter Hustinx reappointed as Supervisor, Giovanni
Buttarelli appointed as Assistant Supervisor |
7th Space Interactive |
|
The European Parliament and the Council have reappointed
Peter Hustinx as European Data Protection Supervisor
(EDPS). |
|
12/22/2008 |
Father Christmas arrested |
The Spoof |
|
Father Christmas has been arrested and arraigned on a
contravention of the UK Data Protection Act. |
|
12/22/2008 |
Spammers will face fines
up to 250,000 |
SiliconRepublic.com |
John Kennedy |
The Irish government has passed legislation aimed at
reducing spam and other unsolicited emails. |
|
12/18/2008 |
Bringing CCTV under
control |
The Connexion |
|
A
report from the French Senate recommends placing all of
the nation's closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV)
under the control of the data protection authority. |
|
12/17/2008 |
European Union, IT &
Telecoms, Moving SWIFTly On To Data Protection |
Mondaq |
David Flint and Valerie Surgenor |
Last week, the Belgian Privacy Commission published a
decision on whether the Society for Worldwide Interbank
Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT) violated data
protection laws when it shared financial data with the
U.S. without notifying clients. |
|
12/17/2008 |
Gov't says its data
security policy has made 'staggering progress' |
CIO |
Leo
King |
The UK government says it has made much progress on
improving public-sector data protection. |
|
12/14/2008 |
Swedish watchdog eyes Web
site naming rapists |
Associated Press |
|
Swedish officials are investigating whether a Web site
used to publish the names of convicted sex offenders is
operating in breach of that country's privacy laws. |
|
12/13/2008 |
Berlin Bank Accused of
Country's Largest Data Leak |
DW-World.de |
DW
Staff |
The personal information of thousands of Landesbank
Berlin (LBB) credit card holders has been exposed |
|
12/10/2008 |
Bailiff admits to privacy
blunder |
BBC News |
|
The Marston Group has apologized for accidentally
releasing hundreds of e-mail addresses. |
|
12/9/2008 |
Microsoft Search Pledge
Meaningless Without Google |
Information Week |
Paul McDougall |
So
far, Google and Yahoo haven't budged on reducing their
data retention terms for European Internet searches. |
|
12/9/2008 |
EU to spend 55 million
euros to make web safer for children |
The Earth Times |
|
The European Union will spend 55 million euros on
boosting children's online safety over the next five
years. |
|
12/8/2008 |
Microsoft offers to reduce
search data in Europe |
New York Times |
Kevin J. O'Brien |
In
a letter to the Article 29 Working Party, Microsoft said
it will reduce the length of time it retains users'
search records if Yahoo and Google agree to do the same. |
|
12/8/2008 |
21 million German bank
accounts for sale |
IT
World |
Robert McMillan |
The details of 21 million German bank accounts are for
sale on the black market. |
|
12/8/2008 |
Memory stick with data on
5,000 Leeds children found in second-hand car |
Yorkshire Evening Post |
Katie Baldwin and Ian Rosser |
A
Leeds man cleaning out a second-hand car he purchased
discovered a memory stick containing the personal
information of children. |
|
12/5/2008 |
UK data breach
notification laws? |
iWR Blog |
Phil Muncaster |
Phil Muncaster ponders last month's Ministry of Justice
determination that the UK does not need a mandatory data
breach notification law for the private sector. |
|
12/4/2008 |
Intel, Google Asked to
Help Revise EU Data Protection Laws |
PC
World |
Paul Meller |
A
panel established to help the European Commission (EC)
revise EU data protection laws met for the first time
yesterday. |
|
12/4/2008 |
War on terror violates
privacy |
UPI.com |
United Press |
The Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights
said the war on terror violates basic privacy rights and
undermines rather than improves security. |
|
12/4/2008 |
U.K. DNA Database Violates
Privacy Rights, Court Says |
Bloomberg.com |
Heather Smith and Thomas Penny |
The European Court of Human Rights today ruled that the
world's biggest DNA database violates privacy rights and
must be modified. |
|
12/3/2008 |
Demand grows for European
data loss laws |
Information World Review |
Tracey Caldwell |
Some say amendments to the European Union (EU) e-privacy
directive requiring new data breach notification
measures need to be expanded. |
|
12/2/2008 |
EDPS opinion on patients'
rights: specific data protection dimension of
cross-border health care needs to be addressed in more
correct terms |
7th Space Interactive |
|
European Data Protection Supervisor Peter Hustinx said
more concrete data protection and privacy provisions
need to be included in the proposal for a patients'
rights Directive pertaining to cross-border healthcare. |
|
12/1/2008 |
Technology and Privacy |
computing.co.uk |
Tom
Young |
The Information Commissioner published a report calling
for "privacy by design"--building privacy guards into
new information systems during the development stage to
help protect data and prevent privacy breaches. |
|
11/26/2008 |
ICO launches new privacy
report |
vnunet.com |
Phil Muncaster |
A
report published last week aims to help organisations
better protect the private data they hold. |
|
11/25/2008 |
The UK does not need a
data breach notification law, says Government |
out-law.com |
|
In
a report released Tuesday, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
said that a law requiring organisations to report
significant security breaches to the Information
Commissioner's Office (ICO) is not necessary. |
|
11/25/2008 |
End of junk mail?
Ministers planning to ban sale of addresses on electoral
register |
dailymail.co.uk |
James Slack |
The results of a recent inquiry have ministers
considering a ban on the sale of electoral register
data. |
|
11/24/2008 |
Straw agrees to give teeth
to the UK's data watchdog |
Times Online |
Jenny Booth |
Justice Minister Jack Straw yesterday announced new
powers for Information Commissioner Richard Thomas. |
|
11/20/2008 |
France drops security
database over privacy fears |
International Herald Tribune |
Associated Press |
The French prime minister has issued a decree to scrap a
proposed database that would have tracked citizens,
including minors. |
|
11/20/2008 |
Google's privacy
protections |
International Herald Tribune |
Peter Fleischer |
Paris Google's global privacy counsel responds to
criticism published in an article earlier this week
about the company's Street View application. |
|
11/18/2008 |
Businesses could be fined
10% of revenues for data protection breaches |
Information Age |
|
Organisations that breach the Data Protection Act could
face fines up to 10 percent of their revenue if the
Information Commissioner's plans come to fruition. |
|
11/17/2008 |
Privacy Laws Trip Up
Google in Parts of Europe |
New York Times |
Kevin J. O'Brien |
Over the past five years, Google's European expansion
has resulted in 3,500 employees in metropolitan centers
from Dublin to St. Petersburg. But left unresolved, two
sticky issues could diminish the good sentiment such
expansion has produced. |
|
11/17/2008 |
Ministers breach Data Protection Act' |
Contractor UK |
|
The names of nearly a dozen government ministers have
been handed to the Information Commissioner's Office
(ICO) for their failure to list themselves on the Data
Protection Register |
|
11/17/2008 |
Data watchdog:
Access to patient files is unacceptable |
Telegraph |
Charlotte Bailey |
Officials at the Department of Health are considering a
government proposal to give medical researchers access
to patients' records for the purpose of furthering
medical research. |
|
11/14/2008 |
Deeply disturbing' privacy fears as 1m staff could view
child database |
Mail Online |
James Slack |
A
database intended to ease data-sharing among public
schools in England and Wales is drawing more criticism. |
|
11/13/2008 |
EU privacy regulator says
US must agree to data swap court action |
out-law.com |
|
European Data Protection Supervisor Peter Hustinx has
published his opinion on EU-U.S. plans to increase
personal data sharing in criminal cases. |
|
11/13/2008 |
EU wants tougher rules on
taxes |
The Associated Press |
Raf
Casert |
Account holders at financial institutions across the
European Union may find themselves with less financial
privacy if the 27-nation bloc approves new rules to
stamp out tax evasion. |
|
11/12/2008 |
Privacy row over putting
Dutch medical charts on file |
Monsters and Critics |
Rachel Levy |
Physicians in the Dutch national family doctor
association (LHV) are enthusiastic about the health
ministry's plans to move all patient records into a
central database, but concede that officials might be
moving too fast with the project. |
|
11/10/2008 |
Dutch call for compulsory
report on data theft |
Radio Netherlands Worldwide |
|
Prosecutor Fred Speijers and Data Protection Authority
Jacob Kohnstamm say that financial institutions should
be obligated to notify clients whose information is
compromised in a security breach. |
|
11/10/2008 |
Finland's Holmlund calls
for privacy cut in gun law |
NewsRoom Finland |
|
Finland's interior minister Anne Holmlund said today
that a reduction in privacy is necessary to prevent
crime. |
|
11/10/2008 |
The End of the Road for
Personal Data Protection in the EU |
Jurist |
Virginia Keyder |
Globalization, national security and the 'war on terror'
have contributed to a dilution of data protection in the
European Union by ushering in an era of increased
surveillance, increased data collection and retention
and other potentially privacy-diminishing activities. |
|
11/7/2008 |
France: two companies
fined 15,000 Euros for transmission of ethnic data |
Data Protection Review |
CNIL |
The French data protection authority (CNIL) has fined
two companies €15,000 for violating article eight of the
informatique et libertes. |
|
11/7/2008 |
Customers may foot bill for EU data law |
The Irish Times |
|
Privacy advocates and others are expressing concern
about a draft statutory instrument proposed by the Irish
government regarding the retention of citizens' phone
and Internet activity data. |
|
11/6/2008 |
Hustinx:
nameless data can still be personal |
out-law.com |
|
European Data Protection Supervisor Peter Hustinx
affirmed his stance that Internet users' IP addresses
and server log records should be treated as personal
data. |
|
11/5/2008 |
Government black boxes
will 'collect every email' |
The Independent |
Robert Verkaik |
New details emerged on Home Office plans for a giant
government database earlier this week. |
|
11/4/2008 |
A convergence on privacy |
SC
Magazine UK |
Tim
Mather |
Tim Mather suggests that European and American attitudes
towards privacy might be converging. |
|
11/4/2008 |
Another data security
breach reported at Bank of Ireland |
SiliconRepublic.com |
John Kennedy |
A
storage device with the personal information of almost
900 customers has gone missing from the Bank of Ireland. |
|
11/3/2008 |
PM admits data losses may
be inevitable |
guardian.co.uk |
Nicholas Watt |
The government was forced to shut down its Gateway Web
site this weekend when a memory stick containing
sensitive personal data was found in a car park. |
|
10/31/2008 |
Bebo kids will value
privacy when they see adults do too |
Guardian |
Cory Doctrow |
Cory Doctorow proposes that today's youth are getting
opposing messages on protecting their privacy. |
|
10/30/2008 |
EU privacy chiefs update
rules for overseas data transfers |
Out-law.com |
|
European Union data protection authorities have amended
the rules for overseas data transfers. |
|
10/29/2008 |
Biometric database bill
passes first vote |
ynetnews.com |
Erez Ronen |
Israelis are a step closer to having their fingerprints
registered in a national database.
A bill to create a biometric database passed its
first Knesset reading earlier this week. |
|
10/29/2008 |
Watchdog: 'No to US-style
data laws' |
SC
Magazine |
Mark Mayne |
In
his keynote address at the RSA Conference in London
yesterday, UK Information Commissioner Richard Thomas
said he is not convinced that U.S.-style data breach
notification laws are the right model for the UK. |
|
10/29/2008 |
Multimillion pound boost
for privacy watchdog |
Silicon.com |
Nick Heath |
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas will get an
extra £6-million and added powers by the end of the
year. |
|
10/29/2008 |
Companies dominate
data-failings shame list |
FT.com |
Michael Peel and Rachel Keeler |
After disclosing the numbers on British organisations'
loss of personal data over the past year, Information
Commissioner Richard Thomas told the Financial Times
that he aims to make the prevention of security breaches
a board or chief executive-level responsibility. |
|
10/29/2008 |
Lives have been put at
risk by data losses |
Telegraph.co.uk |
Rosa Prince |
In a
speech today, Information Commissioner Richard Thomas
will warn chief executives that the mishandling of data
must stop. |
|
10/27/2008 |
European data breach laws
could land in 2011 |
vnunet.com |
Phil Muncaster |
At
the RSA Conference in London yesterday, European data
protection supervisor Peter Hustinx said that new data
breach notification laws could go into effect by 2011 |
|
10/25/2008 |
Dutch okay airport naked
body scanners |
MSN News |
|
While Dutch officials have deemed full-body airport
security scanners okay for use--with strict
guidelines--at Schipol airport, their German
counterparts insist that the scanners invade travelers'
privacy and will not be used in the country. |
|
10/24/2008 |
Privacy watchdog calls
Home Office plans threat to British way of life |
Out-law.com |
|
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) said it will
study the government's plans for a communications
database to house citizens' phone and Internet usage
records. |
|
10/21/2008 |
German privacy watchdogs
agree social networking ground rules |
Out-law.com |
|
A
panel of German data protection authorities has
developed eight principles to help social networking
sites comply with data protection law. |
|
10/21/2008 |
EU lawmakers criticize
virtual strip search |
The Associated Press |
Paul Ames |
European Union (EU) lawmakers debated the use of
revealing airport security scanners in a parliamentary
meeting yesterday |
|
10/19/2008 |
Social networks offer
'weak' security |
animohosting.com |
French Press |
The French Data Protection Authority (CNIL) wants social
networking sites to inform its users of the level of
protection their profiles receive. |
|
10/19/2008 |
Passports will be needed
to buy mobile phones |
Times Online |
Dave Leppard |
Under a government plan, British citizens who purchase a
mobile phone would be required to submit personal
information to be stored on the planned national
communications database. |
|
10/16/2008 |
New powers for state
snoopers on the net |
The Guardian |
Richard Norton-Taylor |
In
a keynote speech before the Institute for Public Policy
Research yesterday, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said
police and MI5 need enhanced powers to collect and
retain data. |
|
10/16/2008 |
Privacy In The 21st
Century Competition-Data Protection Commissioner
announces winners |
Data Protection Commissioner |
|
Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner Billy Hawkes
announced the winners of the "Privacy in the 21st
Century" video competition. |
|
10/14/2008 |
The Spanish Data
Protection Supervisor Launches Children Privacy Handbook |
Internet Business Law Services |
El
Mundo |
A
new handbook published by the Spanish Data Protection
Agency (DPA) aims to help children protect their privacy
in the digital age. |
|
10/14/2008 |
German court says IP
addresses in server logs are not personal data |
Out-law.com |
|
A
German court has ruled that IP addresses should not be
considered personal data. |
|
10/13/2008 |
EU keeps pressure on phorm |
Online Media Daily |
Wendy Davis |
Weeks have passed since the UK's Department for
Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR)
cleared Phorm to again begin testing its Webwise
platform on British Telecom customers, and EU privacy
officials want to know how that department will ensure
the protection of citizens' privacy. |
|
10/12/2008 |
European Court Opinion Due
on Phone Details |
The Post.ie |
Kieron Wood |
A
decision is expected today from the European Court of
Justice on a case related to data retention periods for
telecommunications providers |
|
10/11/2008 |
Some 15,000 in Berlin
demonstrate for more privacy |
The Earth Times |
DPA |
At
least 15,000 demonstrators from more than 100 groups
marched to the Brandenburg Gate on Saturday to protest
European Union data retention laws. |
|
10/10/2008 |
Deutsche Telekom to
Tighten Up on Data Privacy |
DW-World.de |
DFM |
Deutsche Telekom officials are hurrying to implement
improved data protection standards |
|
10/10/2008 |
MoD loses hard drive
holding military personal data |
Guardian |
Elizabeth Stewart |
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is investigating the loss
of a computer hard drive containing the personal details
of about 700,000 people. |
|
10/9/2008 |
Home Office publishes
data-sharing guidance |
ZDNet |
|
The Home Office has published a code of practice
designed to help public authorities protect information. |
|
10/9/2008 |
Hustinx: Tracking people
'easier' with RFID |
EurActiv.com |
|
In
an interview with EurActiv.com,
Europe's data protection supervisor discusses the main
privacy challenges of radio frequency identification
technology (RFID). |
|
10/9/2008 |
Security pros call for
data breach regulations |
ITPro |
Miya Knights |
Information security professionals at a conference in
Madrid this week expressed support for a proposed data
breach notification regulation. |
|
10/8/2008 |
The all-seeing state is
about to end privacy as we know it |
Guardian |
Jenni Russell |
Jenni Russell reacts to government plans to collect and
store in a central database citizens' phone call, Web,
text and email activities. |
|
10/8/2008 |
Privacy Bill promises
protection |
ITWeb |
Siyabonga Africa |
The South African Law Reform Commission is drafting a
bill aimed at protecting consumers' privacy. |
|
10/7/2008 |
France launches public
online consultation on ePrivacy |
Payment News and Industry Social Networking |
|
The French Internet Rights Forum and the French National
Commission for Informatics and Liberty (CNIL) have
teamed up to hold online public debates on four
privacy-related issues. |
|
10/7/2008 |
Internet of Things'
prompts EU push for privacy rights |
EurActiv.com |
|
At
a ministerial meeting in Nice yesterday, European
officials discussed privacy and security challenges
associated with the Internet of the future. |
|
10/6/2008 |
T-Mobile confesses
customer data breach |
Daily Telecoms News |
David Masters |
T-Mobile this weekend revealed that a storage device
containing information on 17 million of its German
customers was stolen in 2006 and put up for sale on the
black market. |
|
10/3/2008 |
Sahlin calls for privacy
ombudsman |
The Local |
David Landes |
Sweden's Social Democratic party leader has called for
the establishment of a national privacy ombudsman. |
|
10/2/2008 |
Sweden condemns
surveillance in schools |
The Local |
Thomas Morkeberg |
Swedish officials have ordered changes to seven schools'
use of surveillance cameras following an investigation. |
|
9/30/2008 |
Data breach at Virgin
prompts encryption order |
Silicon.com |
Jo
Best |
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has ordered
Virgin Media to encrypt all of its portable media. |
|
9/29/2008 |
BT rolls out Phorm web
tracking |
Times Online |
Mike Harvey |
Today marks the beginning of BT's final trial of Phorm's
Webwise technology. Webwise allows Internet service
providers to tailor advertising to users based on their
interests, as determined by the sites they visit. |
|
9/25/2008 |
Swedish govt waters down
telecoms monitoring law |
Forbes |
Niklas Pollard |
Swedish officials last week amended a law for monitoring
cross-border Internet and telephone traffic. |
|
9/25/2008 |
Liberal Democrats Broke
Privacy Rules With Automated Phone Calls |
SkyNews |
|
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has deemed
the Liberal Democrats broke privacy rules by sending
automated telephone calls to 250,000 citizens last week,
and has ordered the party to refrain from further
telephone campaigns or face prosecution. |
|
9/24/2008 |
Public 'must assert' data rights |
BBC News |
|
The Information Commissioner says that more citizens
should take advantage of the privacy protections offered
by the Data Protection Act, and should take more control
over what personal information businesses and
organizations collect about them. |
|
9/23/2008 |
Plea for robust privacy
laws |
The Press Association |
|
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) wants
tougher privacy laws. |
|
9/22/2008 |
Phorm given the green
light by UK Government |
Windows Watch |
Andrea Marie Vassou |
After two months' deliberation, the British Department
for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) has
determined that targeted advertising firm Phorm may
continue its service, with conditions. |
|
9/22/2008 |
European Parliament to
Postpone IP Privacy Issue |
PC
World |
Paul Meller |
European parliamentarians say more information is
necessary before deciding whether IP addresses should be
considered private data. |
|
9/19/2008 |
Data protection watchdogs
tohold hearings with Google |
Out-Law.com |
|
The Article 29 Working Party will lead hearings with
Google on its data retention and anonymization
practices. |
|
9/18/2008 |
Watchdog looks into Nick
Clegg's calls to voters in marginal seats |
Guardian |
Severin Carrell |
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is
investigating a telephone survey carried out last night
by the Liberal Democrats. |
|
9/18/2008 |
EU data protection head
supports police database link-up |
Network World |
Paul Meller |
Europe's data protection supervisor says that high
standards for data protection must be a precondition for
launching the European Criminal Records Information
System (ECRIS). |
|
9/17/2008 |
4 Government Laptops
Stolen in Another Data Breach |
New York Times |
Reuters |
Four laptops were stolen from a British government
agency. The
computers were taken from the Manchester office of the
Insolvency Service, the organization that oversees
bankrupt companies. |
|
9/16/2008 |
European companies forced
toown up to data losses |
PC
Pro |
Barry Collins |
The EU is considering a directive that would force
European companies to notify customers in the event of
the loss or theft of their data. |
|
9/15/2008 |
Fears over privacy as
police expand surveillance project |
The Guardian |
Paul Lewis |
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) will
investigate the planned five year data-retention period
for a national motorist database. |
|
9/12/2008 |
UK union urges biometrics
boycott |
ZDNet |
|
Officials from the Unison union have expressed concerns
about the use of fingerprint devices to track employee
start and finish times. |
|
9/11/2008 |
EU Appreciates Google's
Latest Privacy Step |
WebProNews.com |
Doug Caverly |
Google's recent announcement that it will reduce the
amount of time it retains personally identifiable user
search data from 18 to nine months is "a good step in
the right direction," according to EU officials. |
|
9/11/2008 |
Brussels in 'frightening'
grab for personal information |
Telegraph |
Christopher Hope |
Statewatch has released a 60-page report on what the
group deems to be a "frightening" grab for personal
information. |
|
9/10/2008 |
Consulting firm sacked
over data loss |
Reuters |
|
The Home Office has fired the consulting firm
responsible for losing the personal data of 33,000
citizens. |
|
9/10/2008 |
Scottish gov't forms data
privacy group |
ZDNet |
Tom
Espiner |
The Scottish government has created a privacy and
security group to study local governments' handling of
citizens' personal data. |
|
9/10/2008 |
MEPs are in danger of
striking the wrong balance between the right to privacy
and intellectual property |
The Guardian |
David Cronin |
David Cronin says a new proposal by MEPs would be a
privacy-eroding addition to the electronic privacy
directive created by the European commission. |
|
9/8/2008 |
French cabinet row over
'Big Sister' database |
Telegraph |
Henry Samuel |
A
database system created to store personal details on
citizens has created a row in the French cabinet. |
|
9/4/2008 |
Phorm marks progress
towards BT trial |
Times Online |
Mike Harvey |
As
U.S.-based ISPs shy away from the use of Web tracking
technology due to Congressional scrutiny and consumer
unrest, Phorm, the provider of such technology for
Internet Service Provider (ISPs), says it will soon
begin trialing its Webwise service with Virgin Media and
Carphone Warehouse's Talk Talk. |
|
9/2/2008 |
Study:
88% of IT Pros Would Steal Passwords or Data if
Fired |
Gizmodo |
|
A
survey, conducted by security company, Cyber-Ark, asked
the IT professionals whether, if fired, they would be
inclined to steal sensitive company data or passwords
before leaving. |
|
9/1/2008 |
Watchdog demands data
breach confessions |
silicon.com |
Nick Heath |
As
the European Union considers mandatory breach
notification regulations, the National Consumer Council
(NCC) is lobbying for a UK-wide mandate for reporting
losses of personal data |
|
8/29/2008 |
ICO urges firms to step up
privacy controls |
Information World |
Rosalie Marshall |
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has tasked
Britain's Enterprise Privacy Group (EPG) with delivering
an opinion on the practice of "privacy by design," that
is, building data protection safeguards into new
technology projects. |
|
8/27/2008 |
New data blunder as
details of thousands of council taxpayers are found on
6.99 computer sold on eBay |
Mail Online |
Maureen Culley and Vanessa Allen |
The personal details of thousands of tax payers have
been discovered on the hard drive of a computer sold on
eBay for £6.99, reports the Mail
Online. |
|
8/26/2008 |
Best Western says data
breach even smaller than thought |
Computerworld |
Jaikumar Vijayan |
After investigating a suspected breach of customer
reservations data reported earlier this week, the Best
Western hotel chain has concluded that the personal
information of only 10 guests was exposed in the
incident. |
|
8/26/2008 |
Officials 'back ban on data sale' |
BBC News |
|
A
recent Local Government Association survey of more than
200 English election officials found that almost all of
them would like to ban the practice of voter
registration rolls being sold to direct mail companies. |
|
8/26/2008 |
Banking customers'
personal details sold on eBay |
Associated Press |
Emily Flynn Vencat |
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is
investigating a data loss event that exposed the banking
information of more than one million Royal Bank of
Scotland (RBS) customers |
|
8/24/2008 |
Tories call for data loss
prosecutions |
The Guardian |
Jamie Doward |
Following another government data loss involving the
confidential information of 84,000 thousand citizens,
the Tories are calling for loss-of-data events to be
deemed criminal offences going forward |
|
8/21/2008 |
Managing Data Security
Breaches |
itwales.com |
Liz
Fletcher |
The UK Information Commissioner's Office has published
guidelines to help organisations respond appropriately
when a data security breach occurs. |
|
8/19/2008 |
Germans urge tougher laws
after new privacy scandal |
Reuters |
|
The black market for personal data is thriving and
German officials have expressed concern about citizens'
privacy. |
|
8/18/2008 |
Privacy regulator plans
annual surveillance reports |
Out-Law News |
|
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) plans to
publish an annual report on surveillance for Parliament |
|
8/18/2008 |
In the Land of Cheese,
Tulips and Biometrics |
CSO |
Paul Raines |
Writing for CSO, Paul Raines describes the growing use
of biometrics in the everyday lives of the Dutch as a
"quiet revolution." He compares the shift toward
biometrics to another convenience-promising event--the
U.S. shift toward credit cards during the 1950s and
1960s. |
|
8/18/2008 |
U.K. justice agency lost
45,000 personal records in past fiscal year |
Computerworld |
Leo
King |
In
its annual report, the UK Ministry of Justice revealed
that the personal data of tens of thousands of
individuals was lost during nine separate breaches over
the past fiscal year. |
|
8/17/2008 |
How Big Brother watches
your every move |
The Telegraph |
Richard Gray |
In
a week's time, more than 3,200 pieces of personal
information on the average British citizen is collected
and stored by the British government, law enforcement
agencies and private companies. |
|
8/15/2008 |
Liechtenstein to lift some
bank secrecy over tax |
Reuters |
Emma Thomasson |
The principality of Liechtenstein will loosen its
restrictions on banking secrecy as a result of
international pressure. |
|
8/14/2008 |
Under 'Big Brother Law,'
telecom firms would tell all to police |
Haaretz.com |
Shahar Ilan |
Police have been abusing the "Big Brother Law" by
forcing telecom companies to give them subscriber
information beyond that allowed by law. |
|
8/12/2008 |
AOL report shows UK
Surfers Don't Care About Privacy |
ITProPortal.com |
Desire Athow |
An
America Online (AOL) survey has revealed that 89 percent
of UK residents have disclosed sensitive financial
information online. |
|
8/10/2008 |
Irish bus pass is
'identity card by stealth' |
Times Online |
Colin Coyle |
Some think the free travel pass to be distributed to
more than 640,000 Irish pensioners next year is the
first step toward a national identity card. |
|
8/8/2008 |
Ruling casts doubt over
the legality of patient database |
Healthcare Republic |
John Elledge |
Some legal experts say National Health Service officials
might have to rethink the system's $6 billion patient
database based on a recent European court ruling. |
|
8/7/2008 |
EU Grants 30 Days To UK
Government To Decide Over Phorm |
SecurityProPortal.com |
Desire Athow |
The European Union (EU) wants feedback from the UK
government regarding a behavioural tracking application.
EU Telecom and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding sent a
letter requesting the government's stance on Phorm's
Webwise System, which lets Internet Service
Providers track users' Web browsing habits so they may
target advertising to users based on preferences. |
|
8/1/2008 |
Framework for Analysis Of
Cross-Border Discovery Conflicts |
The Sedona Conference |
|
A
guide to navigating the competing currents of
international data privacy and e-discovery |
|
8/1/2008 |
Foreign Office reports
five data losses this year |
SC
Magazine |
Joy
Persaud |
The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has had
five "significant" data breaches during the last
financial year. The exposures involve inadequate laptop
protection, unauthorised disclosures, loss of payslips,
and improper Web posting of personal information. |
|
7/31/2008 |
Italy, Labour &
Employment, Italy - Supreme Court:
Checking An Absent Employee |
Mondaq |
Andrea Gangemi |
In
a December ruling, the Italian Supreme Court determined
that an employer who had viewed an absent employee's
emails did not invade that employee's privacy despite
protections of such incidents in the nation's Privacy
Code and Labour Law. |
|
7/31/2008 |
Landmark Ruling Links
Privacy, Human Rights |
E-Health Europe |
|
In
what is expected to become a landmark ruling, a judgment
by the European Court of Human Rights explicitly links
personal privacy and human rights. The court fined the
Finnish government for failing to protect patients'
confidentiality. |
|
7/31/2008 |
Watchdog clears Google's
street cameras |
The Guardian |
Bobbie Johnson |
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has deemed
Google's Street View service permissible. The decision
clears the way for the service's UK launch. |
|
7/30/2008 |
DNA records 'criminalise people' |
BBC News |
|
After a four month long inquiry, a citizen's panel has
recommended that an independent body control the world's
largest police DNA database, rather than the UK
government and police. |
|
7/29/2008 |
Where to draw the line
between the right to privacy and the right to know? |
scotsman.com |
Stuart Skelly |
Stuart Skelly believes clashes between the right of the
public to access information and the right to privacy of
the individual will continue. |
|
7/28/2008 |
Thousands of SMEs risk
identity theft |
Times Online |
|
Thousands of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)
are at risk of corporate identity theft, according the
results of a recent survey |
|
7/24/2008 |
Privacy to the test -
Exploring the limits of online anonymity and
accountability |
finchannel.com |
|
The work of three university-level research teams was
recognized on Wednesday with 2008 Privacy Enhancing
Technology (PET) awards at a symposium in Leuven,
Belgium. |
|
7/22/2008 |
Police lose right to full
records |
Sky News |
|
The UK Information Tribunal has ruled that police must
destroy old conviction data and, going forward, not
store data for longer-than-necessary periods. |
|
7/21/2008 |
The Naked CIO:
Going public about privacy |
Silicon.com |
Naked CIO |
Silicon.com's "Naked CIO" columnist
says our lives would be better if more of our personal
information were held by organizations, arguing that
customers expect business to know about them. |
|
7/21/2008 |
Welsh NHS Trusts admit to
over 150 data breaches |
Computer Weekly |
Antony Savvas |
There have been more than 150 data breaches in Wales'
public health care system over the last three years |
|
7/17/2008 |
Privacy watchdog to get
power to raid |
Silicon.com |
Nick Heath |
The UK government is considering expanding the powers of
the Information Commissioner. Justice Minister Michael
Wills said in a statement: "We believe sharpening the
information commissioner's teeth will enable him to be a
stronger, more effective regulator." |
|
7/17/2008 |
A decade of data confusion |
Computing |
Tom
Young |
Britain's 10-year-old Data Protection Act will come
under scrutiny this year, as researchers examine its
usefulness in this age of rapid technological
development. |
|
7/16/2008 |
Privacy watchdogs try to
ease data sharing compliance for multinationals |
Out-law.com |
|
The Article 29 Working Party has developed a toolkit to
aid organisations that transfer personal data outside
the European Economic Area (EEA). The kit guides
companies through the process of developing Binding
Corporate Rules (BCRs) to ensure adequate data
protection standards for the transfer of personal
information outside the EEA, so companies may do so in
compliance with EU data protection laws. |
|
7/15/2008 |
Big Brother' database of
all phone calls and emails condemned by watchdog |
Telegraph.co.uk |
Christopher Hope |
The UK Information Commissioner says that government
plans to collect and store the communications data of
all citizens is a bad idea. The Data Communications
Bill, a draft of which will be released later this year,
would require Internet service providers and phone
companies to hand over communications records to the
Home Office for storage. |
|
7/14/2008 |
Industry rallies behind
Thomas to toughen data laws |
Precision Marketing |
Sara Kimberley |
British Information Commissioner Richard Thomas has long
been calling for tougher data protection laws. Now,
some in industry are rallying behind him. |
|
7/14/2008 |
First European Privacy
Seal Awarded |
www.european-privacy-seal.eu |
Press Release |
European Data Protection Supervisor Peter Hustinx
yesterday awarded the first-ever European Privacy Seal
for ICT products and IT-based services. Created by
EuroPriSe, a consortium of European data protection
authorities, the seal guarantees compliance with EU laws
and regulations on data security and privacy. |
|
7/11/2008 |
Liechtenstein, Offshore,
International Standards And Protection of Privacy |
Mondaq |
|
Lichtenstein's parliament has modernized its foundation
law to bring it up to current international standards,
while still providing strong protection of the private
sphere. The new law goes into effect on April 1, 2009. |
|
7/10/2008 |
Gov't data retention - how
much is too much? |
Silicon.com |
Nick Heath |
Merlin Hay, Earl of Erroll, has warned the government
against the unnecessary collection and retention of data
under provisions of the UK's proposed Communications
Data Bill. |
|
7/10/2008 |
Gov't data retention - how
much is too much? |
Silicon.com |
Nick Heath |
Merlin Hay, Earl of Erroll, has warned the government
against the unnecessary collection and retention of data
under provisions of the UK's proposed Communications
Data Bill. |
|
7/9/2008 |
Lords overrule courts,
criticise Scottish Information Commissioner |
Out-law.com |
|
The House of Lords has overruled the Scottish
Information Commissioner's decision to allow the release
of anonymized regional medical statistics, saying the
data were still private and thus covered under the UK's
Data Protection Act. |
|
7/9/2008 |
Lords overrule courts,
criticise Scottish Information Commissioner |
Out-law.com |
|
The House of Lords has overruled the Scottish
Information Commissioner's decision to allow the release
of anonymized regional medical statistics, saying the
data were still private and thus covered under the UK's
Data Protection Act. |
|
7/7/2008 |
Remote Patient Monitoring
Market On Rise |
eHealthEurope.net |
|
A
new market assessment by analysts Frost & Sullivan says
that a growing market in the U.K. for remote patient
monitoring may put patient privacy at greater risk.
While the cost advantages inherent with remote patient
monitoring may be attractive to many hospitals, the
report says that issues of patient privacy and
confidentiality are complicating the market. |
|
7/7/2008 |
Europe data protection
laws not fit for purpose, says ICO |
Computerworld |
Staff Writer |
The UK's Information Commissioner's Office has called
for a review of European data protection law, charging
that, as currently constituted, the legal framework does
not function as originally intended. |
|
7/7/2008 |
Remote Patient Monitoring
Market On Rise |
eHealthEurope.net |
|
A
new market assessment by analysts Frost & Sullivan says
that a growing market in the U.K. for remote patient
monitoring may put patient privacy at greater risk.
While the cost advantages inherent with remote patient
monitoring may be attractive to many hospitals, the
report says that issues of patient privacy and
confidentiality are complicating the market. |
|
7/7/2008 |
Europe data protection
laws not fit for purpose, says ICO |
Computerworld |
Staff Writer |
The UK's Information Commissioner's Office has called
for a review of European data protection law, charging
that, as currently constituted, the legal framework does
not function as originally intended. |
|
7/5/2008 |
Irish watchdog slams
ruling over YouTube |
Herald.ie |
Fiachra O'Cionnaith |
In
the wake of a court order requiring Google to produce
user names and Internet protocol addresses for Viacom in
that company's case against YouTube for copyright
infringement, Ireland's Data Commissioner Billy Hawkes
has issued a statement critical of the decision. Saying
that the court's ruling proves there is no such thing as
online privacy, the Evening Herald
reported that Hawkes warned, "As users, we must take
responsibility to use the tools available to us to guard
our privacy. This includes availing of the option to
delete your search history on search engines and,
indeed, the history of videos viewed on websites such as
YouTube." |
|
7/5/2008 |
Irish watchdog slams
ruling over YouTube |
Herald.ie |
Fiachra O'Cionnaith |
In
the wake of a court order requiring Google to produce
user names and Internet protocol addresses for Viacom in
that company's case against YouTube for copyright
infringement, Ireland's Data Commissioner Billy Hawkes
has issued a statement critical of the decision. Saying
that the court's ruling proves there is no such thing as
online privacy, the Evening Herald
reported that Hawkes warned, "As users, we must take
responsibility to use the tools available to us to guard
our privacy. This includes availing of the option to
delete your search history on search engines and,
indeed, the history of videos viewed on websites such as
YouTube." |
|
7/3/2008 |
ICO: Data breach law moves
closer |
Silicon.com |
Nick Heath |
UK's privacy watchdog says a revision to the European
Union's (EU) ePrivacy Directive could bring the UK
closer to getting a data breach notification law on the
books. |
|
7/3/2008 |
ICO: Data breach law moves
closer |
Silicon.com |
Nick Heath |
UK's privacy watchdog says a revision to the European
Union's (EU) ePrivacy Directive could bring the UK
closer to getting a data breach notification law on the
books. |
|
7/2/2008 |
Phonetaps 'breached
privacy law' |
BBC News |
|
Three organisations recently won their case against the
British government for the monitoring of communications
between Ireland and the UK, says a
BBC News report. The Irish
Council for Civil Liberties, Liberty and British-Irish
Rights Watch won their claim that the surveillance
violated privacy law. |
|
7/2/2008 |
Phonetaps 'breached
privacy law' |
BBC News |
|
Three organisations recently won their case against the
British government for the monitoring of communications
between Ireland and the UK, says a
BBC News report. The Irish
Council for Civil Liberties, Liberty and British-Irish
Rights Watch won their claim that the surveillance
violated privacy law. |
|
7/1/2008 |
European Lawmaker To Sue
U.S. Over Data |
Washington Post.com |
Ellen Nakashima |
As
the U.S. and European Union (EU) work to finalize an
agreement on transatlantic data-sharing, one EU lawmaker
is suing the U.S. government for access to her personal
records. The Electronic Frontier Foundation filed the
suit on behalf of Sophie In't Veld, a member of the
Dutch parliament who travels to the U.S. frequently. |
|
7/1/2008 |
European Lawmaker To Sue
U.S. Over Data |
Washington Post.com |
Ellen Nakashima |
As
the U.S. and European Union (EU) work to finalize an
agreement on transatlantic data-sharing, one EU lawmaker
is suing the U.S. government for access to her personal
records. The Electronic Frontier Foundation filed the
suit on behalf of Sophie In't Veld, a member of the
Dutch parliament who travels to the U.S. frequently. |
|
6/30/2008 |
Swiss data protection
commissioner warns of security breaches |
swissinfo.ch |
|
In
his annual report, Switzerland's data protection and
information commissioner warned that new technologies
are making Swiss citizens more vulnerable to invasions
of privacy. |
|
6/30/2008 |
Swiss data protection
commissioner warns of security breaches |
swissinfo.ch |
|
In
his annual report, Switzerland's data protection and
information commissioner warned that new technologies
are making Swiss citizens more vulnerable to invasions
of privacy. |
|
6/28/2008 |
U.S. and Europe Near
Accord on Privacy |
New York Times |
Charlie Savage |
After 16 months of negotiations, American and European
Union officials are near agreement on a pact to enable
the transfer of citizens' personal information across
borders. The pact, once implemented, would allow law
enforcement and security agencies to collect citizens'
credit card transactions, travel histories, Internet
browsing habits and other personal information in an
effort to counter terrorism activities. |
|
6/28/2008 |
U.S. and Europe Near
Accord on Privacy |
New York Times |
Charlie Savage |
After 16 months of negotiations, American and European
Union officials are near agreement on a pact to enable
the transfer of citizens' personal information across
borders. The pact, once implemented, would allow law
enforcement and security agencies to collect citizens'
credit card transactions, travel histories, Internet
browsing habits and other personal information in an
effort to counter terrorism activities. |
|
6/26/2008 |
Mandatory data training
for civil servants |
trainingzone.co.uk |
|
All British civil servants who handle personal data as
part of their job requirements will undergo mandatory,
annual training per the recommendations of Sir Gus
O'Donnell, whose recent review of the government's
information security practices revealed gross negligence
in the area of data protection. |
|
6/26/2008 |
Audit chiefs still lax on
data privacy |
Director of Finance Online |
Adrie van der Luijt |
The results of an Ernst & Young survey show that IT
fraud and data privacy rank low on the list of concerns
of CIOs and internal audit chiefs. |
|
6/26/2008 |
Mandatory data training
for civil servants |
trainingzone.co.uk |
|
All British civil servants who handle personal data as
part of their job requirements will undergo mandatory,
annual training per the recommendations of Sir Gus
O'Donnell, whose recent review of the government's
information security practices revealed gross negligence
in the area of data protection. |
|
6/26/2008 |
Audit chiefs still lax on
data privacy |
Director of Finance Online |
Adrie van der Luijt |
The results of an Ernst & Young survey show that IT
fraud and data privacy rank low on the list of concerns
of CIOs and internal audit chiefs. |
|
6/25/2008 |
Tougher data rules for
Whitehall |
BBC News |
News Staff |
UK
governmental departments will be required to take
"mandatory minimum measures" to shore up data
protection. The measures are designed to help restore
the public's trust in the government's ability to
protect their sensitive information, and come in the
wake of reviews showing that at least two of the many
serious data breaches within government agencies over
the past several months were "entirely avoidable." |
|
6/25/2008 |
Smart CCTV cameras will
hear and see |
vnunet.com |
Guy
Dixon |
Newly designed artificial intelligence software gives
closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) the eyes and
ears of the neighborhood, reports
vnunet.com. Researchers at
the University of Portsmouth have developed the
software, which will allow CCTVs to recognize noteworthy
sounds and swivel its lens toward the noise to record. |
|
6/25/2008 |
Government lays plans to
avoid future data security blunders |
Out-law.com |
|
The Information Commissioner will serve enforcement
notices to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the
Ministry of Defence based on reports published yesterday
exposing the causes of serious data breaches within both
organizations. |
|
6/25/2008 |
Tougher data rules for
Whitehall |
BBC News |
News Staff |
UK
governmental departments will be required to take
"mandatory minimum measures" to shore up data
protection. The measures are designed to help restore
the public's trust in the government's ability to
protect their sensitive information, and come in the
wake of reviews showing that at least two of the many
serious data breaches within government agencies over
the past several months were "entirely avoidable." |
|
6/25/2008 |
Smart CCTV cameras will
hear and see |
vnunet.com |
Guy
Dixon |
Newly designed artificial intelligence software gives
closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) the eyes and
ears of the neighborhood, reports
vnunet.com. Researchers at
the University of Portsmouth have developed the
software, which will allow CCTVs to recognize noteworthy
sounds and swivel its lens toward the noise to record. |
|
6/25/2008 |
Government lays plans to
avoid future data security blunders |
Out-law.com |
|
The Information Commissioner will serve enforcement
notices to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the
Ministry of Defence based on reports published yesterday
exposing the causes of serious data breaches within both
organizations. |
|
6/23/2008 |
European Commission
Scrutinizes Online Advertising |
clickZ.com |
Jack Marshall |
Members of the European Commission met with industry
leaders and others at a roundtable event on Friday to
discuss privacy and consumer protection in the face of
the online ad industry. Attendees discussed various
issues arising from online advertising, such as consumer
awareness, legislation and self-regulation. |
|
6/23/2008 |
European Commission
Scrutinizes Online Advertising |
clickZ.com |
Jack Marshall |
Members of the European Commission met with industry
leaders and others at a roundtable event on Friday to
discuss privacy and consumer protection in the face of
the online ad industry. Attendees discussed various
issues arising from online advertising, such as consumer
awareness, legislation and self-regulation. |
|
6/19/2008 |
One in three IT staff
snoops on colleagues |
MSNBC |
Georgina Prodhan |
A
survey conducted at Infosecurity Expo 2008 revealed that
one in three information technology professionals has
used administrative passwords to snoop into the
confidential files of colleagues. |
|
6/19/2008 |
Italian Privacy Advocates
and Jurists Launch new Privacy Institute |
IT
News |
Luca Bolognini |
Privacy advocates and legal experts have launched the
Italian Institute for Privacy. |
|
6/19/2008 |
Mobile warriors leaking
company secrets |
vnunet.com |
Ian
Williams |
A
study by Regus finds that Brits traveling on business
have a tendency to leak company secrets, says a
vnunet.com report. The survey of 1,000 mobile workers
revealed that more than two thirds of business travelers
have eavesdropped on confidential business conversations
in public places and a third have seen sensitive data on
laptops. |
|
6/19/2008 |
One in three IT staff
snoops on colleagues |
MSNBC |
Georgina Prodhan |
A
survey conducted at Infosecurity Expo 2008 revealed that
one in three information technology professionals has
used administrative passwords to snoop into the
confidential files of colleagues. |
|
6/19/2008 |
Italian Privacy Advocates
and Jurists Launch new Privacy Institute |
IT
News |
Luca Bolognini |
Privacy advocates and legal experts have launched the
Italian Institute for Privacy. |
|
6/19/2008 |
Mobile warriors leaking
company secrets |
vnunet.com |
Ian
Williams |
A
study by Regus finds that Brits traveling on business
have a tendency to leak company secrets, says a
vnunet.com report. The survey of 1,000 mobile workers
revealed that more than two thirds of business travelers
have eavesdropped on confidential business conversations
in public places and a third have seen sensitive data on
laptops. |
|
6/17/2008 |
UK Insurer Scraps GPS
Vehicle-tracking Policy |
PC
World |
Jeremy Kirk |
Norwich Union has suspended its "Pay as you drive" plan,
which tracked clients' vehicle usage using Global
Positioning System (GPS) technology, says a
PCWorld
report. The GPS allowed Norwich Union to track where and
what time customers drove, and their speed, offering
lower rates for off-peak hours. |
|
6/17/2008 |
UK government admits data
breach |
The Irish Times |
Reuters |
For the second time in a week, the government has been
hit with a data breach, Reuters reports. A break-in at
the constituency office of Communities and Local
Government has resulted in the theft of a computer. |
|
6/17/2008 |
UK Insurer Scraps GPS
Vehicle-tracking Policy |
PC
World |
Jeremy Kirk |
Norwich Union has suspended its "Pay as you drive" plan,
which tracked clients' vehicle usage using Global
Positioning System (GPS) technology, says a
PCWorld
report. The GPS allowed Norwich Union to track where and
what time customers drove, and their speed, offering
lower rates for off-peak hours. |
|
6/17/2008 |
UK government admits data
breach |
The Irish Times |
Reuters |
For the second time in a week, the government has been
hit with a data breach, Reuters reports. A break-in at
the constituency office of Communities and Local
Government has resulted in the theft of a computer. |
|
6/16/2008 |
Privacy watchdog concerned
over surge in identity fraud |
The Press and Journal |
|
A
sixty-six percent rise in identity fraud over the past
year has the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
prompting organisations and individuals to shore up on
data protection. |
|
6/16/2008 |
Privacy watchdog concerned
over surge in identity fraud |
The Press and Journal |
|
A
sixty-six percent rise in identity fraud over the past
year has the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
prompting organisations and individuals to shore up on
data protection. |
|
6/12/2008 |
British Lawmaker quits in
protest at planned terror laws |
Baltimore Sun |
David Stringer |
A
senior British lawmaker quit Parliament yesterday based
on what he describes as the government's steady erosion
of the country's civil liberties. Opposition
Conservative Party member David Davis made the
announcement after Prime Minister Gordon Brown's
government won another vote to tighten terrorism laws. |
|
6/12/2008 |
British Lawmaker quits in
protest at planned terror laws |
Baltimore Sun |
David Stringer |
A
senior British lawmaker quit Parliament yesterday based
on what he describes as the government's steady erosion
of the country's civil liberties. Opposition
Conservative Party member David Davis made the
announcement after Prime Minister Gordon Brown's
government won another vote to tighten terrorism laws. |
|
6/10/2008 |
EU mulls intervention over
BT's secret Phorm trials |
The Register |
Chris Williams |
Despite the UK Information Commissioner's assurance that
it will not pursue BT over alleged violations of the
European Privacy and Electronic Communications
Regulations, the European Commission says it will take
action "if need be." |
|
6/10/2008 |
EU mulls intervention over
BT's secret Phorm trials |
The Register |
Chris Williams |
Despite the UK Information Commissioner's assurance that
it will not pursue BT over alleged violations of the
European Privacy and Electronic Communications
Regulations, the European Commission says it will take
action "if need be." |
|
6/9/2008 |
Mind reading by MRI scan
raises 'mental privacy' issue |
Telegraph.co.uk |
Roger Highfield |
Technological developments that make mind reading a
reality have raised concerns about "mental privacy,"
with one leading neuroscientist calling for a public
debate. |
|
6/9/2008 |
Mind reading by MRI scan
raises 'mental privacy' issue |
Telegraph.co.uk |
Roger Highfield |
Technological developments that make mind reading a
reality have raised concerns about "mental privacy,"
with one leading neuroscientist calling for a public
debate. |
|
6/8/2008 |
ID cards 'could threaten
privacy' |
BBC News |
|
BBC News reports that the Home
Affairs Select Committee wants to make sure that proper
safeguards are in place for the National Identity
Scheme--the project to create national ID cards for
every British resident over the age of 16, set to roll
out later this year. |
|
6/8/2008 |
ID cards 'could threaten
privacy' |
BBC News |
|
BBC News reports that the Home
Affairs Select Committee wants to make sure that proper
safeguards are in place for the National Identity
Scheme--the project to create national ID cards for
every British resident over the age of 16, set to roll
out later this year. |
|
6/6/2008 |
Public demands data breach
legislation |
vnunet.com |
Ian
Williams |
As
the European Union mulls the possibility of a data
breach notification law, new research by Symantec and
Ipsos Mori indicates that 96 percent of citizens want to
know if their private information has been lost or
stolen. |
|
6/6/2008 |
Public demands data breach
legislation |
vnunet.com |
Ian
Williams |
As
the European Union mulls the possibility of a data
breach notification law, new research by Symantec and
Ipsos Mori indicates that 96 percent of citizens want to
know if their private information has been lost or
stolen. |
|
6/4/2008 |
Data Retention Effectively
changes the behavior of Citizens in Germany |
kreativrauschen.com |
|
A
study of 1,002 Germans found that the social effects of
the nation's data retention law changes the
communications habits of its citizens. |
|
6/4/2008 |
ICO Issues New Guidance On
Transfer of Employee Information |
Out-law.com |
|
The Information Commissioner's Office is helping
organizations comply with the Data Protection Act when
providing information about employees during a business
transfer. |
|
6/4/2008 |
German Government Backs
Enhanced Surveillance |
International Herald Tribune |
Judy Dempsey |
In
an effort to help protect against terrorist attacks,
Chancellor Angela Merkel's government earlier this week
agreed to give Germany's police forces enhanced powers
to monitor homes, telephones and private computers. |
|
6/4/2008 |
Data Retention Effectively
changes the behavior of Citizens in Germany |
kreativrauschen.com |
|
A
study of 1,002 Germans found that the social effects of
the nation's data retention law changes the
communications habits of its citizens. |
|
6/4/2008 |
ICO Issues New Guidance On
Transfer of Employee Information |
Out-law.com |
|
The Information Commissioner's Office is helping
organizations comply with the Data Protection Act when
providing information about employees during a business
transfer. |
|
6/4/2008 |
German Government Backs
Enhanced Surveillance |
International Herald Tribune |
Judy Dempsey |
In
an effort to help protect against terrorist attacks,
Chancellor Angela Merkel's government earlier this week
agreed to give Germany's police forces enhanced powers
to monitor homes, telephones and private computers. |
|
6/3/2008 |
Rights group pushing
telecoms on data privacy |
realdeal.hu |
|
A
Hungarian group is working to abolish a law they say is
unconstitutional and an invasion of citizens' privacy.
The Company for Freedom Rights has asked the
Constitutional Court to void a law that requires
telecoms and Internet companies to store customer data
for one year. |
|
6/3/2008 |
Rights group pushing
telecoms on data privacy |
realdeal.hu |
|
A
Hungarian group is working to abolish a law they say is
unconstitutional and an invasion of citizens' privacy.
The Company for Freedom Rights has asked the
Constitutional Court to void a law that requires
telecoms and Internet companies to store customer data
for one year. |
|
5/30/2008 |
Phorm Opponents to Picket
BT Shareholders |
The Register |
Chris Williams |
Opponents of BT's involvement with Phorm will protest
outside the company's annual meeting in July. |
|
5/30/2008 |
Phorm Opponents to Picket
BT Shareholders |
The Register |
Chris Williams |
Opponents of BT's involvement with Phorm will protest
outside the company's annual meeting in July. |
|
5/29/2008 |
Deutsche Telekom Offices
Raided as Spying Scandal Deepens |
DW
World |
|
Labor representatives on the Deutsche Telekom
supervisory board said yesterday they will press charges
against the telecommunications giant for serious
breaches of privacy and trust. |
|
5/29/2008 |
Deutsche Telekom Offices
Raided as Spying Scandal Deepens |
DW
World |
|
Labor representatives on the Deutsche Telekom
supervisory board said yesterday they will press charges
against the telecommunications giant for serious
breaches of privacy and trust. |
|
5/28/2008 |
EU Security Agency Calls
For Breach Notification Law |
vnunet.com |
Tom
Young |
The European Network and Information Security Agency
(ENISA) released a report outlining the need for a
continent-wide data breach notification law. |
|
5/28/2008 |
EU Security Agency Calls
For Breach Notification Law |
vnunet.com |
Tom
Young |
The European Network and Information Security Agency
(ENISA) released a report outlining the need for a
continent-wide data breach notification law. |
|
5/27/2008 |
Phone Giant in Germany
Stirs a Furor |
The New York Times |
Mark Landler |
Deutsche Telekom yesterday admitted to "severe and far
reaching" misuse of private data during a surreptitious
investigation in which phone calls between reporters and
board members were monitored in order to identify the
sources of media leaks about the phone giant's internal
affairs. |
|
5/27/2008 |
Phone Giant in Germany
Stirs a Furor |
The New York Times |
Mark Landler |
Deutsche Telekom yesterday admitted to "severe and far
reaching" misuse of private data during a surreptitious
investigation in which phone calls between reporters and
board members were monitored in order to identify the
sources of media leaks about the phone giant's internal
affairs. |
|
5/26/2008 |
Strong Data Protection
Rules Are Needed To Prevent Emergence of Surveillance
Society |
The European Weekly |
Thomas Hammarburg |
Commissioner for Human Rights for the Council of Europe
Thomas Hammarberg argues for a highly developed EU data
protection regime in order to protect citizens' privacy
in an age where privacy is continually placed at risk
for the sake of preventing terrorism. |
|
5/26/2008 |
Strong Data Protection
Rules Are Needed To Prevent Emergence of Surveillance
Society |
The European Weekly |
Thomas Hammarburg |
Commissioner for Human Rights for the Council of Europe
Thomas Hammarberg argues for a highly developed EU data
protection regime in order to protect citizens' privacy
in an age where privacy is continually placed at risk
for the sake of preventing terrorism. |
|
5/20/2008 |
Government plans to store
comms data |
IT
Week |
Phil Muncaster |
A
proposed government database to house details of all
phone and VoIP calls, emails and Internet usage by UK
citizens has raised concerns about privacy. The draft
Communications Data Bill
would extend the current requirements for telcos and
service providers to store details of emails and phone
calls for 12 months. |
|
5/20/2008 |
Identity Theft a Prime
Concern, says survey |
IT
Pro |
Ash
Dosanjh |
A
new survey reveals that 86 percent of UK citizens worry
about having their personal information misused and 61
percent of those are "extremely" or "very worried" about
the issue, says a report in IT Pro. |
|
5/20/2008 |
Privacy Group Launches
Phorm Spoiler |
PC
Pro |
Barry Collins |
A
group of concerned individuals calling itself the
AntiPhorm group has launched an application aimed at
preventing ISPs from profiting from their customers' Web
surfing habits. |
|
5/20/2008 |
Government plans to store
comms data |
IT
Week |
Phil Muncaster |
A
proposed government database to house details of all
phone and VoIP calls, emails and Internet usage by UK
citizens has raised concerns about privacy. The draft
Communications Data Bill
would extend the current requirements for telcos and
service providers to store details of emails and phone
calls for 12 months. |
|
5/20/2008 |
Identity Theft a Prime
Concern, says survey |
IT
Pro |
Ash
Dosanjh |
A
new survey reveals that 86 percent of UK citizens worry
about having their personal information misused and 61
percent of those are "extremely" or "very worried" about
the issue, says a report in IT Pro. |
|
5/20/2008 |
Privacy Group Launches
Phorm Spoiler |
PC
Pro |
Barry Collins |
A
group of concerned individuals calling itself the
AntiPhorm group has launched an application aimed at
preventing ISPs from profiting from their customers' Web
surfing habits. |
|
5/19/2008 |
Why we don't need a secury
breach notification law in the UK |
Out-law.com |
Chris Pounder |
Privacy law specialist Chris Pounder says that the UK
does not need a separate security-breach notification
law because the failure to notify affected individuals
is covered under the Data Protection Act. |
|
5/19/2008 |
Why we don't need a secury
breach notification law in the UK |
Out-law.com |
Chris Pounder |
Privacy law specialist Chris Pounder says that the UK
does not need a separate security-breach notification
law because the failure to notify affected individuals
is covered under the Data Protection Act. |
|
5/17/2008 |
Nelson Inquiry Disc is
Lost |
utvlive.com |
|
A
police inquiry has been launched to investigate the loss
of a disc containing personal information related to the
loyalist murder of solicitor Rosemary Nelson. The public
inquiry team responsible for the disc, which has been
missing since May 6, said it deeply regretted "the
serious breach of secure data handling protocols within
the inquiry," says a UTV
report. |
|
5/17/2008 |
Nelson Inquiry Disc is
Lost |
utvlive.com |
|
A
police inquiry has been launched to investigate the loss
of a disc containing personal information related to the
loyalist murder of solicitor Rosemary Nelson. The public
inquiry team responsible for the disc, which has been
missing since May 6, said it deeply regretted "the
serious breach of secure data handling protocols within
the inquiry," says a UTV
report. |
|
5/16/2008 |
Google Maps Could Cross EU
Privacy Laws |
Business Week |
Leigh Philips |
European Union Data Protection Supervisor Peter Hustnix
says if Google plans to launch its "Street View" feature
in Europe, they should consider reforming it, as the
service may breach EU privacy laws. |
|
5/16/2008 |
Google Maps Could Cross EU
Privacy Laws |
Business Week |
Leigh Philips |
European Union Data Protection Supervisor Peter Hustnix
says if Google plans to launch its "Street View" feature
in Europe, they should consider reforming it, as the
service may breach EU privacy laws. |
|
5/12/2008 |
Outrage in UK over staff
blacklisting database |
SiliconRepublic.com |
Niall Byrne |
A
controversial database set to launch later this month
has raised the ire of citizens, trade unions and civil
liberties groups. |
|
5/12/2008 |
e-Government:
Information Commissioner Welcomes new powers to
fine organization |
PublicTechnology.net |
Central Government |
In
an effort to demonstrate the importance of data
protection, Britain's Information Commissioner now has
the power to impose serious consequences for reckless or
deliberate disclosure of personal information in
violation of the Data Protection Act. |
|
5/12/2008 |
Outrage in UK over staff
blacklisting database |
SiliconRepublic.com |
Niall Byrne |
A
controversial database set to launch later this month
has raised the ire of citizens, trade unions and civil
liberties groups. |
|
5/12/2008 |
e-Government:
Information Commissioner Welcomes new powers to
fine organization |
PublicTechnology.net |
Central Government |
In
an effort to demonstrate the importance of data
protection, Britain's Information Commissioner now has
the power to impose serious consequences for reckless or
deliberate disclosure of personal information in
violation of the Data Protection Act. |
|
5/9/2008 |
State intruding into
private lives, data watchdog warns |
The Independent |
Fergus Black |
Speaking on his 2007 annual report, Irish Data
Protection Commissioner Billy Hawkes said the public
needs to question the State more often about measures
taken to protect citizens from crime and terrorism that
may also override privacy rights. |
|
5/9/2008 |
State intruding into
private lives, data watchdog warns |
The Independent |
Fergus Black |
Speaking on his 2007 annual report, Irish Data
Protection Commissioner Billy Hawkes said the public
needs to question the State more often about measures
taken to protect citizens from crime and terrorism that
may also override privacy rights. |
|
5/8/2008 |
Our surveillance society
goes online |
The Guardian |
Christine Evans-Pughe |
A
new book by two University of Southampton computer
science professors chronicles the rapid advance of
endemic surveillance society. |
|
5/8/2008 |
Lose data and you go to
jail |
Computing |
Tom
Young |
The House of Lords last week approved legislation to
criminalize the negligent disclosure of personal data. |
|
5/8/2008 |
Our surveillance society
goes online |
The Guardian |
Christine Evans-Pughe |
A
new book by two University of Southampton computer
science professors chronicles the rapid advance of
endemic surveillance society. |
|
5/8/2008 |
Lose data and you go to
jail |
Computing |
Tom
Young |
The House of Lords last week approved legislation to
criminalize the negligent disclosure of personal data. |
|
5/6/2008 |
New Law to safeguard
privacy |
Zaman Amerika |
|
A
bill to safeguard privacy rights went to the Turkish
Parliament this week, says a
Today'sZaman.com report. The
bill, along with another submitted in April regarding
state secrets and transparency, are part of reforms
aimed at easing Turkey's bid to become part of the
European Union. |
|
5/6/2008 |
New Law to safeguard
privacy |
Zaman Amerika |
|
A
bill to safeguard privacy rights went to the Turkish
Parliament this week, says a
Today'sZaman.com report. The
bill, along with another submitted in April regarding
state secrets and transparency, are part of reforms
aimed at easing Turkey's bid to become part of the
European Union. |
|
5/5/2008 |
Are CCTV Cameras a waste
of money in the fight against crime? |
The Independent |
Andy McSmith |
Writing for The Independent,
Andy McSmith raises questions about the use of closed
circuit television cameras (CCTV) in Britain. |
|
5/5/2008 |
Swiss Banks Refuse Blame
For Foreign Client's Tax Evasion |
International Herald Tribune |
Associated Press |
The Swiss Bankers Association is standing firm on its
refusal to release foreign clients' information to
nations seeking to crack down on tax evaders. |
|
5/5/2008 |
Finland Considers changes
to Data Protection Act |
Ice News |
K.
Mar |
Amendments to Finland's Data Protection Act will enable
companies to, in certain situations, examine emails sent
by employees and the addresses to which they were sent. |
|
5/5/2008 |
Are CCTV Cameras a waste
of money in the fight against crime? |
The Independent |
Andy McSmith |
Writing for The Independent,
Andy McSmith raises questions about the use of closed
circuit television cameras (CCTV) in Britain. |
|
5/5/2008 |
Swiss Banks Refuse Blame
For Foreign Client's Tax Evasion |
International Herald Tribune |
Associated Press |
The Swiss Bankers Association is standing firm on its
refusal to release foreign clients' information to
nations seeking to crack down on tax evaders. |
|
5/5/2008 |
Finland Considers changes
to Data Protection Act |
Ice News |
K.
Mar |
Amendments to Finland's Data Protection Act will enable
companies to, in certain situations, examine emails sent
by employees and the addresses to which they were sent. |
|
5/4/2008 |
Crossed lines at Vodafone
cause alarm |
The Observer |
Jamie Doward |
Technical problems with the network of Britain's largest
mobile phone company made it possible for some users to
hear the calls of other subscribers. |
|
5/4/2008 |
Crossed lines at Vodafone
cause alarm |
The Observer |
Jamie Doward |
Technical problems with the network of Britain's largest
mobile phone company made it possible for some users to
hear the calls of other subscribers. |
|
5/1/2008 |
HMRC punishes staff over
data privacy issues |
IT
Week |
David Neal |
A
New York Times
article highlighting the benefits and disadvantages of
software that lets parents monitor their kids' every
scholastic move shows that while programs such as
ParentConnect help keep parents "in the loop" on their
sons' or daughters' daily experiences and stimulate
communications among parents and teachers, many students
find the technology invades their privacy. |
|
5/1/2008 |
HMRC punishes staff over
data privacy issues |
IT
Week |
David Neal |
A
New York Times
article highlighting the benefits and disadvantages of
software that lets parents monitor their kids' every
scholastic move shows that while programs such as
ParentConnect help keep parents "in the loop" on their
sons' or daughters' daily experiences and stimulate
communications among parents and teachers, many students
find the technology invades their privacy. |
|
4/30/2008 |
Update 1 - Uproar in Italy
after web publishes earning levels |
Reuters |
Robin Pomeroy |
Members of Italy's outgoing government published on an
Italian Treasury Web site the declared taxable income of
every Italian citizen, Reuters reports. |
|
4/30/2008 |
Update 1 - Uproar in Italy
after web publishes earning levels |
Reuters |
Robin Pomeroy |
Members of Italy's outgoing government published on an
Italian Treasury Web site the declared taxable income of
every Italian citizen, Reuters reports. |
|
4/25/2008 |
Face scans for air
passengers to begin in UK this summer |
The Guardian |
Owen Bowcott |
The new biometric passports of EU and UK citizens will
be put to use this summer when airports begin piloting
the use of facial recognition technology in an attempt
to improve security. Travelers will enter unmanned
"clearance" gates, where scanners will match their
facial images to that stored on their passport chips. |
|
4/25/2008 |
Face scans for air
passengers to begin in UK this summer |
The Guardian |
Owen Bowcott |
The new biometric passports of EU and UK citizens will
be put to use this summer when airports begin piloting
the use of facial recognition technology in an attempt
to improve security. Travelers will enter unmanned
"clearance" gates, where scanners will match their
facial images to that stored on their passport chips. |
|
4/24/2008 |
Financial companies
underestimate ID fraud |
Reuters |
Jennifer Hill |
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) issued a warning
to the UK financial sector to "change their attitude,"
when it comes to curbing the rising problem of identity
fraud. |
|
4/24/2008 |
Infosec 08: Half of
businesses hit by breaches |
IT
Pro |
Asavin Wattanajantra |
UK
tech portal ITPro reports that, according to a new study
conducted by the Ponemon Institute for PGP Corp., and
released this week at InfoSec 2008 in London, 60 percent
of UK companies suffered a data breach last year, and
more than a quarter experienced multiple data breaches. |
|
4/24/2008 |
Financial companies
underestimate ID fraud |
Reuters |
Jennifer Hill |
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) issued a warning
to the UK financial sector to "change their attitude,"
when it comes to curbing the rising problem of identity
fraud. |
|
4/24/2008 |
Infosec 08: Half of
businesses hit by breaches |
IT
Pro |
Asavin Wattanajantra |
UK
tech portal ITPro reports that, according to a new study
conducted by the Ponemon Institute for PGP Corp., and
released this week at InfoSec 2008 in London, 60 percent
of UK companies suffered a data breach last year, and
more than a quarter experienced multiple data breaches. |
|
4/22/2008 |
Privacy watchdog to get
new powers |
Computing |
Tom
Young |
The UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has
received expanded powers to conduct spot checks on
government departments beginning later this year. |
|
4/22/2008 |
Privacy watchdog to get
new powers |
Computing |
Tom
Young |
The UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has
received expanded powers to conduct spot checks on
government departments beginning later this year. |
|
4/21/2008 |
Data Theft involving 10,000 bank records |
RTE News |
|
Sensitive information regarding 10,000 Bank of Ireland
customers has been stolen. |
|
4/21/2008 |
Customer data 'needs
protection' |
BBC News |
Darren Waters |
UK
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas is urging
Britain's firms and public bodies to make data
protection a priority. His comments come on the heels of
survey results indicating that companies and
organizations are not doing enough to ensure the
protection of citizens' confidential information. |
|
4/21/2008 |
Security conscious Brits
wary of data centres |
Experian QAS |
|
Fifty-eight percent of Britons surveyed in a recent
Migration Solutions poll indicated they believe data
centres hold a great deal of sensitive personal data,
such as credit card payment data, and nearly 76 percent
of those surveyed worry about the security risks these
centres pose. |
|
4/21/2008 |
Police force's Facebook
app raises privacy concerns |
ZDNET.co.uk |
Matthew Broersma |
The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are on Facebook and
at least one privacy advocate is concerned about
potential privacy ramifications, says a ZDNet.co.uk
report. The force last week launched their GMP Updates
application, which is designed to help them fight and
detect crime, according to the report. |
|
4/21/2008 |
Data Theft involving 10,000 bank records |
RTE News |
|
Sensitive information regarding 10,000 Bank of Ireland
customers has been stolen. |
|
4/21/2008 |
Customer data 'needs
protection' |
BBC News |
Darren Waters |
UK
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas is urging
Britain's firms and public bodies to make data
protection a priority. His comments come on the heels of
survey results indicating that companies and
organizations are not doing enough to ensure the
protection of citizens' confidential information. |
|
4/21/2008 |
Security conscious Brits
wary of data centres |
Experian QAS |
|
Fifty-eight percent of Britons surveyed in a recent
Migration Solutions poll indicated they believe data
centres hold a great deal of sensitive personal data,
such as credit card payment data, and nearly 76 percent
of those surveyed worry about the security risks these
centres pose. |
|
4/21/2008 |
Police force's Facebook
app raises privacy concerns |
ZDNET.co.uk |
Matthew Broersma |
The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are on Facebook and
at least one privacy advocate is concerned about
potential privacy ramifications, says a ZDNet.co.uk
report. The force last week launched their GMP Updates
application, which is designed to help them fight and
detect crime, according to the report. |
|
4/17/2008 |
Company privacy traded for
candy |
The Tech Herald |
Steve Ragan |
InfoSecurity Europe reps last week surveyed 576 people
passing through London's Liverpool Street Station to
find out how much personal information the average
individual was willing to give up for a snack and the
promise of a free vacation. |
|
4/17/2008 |
Company privacy traded for
candy |
The Tech Herald |
Steve Ragan |
InfoSecurity Europe reps last week surveyed 576 people
passing through London's Liverpool Street Station to
find out how much personal information the average
individual was willing to give up for a snack and the
promise of a free vacation. |
|
4/15/2008 |
EDPS Opinion on ePrivacy
Directive review: overall positive, but further
improvements should be considered |
eGov Monitor |
European Data Protection Supervisor |
This week the UK's eGovMonitor.com news portal posted an
opinion from the European Data Protection Supervisor's
office observing that efforts to improve EU privacy
protections are needed, but that the European
Commission's proposed changes to the ePrivacy Directive
should go further. |
|
4/15/2008 |
EDPS Opinion on ePrivacy
Directive review: overall positive, but further
improvements should be considered |
eGov Monitor |
European Data Protection Supervisor |
This week the UK's eGovMonitor.com news portal posted an
opinion from the European Data Protection Supervisor's
office observing that efforts to improve EU privacy
protections are needed, but that the European
Commission's proposed changes to the ePrivacy Directive
should go further. |
|
4/14/2008 |
EC must adopt breach
notification legislation, says watchdog |
Computing |
Tom
Young |
Peter Hustinx, Europe's data protection supervisor, has
recommended that the European Commission adopt mandatory
data breach notification law, following the lead of
those states in the U.S. that have already taken the
step. |
|
4/14/2008 |
EC must adopt breach
notification legislation, says watchdog |
Computing |
Tom
Young |
Peter Hustinx, Europe's data protection supervisor, has
recommended that the European Commission adopt mandatory
data breach notification law, following the lead of
those states in the U.S. that have already taken the
step. |
|
4/10/2008 |
French sites fined for
linking to privacy-invading content |
Out-law.com |
|
The Paris Tribunal fined three French Web sites for
breaching article 9 of the French Civil Code by invading
the privacy of an actor by way of linking to an illicit
article about him. |
|
4/10/2008 |
French sites fined for
linking to privacy-invading content |
Out-law.com |
|
The Paris Tribunal fined three French Web sites for
breaching article 9 of the French Civil Code by invading
the privacy of an actor by way of linking to an illicit
article about him. |
|
4/9/2008 |
Information Commissioner:
Phorm must be opt-in only |
The Register |
Chris Williams |
The UK Information Commissioner's Office is taking a
harder stand with regard to the controversial online
advertising tracking system, Phorm, stating that use of
the system must be on an opt-in basis only if it is to
be compliant with UK law. |
|
4/9/2008 |
Information Commissioner:
Phorm must be opt-in only |
The Register |
Chris Williams |
The UK Information Commissioner's Office is taking a
harder stand with regard to the controversial online
advertising tracking system, Phorm, stating that use of
the system must be on an opt-in basis only if it is to
be compliant with UK law. |
|
4/8/2008 |
Google defends user data
policy after EU report |
Reuters |
Eric Auchard |
Following the issuance of a set of data retention
recommendations by the European Union's Article 29
Working Party on Friday, Google yesterday responded to
defend its practices stating in a written response by
Peter Fleischer, the company's global privacy counsel,
"We believe that data retention requirements have to
take into account the need to provide quality products
and services for users, like accurate search results, as
well as system security and integrity concerns." |
|
4/8/2008 |
Google defends user data
policy after EU report |
Reuters |
Eric Auchard |
Following the issuance of a set of data retention
recommendations by the European Union's Article 29
Working Party on Friday, Google yesterday responded to
defend its practices stating in a written response by
Peter Fleischer, the company's global privacy counsel,
"We believe that data retention requirements have to
take into account the need to provide quality products
and services for users, like accurate search results, as
well as system security and integrity concerns." |
|
4/7/2008 |
Europeans warn search
engines: Delete
user data sooner |
Cnet News.com |
Anne Broache |
The European Union's Article 29 Working Party has issued
a set of recommendations for data retention by search
engine operators that derive revenue from search-based
advertising. |
|
4/7/2008 |
Europeans warn search
engines: Delete
user data sooner |
Cnet News.com |
Anne Broache |
The European Union's Article 29 Working Party has issued
a set of recommendations for data retention by search
engine operators that derive revenue from search-based
advertising. |
|
4/3/2008 |
The lidls of Others:
Two More German Chains Caught Spying on Employees |
Spiegel Online |
|
Government officials are being urged to take action to
protect employee privacy amid allegations in recent
weeks that spying is standard operating procedure among
Germany's largest supermarkets. |
|
4/3/2008 |
UK Children face
social-networking danger |
PC
Advisor |
Megan Burger |
A
PC Advisor
report says that 41 percent of children in the UK do not
use the privacy settings provided by their social
networking site. The data comes from an Ofcom survey,
which found that while nearly half of the UK's eight to
17 year-old population have profiles on sites such as
Bebo, Facebook, or Myspace, the majority of them leave
their privacy settings open -- rendering their photos
and personal information available to anyone online. |
|
4/3/2008 |
The lidls of Others:
Two More German Chains Caught Spying on Employees |
Spiegel Online |
|
Government officials are being urged to take action to
protect employee privacy amid allegations in recent
weeks that spying is standard operating procedure among
Germany's largest supermarkets. |
|
4/3/2008 |
UK Children face
social-networking danger |
PC
Advisor |
Megan Burger |
A
PC Advisor
report says that 41 percent of children in the UK do not
use the privacy settings provided by their social
networking site. The data comes from an Ofcom survey,
which found that while nearly half of the UK's eight to
17 year-old population have profiles on sites such as
Bebo, Facebook, or Myspace, the majority of them leave
their privacy settings open -- rendering their photos
and personal information available to anyone online. |
|
4/1/2008 |
ICO: Data theft laws must
not be axed |
Silicon.com |
Nick Heath |
With Parliament under pressure to soften clause 76 of
the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill -- the bill
mandating that those who buy or sell personal data face
prison terms -- The Information Commissioner's Office
has cautioned against any relaxing of the law. |
|
4/1/2008 |
ICO: Data theft laws must
not be axed |
Silicon.com |
Nick Heath |
With Parliament under pressure to soften clause 76 of
the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill -- the bill
mandating that those who buy or sell personal data face
prison terms -- The Information Commissioner's Office
has cautioned against any relaxing of the law. |
|
3/28/2008 |
The IAPP Recognizes UK
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas with 2008
Privacy Leadership Award |
IAPP |
|
UK
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas today received
the International Association of Privacy Professionals'
(IAPP) 2008 Privacy Leadership Award for his ongoing
commitment to raising the public profile of privacy and
data protection issues. |
|
3/28/2008 |
U.K. Likely to Enact Data
Breach Notice Law |
Privacy Law Watch |
Donald G. Aplin |
Reporting from the International Association of Privacy
Professionals Privacy Summit in Washington, D.C.
Privacy & Security Law Report
writes that, chances are, the United Kingdom will enact
a law this year surrounding data breach notification. |
|
3/28/2008 |
The IAPP Recognizes UK
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas with 2008
Privacy Leadership Award |
IAPP |
|
UK
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas today received
the International Association of Privacy Professionals'
(IAPP) 2008 Privacy Leadership Award for his ongoing
commitment to raising the public profile of privacy and
data protection issues. |
|
3/28/2008 |
U.K. Likely to Enact Data
Breach Notice Law |
Privacy Law Watch |
Donald G. Aplin |
Reporting from the International Association of Privacy
Professionals Privacy Summit in Washington, D.C.
Privacy & Security Law Report
writes that, chances are, the United Kingdom will enact
a law this year surrounding data breach notification. |
|
3/25/2008 |
E. German Stasi informant
wins battle to conceal past |
Reuters |
Carolyn Palmer |
A
German court has ruled in favor of a former East German
Stasi informant, forcing the creators of popular
exhibition on the secret police to remove his name and
activities from their display. |
|
3/25/2008 |
E. German Stasi informant
wins battle to conceal past |
Reuters |
Carolyn Palmer |
A
German court has ruled in favor of a former East German
Stasi informant, forcing the creators of popular
exhibition on the secret police to remove his name and
activities from their display. |
|
3/24/2008 |
Heathrow fingerprint plan
challenged |
Telegraph.co.uk |
Nick Allen |
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is wary of a
plan to fingerprint all passengers using Heathrow's new
fifth terminal, saying that it may be a violation of the
Data Protection Act. |
|
3/24/2008 |
Heathrow fingerprint plan
challenged |
Telegraph.co.uk |
Nick Allen |
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is wary of a
plan to fingerprint all passengers using Heathrow's new
fifth terminal, saying that it may be a violation of the
Data Protection Act. |
|
3/20/2008 |
U.K. Consumers Now
Privacy-Aware |
Digital Trends |
Christopher Nickson |
A
new survey from the Office of the Information
Commissioner (ICO) found that the majority of citizens
are concerned about their personal information, and
they're doing something about it. |
|
3/20/2008 |
Eurosceptics warn EU not
to ignore Irish treaty rejection |
The Parliament |
|
Speaking to members of the EU parliament in Brussels,
U.S. Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff asserted
that collecting passenger name record (PNR) data does
not invade the privacy of airline passengers. |
|
3/20/2008 |
U.K. Consumers Now
Privacy-Aware |
Digital Trends |
Christopher Nickson |
A
new survey from the Office of the Information
Commissioner (ICO) found that the majority of citizens
are concerned about their personal information, and
they're doing something about it. |
|
3/20/2008 |
Eurosceptics warn EU not
to ignore Irish treaty rejection |
The Parliament |
|
Speaking to members of the EU parliament in Brussels,
U.S. Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff asserted
that collecting passenger name record (PNR) data does
not invade the privacy of airline passengers. |
|
3/18/2008 |
|