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 *************************************************** Transparency and Accountability Achievements You May Not Have Noticed http://blog.icann.org/2011/04/transparency-and-accountability-achievements-you-may-not-have-noticed/ Beckstrom backtracks on accountability promise http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/04/19/beckstrom-atrt-backtrack Landrush phase for .uk short domains http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/?contentId=8343 New TLDs timetable tightened http://domainincite.com/new-tlds-timetable-tightened/ Bringing a Responsible Closure to the gTLD Implement Process by Michael D. Palage http://www.circleid.com/posts/20110418_bringing_a_responsible_closure_to_the_gtld_implement_process/ National Arbitration Forum Reports a 24 Percent Increase in Domain Name Dispute Filings in 2010 http://www.adrforum.com/newsroom.aspx?&itemID=1636 U.S. allows 2 of 3 shuttered poker sites to reopen http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/04/20/oukin-uk-poker-fraud-idUKTRE73J4H420110420 IPv4 addresses down to last block ? rationing starts http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/ipv4-addresses-down-to-last-block-rationing-starts IPv4 Depletion Not Boosting IPv6 Adoption http://www.informationweek.com/news/infrastructure/ipv6/229401923 IPv4 Addresses Not Property, Canada Weighs in on the Nortel/Microsoft Transfer by McTim http://www.circleid.com/posts/20110419_ipv4_addresses_not_property_canada_weighs_in_on_nortel_microsoft/ ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** U.S. trying to give gov't more cyber access, maintain global dominance The United States is working hard to give the government greater power and access to all civilian agency computer networks at home while trying to maintain dominance over the Internet in the world. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-04/21/c_13838393.htm http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90852/7357334.html http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90852/7357334.html How the Pacific was won, by internet The Polynesian island of Niue has done good business in recent years selling .nu domain names. Now the rest of the Pacific is benefiting in deeper ways from the communications revolution of the internet. http://australianetworknews.com/stories/201104/3191854.htm ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Transparency and Accountability Achievements You May Not Have Noticed The Board Meeting Minutes and Resolutions page is a great place to see some of initial work ICANN has already done to meet the recommendations of the Accountability and Transparency Review Team (ATRT). These include: http://blog.icann.org/2011/04/transparency-and-accountability-achievements-you-may-not-have-noticed/ Call for Community Volunteers for IDN Variant TLD Case Study Teams The delegation and management of variant TLDs remains an important issue. The ICANN community seeks to develop solutions to enable the delegation of Variant TLDs for the benefit of users around the world. http://icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-20apr11-en.htm Email from Arif Ali [Crowell & Moring] to Eric Enson Cooperative Engagement after Notice of Breach to Employ Media http://icann.org/en/correspondence/ali-to-enson-18apr11-en.pdf Letter from Eric Enson [Jones Day] to Brian Johnson [Employ Media] Cooperative Engagement after Notice of Breach to Employ Media http://icann.org/en/correspondence/enson-to-johnson-14apr11-en.pdf Letter from Peter Dengate Thrush to Norbert van den Hove Delegation of ccTLD .BQ http://icann.org/en/correspondence/dengate-thrush-to-van-den-hove-20apr11-en.pdf Beckstrom backtracks on accountability promise ICANN CEO Rod Beckstrom has backtracked on a promise to publish a crucial staff report for comment, raising more questions about his judgment and the organization?s willingness to be held accountable. http://news.dot-nxt.com/2011/04/19/beckstrom-atrt-backtrack ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** AFNIC celebrates the registration of the 2 millionth .fr domain name AFNIC revealed the 2 millionth .fr domain name: manucure-saint-maur.fr. It was registered by Ms Ang?lique Azzati for her new home manicure business in Val de Marne. For her, .fr was the obvious choice. http://www.afnic.fr/actu/nouvelles/281/afnic-celebrates-the-registration-of-the-2-millionth-fr-domain-name Registry avoids .jobs shut-down Employ Media has come to a deal with ICANN to avoid having its .jobs registry contract revoked, at least for the next few weeks. http://domainincite.com/registry-avoids-jobs-shut-down/ More Dutch internet domain names The Netherlands Internet Domain Registration Foundation (SIDN) says it gave out more domain names than ever last year. http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/more-dutch-internet-domain-names Landrush phase for .uk short domains The Landrush phase for the 2,640 remaining .uk short domains will begin on 23rd May. http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/?contentId=8343 Short domain land-rush coming to .uk Nominet is to make thousands of super-short .uk web addresses available for as little as ?10 each in a "land rush", due to kick off next month. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/04/19/short_domain_landrush/ Landrush looms for thousands of short .uk domains More than two-and-a-half thousand short .uk domain names will become available in May, the UK internet registry Nominet has said. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/blogs/communication-breakdown-10000030/landrush-looms-for-thousands-of-short-uk-domains-10022269/ .uk election called off due to lack of interest After years of controversial and often fiercely contested leadership elections, .uk domain name overseer Nominet has cancelled its forthcoming directorship poll after only two people applied. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/04/20/uk_domain_election_called_off/ Non-executive director elections 2011 update Nominations for our two vacancies for non-executive directors closed on 13 April 2011. Two nominations were received. http://www.nominet.org.uk/news/latest/?contentId=8340 India and Saudi want to block .xxx Pornography-only suffix - .xxx - is now part of the Domain Name System (DNS) and the first addresses like porn.xxx, sex.xxx and xxx.xxx are being used to promote its sale, it was reported here. http://www.siasat.com/english/news/india-and-saudi-want-block-xxx FSC?s Duke Debates Attorney Robert Corn-Revere on CNN Yesterday, Free Speech Coalition (FSC) Executive Director appeared live on CNN International to debate the newly-launched .XXX ?sponsored? Top Level Domain with ICM Registry legal counsel Robert Corn-Revere. http://news.avn.com/articles/FSC-s-Duke-Debates-Attorney-Robert-Corn-Revere-on-CNN-433307.html FSC's Duke Debates Corn-Revere on CNN Free Speech Coalition (FSC) Executive Director Diane Duke on Tuesday appeared live on CNN International to debate the newly-launched .XXX ?sponsored? Top Level Domain with ICM Registry legal counsel, Robert Corn-Revere. http://newswire.xbiz.com/view.php?id=133143 ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** New TLDs timetable tightened ICANN?s effort to squeeze out a process for approving new top-level domains has been about as easy and painless as giving birth, so it perhaps appropriate that it now expects to take at least nine months to gestate the very easiest applications. http://domainincite.com/new-tlds-timetable-tightened/ Decision pits county against city on '.vegas' Clark County commissioners agreed Tuesday to endorse Vegas.com's bid to control the Internet domain suffix ".vegas" that someday could mean millions of dollars in revenue for the county. http://www.lvrj.com/news/county-backs-vegas_com-for-web-domain-84529522.html County backs vegas.com for Web domain Clark County commissioners voted Tuesday to endorse Vegas.com in its bid to control the Internet domain suffix ".vegas". http://www.lvrj.com/news/breaking_news/county-backs-vegas_com-for-web-domain-84508472.html Bringing a Responsible Closure to the gTLD Implement Process by Michael D. Palage Last Friday ICANN released an updated new generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) Applicant Guidebook that appears to have taken a number of positive steps toward closing the divide between the ICANN Board and the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC). One of the more important changes to the Applicant Guidebook was the following text. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20110418_bringing_a_responsible_closure_to_the_gtld_implement_process/ New gTLD Discussion Draft - Top 10 by Elisa Cooper Okay, so spending my Monday morning printing out and reviewing 348 pages of the "New gTLD Discussion Draft" is not exactly what I had mind when I woke up today, but kudos to ICANN for keeping to the timeline that they had released last month. Since, most of you do not have the time or the patience (and probably have real work to do), I've taken it upon myself to highlight the most important changes in this version. http://www.circleid.com/posts/new_gtld_discussion_draft_top_10/ ICANN Releases new GTLD Applicant Guidebook ICANN has released the eagerly awaited revised draft of the Applicant Guidebook for new GTLDs. This draft document has been released for public comment. http://www.coopermills.com.au/wordpress/index.php/2011/04/icann-releases-new-gtld-applicant-guidebook/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** us: Cyber attacks rise at critical infrastructure firms Cyber attacks on critical infrastructure companies are on the rise, with a jump in extortion attempts and malware designed to sabotage systems, like Stuxnet, according to a new report. http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-20055091-245.html http://www.zdnetasia.com/cyberattacks-rise-at-critical-infrastructure-firms-62208447.htm http://www.zdnet.com.au/extortion-malware-hitting-critical-assets-339313491.htm Governments Struggle To Recruit, Keep 'Cyber Warriors' Cyberspace is likely to be a key battleground for states in the 21st century but recruiting those with the technical skills to fight there and retaining their loyalty will be a tough task. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/04/20/oukin-uk-technology-cyberwarriors-idUKTRE73J3KI20110420 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/20/cyber-warriors-recruiting_n_851593.html Malware and other cyber threats, many of which are state sponsored, are growing The wild, wild Web grows ever wilder, and U.S. companies and critical infrastructure remain vulnerable targets, executives from cybersecurity giant McAfee warned Wednesday. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110420_3403.php What a cyberwar with China might look like Imagine it's August 2020. A powerful and rising China wants to bring the city-state of Singapore into its fold like it has with Hong Kong. Before the first physical attacks, China launches a cyberoffensive to disrupt the communications capabilities of the U.S., Japan and their allies. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/355740/What_Cyberwar_Might_Really_Look_Like http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/041811-what-cyberwar-might-really-look.html Simulated cyber attack reveals EU flaws in coordination [IDG] Some 55 percent of national information technology agencies would not know who to contact in the event of a European Union cyber attack, according to E.U. cybersecurity agency ENISA. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/041811-simulated-cyber-attack-reveals-eu.html EU Agency ENISA issues final report & video clip on 'Cyber Europe 2010': the 1st pan- European cyber security exercise [news release] EU Agency ENISA issues final report and video clip on Cyber Europe 2010: the 1st pan- European cyber security exercise for public bodies. The European Union?s cyber security agency, ENISA has issued the final report on the first Pan-European cyber security exercise for public bodies, ?Cyber Europe 2010?. http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/eu-agency-enisa-issues-final-report-video-clip-on-cybereurope-2010-the-1st-pan-european-cyber-security-exercise-for-public-bodies ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** National Arbitration Forum Reports a 24 Percent Increase in Domain Name Dispute Filings in 2010 The National Arbitration Forum (FORUM), an international provider of dispute resolution services, today announced that a total of 2,177 cases were filed in its domain name dispute resolution program in 2010, up 24 percent from 2009 (1,759 cases) and 23 percent from 2008 (1,770 cases). The FORUM is approved by ICANN to provide domain name dispute resolution services under policies like the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP). http://www.adrforum.com/newsroom.aspx?&itemID=1636 Domain disputes rise, with latest involving Brad Pitt, Mercedes The number of disputes over Internet domain names increased 24 percent in 2010 from the previous year, with some of the higher-profile disputes involving Brad Pitt, Tea Party Patriots, Mercedes and American Girl. http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2011/04/18/domain-disputes-rise-brad-pitt-mercedes.html More Bad News for Righthaven: Domain Name Claim Dismissed in DiBiase Case Nevada federal judge Roger Hunt was busy last week. In addition to his widely reported decision in Righthaven v. Democratic Underground to unseal Righthaven LLC?s business agreement with publisher Stephen Media ? an agreement that shows Righthaven's claim of copyright ownership is a sham ? Judge Hunt also granted Tad DiBiase?s motion to dismiss Righthaven?s request to seize his domain name. As the judge noted, there simply is no legal basis for Righthaven?s threat to seize domain names as a remedy for copyright infringment. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2011/04/more-bad-news-righthaven-domain-name-claim UDRP Panel Questions Oversee.net?s Automated Domain Registration Processes A UDRP panel has found against Oversee.net in a UDRP dispute over CarrollHouse.com and has posed significant questions about the company?s domain name registration practices. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/04/18/udrp-panel-questions-oversee-nets-automated-domain-registration-processes/ CAD Australia loses right to domain name WIPO strips reseller's domain name after partnership expires. http://www.itnews.com.au/News/254959,cad-australia-loses-right-to-domain-name.aspx ICE domain seizures enter second phase The US Immigration & Customs Enforcement agency seems to be consolidating its portfolio of seized domain names by transferring them to its own registrar account. http://domainincite.com/ice-domain-seizures-enter-second-phase/ U.S. allows 2 of 3 shuttered poker sites to reopen U.S. prosecutors agreed on Wednesday to allow two of the three Internet gambling companies named in a $3 billion (1 billion pound) fraud suit to reopen their websites, partly to let customers withdraw their money. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/04/20/oukin-uk-poker-fraud-idUKTRE73J4H420110420 http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/04/20/idINIndia-56470420110420 http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/20/poker-fraud-idUSN2015204520110420 Full Tilt Poker and Poker Stars Web Sites Are Coming Back Internet users will soon be able to access and play poker at popular poker sites FullTiltPoker.com and PokerStars.com soon. http://domainnamewire.com/2011/04/20/full-tilt-poker-and-poker-stars-web-sites-are-coming-back/ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** IPv4 addresses down to last block ? rationing starts Another landmark stage has been reached in the exhaustion of IPv4 internet addresses. APNIC (Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre), the body responsible for distribution of addresses in the region that includes New Zealand, is down to its last /8 block of IPv4 ? a mere 67 million individual addresses. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/ipv4-addresses-down-to-last-block-rationing-starts IPv4 Depletion Not Boosting IPv6 Adoption Despite the fact that 95% of all Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) addresses are already being used, the new frontier of IPv6 currently represents less than 1% of IP addresses, or 0.3% of all Internet traffic, according to a recent study by Arbor Networks. http://www.informationweek.com/news/infrastructure/ipv6/229401923 IPv4 Addresses Not Property, Canada Weighs in on the Nortel/Microsoft Transfer by McTim The recent tempest in a teacup on ARINs PPML list over the transfer of IP address blocks from Nortel (a company in Chapter 11) to Microsoft has some interesting Internet Governance dimensions that are yet to be discussed. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20110419_ipv4_addresses_not_property_canada_weighs_in_on_nortel_microsoft/ Internet Society Statement on APNIC IPv4 depletion Last Friday, 15th April 2011, the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) announced that it has reached the last significant block of Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) addresses in its available pool ? making the Asia Pacific region the first to reach the point of being unable to meet regular IPv4 demand. This is due to the unprecedented fixed and mobile network growth the region is experiencing. http://isoc.org/wp/newsletter/?p=3592 Black markets sprout in IP address shortage With only days passed since the Asia Pacific regional internet registry initiated a severely reduced allocation policy for Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4), ?black? markets have begun to appear for operators and address holders to trade address between themselves. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/383883/black_markets_sprout_ip_address_shortage/ ISOC warns on dangers of IPv4 address trading As with anything a scarcity of supply creates a potentially lucrative market - white, grey or black, and IPv4 addresses are no exception, with prices as high as $US11 being reported. ISOC however is urging that established guidelines for address transfers be followed. http://www.itwire.com/it-policy-news/regulation/46679-isoc-warns-on-dangers-of-ipv4-address-trading ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Playboy Mansion outbreak: Bacteria traced to whirlpool spa [Updated] Health officials identified legionella bacteria in a whirlpool spa at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles during an investigation in February that began when people were sickened after attending a fundraiser. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/04/playboy-mansion-outbreak-bacteria-traced-to-whirlpool-spa.html ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Royal wedding to be streamed on YouTube as palace embraces digital age Live streaming of the royal wedding will be broadcast on YouTube as part of an arsenal of social networking outlets harnessed by palace officials to bolster the pair's 21st century credentials. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/apr/20/royal-wedding-streamed-youtube-digital Young people 'would rather live without TV than mobiles or net' For the first time, more young people say they would prefer to give up watching television than doing without their mobiles phones or the internet, according to an Ofcom survey. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/apr/19/young-people-tv-mobiles-net Seasoned users shun spontaneity on the Web - survey Spontaneous activity on the Internet is on the wane among experienced users as they shun aimless surfing and plan their online sessions more, according to a study published by Microsoft and two agencies. http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/04/19/idINIndia-56426620110419 Sick note: Faking illness online Why would someone fake a serious illness online? Jenny Kleeman on the strange world of M?nchausen by internet http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/feb/26/faking-illness-online-munchausen http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/mnchausen-by-internet-the-sick-world-of-the-internet-fakers-20110419-1dm9l.html http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/mnchausen-by-internet-the-sick-world-of-the-internet-fakers-20110419-1dm9l.html nz: Technology affecting work-life balance: survey Many Kiwis find it difficult to 'switch off' when they are away from the office because of the technology they have at their disposal. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10720340 ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** Twitter, Facebook and YouTube now crucial to presidential campaigns Four years ago, Barack Obama kicked off his presidential campaign on the steps of Illinois' Old State Capitol, speaking in front of thousands of supporters and a throng of media. Earlier this month, when he formally announced his reelection campaign, he did so without public appearance, in an online video. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-social-media-20110418,0,3160762.story Facebook Strengthens Security, Safety Tools Following up on its promise to enhance online safety at the White House Conference on Bullying Prevention in March, Facebook on Tuesday launched a revamped version of its Family Safety Center. In addition, it enhanced a recently introduced tool for community policing and fortified its login security options. http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/privacy/229401871 Social networks must automatically restrict children's profiles, says EU Commission Social network sites must ensure that children's profiles are visible only to the child's friends and cannot be found on a search engine, the European Commission has said. http://out-law.com/page-11881 ************************************************ CHILD PROTECTION, FILTERING & CONTENT REGULATION ************************************************ eu: Children using social networks at a younger age; many unaware of basic privacy risks, says survey 77% of 13-16 year olds and 38% of 9-12 year olds in the EU have a profile on a social networking site, according to a pan-European survey carried out for the European Commission. Yet, a quarter of children who use social networking sites like Facebook, Hyves, Tuenti, Nasza-Klasa SchuelerVZ, Hi5, Iwiw or Myvip say their profile is set to "public" meaning that everyone can see it, and many of these display their address and/or phone number. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/479 Many under-13s 'using Facebook' Almost half of British children aged 9 to 12 are using social networking sites, despite minimum age limits, a report claims. One in five has a Facebook page, even though rules say they must be 13, according to EUKidsOnline. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13129150 One in five European kids dodge Facebook age limit: survey [AFP] Three-quarters of Europe's children have a profile on a social networking website, while one in five under 13 manage to dodge Facebook's age restriction, a survey showed Monday. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/one-in-five-european-kids-dodge-facebook-age-limit-survey-20110419-1dlxq.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/one-in-five-european-kids-dodge-facebook-age-limit-survey-20110419-1dlxq.html uk: Half of parents say they know less about the internet than their children [news release] Half of parents (48 per cent) with children aged 5-15 who use the internet at home think they know less about the internet than their children do, new Ofcom research published today reveals. This rises to 70 per cent of parents of 12-15 year olds. http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2011/04/19/half-of-parents-say-they-know-less-about-the-internet-than-their-children/ In Online Games, a Path to Young Consumers Deep into one of her favorite computer games, Lesly Lopez, 10, moves her mouse to click on a cartoon bee. She drags and drops it into an empty panel, creating her own comic strip. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/business/21marketing.html McDonald's Makes Subtle Play for Children Online McWorld, a Web site for children sponsored by McDonald?s, offers visitors the chance to create characters, decorate digital treehouses and go on a quest in a virtual world. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/20/mcdonalds-makes-subtle-play-for-children-online/ Marketing to Children Online: What Do You Think? Food companies try to reach children online with Web sites, virtual worlds and video games that may not, at first, appear to be advertising. Children who may think they are simply playing video games are in fact engaging with sophisticated commercials, a practice that is beginning to attract scrutiny from regulators. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/20/marketing-to-children-online-what-do-you-think/ uk: Children's rights should outweigh almost all cases of public interest in newspaper stories, Court of Appeal says Public interest in a famous person's affair is less important than the wellbeing of children of the celebrity, the Court of Appeal has said. http://out-law.com/page-11882 Doting dad builds Know Diss - the world's first cyber bullying notification software PARENTS who are concerned for their child's online safety can feel a little bit safer - as long as they're prepared to put their faith in software. http://www.news.com.au/technology/doting-dad-builds-know-diss-the-worlds-first-cyber-bullying-notification-software/story-e6frfro0-1226041634095 Facebook beefs up anti-bullying measures An internet advocacy group has welcomed increased security measures announced by social networking site Facebook to help keep children safe from online bullying. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/20/3196788.htm nz: Survey shows fear of internet predators [ONE News] Becoming the target of an internet predator is the biggest concern for New Zealanders according to a survey about online security. http://tvnz.co.nz/technology-news/survey-shows-fear-internet-predators-4130965 nz: Facebook groomer fools families with fantasy [ONE News] Police are still seeking a woman who has been using Facebook to groom schoolboys in an elaborate scam which had many parents fooled. http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/facebook-groomer-fools-families-fantasy-4130673 Breakfast: Tuesday April 19: Internet predator and cyber safety Martin Cocker from Netsafe talks about new cyber safety research and the female internet predator who's been soliciting relationships with young boys online. http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/tuesday-april-19-4130942 Close Up: Monday April 18: Sexual predator Warnings over sexual predators combing the internet for vulnerable teenagers are not new, but the latest scam to concern police is being perpetrated by an older woman. http://tvnz.co.nz/close-up/monday-april-18-4130082 ... Helping hand The Body Shop's third annual Soft Hands Kind Heart fundraising campaign for the global fight against sex trafficking of children and teenagers is on now. Buy the chain's specially labelled $10 handcream and all profits from your purchase will go to Child Alert NZ, an organisation that raises awareness of child pornography, and prostitution and sex tourism and unsafe internet practice. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10720553 uk: Teachers worried as girls go top of the class for cyber-bullying Teachers will today call for an investigation into rising levels of poor behaviour among girls in the classroom. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/teachers-worried-as-girls-go-top-of-the-class-for-cyberbullying-2269229.html Children's behaviour at school deteriorating, say teachers Children's behaviour has worsened over the past five years, according to a survey of teachers which found that a fifth thought girls were more likely to cause trouble than boys. http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/apr/18/childrens-behaviour-school-teachers us: Automated game ratings: how a form will affect the games you download Rating a video game is a time-intensive, expensive process. People need to watch the content in question, assess context, take into account the realism of a game, and then use all the data at their disposal to assign the game a rating that will determine who will be able to buy the game at retail. The problem is one of scale: more games are being released via various online stores, and keeping up with that onslaught is a tricky problem. http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2011/04/automated-game-ratings-how-a-form-will-affect-the-games-you-download.ars us: Schools Must Be Part of the Solution to Cyberbullying I don't get it! In the world of cyberbullying as portrayed by the New York Times, the schools are strictly off limits when it comes to addressing cyberbullying. In fact, this page one article by Jan Hoffman begins with the poignant story of the mother of a ninth grader. When she found out that some other kids had created a forged Facebook page for her son and were bullying other kids under his name, she went to the school authorities. After expressing concern for her son, she was told that the schools could do nothing about this situation: It's an off-campus matter. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ellen-galinsky/schools-must-be-part-of-t_b_792813.html Kinderpornos ? Regierung hebt Sperrgesetz auf Das umstrittene "Gesetz zur Erschwerung des Zugangs zu kinderpornographischen Inhalten in Kommunikationsnetzen" (Zugangserschwerungsgesetz) soll Geschichte werden: der Koalitionsausschuss beschloss vergangene Woche die vorl?ufige Absage an die Errichtung einer Internet-Sperrinfrastruktur. http://www.domain-recht.de/magazin/domain-news-2011/kinderpornos-regierung-hebt-sperrgesetz-auf-id667945.html ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Will streaming TV online lead to the death of the big media players? As more and more television moves online thanks to streaming services such as Netflix, Jemima Kiss examines the options available to traditional media ? which some say faces a bleak future http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/apr/18/digital-video-streaming-online-netflix Facebook and reality TV leave US soap operas all washed up All My Children has survived Vietnam, abortion, teen prostitutes, murder and cocaine addiction. Erica Kane, the soap's biggest star, has seen off 10 husbands and once took on a grizzly bear while dressed as a nun. Now the 41-year-old show has met its match ? in reality TV. http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2011/apr/17/abc-all-my-children-us-soap-operas-decline uk: 'Chaotic' ACS:Law facing costs over file-sharing cases A controversial law firm that tried to get money from computer users by accusing them of illegal file sharing could be hit with massive legal fees. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13116796 ACS:Law solicitor 'breached code with filesharing claims' The London-based lawyer at the heart of a huge row over internet piracy, Andrew Crossley, breached the solicitors code of conduct with his method of accusing people of illegal filesharing, a judge has ruled. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/apr/19/acs-law-solicitor-filesharing-claims ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** iPhones Secretly Track Your Every Move, Researchers Say According to security researchers Pete Warden and Alasdair Allan, your iPhone or iPad is keeping a record of every step you take, storing this data and sharing it with the devices that sync with the iPhone or iPad. What's troubling is that this information is unencrypted and can be accessed and viewed by anyone. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/20/apple-iphones-tracking-users_n_851532.html iPhone keeps record of everywhere you go Security researchers have discovered that Apple's iPhone keeps track of where you go ? and saves every detail of it to a secret file on the device which is then copied to the owner's computer when the two are synchronised. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/apr/20/iphone-tracking-prompts-privacy-fears 3G Apple iOS Devices Are Storing Users' Location Data A hidden file on the Apple iPhone 4 and iPad 3G has been found to store location information. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/20/3g-apple-ios-devices-secretly-storing-users-location/ Your iPhone and iPad are tracking you, researchers say Researchers Pete Warden and Alasdair Allan were looking for a way to visualize mobile data when they stumbled across a file in the iPhone and iPad 3G that records locations and timestamps, Allan wrote on O?Reilly Radar. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/faster-forward/post/your-iphone-and-ipad-are-tracking-you-researchers-say/2011/04/20/AFhL4BCE_blog.html Quiet and brilliant, Taiwan's HTC is smartphone star [AFP] Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC has risen to global prominence by transforming itself from a contract maker into a viable brand, one of the toughest feats in the fiercely competitive hi-tech industry. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/quiet-and-brilliant-taiwans-htc-is-smartphone-star-2269414.html China Mobile?s Rural Users Lift Subscriptions Past 600 Million China Mobile Ltd. became the world?s first phone company to exceed 600 million subscribers as it signed up more rural customers in the first quarter. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-20/china-mobile-passes-600-million-subscribers-on-rural-additions.html China Mobile Hits 600 Million Customers China Mobile, the world's largest mobile carrier, said its customer base exceeded 600 million on Wednesday, as the company reported an increase in profits for the first quarter of 2011. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/225727/.html Asia mobile broadband market to hit US$108B by 2015 Asia's mobile broadband market revenue will more than double from US$43 billion in 2010 to US$108 billion by 2015, due to continued strong demand for Web access via mobile and smartphones, a new report states. The region is also poised to account for almost half of global mobile broadband connections in four years' time. http://www.zdnetasia.com/asia-mobile-broadband-market-to-hit-us-108b-by-2015-62208487.htm Samsung vows counter-action over Apple patent suit [AFP] Samsung Electronics said Tuesday it would take counter-action against Apple after the US firm filed suit alleging that the South Korean giant copied its smartphones and tablet computers. http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110419/bs_afp/usskoreaitcompanypatenttelecominternetapplesamsung Suing Samsung: Apple's Bid To Protect Its Brand Has Big Risks Apple's lawsuit against Samsung makes it obvious the Cupertino company is fiercely protective of its intellectual property. A win would force Samsung to cease production, though the likely outcome seems to be settlement, and not shutdown. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/20/apple-samsung-lawsuit_n_851755.html Apple: Samsung Copied Design Apple Inc. sued Samsung Electronics Co., claiming that Samsung's Galaxy line of mobile phones and tablet "slavishly" copied Apple's iPhone and iPad, in another sign of the escalating intellectual-property tensions in the fast-growing mobile-device market. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703916004576271210109389154.html http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/news/apple-sues-samsung-over-phone-tablet-designs/story-e6frg90x-1226041353433 Apple sues Samsung, says it copied iPad [IDG] Apple has sued Samsung for allegedly copying the iPad, iPod and iPhone with its Galaxy Tab and Galaxy handsets. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9215920/Apple_sues_Samsung_says_it_copied_iPad http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/041811-apple-sues-samsung-says-it.html http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/225513/.html Apple sues Samsung over Galaxy phones, tablets Apple Inc has sued rival Samsung Electronics claiming that the South Korean firm's Galaxy line of mobile phones and tablets "slavishly" copies the iPhone and iPad, according to court papers. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/04/19/uk-apple-samsung-idUKTRE73I07920110419 http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/04/19/idINIndia-56417220110419 How new Internet standards will finally deliver a mobile revolution [reg req'd] As the Web experience evolves, smartphones may soon live up to their name, and every business?s mobile strategy will grow in importance. http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Telecommunications/Broadband/How_new_Internet_standards_will_finally_deliver_a_mobile_revolution_2788 Nokia and RIM bleeding smartphone share while Android cleans up Nokia is suffering dramatic falls in market share worldwide, and RIM has seen a calamitous fall in its US sales - while the Android mobile operating system is streaking past rivals in almost every developed country to become the dominant player everywhere. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/apr/18/smartphone-market-android-win-nokia-rim-lose E.U. to Review Mobile Operators' Policies on Web Access The European Commission is planning to investigate whether European mobile operators are managing wireless Internet traffic to discriminate against competitors or consumers who use data-intensive services. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/19/technology/19data.html The young generation are 'addicted' to mobile phones Young people are now so addicted to their mobile phones it feels like they have lost a limb when they are without them, a study finds. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/8458786/The-young-generation-are-addicted-to-mobile-phones.html What's Next for Mobile Technology Hong Kong-based Green Tomato is feeding the city?s seemingly insatiable appetite for mobile devices, having launched more than 80 applications for the iPhone and iPad since 2009. http://blogs.wsj.com/hong-kong/2011/04/18/whats-next-for-mobile-technology/ S'pore 'on track' to enable 3G underground Upgrade of high-speed wireless Internet network in country's 2G-only underground subway routes on schedule, with works completed in areas with heaviest commuter traffic, says SingTel. http://www.zdnetasia.com/s-pore-on-track-to-enable-3g-underground-62208461.htm Malaysia, Singapore to slash telecom roaming fees Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to slash roaming charges for voice calls and text messaging over the next two years in a landmark accord, regulators said Wednesday. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/malaysia-singapore-to-slash-telecom-roaming-fees-20110421-1dp5k.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/malaysia-singapore-to-slash-telecom-roaming-fees-20110421-1dp5k.html ********************** SPAM ********************** Spammers still mining Japan, NZ earthquake appeals: Symantec The charitable nature of Australians has been under threat, as spammers continue to hijack Japan and New Zealand disaster relief funds. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/383743/spammers_still_mining_japan_nz_earthquake_appeals_symantec/ Spam perseveres, despite Rustock takedown Global spam dropped by one-third immediately after the Rustock Botnet was dismantled in mid-March, according to the March edition of the Symantec MessageLabs Intelligence monthly report. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/041911-spam-perseveres-despite-rustock.html ************************** ONLINE CRIME, SECURITY & LEGAL ************************** Internet-based attacks on critical systems rise Internet-based attacks on critical systems such as gas, power and water have increased around the world, a report suggests. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13122339 Cyber attacks rise at critical infrastructure firms Cyber attacks on critical infrastructure companies are on the rise, with a jump in extortion attempts and malware designed to sabotage systems, like Stuxnet, according to a new report. http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-20055091-245.html http://www.zdnetasia.com/cyberattacks-rise-at-critical-infrastructure-firms-62208447.htm http://www.zdnet.com.au/extortion-malware-hitting-critical-assets-339313491.htm Governments Struggle To Recruit, Keep 'Cyber Warriors' Cyberspace is likely to be a key battleground for states in the 21st century but recruiting those with the technical skills to fight there and retaining their loyalty will be a tough task. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/04/20/oukin-uk-technology-cyberwarriors-idUKTRE73J3KI20110420 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/20/cyber-warriors-recruiting_n_851593.html Malware and other cyber threats, many of which are state sponsored, are growing The wild, wild Web grows ever wilder, and U.S. companies and critical infrastructure remain vulnerable targets, executives from cybersecurity giant McAfee warned Wednesday. http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110420_3403.php What a cyberwar with China might look like Imagine it's August 2020. A powerful and rising China wants to bring the city-state of Singapore into its fold like it has with Hong Kong. Before the first physical attacks, China launches a cyberoffensive to disrupt the communications capabilities of the U.S., Japan and their allies. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/355740/What_Cyberwar_Might_Really_Look_Like http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/041811-what-cyberwar-might-really-look.html Simulated cyber attack reveals EU flaws in coordination [IDG] Some 55 percent of national information technology agencies would not know who to contact in the event of a European Union cyber attack, according to E.U. cybersecurity agency ENISA. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/041811-simulated-cyber-attack-reveals-eu.html EU Agency ENISA issues final report & video clip on 'Cyber Europe 2010': the 1st pan- European cyber security exercise [news release] EU Agency ENISA issues final report and video clip on Cyber Europe 2010: the 1st pan- European cyber security exercise for public bodies. The European Union?s cyber security agency, ENISA has issued the final report on the first Pan-European cyber security exercise for public bodies, ?Cyber Europe 2010?. http://www.enisa.europa.eu/media/press-releases/eu-agency-enisa-issues-final-report-video-clip-on-cybereurope-2010-the-1st-pan-european-cyber-security-exercise-for-public-bodies Online Poker Players Face Big Life Changes The U.S. government disrupted the weekend?and life?plans of Cory Albertson and thousands of others like him who earn much of their living playing poker online. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703702004576269284033243972.html Online poker's Aussie outfit An online poker site shut down in a US money-laundering sting has a Sydney-based office with more than 200 employees. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/shut-down-in-us-but-operating-in-australia/story-e6frg6nf-1226041207877 Cybercriminals cranking up for royal wedding [AAP] You won't find them lurking around Westminster Abbey and they definitely didn't receive an invite in the mail, but these unwanted guests are trying to crash next week's royal wedding. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/security/cybercriminals-cranking-up-for-royal-wedding-20110419-1dn3r.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/security/cybercriminals-cranking-up-for-royal-wedding-20110419-1dn3r.html Dating site Match.com says it will begin screening its users against sex offender registry [AP] Singles website Match.com said Sunday that it will begin screening its users against the national sex offender registry after a woman filed a lawsuit against the company saying she had been assaulted by someone she met through the dating service. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/dating-site-matchcom-says-it-will-begin-screening-its-users-against-sex-offender-registry/2011/04/17/AFBJCfwD_story.html us: Match.com will screen users against sex offender database Several days after an L.A. woman filed suit against Match.com claiming she was attacked by a man she met on the dating site, company officials announced Sunday they would begin crossing-checking users against sex offender databases. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/04/matchcom-will-screen-users-against-sex-offender-database.html Abrupt Turn as Facebook Battles Suit Aaron Sorkin may want to take notice. The script for a prequel to his hit movie ?The Social Network? almost writes itself. Before the cinematic Winklevoss twins battled with Mark Zuckerberg over the origins of Facebook, and before the company?s co-founder Eduardo Saverin became estranged from his friend Mr. Zuckerberg, there was Paul Ceglia. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/18/technology/18facebook.html Iranian general accuses Siemens of helping U.S., Israel build Stuxnet An Iranian military commander Saturday accused the German electronics giant Siemens with helping U.S. and Israeli teams craft the Stuxnet worm that attacked his country's nuclear facilities. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9215901/Iranian_general_accuses_Siemens_of_helping_U.S._Israel_build_Stuxnet NetSafe survey shows ignorance of IT security among NZ consumers NetSafe and antimalware vendor AVG have released the results of a recent Cyber Security Survey. According to a statement from NetSafe and AVG announcing the results, "the survey is the first of its kind undertaken in this country to quantify New Zealanders? perceptions of online safety and their use of protection mechanisms for their online activities." http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/netsafe-survey-shows-ignorance-of-it-security-among-nz-consumers Kiwi online security lacking An online security company says the internet is no place for the 'she'll be right' attitude. http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=195026 http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=129542 Cyber crime could be costing NZ $4.7bil annually - AVG Cyber criminals could be costing New Zealanders $4.7 billion per year, with businesses taking most of the hit, according to AVG. http://pcworld.co.nz/pcworld/pcw.nsf/news/cyber-crime-could-be-costing-nz-47bil-every-year-avg New Zealand takes ?unnecessary risks? online New Zealanders are taking unnecessary risks online, according to the results of a newly released survey by AVG and NetSafe. http://reseller.co.nz/reseller.nsf/news/new-zealand-takes-unnecessary-risks-online Kiwi drug mule arrest shows dangers of dating sites A former top Maori Language Commission executive has been arrested in Argentina, accused of smuggling cocaine out of the country in a bottomless suitcase. Wellington woman Sharon Armstrong was on her way to visit a man she met on a dating website and appears to have been scammed. http://www.3news.co.nz/Kiwi-drug-mule-arrest-shows-dangers-of-dating-sites/tabid/423/articleID/207900/Default.aspx FTC Takes Action Against 'fake' News Sites [IDG] Several websites apparently featuring news reports that show the weight-loss benefits of acai berry products aren't what they appear to be, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the Illinois Attorney General's Office said Tuesday. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/225617/.html http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/041911-ftc-takes-action-against-fake.html FTC Seeks to Halt 10 Operators of Fake News Sites from Making Deceptive Claims About Acai Berry Weight Loss Products [news release] The Federal Trade Commission is requesting federal courts to temporarily halt the allegedly deceptive tactics of 10 operations using fake news websites to market acai berry weight-loss products. The FTC seeks to permanently stop this misleading practice and has asked courts to freeze the operations? assets pending trial. http://ftc.gov/opa/2011/04/fakenews.shtm ca: Man arrested over possible webcam murder Canadian police have made an arrest in the death of a visiting Chinese university student whose murder may have been captured on webcam. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/21/3197885.htm ************************** PRIVACY ************************** Who's Screwing You Over on Privacy Issues? Pretty Much Everybody Dropbox--flamed this week for revealing that it will hand over your stored files to the feds if requested--is not alone in its willingness to throw users' privacy under the proverbial bus. http://www.pcworld.com/article/225811/.html "Who Has Your Back?" In Depth: Which Companies Promise To Tell Users About Government Data Requests? EFF recently launched a campaign calling on companies to stand with their users when the government comes looking for data. (If you haven?t done so, sign our petition urging companies to provide better transparency and privacy.) This article will provide a more detailed look at one of the four categories in which a company can earn a gold star in our campaign: promising to tell users about government data demands. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2011/04/who-has-your-back-in-depth-which-companies-promise EU data retention law blasted on privacy issues [IDG] The European Union's data retention law has come under scrutiny, with a new report saying that it poses significant risks to individuals' right to privacy. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/041811-eu-data-retention-law-blasted.html Yahoo Will Keep Search Queries for 18 Months Three years ago, Yahoo cast itself as a defender of privacy by saying it would keep detailed records of its users? search queries for just 90 days. The company said it would then purge that information in an effort to ?strengthen Yahoo?s relationship of trust? with its users. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/18/yahoo-will-keep-search-queries-for-18-months/ Yahoo to keep personal search data for 18 months instead of three Yahoo Inc. said it would begin keeping records of its users? search engine queries for at least 18 months, abandoning an earlier policy under which it kept data for only three months. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/04/yahoo-keeping-personal-search-data-for-18-months-instead-of-three.html FTC calls out Google's Chrome over Do Not Track Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Liebowitz this week singled out Google for not adopting "Do Not Track," the privacy feature that lets consumers opt out of online tracking by Web sites and advertisers. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9215979/FTC_calls_out_Google_s_Chrome_over_Do_Not_Track http://www.pcworld.com/article/225764/.html ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Internet Freedom Threatened By New Restrictions Freedom on the worldwide Internet is in danger, according to a new report by Freedom House. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/18/global-internet-freedom-_n_850520.html Freedom House Study Finds Mounting Threats to Internet Freedom [news release] Cyberattacks, politically motivated censorship, and government control over internet infrastructure are among the diverse and growing threats to internet freedom, according to Freedom on the Net 2011: A Global Assessment of Internet and Digital Media,a new study released today by Freedom House. http://freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=70&release=1398 Australia makes top 4 of internet freedom list Australia has scored highly for internet freedom in its first appearance on a Freedom House report into 37 countries, but violation of user rights and lack of access for some users were cited as concerns. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/383891/australia_makes_top_4_internet_freedom_list/ Facebook may 'block content' claim as speculation grows over entry into China Facebook could block content in some countries, a Washington lobbyist for the company has said, adding that it has faced uncomfortable positions over "too much, maybe, free speech". http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/apr/20/facebook-considers-censorship-claim-china http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/were-allowing-too-much-free-speech-facebook-20110421-1dpdl.html http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/were-allowing-too-much-free-speech-facebook-20110421-1dpdl.html Facebook Says It May Be Allowing 'Too Much' Free Speech In Some Nations Facebook is reportedly negotiating with Chinese partners to launch the social network in China, where it is currently blocked from use. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/20/facebook-free-speech-censorship_n_851499.html UAE to tighten BlackBerry restrictions BlackBerry users in the United Arab Emirates will soon be unable to send emails and messages without fear of government snooping, under tighter restrictions on internet communication in the Gulf state. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/apr/18/uae-blackberry-emails-secure U.A.E. Puts Curbs On Email BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd. confirmed Sunday that the United Arab Emirates will stop individuals and small businesses from using the mobile device's highly secure corporate-email services. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704204604576269001787766750.html Facebook Apologizes For Censoring Gay Kiss Photo Two men kissing: too risque for Facebook? The social network recently removed a picture of a gay kiss for allegedly violating its terms of use, which state, "You will not post content that: is hateful, threatening, or pornographic; incites violence; or contains nudity or graphic or gratuitous violence." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/19/facebook-gay-kiss_n_850941.html Putin says no plans to crack down on Internet Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said he had no plans to crack down on the Internet ahead of 2012 elections, seeking to play down concerns over recent hacker attacks on a blogging website. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/04/20/oukin-uk-russia-putin-internet-idUKTRE73J33M20110420 ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** Commission underlines commitment to ensure open internet principles applied in practice [news release] The need to ensure that citizens and businesses are easily able to access an open and neutral internet has been underlined by the European Commission in a report adopted today. The Commission will be vigilant that new EU telecoms rules on transparency, quality of service and the ability to switch operator, due to enter into force on 25th May 2011, are applied in a way that ensures that these open and neutral internet principles are respected in practice. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/486 EU decides against stricter net neutrality rules The European commission has decided against introducing legislation to protect net neutrality, saying media scrutiny and giving consumers enough information about their internet service provider will be sufficient to protect an "open and neutral" internet. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/apr/19/eu-internet-neutrality-legislation European Union to investigate net-neutrality concerns The European Union is to investigate whether internet service providers (ISPs) are providing fair access to online services. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13134494 Internet Society welcomes European Commission backing for open Internet Commenting on today?s publication of the European Commission?s communication on net neutrality, the Internet Society heartily endorses its continued emphasis on the importance of the open Internet. http://isoc.org/wp/newsletter/?p=3614 EU to probe if Internet providers hinder content The EU's telecoms chief threatened on Tuesday to impose tougher rules to ensure Internet providers do not discriminate against some content companies such as internet voice call providers like Skype. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/04/19/oukin-uk-eu-netneutrality-idUKTRE73I29R20110419 eu: Commission evaluates the Directive on retention of telecommunications data Today the European Commission adopted an evaluation report of the Data Retention Directive outlining the lessons learned since its adoption in 2006. The Directive established data retention as a response to urgent security challenges, following major terrorist attacks in Madrid in 2004 and in London in 2005. The report concludes that retained telecommunications data play an important role in the protection of the public against the harm caused by serious crime. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/484 Europe to overhaul data-retention law The European Commission is considering stricter controls on who can access communications data stored for law-enforcement and anti-terrorist purposes. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/security/2011/04/18/europe-to-overhaul-data-retention-law-40092555/ uk: Digital Economy Act court challenge fails A legal challenge to the Digital Economy Act has failed get the controversial legislation overturned. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13141986 3 strikes for copyright infringers in NZ: should we follow suit? [video] http://www.brr.com.au/event/79031/partner/theaustralian Copyright Infringing File Sharing Bill passes into law in New Zealand The controversial Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Bill passed its third reading today (14 April 2011) with the majority of its provisions to come into effect on 1 September 2011. http://www.mondaq.com/NewZealand/article.asp?articleid=129568 $16M Malaysia email plan sparks big online protest [AP] Thousands of Malaysians mocked a 50 million ringgit ($16 million) plan to offer government-linked email accounts to all adults, saying Wednesday that most Internet users already have free email service. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/16m-malaysia-email-plan-sparks-big-online-protest-20110420-1dokt.html http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-technology/16m-malaysia-email-plan-sparks-big-online-protest-20110420-1dokt.html European working party issues New Zealand adequacy opinion The European Commission's data privacy working group (the Article 29 Working Party) recently issued an Opinion finding New Zealand's data privacy legislation (the Privacy Act 1993) ensures an 'adequate' level of protection for personal data. http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=266fce3f-e677-448f-9e06-1ba0769eb26a Article 29 Working Party finds New Zealand's data protection regime adequate On April 4, 2011, the Article 29 Working Party (the "Working Party") issued an Opinion finding that New Zealand ensures an adequate level of data protection within the meaning of the EU Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC (the "Data Protection Directive"). http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=ad747629-e593-47e7-89ae-7d788d6e481f ********************************* MISCELLANEOUS ********************************* Foreign Money Fuels Faltering Bid to Push Online Poker For the past four years, the foreign companies that control the global Internet poker industry have helped bankroll an elaborate lobbying campaign here, seeking to keep the United States from shutting their American operations down. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/19/us/politics/19lobby.html ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** us: Landline Phone Use Plummets Among Poor Households In a financial and technological role reversal, a growing number of Americans are getting rid of their old telephones and using only cellphones, a trend being led not by the high-tech elite but by people in poorer states as a way to save money. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/20/landline-phones-poor-households_n_851802.html Deutsche Telekom, France Telecom Set Up Purchasing Venture Deutsche Telekom AG and France Telecom SA, will set up a venture that will let the two former phone monopolies save ?1.3 billion ($1.9 billion) annually by jointly buying telecommunications equipment. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-18/deutsche-telekom-france-telecom-agree-on-procurement-venture.html Deutsche Telekom and France T?l?com will shop together [IDG] Deutsche Telekom and France T?l?com are joining forces to increase their collective buying power, and negotiate better deals on mobile networks and smartphones. The two network operators will pass some of the savings they hope to realize on to their customers, they said Monday. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/383595/deutsche_telekom_france_t_l_com_will_shop_together/ Telecoms groups team up on procurement Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom will achieve ?1.3bn in annual savings by merging key procurement activities in Europe as they press ahead with a programme to cut costs http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0239e022-69cb-11e0-826b-00144feab49a.html eu: Technical rules agreed for using 4G wireless broadband devices on GSM frequencies Technical rules on how the 900 and 1800 MHz radio frequency bands should be opened up to advanced 4th generation (4G) communication devices have just been adopted by the European Commission. The rules, which are important to avoid interference problems with existing GSM and 3G devices, are an important step to bringing wireless broadband access to more EU citizens and businesses. The Commission Decision, which must be implemented by Member States by the end of 2011, will therefore help to achieve the targets of the Digital Agenda for Europe to give every European access to basic broadband by 2013 and fast and ultra fast broadband by 2020. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/480 EU opens radio frequencies for 4G mobile devices The European Commission has ruled that member states open two radio frequencies to the newest generation of mobile devices to enable faster Internet use on the move. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/04/18/oukin-uk-eu-telecoms-idUKTRE73H4MQ20110418 au: The Seven Myths Of The NBN Will a fibre-to-home network help circulate accurate information about infrastructure projects? Ian McAuley on the political economy of nation building and the myths about the NBN that won't go away http://newmatilda.com.au/2011/04/18/seven-myths-nbn nz: Record fine for Telecom Telecom has been fined a record $12 million for anti-competitive prices it charged other companies to access its network more than seven years ago. http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/business/73283/record-fine-for-telecom Record Telecom fine for price hikes Telecom has been hit with a $12 million penalty, the highest imposed under the Commerce Act, for anti-competitive conduct dating back to 2001. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10720317 Telecom NZ submits final UFB bid Telecom NZ on Monday submitted a final binding proposal for its separation and participation in the government's Ultrafast Broadband (UFB) project. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/383704/telecom_nz_submits_final_ufb_bid/ Telecom NZ lodges UFB bid, cuts execs [AAP] Telecom New Zealand has put in a binding bid to be the Crown's partner in the 25 regions remaining for its ultrafast broadband (UFB) initiative, and is cutting the size of its senior management team. http://www.zdnet.com.au/telecom-nz-lodges-ufb-bid-cuts-execs-339313427.htm nz: Joyce to change telecommunications bill The Government will make a concession to critics of the Telecommunications Amendment Bill by insisting companies that build the ultrafast broadband network provide access to tens of thousands of kilometres of fibre-optic cable to all-comers on the exact same terms from 2019. http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/business/national-business/4898601/Joyce-to-change-telecommunications-bill http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/business/4898601/Joyce-to-change-telecommunications-bill http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/business/4898601/Joyce-to-change-telecommunications-bill http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/business/4898601/Joyce-to-change-telecommunications-bill http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/business/4898601/Joyce-to-change-telecommunications-bill http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/business/4898601/Joyce-to-change-telecommunications-bill http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/4898601/Joyce-to-change-telecommunications-bill nz: Telecom moves before UFB call Telecom announced key organisational changes yesterday in anticipation of an announcement on ultra-fast broadband contracts. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10720229 New Zealanders Plan May 1st Protests of ?Three-Strikes? Marches to take place around the country to fight back against the new Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Bill that critics believe ?has been unfairly and unjustly brought into law.? http://www.zeropaid.com/news/93174/new-zealanders-plan-may-1st-protests-of-three-strikes/ Telecom-Vodafone sew up $300m rural broadband tender, but questions remain As widely expected Telecom and Vodafone (aka 'Telefone') have closed commercial negotiations with the govenment for the $300 million rural broaband initiative (RBI), communications minister Steven Joyce confirmed this morning. http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/joyce-confirms-telecom-vodafone-rural-broadband-win-ck-91218 ********************************** ARRESTS/COURT CASES FOR ONLINE CHILD PROTECTION ********************************** au: MP arrested on child porn charges A South Australian Labor MP has been arrested and charged with child pornography offences. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/20/3197209.htm au: South Australia Premier Mike Rann to issue statement on Labor MP child porn scandal SOUTH Australia's Premier Mike Rann will issue a statement later today on the Labor MP charged with four child pornography offences. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/mp-arrested-over-exploitation/story-fn3dxity-1226042731881 SA MP on child porn charges after police raid home A PROMINENT South Australian MP was last night charged over the possession of child pornography after police raided his home and seized two computers. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/sa-mp-on-child-porn-charges/story-fn59niix-1226042436500 SA MP on child porn charges after police raid home A PROMINENT South Australian MP was last night charged over the possession of child pornography after police raided his home and seized two computers. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/sa-mp-on-child-porn-charges/story-fn59niix-1226042436500 au: Man charged over child pornography Police in the New South Wales Hunter Valley are trying to identify the children depicted in thousands of child abuse images seized in a raid on a home. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/19/3195092.htm +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (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 Thu Apr 21 2011 - 00:05:58 UTC
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