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 *************************************************** India's proposal for government control of Internet to be discussed in Geneva http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3423018.ece At Least 3 Companies Submit Bids To Operate French and Territorial ccTLDs http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/05/15/french-and-territorial-cctlds/ AFNIC Submits Applications To Manage 11 French TLDs http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/05/14/afnic-submits-applications/ Olympics wastes more money on ICANN nonsense http://domainincite.com/olympics-wastes-more-money-on-icann-nonsense/ ICANN names $25m gTLD objector http://domainincite.com/icann-names-25m-gtld-objector/ AusCERT 2012: Lack of security aiding medical fraud, identity theft http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/424850/auscert_2012_lack_security_aiding_medical_fraud_identity_theft_/ Up in cyber arms: AusCERT 2012 http://www.zdnet.com.au/up-in-cyber-arms-auscert-2012-339338008.htm ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** India's proposal for government control of Internet to be discussed in Geneva The raging controversy over possible excessive state regulation of the internet based on the IT Rules 2011 is now likely to be dwarfed by discussions in Geneva later this week over India's proposal to the United Nations General Assembly, for government control of the Internet. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3423018.ece MP seeks shift in India's stand on global Internet governance Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, asking him to withdraw India's recent position at the U.N. proposing governmental control over Internet. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3426443.ece India's proposal will help take the web out of U.S. control by Parminder Jeet Singh Unnerved by the Indian stand, IT monopolies are propagating the myth that a multilateral governance structure will kill the decentralised, multi-stakeholder nature of the Internet and lead to ?government control' http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article3426292.ece ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** Independent Objector for New gTLD Program Selected ICANN is delighted to announce that Professor Alain Pellet has agreed to serve as the Independent Objector for the New GTLD program. The Independent Objector will act solely in the interests of the public who use the global Internet. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-14may12-en.htm Revised ICANN Board Conflicts of Interest Policy and Other Governance Documents Adopted As part of ICANN's review of its conflicts of interest and ethics practices, on 6 May 2012 the ICANN Board approved revisions to the Board Conflicts of Interest Policy, the Code of Conduct and Expected Standards of Behavior. The Board also approved new Corporate Governance Guidelines, a flexible framework document that collects the sources of corporate governance requirements that ICANN follows. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-2-15may12-en.htm Ratification of Global Policy Proposal for Post Exhaustion IPv4 Allocation Mechanisms by the IANA The ICANN Board has ratified the Global Policy Proposal for Post Exhaustion IPv4 Allocation Mechanisms by the IANA as sent by the Address Supporting Organization (ASO) Council to the ICANN Board on 13 March 2012. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-15may12-en.htm Proposed Revised Process for Handling Requests for Removal of Cross-Ownership Restrictions on Operators of Existing gTLDs Purpose (Brief): ICANN is posting a proposed revision to the process that allows existing registry operators to request removal of cross-ownership restrictions for the gTLDs that they operate. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-16may12-en.htm Call for Expressions of Interest for 2012-2013 Nominating Committee Chair-Elect ICANN is immediately seeking expressions of interest for the 2012-2013 Nominating Committee (NomCom) Chair-Elect. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-4-16may12-en.htm Pre-Prague ICANN Policy Update Webinar Invitation Whether you plan to participate in the upcoming ICANN meeting in Prague remotely or in person, you're invited to an update on the background and current status of each major policy issue currently under discussion in ICANN. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-2-16may12-en.htm Open-Source Reference Implementation of a Domain Name RESTful Whois Server - Request for Proposals ICANN is issuing today a Request for Proposal to identify a provider capable of providing an open source reference implementation of a Domain Name RESTful Whois server. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-3-16may12-en.htm Here?s what law enforcement wants you to do before registering a domain... Negotiations between ICANN and registrars to amend the registrar accreditation agreement are ongoing, and law enforcement agencies are asking for some pretty big changes to how domains are registered today. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/05/15/heres-what-law-enforcement-wants-you-to-do-before-registering-a-domain/ ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** CIRA celebrates 25 years of .CA. On May 14, 2012, Canada?s .CA turns 25 years old. It was on this day in 1987 that the .CA TLD was officially delegated by Jon Postel, operator of Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), to John Demco at the University of British Columbia (UBC). http://www.cira.ca/news/news-releases/25-years-of-ca/ Dot Ca Domain Celebrates its 25th Anniversary Today marks the 25th anniversary of the dot-CA domain name for Canada. On Monday May 14th, twenty five years ago, the management of the dot-CA country code domain name was officially delegated by Jon Postel, operator of Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA); to Canadian Internet pioneer and Webnames.ca co-founder John Demco. http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/news/dot-ca-domain-celebrates-its-25th-anniversary/1001340323/ At Least 3 Companies Submit Bids To Operate French and Territorial ccTLDs At least three and up to six companies have submitted bids to operate the .FR (France) ccTLD and the ten French territory ccTLDs currently managed by AFNIC. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=17722 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/05/15/french-and-territorial-cctlds/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/at-least-3-companies-submit-bids-to-operate-french-and-territorial-cctlds.html AFNIC Submits Applications To Manage 11 French TLDs On 11 May, AFNIC submitted its applications to manage the 11 French ccTLDs with the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry. http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/05/14/afnic-submits-applications/ French TLD registry tender attracts six bidders - report The French government's tender for a registry to manage the country's eleven TLDs attracted six bidders, reports Les Echos. http://www.telecompaper.com/news/french-tld-registry-tender-attracts-six-bidders-report ie: Even when the domains are free, Irish small businesses prefer .com to .ie Irish small businesses overwhelmingly chose .com domains over .ie and .eu during the first year of a Blacknight Solutions web presence freebie initiative. http://domainincite.com/even-when-the-domains-are-free-irish-small-businesses-prefer-com-to-ie/ ie: Google and Blacknight Program Sees More Than 10,000 Irish SMBs Join in First Year Irish web hosting provider Blacknight announced on Wednesday that more than 10,000 Irish businesses have signed up for the Getting Business Online program in its first year. http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/google-and-blacknight-program-sees-more-than-10000-irish-smbs-join-in-first-year Using Nigeria?s domain name for economic growth Of what use is the ccTLD, .ng to the economy? It can boost Gross Domestic Product (GDP), drive broadband growth and stimulate economic development. http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/business/infotech/46802-using-nigeria?s-domain-name-for-economic-growth.html DNSSEC protection now possible for .nl domain names SIDN, the company behind .nl, has today implemented DNSSEC in its domain name registration system (DRS). https://www.sidn.nl/en/news/news/article/dnssec-protection-now-possible-for-nl-domain-names/ ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** Olympics wastes more money on ICANN nonsense International Olympic Committee lawyers have lodged an official appeal of ICANN?s latest decision to not grant it extra-extra special new gTLD protection. http://domainincite.com/olympics-wastes-more-money-on-icann-nonsense/ ICANN Appoints Independent Objector for New gTLD Programme ICANN has appointed Professor Alain Pellet as the Independent Objector for the New gTLD programme. The Independent Objector's role is to act solely in the interests of the public who use the internet. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=17718 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/05/15/icann-independent-objector/ ICANN names $25m gTLD objector French international law expert Alain Pellet has been appointed Independent Objector for the first round of ICANN?s new gTLD program. http://domainincite.com/icann-names-25m-gtld-objector/ .secure applicant claims NCC stole her idea Domain Security Company CEO Mary Iqbal claims that NCC Group took many of her ideas for a high-security .secure TLD following unproductive investment talks. http://domainincite.com/secure-applicant-claims-ncc-stole-her-idea/ .secure domains require proof of security Artemis, a subsidiary of the NCC Group, plans to create a form of high-security zone on the internet under the .secure gTLD. http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/secure-domains-require-proof-of-security-1577683.html gTLD Batching Update: Digital Archery Services Available at a Price As ICANN struggles to get its application system back online, companies have begun lining up to make a profit off of the peculiarities of the application process itself. Pool.com, a domain name drop catch service provider, has recently announced a ?Digital Archery Service? which, it claims, can help gTLD applicants get their applications into the top of the application queue (or into the first ?batch? of applications to be processed by ICANN). http://www.jdsupra.com/post/documentViewer.aspx?fid=c074976f-9fda-48a0-b15e-73027c48c4b3 http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=317e269a-eacc-4bdd-9ae0-065cd7928be8 Like I said, TAS problems doom Digital Archery The clever way ICANN plans to ?batch? applications for new TLDs will either be killed, or it will be subject to accusations and lawsuits. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/05/15/like-i-said-tas-problems-doom-digital-archery/ Dot-Music, Dot-Sport and (Security Experts Hope) Dot-Secure Will the new Internet with hundreds of new TLDs be more secure or a wild free for all? http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/15/dot-music-dot-sports-and-security-experts-hope-dot-secure/ Nominet involved in seven gTLD applications Nominet, the .uk registry, is providing registry services for seven new gTLD applications, according to CEO Lesley Cowley. http://domainincite.com/nominet-involved-in-seven-gtld-applications/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Websites Select Security Services To Suppress DDoS, Other Attacks If you want to test the mettle of your website security, then try protecting a site that is considered amoral in its own country or illegal in much of the world. http://www.darkreading.com/security-services/167801101/security/attacks-breaches/240000337/websites-select-security-services-to-suppress-ddos-other-attacks.html Pirate Pay torrent 'blocker' backed by Microsoft A Russian company has developed software it says can disrupt and prevent people from downloading pirated content. http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18056727 Who is behind murky DDoS attack against The Pirate Bay? There's a good whodunit developing over at The Pirate Bay, the popular BitTorrent file-sharing service. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57435710-93/who-is-behind-murky-ddos-attack-against-the-pirate-bay/ uk: Cyber security should be promoted with hard-hitting ad campaign, says Labour Ministers should treat cyber security in the same way as drink-driving and launch a hard-hitting advertising campaign to encourage people to take more care online, Labour has said. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/may/15/cyber-security-ad-campaign-labour U.S. should get tough with China over cyberattacks, experts urge After China?s visiting defense minister denied American accusations that his country is behind a growing wave of cyberattacks aimed at the United States, 79 percent of National Journal?s National Security Insiders said Washington should take a tougher public stance and push Beijing on the issue. http://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2012/05/us-should-get-tough-china-over-cyberattacks-experts-urg/55739/ Civil liberties advocates call Senate cybersecurity bills 'fundamentally flawed' Ain't nobody pleasing civil liberties groups these days. At least not any lawmakers proposing major cybersecurity legislation on Capitol Hill. After blasting a controversial House cybersecurity information-sharing bill, then criticizing a White House-backed bill in the Senate, a group of nearly three dozen civil liberties and other advocacy groups is opposing proposals by Senate Republicans as well. http://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2012/05/civil-liberties-advocates-call-senate-cybersecurity-bills-fundamentally-flawed/55741/ AusCERT 2012: Lack of security aiding medical fraud, identity theft Queensland Health Drugs of Dependence Unit (DDU) investigations officer, Rebecca Thompson, has highlighted security flaws within the Australian health system, such as the lack of a photo or PIN on Medicare cards, which is allowing drug addicts to potentially use lost or stolen cards to obtain powerful prescription drugs. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/424850/auscert_2012_lack_security_aiding_medical_fraud_identity_theft_/ Up in cyber arms: AusCERT 2012 The cyber arms race has kicked off - a development that will likely lead to some rather unusual negotiations between countries, according to Mikko Hypponen, chief research officer at F-Secure. http://www.zdnet.com.au/up-in-cyber-arms-auscert-2012-339338008.htm ********************** - DOMAIN DISPUTES ********************** 2011 UDRP Filings Up at WIPO, Down at NAF ? And Still Infinitesimal The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) recently issued a detailed press release regarding Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) cases for which it provided arbitration services in 2011 and, once again, the number of WIPO filings was up. http://internetcommerce.org/2011_UDRP_Filings Faux Coke porn site symbolises cybersquatting concerns Coca-Cola had to win a complaint at a United Nations agency last year to get control of an adult website called pornforacoke.com. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-14/faux-coke-porn-site-symbolizes-cybersquatting-concerns.html http://www.watoday.com.au/it-pro/security-it/faux-coke-porn-site-symbolises-cybersquatting-concerns-20120515-1yoaa.html http://www.theage.com.au/it-pro/security-it/faux-coke-porn-site-symbolises-cybersquatting-concerns-20120515-1yoaa.html Google shoves cybersquatter off 763 Googletastic domains Google has seized over 750 domain names from a cybersquatter who used them to drive traffic to a series of "gay interest" websites and now wants Google's trademark cancelled. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/05/14/google_wins_domain_squatter_case/ U.K. Insurer Loses .XXX UDRP Arbitration Case There have been more than 20 UDRP cases filed against .XXX website operators since the TLD's launch, and for the first time a complainant has lost its cybersquatting case in mediation. http://newswire.xbiz.com/view.php?id=148567 ICANN Says It Can't Be Subject to Antitrust in .XXX Suit ICANN doesn't run porn sites and doesn't sell or register domain names, and that's why it says it should be dismissed from Manwin's antitrust suit against ICM Registry and the Internet governing body. http://newswire.xbiz.com/view.php?id=148464 Poland: unnamed torts and domain names MEDianus sp. z o.o. and Medianus Agencja Reklamowa sp. z o.o. are seated in the same city, at a location nearby. The first one uses medianus.net domain name and the second medianus.pl. The first company was entered in the Register of Business Entities in the National Court Register (KRS) as MEDianus in June 2003 r. The second one was entered in 2009. MEDianus sp. z o.o. filed a complaint, to prohibit the other company to use the name "medianus" in the company name and as a domain name, based on the provisions of the Polish Act on combating unfair competition. MEDianus sp. z o.o. argued the the use of the same company name caused many confusions with delivery of post or invoices. http://www.marques.org/Class46/article.asp?XID=BHA2830 ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** Measuring IPv6 at the Network and the Customer Level by Mirjam Kuehne George Michaelson, APNIC's Senior Research and Development Scientist recently visited the RIPE NCC to collaborate on various research projects with his RIR colleagues. IPv6 measurements were one of the topics we looked at. Recent IPv6 statistics from the RIPE NCC show an accelerated uptake of IPv6 in Norway, both in terms of the number of allocated prefixes, and visible announcements in the routing system. http://www.circleid.com/posts/6607_measuring_ipv6_at_the_network_and_the_customer_level/ Cel-e-brate v6, Come On! by Craig Sprosts With IPv6 World Launch coming up it's worth pausing to consider the collective efforts of the Internet industry in enabling and deploying an essential evolutionary technology at what will become truly massive scale. It's easy to be a detractor and believe there has been little progress -- but the Internet hasn't melted down and there is no evidence it is about to. Perhaps the issue is that progress occurred in a different way than was predicted or preferred by the experts. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120515_cel_e_brate_v6_come_on/ Business Case for IPv6 - Part 2 by Juha Holkkola In my previous blog on the topic, I stated that the business case supporting the IPv4 roll-out in the late 90s was the Internet. Although IP depletion will slowly become a reality, the chances are that due to mitigating technologies such as NAT and DNS64, it may take quite a while before organizations in the developed economies will get serious about IPv6. So where should we look to find a business case for IPv6? http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120516_business_case_for_ipv6_part_2/ ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Test Automation Tool For Domain Registration Systems - United States Patent Application 20120117095 Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to systems and methods for automating the testing of multi-function systems, such as naming registration systems and the like. A method of testing a registry, and the like, may include providing a command phrase including an add command and at least one function that includes an artificial attribute for a domain added by the add command. http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2012/0117095.html Domainmonster joins 123-reg stable Mesh Digital, owner of the Domainmonster and Domainbox registrars, has been acquired by rival/partner Hosting Europe Group for an undisclosed sum. http://domainincite.com/domainmonster-joins-123-reg-stable/ ********************** - WEBHOSTING ********************** Hosters: Is Your Platform Being Used to Launch DDoS Attacks? by Miguel Ramos As anyone who's been in the DDoS attack trenches knows, large multi-gigabit attacks have become more prevalent over the last few years. For many organizations, it's become economically unfeasible to provision enough bandwidth to combat this threat. How are attackers themselves sourcing so much bandwidth? http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120514_hosters_is_your_platform_being_used_to_launch_ddos_attacks/ ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Zimbabwe.com seller takes huge loss We always hear stories about people who bought domains and flipped them for many times their purchase price. But the opposite also happens. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/05/15/zimbabwe-com-seller-takes-huge-loss/ Three Previously Unannounced Six-Figure Sales Set the Pace in a Banner Week for Domains ... The biggest of those ranks among the top three sales reported so far in 2012. That is 60.com, a domain that went to a Chinese buyer for $310,000 in a deal handled by KuwaitNet.net. Congratulations to Bashar Al-Abdulhadi on closing a sale that ranks behind only PersonalLoans.com ($1,000,000) and Jackpot.com ($500,000) on our Year to Date Top 100 Chart. http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2012/20120516.htm ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** Facebook.com received 9% of all U.S. Internet visits in April Experian Hitwise, which measures all sorts of traffic and activity on the Web, has released a new batch of stats around Facebook, helping to fuel all the hoopla in the run-up to Friday's IPO. For all the debate over its business model, Facebook obviously isn't hurting for traffic. In the U.S., one in every five page views was to Facebook. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57435762-93/facebook.com-received-9-of-all-u.s-internet-visits-in-april/ Google bringing new smarts to search with Knowledge Graph Google has long sought to index the world's information -- and it's now taking things a step farther with an effort to create "a database of everything in the world." And it's bringing this effort to your search results pages. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57435114-93/google-bringing-new-smarts-to-search-with-knowledge-graph/ Survey: Singaporeans show strong support for e-gov services Country's citizens face little difficulty interacting with government and using public services on digital channels, showing greater support than other participating countries, reveals Accenture survey. http://www.zdnetasia.com/survey-singaporeans-show-strong-support-for-e-gov-services-62304791.htm ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** New Google+ Study Reveals Minimal Social Activity, Weak User Engagement Larry Page recently called Google+ the company's "social spine." If that's the case, then Google's backbone might be much weaker than Page has been letting on, at least according to a new report from RJ Metrics. http://www.fastcompany.com/1837332/exclusive-google-google-plus-ghost-town-weak-engagement-data-rj-metrics-study Twitter now has 10m users in UK Twitter now has 10 million active users in the UK and 140 million worldwide, the company revealed on Wednesday, underlining the rapid growth in the microblogging network since it launched just six years ago. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/may/15/twitter-uk-users-10m ********************** NEW TECHNOLOGIES ********************** A Computer Interface that Takes a Load Off Your Mind A wearable brain scanner could give computers insight into how hard you're thinking. http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/40406/ ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* Children abused 'to order' on Skype Online pedophiles are paying to have children in overseas countries sexually abused according to their preferences in an alarming development police have dubbed "made-to-order" child abuse. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/children-abused-to-order-on-skype/story-e6frg6nf-1226358212495 ORG: Mobile filters censor innocent content Pornography filters on mobile phones are "censoring" normal web content, according to the Open Rights Group. http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18071119 Mobile porn filters catch innocent content, says report Filters for adult content on mobile networks are blocking innocent websites, according to a report by the Open Rights Group and the London School of Economics. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/blogs/security-bulletin-10000166/mobile-porn-filters-catch-innocent-content-says-report-10026167/ uk: All TalkTalk internet subscribers to be asked whether they want to activate content filters Every customer subscribed to TalkTalk's internet network will be asked whether they want to be able to access pornographic material before the end of the year, the company has said. http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2012/may/all-talktalk-internet-subscribers-to-be-asked-whether-they-want-to-activate-content-filters/ nz: Taming the new Wild West ... Google's submission proposed internet safety group Netsafe act as a liaison between individuals and internet organisations. However, cyber-safety group Netsafe prefers the establishment of a new watchdog. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/6922293/Taming-the-new-Wild-West http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/technology/6922293/Taming-the-new-Wild-West Virtual World Takes on Childhood Obesity A startup blends activity tracking with online incentives in hopes of getting kids into shape. http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/40415/ ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** Pirate Pay torrent 'blocker' backed by Microsoft A Russian company has developed software it says can disrupt and prevent people from downloading pirated content. http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18056727 Who is behind murky DDoS attack against The Pirate Bay? There's a good whodunit developing over at The Pirate Bay, the popular BitTorrent file-sharing service. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57435710-93/who-is-behind-murky-ddos-attack-against-the-pirate-bay/ Massive DDoS attack keeps The Pirate Bay offline for over a day The Pirate Bay has been down for about the past 24 hours, and says it has been hit by a "quite big" distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. The controversial website for torrent downloaders confirmed the attack on its Facebook page, saying "We don't know who's behind it but we have our suspicions." http://arstechnica.com/security/2012/05/massive-ddos-attack-keeps-the-pirate-bay-offline-for-over-a-day/ The Pirate Bay hit by DDoS attack File-sharing website The Pirate Bay (TPB) has been hit by a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18095370 In TV Race, Microsoft Has Lead, Forrester Says When it comes to the underlying technology providers that matter for mobile app developers, there?s Google, Apple and everyone else. Microsoft is one of the companies trying to claw its way out of the everyone else category. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/in-tv-race-microsoft-has-lead-forrester-says/ Kiwis cashing in on YouTube hits (+ videos) Kiwis are cashing in on their own YouTube clips to create full-time jobs for themselves. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10805949 ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** Apple drops '4G' from new iPad name in UK online store Apple has removed claims that its new iPad has "4G" capability from its UK and other non-US online stores, after complaints that its high-speed mobile connection could not work outside the US. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/may/15/apple-drops-4g-new-ipad-uk Google Shifts Tack on Android - Direct Sales, Expanded Partnerships Mark Bid to Increase Control Over Devices Google Inc. is shifting its strategy for its Android mobile operating system, in a bid to create a united front with smartphone and tablet makers to take on rivals like Apple Inc. and prevent wireless carriers from controlling the devices. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304371504577406511931421118.html How to harden your smartphone against stalkers?Android edition Stalking via mobile phone has become a favorite activity of the mentally unhinged everywhere?jilted wives, jealous boyfriends, or any one person who cannot stop obsessing over another. Most smartphones today contain everything a stalker needs to keep solid tabs on their mark, and, in contrast to iPhones and iOS, the Android platform is much more open. http://arstechnica.com/security/2012/05/how-to-harden-your-smartphone-against-stalkers-android-edition/ Ailing Nokia falls back on patents legacy In a desperate search for cash to tide it over until sales ramp up of new products, Nokia is stepping up its quest for royalties from rivals that it says infringe its patents in their technology. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/may/14/nokia-falls-back-on-patents EU research breakthrough will cut 4G / LTE mobile network energy use in half [news release] In coming years, internet access will be dominated by wireless devices such as mobile phones and tablets. Today there are 1.2 billion mobile broadband users, and the figure is growing by hundreds of millions each year. Mobile video and other data services consume much more energy than calls and SMS. This creates additional costs for mobile operators ? ultimately passed onto consumers ? and means the carbon footprint of mobile communications could almost triple from 2007 to 2020, an increase equivalent to the annual carbon emissions of Luxembourg. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/12/327 ********************** ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL ********************** Finnish court rules open WiFi network owner not liable for infringement A Finnish District Court has ruled that the owner of an open WiFi network is not liable for copyright infringement by others using that network. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/05/finnish-court-rules-open-wifi-network-owner-not-liable-for-infringement/ Expert proposes internet sheriff for Australia Computer security luminary Bill Caelli has floated the idea of deputising civilian groups to help police combat cyber crime. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/expert-proposes-internet-sheriff-for-australia/story-e6frgakx-1226358102220 Apple and publishers fail to halt ebook lawsuit Apple and five major book publishers have failed to persuade a US judge to throw out a lawsuit by consumers accusing them of conspiring to raise electronic book prices two years ago. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/may/15/apple-publishers-fail-stop-ebook-lawsuit Hackers Breach Sites of Foreign Policy and Human Rights Groups In recent weeks, hackers have breached Web sites belonging to several foreign policy and human rights groups, including Amnesty International and the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism, a nonprofit organization based in Israel that researches terrorism issues. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/15/hackers-breach-sites-of-foreign-policy-and-human-rights-groups/ FTC shuts down website marketing business [IDG] A U.S. court has shut down the operations of a company that allegedly promised it would build its customers websites that would generate income of up to US$20,000 per month, after the U.S. Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint about its business practices. http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/051412-ftc-shuts-down-website-marketing-259273.html FTC Action Halts Allegedly Deceptive Own-Your-Own Website Business Opportunity [news release] The Federal Trade Commission halted an operation that allegedly lured consumers into spending thousands of dollars for Internet websites and advertising by misrepresenting that they could make lots of money by linking the sites to major retailers. The court ordered a stop to the defendants' allegedly deceptive practices and froze their assets pending further litigation. The action is part of the FTC's ongoing efforts to protect consumers in financial distress. http://ftc.gov/opa/2012/05/namarketing.shtm International scammers posing as Japanese financiers to target New Zealand investors Fraudsters posing as representatives of a legitimate Japanese finance company have been trying to fleece New Zealand investors in a sophisticated share purchase scam, New Zealand government agencies warned Tuesday. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-05/15/c_131589015.htm Share scam targets Kiwis with duds A sophisticated scam is offering New Zealanders large sums are offered for their underperforming shares. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10806116 Overseas share scam targets Kiwis Fraudsters are cold calling investors, posing as being from legitimate Japanese company Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Corporation, and making lucrative offers to buy overseas shares, government officials have warned. http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/6924509/Overseas-share-scam-targets-Kiwis nz: Overseas share scam targets Kiwis ... A cross-agency working group, made up of the Consumer Affairs Ministry, Internal Affairs and watchdog Netsafe issued the warning after being tipped off by a Wellington man who was approached by scammers asking to buy some "penny shares" in a United States firm that he had bought several years ago. http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/6924509/New-share-scam-warning http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/business/6924509/Overseas-share-scam-targets-Kiwis http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/business/national/6924509/New-share-scam-warning Cyberspies Target Victims Via 'Strategic' Driveby Website Attacks Cyberespionage attackers more and more are injecting specific, legitimate websites with malware in hopes of snaring victims with common interests -- most recently, human rights organizations http://www.darkreading.com/advanced-threats/167901091/security/attacks-breaches/240000443/cyberspies-target-victims-via-strategic-driveby-website-attacks.html ********************** SECURITY ********************** uk: Cyber security should be promoted with hard-hitting ad campaign, says Labour Ministers should treat cyber security in the same way as drink-driving and launch a hard-hitting advertising campaign to encourage people to take more care online, Labour has said. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/may/15/cyber-security-ad-campaign-labour U.S. should get tough with China over cyberattacks, experts urge After China?s visiting defense minister denied American accusations that his country is behind a growing wave of cyberattacks aimed at the United States, 79 percent of National Journal?s National Security Insiders said Washington should take a tougher public stance and push Beijing on the issue. http://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2012/05/us-should-get-tough-china-over-cyberattacks-experts-urg/55739/ Civil liberties advocates call Senate cybersecurity bills 'fundamentally flawed' Ain't nobody pleasing civil liberties groups these days. At least not any lawmakers proposing major cybersecurity legislation on Capitol Hill. After blasting a controversial House cybersecurity information-sharing bill, then criticizing a White House-backed bill in the Senate, a group of nearly three dozen civil liberties and other advocacy groups is opposing proposals by Senate Republicans as well. http://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2012/05/civil-liberties-advocates-call-senate-cybersecurity-bills-fundamentally-flawed/55741/ AusCERT 2012: Lack of security aiding medical fraud, identity theft Queensland Health Drugs of Dependence Unit (DDU) investigations officer, Rebecca Thompson, has highlighted security flaws within the Australian health system, such as the lack of a photo or PIN on Medicare cards, which is allowing drug addicts to potentially use lost or stolen cards to obtain powerful prescription drugs. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/424850/auscert_2012_lack_security_aiding_medical_fraud_identity_theft_/ Up in cyber arms: AusCERT 2012 The cyber arms race has kicked off - a development that will likely lead to some rather unusual negotiations between countries, according to Mikko Hypponen, chief research officer at F-Secure. http://www.zdnet.com.au/up-in-cyber-arms-auscert-2012-339338008.htm New Fraud Campaign Targets Facebook, Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo Users A new fraud campaign aims to separate users of Facebook, Google Mail, Hotmail, and Yahoo from their debit card data. http://www.darkreading.com/security/news/240000494/new-fraud-campaign-targets-facebook-gmail-hotmail-yahoo-users.html ********************** PRIVACY ********************** Google to meet French regulator on privacy policy Google will meet with France's data protection watchdog next week to answer questions about its new user privacy policy as part of a Europe-wide investigation being led by the French regulator. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/05/17/oukin-uk-google-idUKBRE84G03Z20120517 http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/05/16/google-idINDEE84F0C520120516 Facebook's Prospects May Rest on Trove of Data Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook?s chief, has managed to amass more information about more people than anyone else in history. Now what? http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/15/technology/facebook-needs-to-turn-data-trove-into-investor-gold.html uk: Survey reveals nearly half of web users happy with behavioural advertising Nearly half of UK internet users are happy for advertisers to track their online activity in order to deliver more targeted ads, according to new survey figures. http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2012/may/survey-reveals-nearly-half-of-web-users-happy-with-behavioural-advertising-/ Irish watchdog: Facebook privacy still falls short Facebook has updated its privacy policy in response to concerns raised by the Irish data protection authority, but the proposed changes do not go far enough, the privacy watchdog has said. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/security-threats/2012/05/14/irish-watchdog-facebook-privacy-still-falls-short-40155218/ uk: Cookies: Majority of government sites to miss deadline Ahead of a nationwide deadline over regulating the use of cookies, the BBC has learned that the "majority" of the UK government's own websites will fail to comply in time. http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18090118 ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Iran curtails use of foreign e-mail providers Iran is cracking down on the use of foreign e-mail addresses. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57433603-93/iran-curtails-use-of-foreign-e-mail-providers/ ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** Twitter embraces UK's policymakers after eventful year Twitter has told the BBC it now wants to work closer with government and policymakers in the UK. http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18057930 Internet Society opens regional office in Singapore The Internet Society has opened a regional office in Singapore, headed by Rajnesh Singh, regional director of its Asia-Pacific bureau. http://www.itwire.com/it-industry-news/strategy/54715-internet-society-opens-regional-office-in-singapore Pirate Party from Germany to New Zealand A new party based on internet freedom is shooting up the polls in Europe and even has representation in NZ. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/6933846/Pirate-Party-from-Germany-to-New-Zealand ********************** MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Pro rugby club enlists IBM to predict when players will be injured One of the world?s leading rugby teams is about to learn whether the sport, once described as ?a ruffian?s game played by gentlemen,? can benefit from the genteel field of science. http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/05/pro-rugby-club-enlists-ibm-to-predict-when-players-will-be-injured/ ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** au: Conroy cites big American NBN backers Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has cited support from some of the best-known online innovators in the US for his National Broadband Network to slap down fresh opposition attacks on the project. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/in-depth/conroy-cites-big-american-nbn-backers/story-e6frgaif-1226358209889 Terahertz frequencies bring Japanese researchers 3Gbps in a WiFi prototype A team of researchers at the Tokyo Institute of Technology have transmitted data on the terahertz range of spectrum using a wireless radio no bigger than a 10-yen coin (roughly the size of a penny). http://arstechnica.com/business/2012/05/terahertz-frequencies-bring-japanese-researchers-3gbps-in-a-wifi-prototype/ NTIA: Companies, Agencies Will Need To Share Spectrum Government agencies can't be expected to use spectrum as efficiently as private companies, an official with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration told congressional staffers on Tuesday. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/05/ntia-companies-agencies-will-n.php us: NTIA seeks comments on national public safety network National Telecommunications and Information Administration head Lawrence Strickling announced a plan on Monday to solicit comments about the planned national, interoperable wireless broadband network for law enforcement and first responders. http://www.nextgov.com/mobile/2012/05/ntia-seeks-comments-national-public-safety-network/55721/ Development of the State and Local Implementation Grant Program for the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network NTIA is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public comment on various issues relating to the development of the State and Local Implementation grant program, which NTIA must establish pursuant to the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 to assist state and local governments in planning for a single, nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network. http://www.ntia.doc.gov/federal-register-notice/2012/development-state-and-local-implementation-grant-program-nationwide-pub ********************************** ONLINE CHILD ABUSE ARRESTS/COURT CASES ********************************** Former top FBI agent charged with child porn distribution A former supervisory FBI agent has been arrested and jailed on child pornography charges. http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/15/justice/ex-fbi-agent-pornography/index.html ------ David Goldstein email: david at 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 May 17 2012 - 04:06:08 UTC
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