technology

Ireland is cool for Google as its data servers like the weather

"Since Google’s arrival, south-east central Dublin has been rapidly transformed into a technological hub similar to Berlin’s Silicon Allee or London’s Silicon Roundabout. Other companies such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Zynga, HP and Dropbox have all set up in Dublin. Ireland has been able to attract these world-famous corporations despite the depth of its financial and economic crisis, due to the lobbying work of the country’s Industrial Development Authority; a highly educated, young, English-speaking workforce; and, crucially, the Republic’s rock-bottom 12.5% corporation tax. And now the weather can be added to those factors." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIreland is cool for Google as its data servers like the weather

Which Countries Are Most at Risk from Internet Disconnection

"The key to the Internet's survival is the Internet's decentralization — and it's not uniform across the world. In some countries, international access to data and telecommunications services is heavily regulated. There may be only one or two companies who hold official licenses to carry voice and Internet traffic to and from the outside world, and they are required by law to mediate access for everyone else. Under those circumstances, it's almost trivial for a government to issue an order that would take down the Internet." Continue reading →

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Tajikistan orders Twitter ban

"Tajikistan has ordered local Internet providers to block Twitter, one of more than 100 sites including popular Russian-language social networks starting next week. 'The (government) communications service has sent Internet companies a huge list of 131 sites that must be blocked in the country from Monday,' said Asomiddin Atoyev, the head of the Tajik association of Internet providers. The Central Asian country bordering Afghanistan lifted only this month a ban on Facebook. The state-run service said it blocked Facebook because of a 'deluge of lies' and 'insults to the head of state and government members.'" Continue reading →

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Too little punishment for Pr. George’s police officer’s assault

"If a witness hadn’t shot video of two Prince George’s County police officers savagely beating John McKenna, a University of Maryland student, after a March 2010 men’s basketball game, that would probably have been the end of it. The officers didn’t file a report, as required, on their use of force. When initially questioned about the beating, they lied. And when they filled out the initial paperwork on the incident, police said Mr. McKenna had sustained his injuries, including a concussion, from being kicked by a police horse. Thanks to the video, and to the persistence of Mr. McKenna’s lawyers in uncovering it, the coverup didn’t work." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingToo little punishment for Pr. George’s police officer’s assault

Police: Arrests possible for spreading false info on Facebook after shootings

"Authorities investigating the deadly US school shooting warned Sunday of misinformation circulating on social media about the massacre. Those spreading such fake details could be subject to arrest, Lieutenant Paul Vance of Connecticut State Police told reporters in the wake of Friday’s attack on the Sandy Hook Elementary School that killed 26 people — including 20 children between the ages of six and seven. 'All information relative to this case is coming from these microphones and any information coming from other sources cannot be confirmed and, in many cases, it has been found as inaccurate,' Vance said." Continue reading →

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Cops to Congress: We need logs of Americans’ text messages

"AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, and other wireless providers would be required to record and store information about Americans' private text messages for at least two years, according to a proposal that police have submitted to the U.S. Congress. CNET has learned a constellation of law enforcement groups has asked the U.S. Senate to require that wireless companies retain that information, warning that the lack of a current federal requirement 'can hinder law enforcement investigations.'" Continue reading →

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It’s Happening Faster Than Even I Thought

"Since I manage an internet privacy company, people expect me to be pessimistic on the development of the surveillance state. But even I didn't expect the surveillance state to form this quickly. 2012 has been a banner year for amoral marketers and soul-dead overseers, and the situation is probably much worse than you realize. A very deep surveillance state is being completed now. It's your choice whether or not you'll escape it." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIt’s Happening Faster Than Even I Thought

Security Hole in Samsung Smart TVs Could Allow Remote Spying

"The company that made headlines in October for publicizing zero day holes in SCADA products now says it has uncovered a remotely exploitable security hole in Samsung Smart TVs. If left unpatched, the vulnerability could allow hackers to make off with owners’ social media credentials and even to spy on those watching the TV using compatible video cameras and microphones." Continue reading →

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Border Agents’ Power to Search Devices Is Facing Increasing Challenges in Court

"The government has historically had broad power to search travelers and their property at the border. But that prerogative is being challenged as more people travel with extensive personal and business information on devices that would typically require a warrant to examine. Several court cases seek to limit the ability of border agents to search, copy and even seize travelers’ laptops, cameras and phones without suspicion of illegal activity. Courts have long held that Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches do not apply at the border, based on the government’s interest in combating crime and terrorism." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBorder Agents’ Power to Search Devices Is Facing Increasing Challenges in Court

Where You Register Your Domain Name May Land You In Jail

"Richard O’Dwyer has never been to the United States. Not once. His Internet site ran on servers in Sweden. Neither Sweden nor his home country has charged him with a crime. So how in the world could the United States government make a case against O’Dwyer and enforce its laws against a foreign citizen like this? Because he used a .com domain name. All .com domains (among many other global top level domains or gTLDs) are registered with Versign, a US-based company. The implications of this are huge. Can the US government exert its laws against a non-US website based on the registry used for that domain name?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhere You Register Your Domain Name May Land You In Jail