Don't forget to check out http://www.auda.org.au/domain-news/ for the archive of the last 3 months of the news. And see my website - http://GoldsteinReport.com/ - for daily updates in between postings. *************************************************** The domain name news is supported by auDA *************************************************** The Master Switch by Tim Wu - review: We should heed the warning that corporations are eyeing up the internet http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/apr/02/master-switch-tim-wu-review Agreement with ICM on .XXX Registry http://blog.icann.org/2011/04/agreement-with-icm-on-xxx-registry/ ICANN San Francisco: A High Class Problem by Kelly Hardy http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=14197 .CN Domain Registrations Plummet 10 Million in 14 Months To Under 4 Million http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=14190 nz: DNSSEC Policy Amendment Notification http://dnc.org.nz/story/dnssec-policy-amendment-notification ICANN doubles .xxx fees http://domainincite.com/icann-doubles-xxx-fees/ Opinion: Nobody wants the new .XXX sex domain by Robbie Swan http://www.abc.net.au/technology/articles/2011/04/04/3181268.htm Do we need a XXX porn domain? http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/computers/blogs/gadgets-on-the-go/do-we-need-a-xxx-porn-domain-20110404-1cvya.html European Commission reviews Member States' protection against cyber attacks http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/395 Lizamoon: Sites hit in massive web attack http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12933053 Cybersquatting Hits Record Level, WIPO Center Rolls out New Services http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2011/article_0010.html WIPO Dispute Resolution Hits Record Level In 2010 http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=14179 The WIPO Cybersquatting Statistics http://pblog.bna.com/techlaw/2011/03/the-wipo-cybersquatting-statistics.html WIPO Says Cybersquatting Filings Sharply Up, Watches ICANN?s Domain Name Expansion http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2011/03/31/wipo-says-cybersquatting-filings-sharply-up-watches-icann?s-domain-name-expansion/ Melbourne IT 2010 profit falls 4.5% http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/381802/melbourne_it_2010_profit_falls_4_5_/whitepaper/tag/security ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** The Master Switch by Tim Wu - review: We should heed the warning that corporations are eyeing up the internet At the heart of this fascinating book is one of the central questions of our age ? rendered more urgent by recent events in the Arab world. The question is this: is the internet a revolutionary innovation, something that will overthrow the established order? Or will it turn out to have been just an unruly technology that the ancien regime will eventually capture and subdue? http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/apr/02/master-switch-tim-wu-review CENTR: An Introduction to the Internet Governance Forum This CENTR issues paper aims to provide a clear explanation of the origins of the IGF, the IGF?s importance and relevance to CENTR members. It tracks the different ways in which CENTR has supported and interacted with the IGF, and finally looks ahead at its likely future. https://www.centr.org/main/6197-CTR/version/1/part/12/data/Introduction to the IGF - March 2011.pdf ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Agreement with ICM on .XXX Registry ICANN signed an agreement yesterday with ICM for the introduction of the .XXX top-level domain. http://blog.icann.org/2011/04/agreement-with-icm-on-xxx-registry/ IGP comments to NTIA on the IANA Functions by Brenden Kuerbis Comments of the Internet Governance Project on the NTIA's "Request for Comments on the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) Functions" (Docket # 110207099-1099-01) http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2011/3/31/4785717.html ARIN Responds to NTIA Request for Comments on IANA Functions On March 31, 2011, ARIN submitted a response to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Request for Comments on the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) Functions. https://www.arin.net/announcements/2011/20110331.html NRO Response to NTIA Request for Comments on IANA Functions The NRO Responds to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Request for CommentsOn March 31, 2011, the NRO submitted a response to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Request for Comments on the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) Functions. http://www.nro.net/news/nro-response-to-ntia CENTR: Request for Comments on the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority Functions CENTR, the European ccTLD organisation welcomes the opportunity to provide comments on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) request for public comment on potential enhancements to the performance of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions. https://www.centr.org/main/6218-CTR/version/2/part/12/data/CENTR Input NoI IANA - final.pdf ICANN San Francisco: A High Class Problem by Kelly Hardy The most highly attended ICANN conference to date may also be the meeting we will look back on as the precise moment when the Internet business ceased to be synonymous with the Wild West. As ICANN and the satellite businesses and organizations which support the function of the Internet gain notoriety and publicity and institutionalized "big business" steps into the space as players in the New gTLD realm, the existing community must also step up its game. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=14197 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/04/04/icann-san-francisco-a-high-class-problem-by-kelly-hardy/ http://domainnews.com/en/icann-san-francisco-a-high-class-problem-by-kelly-hardy.html Impenetrable Processes and Fool's Gold at ICANN A couple of weeks ago, I attended part of the ICANN meeting in San Francisco. I've been watching ICANN and been peripherally aware of their issues since the organization began, but this was my first chance to attend a meeting. http://www.cauce.org/2011/04/impenetrable-processes-and-fools-gold-at-icann.html ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** ch: Big and small web professionals On Thursday, 31 March 2011, the "Best of Swiss Web" (BoSW) jury selected the "Master of Swiss Web 2011": the Migipedia website compiled by Migros. At the traditional Award Night in the Kongresshaus Z?rich, a special prize was additionally presented for the first time in the "Digital Natives" category. http://www.switch.ch/about/news/2011/boswundjwa.html .CN Domain Registrations Plummet 10 Million in 14 Months To Under 4 Million Registrations of .CN (China) Domain names have plummeted to 3,379,441 active domain names as of 28 February, a decline of over ten million registrations in 14 months, according to statistics published by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) in the past week. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=14190 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/04/02/cn-plummet/ http://domainnews.com/en/cn-domain-registrations-plummet-10-million-in-14-months-to-under-4-million.html 55,000 .ee domains in the domain bank of the Estonian Internet Foundation The number of .ee domains registered according to the new procedure in the register of the Estonian Internet Foundation exceeded 55,000 yesterday, on 30 March 2011. 1,201 new domains were registered and 512 domains were reregistered in March according to current data. http://www.eestiinternet.ee/eng/news/55000-ee-domains-in-the-domain-bank-of-the-estonian-internet-foundation Domain Registries Blast ICANN Over .Jobs Breach Notice Last month ICANN sent a breach notice to .jobs registry Employ Media. This came as a surprise to Employ Media (for good reason) and probably freaked out some .jobs registrants as well. Employ Media complained that ICANN ?publicly defamed? it. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/03/31/domain-registries-blast-icann-over-jobs-breach-notice/ nz: DNSSEC Policy Amendment Notification This is to advise of amendments to four .nz policies to encompass the implementation of DNSSEC into the .nz domain name space. http://dnc.org.nz/story/dnssec-policy-amendment-notification .SE presents a report on ?Elderly Swedes and the Internet, 2010? .SE released a report today on ?Elderly Swedes and the Internet, 2010,? focusing on the Internet habits of the elderly. The report reveals, among other facts, that non-users in Sweden amount to 1.3 million and that the most probable long-term forecast is that the numbers will have shrunk to 500,000 by 2020. http://www.iis.se/en/pressmeddelanden/aldre-svenskar-och-internet-2010 Telnic announces launch of two?character and numeric-only .tel names Telnic Limited today announced that the launch date for the upcoming release of short (two-character) and numeric-only .tel names would be 1st June 2011. The launch will consist of a two-week landrush period followed by general availability at regular pricing. http://telnic.com/downloads/Telnic_Launch_Short_and_Numeric.pdf ICANN doubles .xxx fees ICANN has doubled the amount it will charge ICM Registry to register .xxx domain names, adding potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars to its top line. http://domainincite.com/icann-doubles-xxx-fees/ Opinion: Nobody wants the new .XXX sex domain by Robbie Swan Over the last few years we've seen various attempts by governments to censor and control the Internet. China has sort to stop criticism of its policies and to suppress the views of dissidents by controlling internet information at its cyber borders and employing large numbers of people to spy on its citizens' internet activity. Australia has set up a regulatory scheme which includes a black list of sites that are either X rated or Refused Classification. http://www.abc.net.au/technology/articles/2011/04/04/3181268.htm ICANN Signs .XXX Contract with ICM Registry ICANN on Friday finalized its contract with ICM Registry to run the .XXX sponsored top-level domain. The announcement was made on the ICANN blog in a post by ICANN general counsel John Jeffrey. http://news.avn.com/articles/ICANN-Signs-XXX-Agreement-with-ICM-Registry-431051.html Do we need a XXX porn domain? What will giving porn sites their own domain achieve? After years of debate, the introduction a new Triple X top level domain name came one step closer last week. ICANN - the Postmaster General of the internet - finalised its contract with ICM Registry to run the new .XXX top level domain. http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/computers/blogs/gadgets-on-the-go/do-we-need-a-xxx-porn-domain-20110404-1cvya.html Porn affiliate network to shun .xxx The Free Speech Coalition has announced support for its .xxx boycott from what looks to be a significant player in the porn affiliate network market. http://domainincite.com/porn-affiliate-network-to-shun-xxx/ The Phoenix Forum to Present .XXX Panel The Phoenix Forum will present the first industry tradeshow panel discussing the approval of .XXX and how it may impact the adult community. http://newswire.xbiz.com/view.php?id=132306 ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** ICANN Snubs Bulgaria's Cyrillic Internet Domain Name Again Sites such as Dashworlds.com now provide brand new Dashcom (not Dotcom) domain names. Dashcoms are addresses in format "business-com", "paris-fashion", "social-network" and of course any "????????," "???," "??? or "??." your might desire. Totally outside the realm and control of ICANN, Internet users can create any domain or TLD in any language, instantly and at no cost. http://www.novinite.com/forum_view.php?main_id=211422 Greek IDN blocked due to non-existent domain Greece?s request for .??, a version of .gr in its local script, was rejected by ICANN because it looked too much like .EA, a non-existent top-level domain, it has emerged. http://domainincite.com/greek-idn-blocked-due-to-non-existent-domain/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** European Commission reviews Member States' protection against cyber attacks In a report taking stock of progress made in implementing its EU-wide 2009 action plan, the European Commission praises Member States' efforts to protect critical information infrastructures from cyber attacks and disruptions (see IP/09/494). However, the report underlines that further action in this area is required, notably to establish an efficient network of Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) by 2012. Cyber security and the protection of critical information infrastructures are vital for people and companies to trust the internet and other networks and are a key priority of the Digital Agenda for Europe. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/395 Lizamoon: Sites hit in massive web attack Hundreds of thousands of websites appear to have been compromised by a massive cyber attack. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12933053 Millions of Sites Hit with Mass-Injection Cyberattack Hundreds of thousands -- and possibly millions -- of websites have been hit with a cyberattack that some are calling "one of the biggest mass-injection attacks we've ever seen." http://www.pcworld.com/article/223995/.html LizaMoon Attack: What You Need To Know The world was rocked today by LizaMoon--a SQL injection attack which has compromised well over one million Websites. No need to panic, though. A little information and common sense are all you need to make sure that LizaMoon is nothing more than a minor annoyance. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/224125/.html Malicious attack hits a million Web pages More than one million website pages have been hit by a sophisticated hacking attack that injects code into sites that redirect users to a fraudulent software sales operation. http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/04/01/idINIndia-56066220110401 No joke: .com zone is DNSSEC signed by Brenden Kuerbis As expected, VeriSign placed its key material in the root zone yesterday (click on the picture below to view more detailed key information, etc.). Secure resolvers can now authenticate the .com key starting from the root zone and validate DNSSEC secured domains in the .com zone. Certainly a big accomplishment for the technical community. http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2011/4/1/4785735.html Domain security arrives in .com VeriSign announced late yesterday that it has fully implemented DNSSEC in .com, meaning pretty much anyone with a .com domain name can now implement it too. http://domainincite.com/domain-security-arrives-in-com/ Verisign Enhances Its Managed DNS Service With Full Support for DNSSEC Compliance and Geo Location VeriSign announced two significant enhancements to Verisign Managed DNS, a cloud-based hosting solution that helps improve the availability of Internet and network applications by delivering 100 percent DNS resolution for customers. https://press.verisign.com/easyir/customrel.do?easyirid=6B03F1D9FF7944A2&version=live&prid=739224&releasejsp=custom_97 http://www.verisigninc.com/en_US/news-events/press-room/articles/index.xhtml?artLink=aHR0cHM6Ly9wcmVzcy52ZXJpc2lnbi5jb20vZWFzeWlyL2N1c3RvbXJlbC5kbz9lYXN5aXJpZD1BRkMwRkYwREI1QzU2MEQzJnZlcnNpb249bGl2ZSZwcmlkPTczOTIyNCZyZWxlYXNlanNwPWN1c3RvbV85Nw== Cyber attackers have the edge, experts admit Top American cybersecurity officials said on Thursday they need to work closer with private industry and other governments to fight the changing threat from ever-craftier cyber attackers, who have a new array of targets from power grids to bank accounts made vulnerable by the Internet. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110401_4247.php ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** Cybersquatting Hits Record Level, WIPO Center Rolls out New Services In 2010, trademark holders filed 2,696 cybersquatting cases covering 4,370 domain names with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (WIPO Center) under procedures based on the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP), an increase of 28% over the 2009 level and of 16% over the previous record year, 2008 (annex 1). Parties took advantage of user-friendly online facilities such as the WIPO-initiated paperless eUDRP, the Legal Index of WIPO UDRP Decisions, and the Overview of WIPO Panel Views on Selected UDRP Questions (WIPO Overview) to assist their case preparation and submission. http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2011/article_0010.html WIPO Dispute Resolution Hits Record Level In 2010 In 2010, trademark holders filed 2,696 cybersquatting cases covering 4,370 domain names with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (WIPO Center) under procedures based on the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy, an increase of 28 per cent over the 2009 level, compared to an increase in domain registrations of 6.3 per cent in 2009, and of 16 per cent over the previous record year, 2008. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=14179 http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/04/01/wipo-dispute-resolution-hits-record-level-in-2010/ http://domainnews.com/en/wipo-dispute-resolution-hits-record-level-in-2010.html The WIPO Cybersquatting Statistics The World Intellectual Property Organization is out this morning with its annual statistics on the number if cybersquatting cases handled by its Arbitration and Mediation Center. WIPO says that its domain name arbitration business was up 28 percent in 2010. According to WIPO, trademark owners filed 2,696 cases (covering 4,370 domains) under the ICANN Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy last year. http://pblog.bna.com/techlaw/2011/03/the-wipo-cybersquatting-statistics.html WIPO Says Cybersquatting Filings Sharply Up, Watches ICANN?s Domain Name Expansion Filing complaints about cybersquatting, which the World Intellectual Property Organization defines as the ?abusive registration of trademarks as domain names,? is on an upward trend, WIPO Director General Francis Gurry said today. Meanwhile, WIPO also published an update of its overview of its dispute panel jurisprudence. http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2011/03/31/wipo-says-cybersquatting-filings-sharply-up-watches-icann?s-domain-name-expansion/ Is Cybersquatting Up or Just Enforcement of Cybersquatting? Today World Intellectual Property Forum (WIPO) did its annual release of how many UDRP cases it handled last year. It was a record 2,696 cases. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/03/31/is-cybersquatting-up-or-just-enforcement-of-cybersquatting/ Dodgy cybersquatters more active in 2010 [AFP] The number of challenges for cybersquatting - the misleading use of trademarks for internet domain names - rose by 28 per cent last year, the World Intellectual Property Organisation said yesterday. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10716409 http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/cybersquatting-disputes-grow-in-2010-20110331-1cnln.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/cybersquatting-disputes-grow-in-2010-20110331-1cnln.html WIPO LAUNCHES UPDATED UDRP OVERVIEW 2.0 WIPO Director General Francis Gurry today publicly launched the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center's long-awaited second edition of the WIPO Overview of WIPO Panel Views on Selected UDRP Questions (WIPO Overview 2.0). http://wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/overview2.0/press/ US Government?s ?Pirate? Domain Seizures Failed Miserably The seizure of file-sharing related domain names by the US Government in recent months have stirred up a lot of controversy. Despite heavy critique from various sides, the responsible authorities justified their actions and claimed that it is an effective tool to clamp down on Internet piracy. However, those who take a good look at the end result soon notice that reality paints a different picture. http://torrentfreak.com/us-governments-pirate-domain-seizures-failed-miserably-110403/ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** APNIC IPv4 Exhaustion Information The APNIC Secretariat would like to remind you that IPv4 exhaustion is an issue that should now be a priority for every organization in the region. Most will be aware that the central pool of IPv4 addresses held by IANA was depleted in February. APNIC is currently delegating IPv4 addresses from its remaining pool. http://www.apnic.net/publications/news/2011/ipv4-exhaustion-info IPv6 Readiness and Promotional Activities Report This report gives an overview of an informal survey posted via email by Alberto Perez (.es) in March 2011 on IPv6 Registry readiness and promotional Activities. https://www.centr.org/main/lib/g3/6216-CTR.html ARIN Reiterates Availability of IP Address Space Transfers According to Community Policy On 30 March 2011, ARIN issued a press release to reiterate its position on the transfer of IP addresses. We invite the community to read the full text of the press release at: https://www.arin.net/announcements/2011/20110330.html ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Melbourne IT 2010 profit falls 4.5% Melbourne IT saw its 2010 profit fall 4.5 per cent due to transformation costs and forex losses, and expects these factors to also impact profit in 2011 http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/381802/melbourne_it_2010_profit_falls_4_5_/whitepaper/tag/security ARIN: 2010 Annual Report Now Available The ARIN 2010 Annual Report is now available. ARIN publishes annual reports to document the operations and activities of the organization for the community. The 2010 Annual Report is divided into four categories: https://www.arin.net/announcements/2011/20110328.html ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Latona's Calls It A Day With 50+ Quality Names At No Reserve! [news release] After many attempts, Latona?s Auction House officially decided not to do any more domain auctions on its platform. Sedo dominates the online domain auction space and they do it well. http://www.domainpulse.com/2011/04/01/latonas-calls-it-a-day-with-50-quality-names-at-no-reserve/ The Year's 7th Reported Six-Figure Sale Sets the Pace on This Week's Domain Sales Chart Blockbuster sales have been scarce so far this year. With the opening quarter of 2011 drawing to a close, only seven six-figure sales have been reported in the new year. The latest of those came this week when Sedo closed a $100,000 deal for XXXBook.com. Sedo also registered the biggest non .com gTLD sale of the year with #2 Gold.net going for ?50,000 ($81,500). #3 Tada.fr (French ccTLD) added still another feather to the Sedo cap as the week's largest country code sale ($28,200). http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2011/20110330.htm Has Hades Frozen Over? .BIZ Tops All Extensions on This Week's Domain Sales Chart - Five of Top Six Sales Are Non .Coms This has to be one of the most unusual weeks we've ever seen in the domain aftermarket. The often-maligned .BIZ TLD topped all comers to lead our new all extension Top 20 Sales Chart and five of the first six places were swept by non .com TLDs. Appropriately enough, the unlikely leader on the all extension list is All.biz, sold at Sedo for a phenomenal $61,750 making it the largest non .com gTLD sale so far this year. http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2011/20110323.htm Exclusive Portfolio Charity Auction Starts Today! Only at Sedo, March 31 through April 7 Sedo is hosting an exclusive portfolio auction of 78 domains. The auction will take place March 31 through April 7 on Sedo.com. Unlike traditional auction events, the proceeds will go directly to the Strausses, a terminally ill couple associated with the Torah High School in San Diego, California. Some of the domains in auction include consumer-driven names like dessertsmenus.com, spasfordogs.com, usafamilytrips.com and more! https://sedo.com/links/showlinks.php3?tracked=&partnerid=&language=us&Id=2827 ********************** REPORTS & RESEARCH PAPERS ********************** Information Privacy and Trust in Government: A Citizen-Based Perspective from New Zealand by Rowena Cullen & Patrick Reilly [Journal of IT and Politics] Abstract: Increasing use of e-government raises issues about the privacy of information provided by citizens to government. This paper explores the experiences and concerns of New Zealanders in relation to information privacy, and the impact of these concerns on the trust they place in government. A series of focus groups were conducted among community groups. The findings reflect a range of attitudes about information privacy and the trustworthiness of government, and center around two major themes: the use of technology and concerns about the competency of and practices of government employees. http://ssrn.com/abstract=1793350 The Path of Internet Law: An Annotated Guide to Legal Landmarks by Michael L. Rustad & Diane D'Angelo [Suffolk University Law School Research Paper] Abstract: In the classic holiday film ?It?s a Wonderful Life,? a disillusioned George Bailey (played by Jimmy Stewart) makes a wish that he had never lived. Clarence, the Angel in training, grants George his wish and shows him how life in his hometown would have been different if he had never been born. Our Article asks how the law of intellectual property and legal research have been reshaped by the creation of the Internet. This Article provides guideposts for the best legal resources for Internet law to assist busy lawyers and legal academics in tracing the past, present, and future path of Internet Law. http://ssrn.com/abstract=1799578 How the COPPA, as Implemented, is Misinterpreted by the Public: A Research Perspective by Danah Boyd, Urs Gasser & John G. Palfrey Jr. [Berkman Center Research Publication] Abstract: ... There is no doubt that protecting children?s privacy and safety is of utmost importance in our society. These issues are growing in importance with every passing year. We commend the authors of COPPA for being so deeply concerned about privacy and safety. As you consider the future of legislation and rule-making in this area, we urge you to consider the gap between the intentions of COPPA and how children and their parents perceive the implementation. It is this gap that we?d like to address in our submission. And it is our proposal that this Subcommittee consider how COPPA?s two P?s ? of Privacy Protection ? might be worked more effectively back into any revision of COPPA. http://ssrn.com/abstract=1794223 ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** The Master Switch by Tim Wu - review: We should heed the warning that corporations are eyeing up the internet At the heart of this fascinating book is one of the central questions of our age ? rendered more urgent by recent events in the Arab world. The question is this: is the internet a revolutionary innovation, something that will overthrow the established order? Or will it turn out to have been just an unruly technology that the ancien regime will eventually capture and subdue? http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/apr/02/master-switch-tim-wu-review Wi-Fi cars hitting the information superhighway [AFP] More cars are hitting the information superhighway thanks to new automotive Wi-Fi technology that allows vehicles to become rolling "hot spots." http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/wifi-cars-hitting-the-information-superhighway-2260187.html Australia's internet subscribers exceed 10 million [news release] Internet subscribers in Australia climbed to 10.4 million in the six months to December 2010, according to a report released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This is up from 9.5 million in June 2010, which represents a growth of nearly 10% in the last six months. http://abs.gov.au/ausstats\abs§.nsf/mediareleasesbyCatalogue/F2D32B785378BC9CCA25758D002B6804 Wireless internet growing at top speed [AAP] Wireless connections are growing at a faster pace than any other form of internet service in Australia, official figures show. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/telecommunications/wireless-internet-growing-at-top-speed/story-fn4iyzsr-1226032147554 Plans for mobile network on London underground shelved Boris Johnson's mayoral hopes of a mobile phone network being installed on the London underground in time for the 2012 Olympic Games have been dashed. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/apr/01/mobile-network-london-underground-shelved London Underground's mobile plans hit buffers Plans to offer mobile phone coverage on the London Underground have been derailed because of high costs. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12936042 ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Trolling for your soul: the price of civil online comments may be more power for Facebook Trolls are hard to find in the real world, but all too common in the virtual one. ?Trolling??posting wilfully inflammatory, off-topic or simply stupid remarks?plagues blogs and other online forums. A way now exists to curb such mischief, but the remedy may be worse than the disease. http://www.economist.com/node/18483765 au: Facebook exposes phoney refugee AN asylum-seeker's false claim to being a persecuted Tibetan freedom fighter was exposed when authorities checked his Facebook profile. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/facebook-exposes-phoney-refugee/story-e6frg6nf-1226032920855 ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ Thieves are stealing children's identities Identity theft has saddled thousands of children with debt, sometimes for years before they ever discover their personal information has been stolen, a study says. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/040111-kiddie-identity-theft.html http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9215442/Thieves_are_stealing_children_s_identities http://www.pcworld.com/article/224107/.html Despite recession and bullying, most Irish teens happy ADOLESCENCE IS a passage in life synonymous with hormone-fuelled misery, but that is not how contemporary Irish teenagers see it. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0402/1224293650103.html au: With censors swamped, Canberra signals it's time for self-regulation IN A significant change to the way Australia censors and classifies information and entertainment, the Gillard government has conceded that some industries will have to self-regulate and classify their own products. http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/games/with-censors-swamped-canberra-signals-its-time-for-selfregulation-20110402-1cslg.html http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/games/with-censors-swamped-canberra-signals-its-time-for-selfregulation-20110402-1cslg.html au: Video games reform rebuffed over violence fears LONG-AWAITED reforms of Australia?s censorship of computer games look set to fail after Victoria declared its strong concern that the move will legalise games with ??high levels of graphic, frequent and gratuitous violence??. http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/games/video-games-reform-rebuffed-over-violence-fears-20110402-1csmm.html nz: 'Disgusting' Facebook hate campaign An employee of a major electrical store is the target of a Facebook hate campaign which falsely claims he rips off customers. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10716743 nz: Net scammers target Napier family Phone scammers targeting Hawke's Bay are after your credit card and bank details to sell them online, says Netsafe. http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/local/news/net-scammers-target-napier-family/3946670/ de: Government engagement in online safety The German Federal Government, apart from diverse initiatives on state level, has founded and is supporting a range of projects and activities in the field of online safety and media literacy. http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=180704 Online safety - the political landscape in the UK There has been considerable activity over recent years with online safety in the UK. Whilst activity predates 2007, the significant catalyst was then the Byron Review. Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister at the time, commissioned Dr Tanya Byron to lead an independent review into the impact of exposing children to potentially harmful material on the Internet and in gaming environments. The concluding report ?Safer Children in a Digital World? included an array of comments and recommendations and was published to much acclaim in March 2008. http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_pos=2&p_p_col_count=3&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=180854 uk: New e-safety helpline for professionals The UK Safer Internet Centre has been commissioned, as part of the Safer Internet Programme, to set up and run a pilot helpline for professionals in the South West of England working with children and young people, specifically tackling the area of e-safety. http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=180763 EU Kids Online Conference 2011 ? call for papers EU Kids Online, the pan-European study which looked at risks and safety on the internet from the perspective of children aged 9-16 and their parents, has announced the date of its 2011 conference. http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=180785 INHOPE Annual Report 2010 INHOPE ? the International Association of Internet Hotlines ? has recently released its 2010 Annual Report. INHOPE coordinates a network of 39 internet hotlines in 34 countries across the globe, supporting them in responding to reports of illegal content to help make the internet a safer place.The report can be downloaded from the INHOPE website. http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_pos=2&p_p_col_count=3&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=180787 ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Digital music player ads must not encourage copying, rules UK ad regulator A company must change the way it advertises its digital music player because the ads encourage people to copy music in a way that breached copyright law, the advertising industry regulator has said. http://out-law.com/page-11842 ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Cellphone Radiation May Alter Your Brain. Let's Talk. In a culture where people cradle their cellphones next to their heads with the same constancy and affection that toddlers hold their security blankets, it was unsettling last month when a study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association indicated that doing so could alter brain activity. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/technology/personaltech/31basics.html Microsoft + Nokia = a Challenge for Apple IPhones and Android phones seem to be everywhere I look in Silicon Valley. The future is obvious, isn?t it? IPhone, Android and no one else. They will form an exclusive duo in smartphones, just as Windows and Mac have in personal computers. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/03/business/03digi.html Africans use mobile phones for roles beyond communicating [IDG] African mobile-phone users are increasingly turning to their devices for functions beyond making calls, said speakers at a Massachusetts Institute of Technology panel discussion on Friday. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/040111-africans-use-mobile-phones-for.html http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/381931/africans_use_mobile_phones_roles_beyond_communicating/ http://www.pcworld.com/article/224092/.html Google Starts To Close Android's Open Door Google is starting to shut Android's open door. As reported by Bloomberg Businessweek, Google has begun to crack down on the way developers can use and access their "open-source" Android software. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/31/google-android-crackdown_n_842963.html Do Not Anger the Alpha Android Playtime is over in Android Land. Over the last couple of months Google has reached out to the major carriers and device makers backing its mobile operating system with a message: There will be no more willy-nilly tweaks to the software. No more partnerships formed outside of Google's purview. From now on, companies hoping to receive early access to Google's most up-to-date software will need approval of their plans. And they will seek that approval from Andy Rubin, the head of Google's Android group. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_15/b4223041200216.htm ********************** SPAM ********************** Symantec: Global spam mail down by a third Global spam mail volumes have been reduced by about a third following the takedown of the Rustock botnet, reported Symantec. This number is expected to decrease further after Trend Micro announced it had crippled a Zeus botnet server, too. http://www.zdnetasia.com/symantec-global-spam-mail-down-by-a-third-62208162.htm Symantec Announces March 2011 MessageLabs Intelligence Report Symantec Corp. today announced the publication of its March 2011 MessageLabs Intelligence Report. Analysis reveals that in March, prior to its takedown, the Rustock botnet had been sending as many as 13.82 billion spam emails daily, accounting for an average of 28.5% of global spam sent from all botnets in March. When the botnet ceased sending spam this month, global spam volumes fell by one-third. Since the notable Rustock takedown, other botnets have stepped up their activities to take advantage of the gap in the market. Bagle has now taken over from Rustock as the most active spam-sending botnet in 2011. http://www.messagelabs.co.uk/resources/press/75283 ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** nz: Good law better than fast law, says US expert Politicians who are inclined to pass another law each time new technology tests existing legislation should resist the temptation. That's the view of Jeffrey Matsuura, an American lawyer with decades of experience of technology-related issues who is studying New Zealand's legislative response to technological change. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10716373 Cyber attackers have the edge, experts admit Top American cybersecurity officials said on Thursday they need to work closer with private industry and other governments to fight the changing threat from ever-craftier cyber attackers, who have a new array of targets from power grids to bank accounts made vulnerable by the Internet. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110401_4247.php European Commission reviews Member States' protection against cyber attacks In a report taking stock of progress made in implementing its EU-wide 2009 action plan, the European Commission praises Member States' efforts to protect critical information infrastructures from cyber attacks and disruptions (see IP/09/494). However, the report underlines that further action in this area is required, notably to establish an efficient network of Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) by 2012. Cyber security and the protection of critical information infrastructures are vital for people and companies to trust the internet and other networks and are a key priority of the Digital Agenda for Europe. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/395 Lizamoon: Sites hit in massive web attack Hundreds of thousands of websites appear to have been compromised by a massive cyber attack. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12933053 Millions of Sites Hit with Mass-Injection Cyberattack Hundreds of thousands -- and possibly millions -- of websites have been hit with a cyberattack that some are calling "one of the biggest mass-injection attacks we've ever seen." http://www.pcworld.com/article/223995/.html LizaMoon Attack: What You Need To Know The world was rocked today by LizaMoon--a SQL injection attack which has compromised well over one million Websites. No need to panic, though. A little information and common sense are all you need to make sure that LizaMoon is nothing more than a minor annoyance. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/224125/.html Malicious attack hits a million Web pages More than one million website pages have been hit by a sophisticated hacking attack that injects code into sites that redirect users to a fraudulent software sales operation. http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/04/01/idINIndia-56066220110401 ************************** PRIVACY ************************** Privacy group wants Google cash A leading US privacy group has filed an objection to agreements Google has reached over its social network Buzz. ... Legal action was taken by a group of Gmail users, with Google agreeing to set up a $8.5m (?5.2m) privacy fund. The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) is unhappy that it is not one of the beneficiaries of the fund. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12932770 ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** US Centcom targets online violent propaganda When news of China's "50 Cent Party", a cabal of internet commentators hired by the country to leave pro-government comments on blogs and forums broke a few years back, it was largely ridiculed in the Western media as an unwinnable PR strategy. http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/03/20113308530388366.html ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** Antitrust Cry From Microsoft Against Google The wheel of technology history turns remarkably fast. Microsoft, whose domination of the technology industry provoked a landmark federal antitrust case, is crying foul against Google and urging European Union antitrust officials to go after the search giant. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/technology/companies/31google.html Microsoft takes on Google with antitrust complaint Microsoft has upped the ante in its bitter rivalry with Google by filing its first formal complaint to regulators, claiming the search engine giant is restricting competition. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/mar/31/microsoft-google-anti-trust-complaint Microsoft Fires Antitrust Complaint Against Google Adopting the role of hunter after being hunted for years, Microsoft Corp. lodged an antitrust complaint against rival Google Inc. with the same European authorities who last decade fined Microsoft billions of dollars. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703806304576234074125166728.html Google Plays Down Microsoft's Antitrust Complaint in Europe Google played down the significance of an antitrust complaint filed by one of its main rivals, Microsoft, on Thursday and said its discussions were continuing with European Union regulators. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/01/technology/01google.html Google likely to strike deal with EU antitrust regulators, says expert Microsoft's complaint about Google's business practices in the European Union will eventually push Google to strike a deal with regulators, an antitrust expert said today. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9215424/Google_likely_to_strike_deal_with_EU_antitrust_regulators_says_expert http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/040111-google-likely-to-strike-deal.html http://www.pcworld.com/article/224084/.html Google 'not surprised' at Microsoft EU complaint Internet search giant Google on Thursday said it is not surprised that its rival Microsoft has lodged a formal complaint about its business practices with the European Union executive Commission. http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/03/31/idINIndia-56015920110331 Microsoft?s Complaint May Expand Google Antitrust Probe [Bloomberg] Microsoft Corp.?s antitrust complaint against Google Inc. may expand an existing European Union probe beyond Internet searches to online video and mobile phones. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-31/microsoft-says-it-s-filing-complaint-against-google-s-market-share-with-eu.html http://washpost.bloomberg.com/Story?docId=1376-LIWND66JIJVC01-0V2MIKSF95H516I8OF59B0LREP Government mulls UK net controls The government is talking to ISPs about blocking access to websites deemed to help people infringe copyright. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12918500 New Book on Google Shows Gaffes in China When Google opened for business in China in 2006, Eric E. Schmidt, its chief executive, said, ?Google has 5,000 years of patience in China.? But its divorce from the country just four years later was inevitable because operations there were troubled from the start. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/01/business/01author.html Google faces tax investigation by China Chinese authorities have found three companies linked to Google Inc broke tax rules and are investigating possible tax avoidance, a state-run newspaper said on Thursday, raising the risk of renewed pressure on the internet search giant. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/apr/01/google-faces-tax-investigation-china Editorial: Google's Book Deal Google?s ambitious proposal to scan, index and make available every book ever written promised a cultural revolution. Yet for all its promise, Judge Denny Chin of the United States District Court in Manhattan was right to strike down the plan last week, ruling that a settlement with the Authors Guild and publishers that would allow Google to put millions of books online without the explicit consent of their authors ?would simply go too far.? http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/opinion/31thu2.html Ruling Spurs Effort to Form Digital Public Library Is the tantalizing dream of a universal library dead? Some scholars and librarians across the country fear it may be, now that a federal judge in New York has derailed Google?s bold plan to build the world?s largest digital library and bookstore. With 15 million books scanned, Google had gotten closer to the elusive goal than anyone else. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/04/technology/04library.html ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* Where Microsoft went wrong by Paul Allen The details of Paul Allen?s testy personal relationship with Bill Gates have been the most eye-catching part of his forthcoming memoir. But it is the Microsoft co-founder?s damning critique of the company?s current problems that could well prove more telling. http://blogs.ft.com/fttechhub/2011/03/where-microsoft-went-wrong-by-paul-allen/ Google Losing Ground in China A year after Google Inc. moved its search services out of China, the Internet giant is struggling to maintain traction on a range of businesses in the country despite its executives' desire to keep growing in the wake of a feud with the Chinese government. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704530204576234693138486996.html ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** Effective ICT regulation is critical to economic growth: New ITU report positive on global regulatory trends in an ever-more connected world [news release] The 11th edition of ITU?s flagship ICT regulatory report Trends in Telecommunication Reform takes an in-depth look at one of the most significant social trends of the past ten years: the increasingly pervasive presence of ICTs in virtually every facet of modern life. http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2011/07.aspx http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=37962 IEEE approves next WiMax standard [IDG] The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has approved IEEE 802.16m, the standard for the next generation of WiMax, which may deliver downstream speeds of more than 300M bps (bits per second). http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9215414/IEEE_approves_next_WiMax_standard Samsung Aims to Be Among Top 3 Phone Network Equipment Makers on 4G Demand Samsung Electronics Co., the world?s second-largest mobile-phone maker, aims to become one of the three biggest producers of network gear in four years by tapping demand for new equipment that can handle data faster. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-01/samsung-aims-to-be-among-top-3-phone-network-equipment-makers-on-4g-demand.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (c) David Goldstein 2011 ------ David Goldstein email: david§goldsteinreport.com web: http://goldsteinreport.com/ http://davidgoldstein.tel/ phone: +61 418 228 605 - mobile; +61 2 9665 5773 - office/home "Every time you use fossil fuels, you're adding to the problem. Every time you forgo fossil fuels, you're being part of the solution" - Dr Tim FlanneryReceived on Sun Apr 03 2011 - 22:34:42 UTC
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