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 *************************************************** ICANN Reopens gTLD Application System Early http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/05/22/icann-reopens-tas/ TAS reopens after humiliating 40 days http://domainincite.com/tas-reopens-after-humiliating-40-days/ Three Largest South African Cities Join gTLD Applicants http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/05/22/three-largest-south-african-cities-join-gtld-applicants/ Google will alert users to DNSChanger malware infection http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57439407-83/google-will-alert-users-to-dnschanger-malware-infection/ au: Statement of cyber security intent underlines US alliance http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/Media-releases/Pages/2012/Second%20Quarter/18-May-2012---Statement-of-cyber-security-intent-underlines-US-alliance.aspx nz: DIA files legal action against alleged spammer http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/dia-files-legal-action-against-alleged-spammer ********************** GOVERNANCE ********************** India presses for global internet governance Even though inside the country, the UPA government is accused of wanting to stifle the internet, at the UN, India this week is pushing for an open democratic system of global internet governance which would balance "private, commercial and public policy interests." http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/news/internet/India-presses-for-global-internet-governance/articleshow/13360848.cms http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/news/internet/At-UN-India-pushes-for-democratic-net-governance/articleshow/13370231.cms India calls for a democratic Internet governance structure [Press Trust of India] India has called on countries for creating a democratic Internet governance structure to ensure a balance between private, commercial and public policy interests. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/india-calls-for-a-democratic-internet-governance-structure/260061-3.html http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/world/europe/india-calls-democratic-internet-governance-structure-591 http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/india-calls-for-a-democratic-internet-governance-structure-report/articleshow/13361110.cms Internet Politics Now Integral To The United States' International Affairs: Study A new Rice University study says Internet governance policy has rapidly risen from a relatively marginal issue for the United States? foreign policy establishment to a significant component of the country?s international affairs and national security strategy. http://www.newsroomamerica.com/story/247423.html http://www.sciencecodex.com/internet_politics_policies_have_rapidly_become_integral_to_us_international_affairs-92012 Internet Regulation and the ITU: Civil Society Must Be Heard Since its infancy, the Internet has benefited from a lightweight and decentralized approach to governance?a combination of targeted government regulation, technical coordination by companies, and a number of formal and informal multistakeholder organizations to help guide the Internet?s development, such as the IETF, W3C, and the IGF, just to name a few. http://advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org/2012/05/22/internet-regulation-and-the-itu-civil-society-must-be-heard/ ********************** DOMAIN NAMES ********************** ********************** - ICANN ********************** TAS Reopens by Akram Atallah, COO The TLD Application System, or TAS, has reopened. All registered applicants can now log in, review and submit their applications. http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-21may12-en.htm Update Los Angeles North America Registry Registrar Meeting ICANN is making available the presentations and recordings of the North America Registry Registrar session that took place in Los Angeles 17-18 of May 2012. Although the event is tailored to regional ICANN-accredited registrars and gTLD registries, a good number of observers also attended. We had almost 80 attendees in person and around 30 remote participants. http://blog.icann.org/2012/05/update-los-angeles-north-america-registry-registrar-meeting/ Letter from Stacy Burnette to Rick Wesson, Alice's Registry Breach of its Registrar Accreditation Agreement http://www.icann.org/en/news/correspondence/burnette-to-wesson-21may12-en ********************** - ccTLD & gTLD NEWS ********************** EUrid: Being green pays off in increased competitiveness It is not by making new regulations that policy-makers will force ICT companies to reduce their carbon footprint, but rather pushing member states to implement existing rules and convincing companies that they gain in competitiveness, argues Marc Van Wesemael, EURid CEO, in an interview with EurActiv. http://www.euractiv.com/node/512941 EMAS certifies .eu registry .eu?s operations are the most environmentally responsible of any TLD in Europe since the .eu registry, EURid, is the first European TLD registry to achieve the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) registration. http://www.eurid.eu/en/content/emas-certifies-eu-registry AG opinion on '.eu' domain names favourable to operators established in the EU [registration] In Pie Optiek v Bureau Gevers, Advocate General Trstenjak has opined on the interpretation of Article 12(2) of Regulation 874/2004 relating to public policy rules concerning the implementation and functions of '.eu' TLD and the principles governing their registration - and, in particular, the registration of an '.eu' domain name by licensees of prior rights. http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/daily/detail.aspx?g=3e78d7c5-42e0-4e86-8294-f495571fafdb Battle over .jobs to drag on into 2013 Employ Media?s fight to avoid losing its contract to run .jobs won?t be resolved this year, according to the latest batch of arbitration documents published by ICANN. http://domainincite.com/battle-over-jobs-to-drag-on-into-2013/ ********************** - NEW TLDS ********************** ICANN Reopens gTLD Application System Early ICANN reopened its TLD Application System (TAS) on 21 May to allow all registered applicants for gTLDs to log in, review and submit their applications. The TAS was reopened a day ahead of the date targeted last week. http://goldsteinreport.com/article.php?article=17786 http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/05/22/icann-reopens-tas/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/icann-reopens-gtld-application-system-early.html TAS reopens after humiliating 40 days Forty days after it was taken offline for a bug fix, ICANN has reopened its TLD Application System, giving new gTLD applicants a week to finish off their applications. http://domainincite.com/tas-reopens-after-humiliating-40-days/ Icann's internet suffix expansion programme reopens The application process has reopened for organisations wishing to take advantages of a scheme to expand the number of web address endings. http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18163420 Internet domain name project relaunches after software bug A project to allow companies to set up a website with almost any address has relaunched after a software glitch exposed sensitive details of applications last month, forcing it to shut down. http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/05/22/internet-domains-idINDEE84L0H120120522 http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/05/22/oukin-uk-internet-domains-idUKBRE84L15I20120522 ICANN resumes bids for new Internet suffixes after software glitch shut down system for weeks [AP] The organization overseeing a major expansion of Internet addresses has reopened its system for letting companies and organizations submit proposals. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/icann-resumes-bids-for-new-internet-suffixes-after-software-glitch-shut-down-system-for-weeks/2012/05/22/gIQArKrBiU_story.html Another contention battle confirmed as Starting Dot reveals five gTLD bids Portfolio gTLD applicant Starting Dot is to apply to ICANN for five new gTLDs, catering mostly to vertical industries and professions. http://domainincite.com/another-contention-battle-confirmed-as-starting-dot-reveals-five-gtld-bids/ Three Largest South African Cities Join gTLD Applicants The three largest South African cities of Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town have all decided having their cities as gTLDs is a good idea and have joined with ZA Central Registry, who will apply for the gTLDs. http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/05/22/three-largest-south-african-cities-join-gtld-applicants/ City Internet domains coming to SA In addition to the new .africa domain set to launch next year, SA can look forward to .joburg, .durban and .capetown domain names, too. http://www.techcentral.co.za/city-internet-domains-coming-to-sa/31965/ Application for DOT BUDAPEST Top Level Domain Holdings Limited ... is pleased to announce that it has applied to ICANN for the .BUDAPEST gTLD with the exclusive support of the City of Budapest. http://www.tldh.org/2012/05/application-for-dot-budapest/ TLDH signs another city gTLD ? .budapest Top Level Domain Holdings has been backed by the city of Budapest as the official applicant for the .budapest gTLD. http://domainincite.com/tldh-signs-another-city-gtld-budapest/ TLDH Adds .BUDAPEST To Stable Top Level Domain Holdings has added the Hungarian capital to its stable of gTLD clients, with their latest announcement that they will be applying for .BUDAPEST with the support of the city government, while Minds + Machines will provide registry services. http://www.domainpulse.com/2012/05/22/tldh-adds-budapest-to-stable/ http://www.domainnews.com/en/tldh-adds-budapest-to-stable.html DomainDiction hires industry vets to market gTLDs DomainDiction, a new marketing company set up to help new gTLD registries, officially launches today. http://domainincite.com/domaindiction-hires-industry-vets-to-market-gtlds/ How big is the new TLD opportunity? TLDH valued at $60 million Top Level Domain Holdings, a pure play company focused on new TLDs, has a market cap of around ? 39 million. That?s over $60 million. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/05/22/tldh/ June .nxt conference canceled The .nxt conference on new gTLDs, planned for London next month, has been postponed until later this year, the organizers have announced. http://domainincite.com/june-nxt-conference-canceled/ New gTLD applicant asks for money back At least one new gTLD applicant has requested a full $185,000 refund of its application fee, according to ICANN. http://domainincite.com/new-gtld-applicant-asks-for-money-back/ Four action sports gTLDs fall off a cliff Adrenaline TLD has confirmed that it no longer plans to apply to ICANN for the sport-themed TLDs .surf, .skate, .bike and .board. http://domainincite.com/four-action-sports-gtlds-fall-off-a-cliff/ ********************** - DNS SECURITY ********************** Google will alert users to DNSChanger malware infection Google is using a clever Domain Name System hack to let people infected with the DNSChanger malware know that they have only a few weeks left before their Internet connection goes dead. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57439407-83/google-will-alert-users-to-dnschanger-malware-infection/ Notifying users affected by the DNSChanger malware Starting today we?re undertaking an effort to notify roughly half a million people whose computers or home routers are infected with a well-publicized form of malware known as DNSChanger. After successfully alerting a million users last summer to a different type of malware, we?ve replicated this method and have started showing warnings via a special message that will appear at the top of the Google search results page for users with affected devices. http://googleonlinesecurity.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/notifying-users-affected-by-dnschanger.html Al Qaeda video calls for electronic jihad on government computers A video purportedly from al Qaeda that promotes cyberattacks on the U.S. electric grid is being circulated by Senate backers of legislation to regulate the computer security of critical industries, including power companies. http://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2012/05/al-qaeda-video-calls-electronic-jihad-government-computers/55886/ au: Statement of cyber security intent underlines US alliance Australia and the US are taking a leadership role in improving global cyber security and cyber incident response capabilities, Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said today. http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/Media-releases/Pages/2012/Second%20Quarter/18-May-2012---Statement-of-cyber-security-intent-underlines-US-alliance.aspx Anonymous takes out Indian CERT as attacks continue Hacktivist group Anonymous continued its attacks on the Indian government and creative industries at the weekend by taking out the web sites of the national CERT and the country?s President in retaliation for widespread blocks on video and file sharing sites. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/05/21/india_anonymous_cert_ddos/ Chinese DDoS knocks 123-reg offline Customers of major UK domain registrar 123-reg suffered a couple of hours of downtime this afternoon due to an apparently ?massive? denial of service attack. http://domainincite.com/chinese-ddos-knocks-123-reg-offline/ ********************** - IPv4/IPv6 ********************** Web Hosts, Internet Industry Prepare for World IPv6 Launch With just two weeks until the World IPv6 Launch, organizations and individuals from all sectors of the Internet industry are announcing plans to add permanent IPv6 support in time for the launch. http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/web-hosts-internet-industry-prepare-for-world-ipv6-launch The future is forever: the state of IPv6 in the Apple world With the demise of Apple's own networking protocol AppleTalk, Apple's products are suffering from the same issue as anyone else's: the Internet is running out of addresses. http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/05/the-future-is-forever-the-state-of-ipv6-in-the-apple-world/ A Logical Place to Start the IPv6 Transition by Bruce Van Nice The transition to IPv6 is top of mind for most service providers. Even in places where there are still IPv4 addresses to be had surveys we've run suggest v6 is solidly on the priority list. That's not to say everyone has the same strategy. Depending where you are in the world transition options are different -- in places such as APAC where exhaustion is at hand one of the many NAT alternatives will likely be deployed since getting a significant allocation of addresses is not going to happen and other alternatives for obtaining addresses will prove expensive. http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120522_a_logical_place_to_start_the_ipv6_transition/ New Nmap probes IPv6 networks [IDG] Preparing for the eventual widespread conversion to IPv6, the Nmap Project has updated its namesake security scanning tool so it can scan IPv6 networks using a variety of novel techniques. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/425342/new_nmap_probes_ipv6_networks/ http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/052212-new-nmap-probes-ipv6-259528.html Nmap now fully ready for IPv6 Nmap logo Following nearly three years of development, NMap 6.0, the open source network scanner and mapper, has arrived with full IPv6 support, new scripts and a new Nping tool, an updated mapping GUI and many performance improvements http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Nmap-now-fully-ready-for-IPv6-1581485.html ********************** - MISCELLANEOUS ********************** nz: DIA files legal action against alleged spammer The Department of Internal Affairs? Anti-Spam Compliance Unit is taking legal action against an alleged spammer based in Western Australia but using a .co.nz suffix. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/dia-files-legal-action-against-alleged-spammer DONA.com Becomes First Registrar to Offer UDRP Insurance & ICA Support Through Profit Sharing ... The new wrinkle that Carrillo is introducing is UDRP Insurance with each registration. If someone tries to take your domain away through a UDRP proceeding, DONA.com will pay your legal defense fee if you win the case. ... In another effort to support domain owner's rights, Carrillo is also promising that 30% of the profits generated by DONA.com will be donated to the industry's non-profit advocate, the Internet Commerce Association. http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2012/dailyposts/20120521.htm Domain registrar offers UDRP insurance Francois Carrillo, the guy behind Domaining.com, has launched a new domain registrar (an eNom reseller) with an innovative twist: ?UDRP insurance?. http://domainnamewire.com/2012/05/21/domain-registrar-offers-udrp-insurance/ Neustar hires Becky Burr as privacy chief Neustar has recruited one of the ICANN community?s best-known lawyers as its new chief privacy officer. http://domainincite.com/neustar-hires-becky-burr-as-privacy-chief/ ********************** - DOMAINING & AFTERMARKET ********************** Solid Week for Domain Sales With Enough Notable Sales to Fill TWO Top 20 Charts It was another solid week for the domain aftermarket led by a six-figure sale and enough in the five-figure range to fill two Top 20 sales charts. Sedo's $112,000 sale of Ahha.com set the pace with a nice one-word Spanish language .com - Resultados.com - taking the #2 spot on our latest weekly all extension Top 20 leader board. Alan Hack's SpanishLanguageDomains.com sold the latter name for $80,000 on the DomainNameSales.com platform. http://dnjournal.com/archive/domainsales/2012/20120523.htm ********************** INTERNET USE ********************** 'The Demise of Guys': How video games and porn are ruining a generation Is the overuse of video games and pervasiveness of online porn causing the demise of guys? Increasingly, researchers say yes, as young men become hooked on arousal, sacrificing their schoolwork and relationships in the pursuit of getting a tech-based buzz. http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/23/health/living-well/demise-of-guys/index.html Is internet porn bad for teen health? A study by Australian researchers at the University of New South Wales and the University of Melbourne indicates an association between internet pornography and the sexual health of teenagers, with a review of literature in the area finding a strong correlation between teenage consumers of online porn and risky sexual behaviour. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/425409/internet_porn_bad_teen_health_/ No, Google's Chrome isn't the world's leading browser - yet: see our map Chrome is challenging Microsoft's Internet Explorer as the world's most-used desktop browser, having passed Firefox, according to new data collected by Statcounter, which samples the browser-agent string used of thousands of sites. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2012/may/22/google-chrome-isnt-world-leading-browser Google Chrome Overtakes Internet Explorer Google?s Chrome is now the most popular Web browser worldwide, surpassing Microsoft?s Internet Explorer for the first time, according to the latest figures from StatCounter. After years of slowly chipping away Internet Explorer?s market share, Chrome took the lead with 32.76 percent share, while IE dipped to 31.94 percent. http://www.pcworld.com/article/255886/google_chrome_overtakes_internet_explorer.html Is Internet Explorer On the Way Out? Not So Fast! StatCounter has declared Google Chrome the king of all desktop browsers based on recent market share data, but observers should take this claim to the throne with a grain of salt. http://www.pcworld.com/article/255916/is_internet_explorer_on_the_way_out_not_so_fast.html ********************** SOCIAL NETWORKING ********************** How Men and Women Manage Their Social Networks Differently In the past, behavioural differences have been hard to measure. Experiments could only be done on limited numbers of individuals and even then, the process of measurement often distorted people's behaviour. http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/27870/ au: Bird's eye view of how we go tweet, tweet, tweet Beer lovers, fans of Justin Bieber, evangelical groups and Adelaide foodies are among the most isolated groups on Twitter. But discussions about politics, the internet and the price of gas bills were some of the most connected topics, according to a study of shared interests among Australia's estimated two million Twitter users. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/birds-eye-view-of-how-we-go-tweet-tweet-tweet/story-e6frgakx-1226363944505 uk: 'Sugar daddy' website offers darker side of networking An internet dating site which links wealthy men with young women ? and boasts an MP as a so-called "sugar daddy" member ? was launched in the UK yesterday. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/online/sugar-daddy-website-offers-darker-side-of-networking-7769681.html Facebook likely to gain users by accepting under 13s Facebook looks set to let children under 13 use its site legally, which could attract millions of new users. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/6961705/Facebook-likely-to-gain-users-by-accepting-under-13s Facebook set to lift ban on children Facebook looks set to relax a ban on children using its site in a move that could see millions more sign up. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10807320 nz: Email scam offers cheap Facebook shares [APNZ] Web security provider Symantec is warning of an email scam offering Facebook shares below their market value. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10807852 ********************************* CHILD PROTECTION & ONLINE SAFETY ********************************* Abusers run for 'dark net' cover Pedophiles are turning to the so-called "dark net" to transmit and exchange child pornography online, using increasingly sophisticated encryption methods to defeat police. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/abusers-run-for-dark-net-cover/story-e6frgakx-1226362847245 uk: Google rejects automatic pornography block rules Proposals to force users to opt-in to access adult content would be "a mistake", Google has said. Speaking during a debate in Hertfordshire, the company warned against allowing private companies to manage lists of inappropriate websites. http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18175590 uk: How can you stop your children accessing pornography and other inappropriate sites online? [BBC Radio 4] Practical advice from a teenager and an online security expert. Julian Worricker speaks to Chaim Narang & Tony Neate is the chief executive of Get Safe Online. http://audioboo.fm/boos/811882-how-can-you-stop-your-children-accessing-pornography-and-other-inappropriate-sites-online us: Ultra-Orthodox Jews Rally to Discuss Risks of Internet ... For the attendees, many of whom said they came at the instructions of their rabbis, it was a chance to hear about a moral topic considered gravely important in their community: the potential problems that can stem from access to pornography and other explicit content on the uncensored, often incendiary Web. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/21/nyregion/ultra-orthodox-jews-hold-rally-on-internet-at-citi-field.html New mobile gives parents 'total control' A mobile telephone service which allows parents to read their children?s text messages, control who they add as contacts and remotely switch their phone off has been developed. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/mobile-phones/9278866/New-mobile-gives-parents-total-control.html SIM card to help parents protect children from bullying Parents will be able to control their child's mobile phone thanks to a SIM card remotely managed from a computer. http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18144038 ********************** ONLINE TV & MUSIC ********************** New Pirate Bay site skirts standard ISP blocks File-sharing specialist The Pirate Bay has launched a site that appears to be designed to help subscribers get around court-mandated blockades in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57439656-93/new-pirate-bay-site-skirts-standard-isp-blocks/ YouTube appeals German content filtering verdict [IDG] YouTube and German music royalty collecting society GEMA have appealed the outcome of a lawsuit filed by GEMA against YouTube, in which a German court ordered YouTube to inspect the titles of uploaded videos to filter out potentially copyright-infringing content. http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/425332/youtube_appeals_german_content_filtering_verdict/ YouTube uploads 72 hours of video a minute YouTube users are now uploading three days? worth of video to the site every second ? a whole 24 hours more than the site had last year. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/youtube-uploads-72-hours-of-video-a-minute/2012/05/21/gIQAlYdEgU_story.html ********************** MOBILE/WIRELESS ********************** IBM's Siri ban highlights companies' privacy, trade secret challenges Apple's digital "assistant" Siri isn't welcome at IBM; neither are Apple's voice dictation features in the iPhone and iPad. IBM CIO Jeanette Horan revealed in an interview with Technology Review that the company turns off Siri on employees' iPhones for fear that the service stores employees' queries somewhere outside of IBM's control. The move highlights some of the problems large enterprises face when employees begin using their own devices at work. http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/05/ibms-siri-ban-highlights-companies-privacy-trade-secret-challenges/ Google did not breach Oracle patents, a court has found Google did not infringe patents owned by software developer Oracle, a jury in a California court found on Wednesday. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18184079 Oracle v. Google: After the jury verdict, what happens next? The real impact of today's jury verdict in Oracle's long-running and -- as we now know -- overhyped lawsuit against Google means that the case is basically over. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1014_3-57440389/oracle-v-google-after-the-jury-verdict-what-happens-next/ Apple and Samsung begin patent talks Apple and Samsung are holding two days of talks that will try to find a way to end the many legal rows between the rivals. http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18145487 Apple, Samsung Set Patent Talks - Settlement Attempt Unlikely to Bear Fruit Chief executives of Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. will meet in San Francisco Monday in a court-directed session aimed at settling their smartphone patent war. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303879604577414832794580586.html Google Closes $12.5 Billion Deal to Buy Motorola Mobility It?s official: Google finally owns Motorola Mobility. After months of jumping through regulatory hurdles and fending off inquiries from authorities, Google said Tuesday that it had completed the acquisition, a deal worth $12.5 billion. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/22/google-closes-12-5-billion-deal-to-buy-motorola-mobility/ Google wins Chinese approval for Motorola Mobility bid Chinese regulators have approved Google's $12.5bn (?7.9bn) purchase of US phone maker Motorola Mobility, the final hurdle for the deal to go through. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18140940 China mobile subscribers rise 1.1 pct to 1.02 bln in April China, the world's largest mobile phone market, saw a 1.11 percent monthly increase in total mobile subscribers to 1.02 billion in April, data from the country's three telecommunications operators showed on Monday. http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/05/21/china-mobile-idINDEE84K08J20120521 Mobile internet growth has just tapped the surface A prospectus lodged in the US is a very dry affair these days but Facebook's paperwork for the float did highlight some great data points relating to what is going on online. http://www.smh.com.au/business/mobile-internet-growth-has-just-tapped-the-surface-20120522-1z37k.html http://www.watoday.com.au/business/mobile-internet-growth-has-just-tapped-the-surface-20120522-1z37k.html ********************** SPAM ********************** nz: DIA files legal action against alleged spammer The Department of Internal Affairs? Anti-Spam Compliance Unit is taking legal action against an alleged spammer based in Western Australia but using a .co.nz suffix. http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/dia-files-legal-action-against-alleged-spammer ********************** ONLINE CRIME & LEGAL ********************** BitTorrent Inc. Sues Germany?s BitTorrent Co. for Infringement BitTorrent Inc. of San Francisco, the developer of the BitTorrent file-sharing protocol, claims in a federal lawsuit that a German company is ripping off its intellectual property. http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/05/bittorrent-v-bittorrent/ cn: Public demanding law on cyber security: survey The public in China are crying out for improved legislation on Internet security, as 70 percent of them have had their personal information leaked online, new research results have indicated. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-05/21/c_131602096.htm uk: Meltwater and Newspaper Licensing Agency agreement on licence terms for 'end user' are 'reasonable', Tribunal rules The fees that businesses will have to pay news aggregators of newspaper's online content for their services have been set after a Copyright Tribunal determined the terms were "reasonable". http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2012/may/meltwater-and-newspaper-licensing-agency-agreement-on-licence-terms-for-end-user-are-reasonable-tribunal-rules/ ********************** SECURITY ********************** Google will alert users to DNSChanger malware infection Google is about to begin an ambitious project to notify some half a million people that their computers are infected with the DNSChanger malware. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57439407-83/google-will-alert-users-to-dnschanger-malware-infection/ Notifying users affected by the DNSChanger malware Starting today we?re undertaking an effort to notify roughly half a million people whose computers or home routers are infected with a well-publicized form of malware known as DNSChanger. After successfully alerting a million users last summer to a different type of malware, we?ve replicated this method and have started showing warnings via a special message that will appear at the top of the Google search results page for users with affected devices. http://googleonlinesecurity.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/notifying-users-affected-by-dnschanger.html Al Qaeda video calls for electronic jihad on government computers A video purportedly from al Qaeda that promotes cyberattacks on the U.S. electric grid is being circulated by Senate backers of legislation to regulate the computer security of critical industries, including power companies. http://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2012/05/al-qaeda-video-calls-electronic-jihad-government-computers/55886/ au: Statement of cyber security intent underlines US alliance Australia and the US are taking a leadership role in improving global cyber security and cyber incident response capabilities, Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said today. http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/Media-releases/Pages/2012/Second%20Quarter/18-May-2012---Statement-of-cyber-security-intent-underlines-US-alliance.aspx Anonymous takes out Indian CERT as attacks continue Hacktivist group Anonymous continued its attacks on the Indian government and creative industries at the weekend by taking out the web sites of the national CERT and the country?s President in retaliation for widespread blocks on video and file sharing sites. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/05/21/india_anonymous_cert_ddos/ ********************** PRIVACY ********************** Google Privacy Inquiries Get Little Cooperation Secrets spilled across the computer screen. After months of negotiation, Johannes Caspar, a German data protection official, forced Google to show him exactly what its Street View cars had been collecting from potentially millions of his fellow citizens. Snippets of e-mails, photographs, passwords, chat messages, postings on Web sites and social networks ? all sorts of private Internet communications ? were casually scooped up as the specially equipped cars photographed the world?s streets. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/23/technology/google-privacy-inquiries-get-little-cooperation.html Online Privacy: How to Control Your Personal Data Most people don?t think of the phone book as that yellow block of razor-thin sheets anymore. It?s been digitized, along with your contact information, habits, and interests. In fact, all the stuff that used to be offline ? like government records, court records, product registrations, and subscriptions ? has moved to the web. And we?re adding new types of information all the time. According to ?Zuckerberg?s Law,? people share twice as much information as they did the year before. The result: A feeding frenzy has emerged for personal data. http://mashable.com/2012/05/21/online-personal-information-protect/ ********************** CENSORSHIP ********************** Internet Restrictions: How Much Should We Worry About Our Freedom of Information? by Marianne Mollmann, Senior Policy Advisor, Amnesty International Last week, several video-sharing websites were blocked by the two main Internet service providers in India in response to a court order related to movie piracy. The company that had pushed for the court intervention said it hadn't intended such a blanket block. The Internet service providers said they merely did as told. The internet activist group Anonymous said it would shut down the website of the Indian Supreme Court in retaliation. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marianne-mollmann/internet-restrictions-india_b_1528883.html Is This What a Chinese Internet Censor Job Ad Looks Like? Ever wonder if you have the chops to slash content from the Chinese Internet before the government mandates it? http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2012/05/21/is-this-what-a-chinese-internet-censor-job-ad-looks-like/ ************************** GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY ************************** Cerf Fears Government Cyber, Anti-Piracy Laws Governments around the world are using cybersecurity and other fears to "cloak" efforts to crack down on political speech, Vint Cerf, known as one of the fathers of the Internet, said on Monday. http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2012/05/internet-founding-father-fears.php Google must answer EU antitrust concerns over search Google has "a matter of weeks" to allay concerns it is abusing its dominant position in the search engine market, the European Commission has said. http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18143812 Google given last chance to outline how it will end antitrust concerns Google has been given a last chance, and a deadline of "a matter of weeks" by Europe's antitrust chief, to explain how it will end concerns it is abusing its dominant position in search to push its other products, and effectively locking out rival advertisers. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/may/21/google-antitrust-concerns Europe Offers to Let Google Settle Potential Antitrust Charges The European Commission warned Google on Monday that it must move quickly to change four business practices or face formal charges for violating European antitrust law. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/22/business/global/europe-warns-google-over-antitrust.html Google's Eric Schmidt refuses to back down over antitrust accusations Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt on Tuesday is set for a showdown with the European Commission's antitrust commissioner when he rejected suggestions the search giant will have to change how it presents search results in Europe. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/may/23/google-eric-schmidt-antitrust French Data Regulator Chides Google Already facing scrutiny from antitrust authorities and privacy regulators on a variety of fronts, Google was criticized Wednesday by French data protection authorities, who accused the company of being insufficiently forthcoming in an investigation of its new privacy policy. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/24/technology/french-data-regulator-chides-google.html Microsoft-backed groups praise EU's antitrust ultimatum to Google A pair of Microsoft-backed industry groups applauded the ultimatum European Union antitrust regulators issued to rival Google over alleged anti-competitive practices. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9227376/Microsoft_backed_groups_praise_EU_s_antitrust_ultimatum_to_Google Google Given Weeks to Submit Remedies in EU Antitrust Probe Google Inc. was told by the European Union?s antitrust chief it has a ?matter of weeks? to resolve a probe and avoid possible fines over allegations that the operator of the world?s largest search engine discriminates against rivals. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-21/google-given-a-matter-of-weeks-to-submit-remedies-in-eu-probe.html FBI quietly forms secretive Net-surveillance unit The FBI has recently formed a secretive surveillance unit with an ambitious goal: to invent technology that will let police more readily eavesdrop on Internet and wireless communications. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57439734-83/fbi-quietly-forms-secretive-net-surveillance-unit/ How Canada?s telecoms quietly backed Internet surveillance bill by Michael Geist Canada?s proposed Internet surveillance was back in the news recently after speculation grew that government intends to keep the bill in legislative limbo until it dies on the order paper. Public Safety Minister Vic Toews denied the reports, maintaining that Bill C-30 will still be sent to committee for further study. http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1181910--how-canada-s-telecoms-quietly-backed-internet-surveillance-bill Web creator backs UK open data institute The creator of the World Wide Web is backing a UK institute that will advise on how to make the most of government data. Sir Tim Berners-Lee will co-direct the Open Data Institute (ODI) that aims to open its doors in September. http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18161759 au: Tax Google like Twiggy, says Conroy Communications Minister Stephen Conroy says tech giants such as Google will be hit by tax laws designed to stop them transferring profits out of Australia, a step he compared with the government?s policy on wealthy mining entrepreneurs. http://www.afr.com/p/technology/tax_google_like_twiggy_says_conroy_sTjju2ki3WWAyUXk9peJKP nz: Govt assures that treaty poses no danger to ICT laws Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement won't pose danger to NZ's control over its own laws http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/govt-assures-that-treaty-poses-no-danger-to-ict-laws ********************** MISCELLANEOUS ********************** Troves of Personal Data, Forbidden to Researchers When scientists publish their research, they also make the underlying data available so the results can be verified by other scientists. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/22/science/big-data-troves-stay-forbidden-to-social-scientists.html The great Google gathering, taking its quest for knowledge offline at a secluded British hotel Secluded within the 300-acre grounds of a luxury Hertfordshire hotel, a select gathering of new media gurus, political pointy-heads, start-up whiz kids and pop stars awarded the post-chart career title "humanitarian" are meeting to carve up the digital future. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/online/the-great-google-gathering-7771352.html Half a billion people to use Windows 8 next year -- Ballmer Analysts expect Windows 8 to flop and PC sales to suffer, but Microsoft's chief executive thinks sales will reach at least 500 million by the end of 2013. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57439259-92/half-a-billion-people-to-use-windows-8-next-year-ballmer/ How Alcatel-Lucent made the Internet 5 times faster ... The company announced Tuesday that it has developed the "7950 XRS," a core Internet router that is capable of speeds up to five times faster than those of its nearest competitor. Just one 7950 XRS router can deliver 16 terabits of data per second. That's about 2.5 million HD video streams every tick of the second hand. http://money.cnn.com/2012/05/21/technology/alcatel-lucent-fastest-router/index.htm ********************** TELECOMMUNICATIONS ********************** BT 'monopolising' UK's superfast broadband BT may need to be split into two companies, the shadow business minister, Chi Onwurah, has warned, because the company is carving out a new monopoly in superfast broadband."BT must be made to understand that if superfast broadband is a monopoly, they will not be allowed to enjoy it," Onwurah told the House of Lords in evidence before a select committee inquiry into broadband. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/may/22/bt-monopolising-uk-superfast-broadband us: Partnership to Bring Ultrahigh-Speed Internet to Six Communities A start-up company plans to announce Wednesday that it has raised $200 million to deliver ultrahigh-speed Internet service in six communities surrounding research universities around the country. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/23/technology/partnership-plans-to-bring-ultrahigh-speed-internet-to-six-communities.html Telecoms accused of ambushing internet through rule change Telecommunications regulations, set for an overhaul later this year, could be expanded to give the mobile sector sweeping new powers over the internet, international leading players representing the web have claimed. http://www.euractiv.com/infosociety/telecoms-accused-ambushing-internet-rule-change-news-512856 Small telcos call for end to 'copper gravy train' Europe's smaller telecoms firms have warned of a return to the age of telco monopolies, claiming that larger companies are still charging them too much in wholesale fees for their legacy copper networks. http://www.zdnet.co.uk/blogs/communication-breakdown-10000030/small-telcos-call-for-end-to-copper-gravy-train-10026224/ ********************************** ONLINE CHILD ABUSE ARRESTS/COURT CASES ********************************** NZ helps bring down child porn ring New Zealand investigators built up trust with people sharing child sex abuse photos on social networking sites, sparking a global clampdown that has removed 12 children from harm, including one Kiwi. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10807635 International operation targets child sexual abuse traders [news release] A global operation sparked by the Department of Internal Affairs and spanning 20 countries has targeted 55 key suspects in the worldwide distribution of child sexual abuse pictures. Some were involved in the actual sexual abuse of the children depicted. http://www.dia.govt.nz/press.nsf/d77da9b523f12931cc256ac5000d19b6/e79b44eb59d7d698cc257a06001fdaf6 --------- David Goldstein email: david at goldsteinreport.com web: http://davidgoldstein.tel/ http://goldsteinreport.com/ 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 Wed May 23 2012 - 23:17:14 UTC
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