Privacy // Current

“Guilt by Blog”

The phrase “to incur guilt by one’s words” describes a worrying trend that is growing amongst Chinese netizens,... more

purplefox
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Obama requires staff to list every comment they've ever posted online

Can you think of every smart-ass comment you've ever made?

elmodernisto
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Freedom of Choice Act or FOCA

FOCA - to prohibit, consistent with Roe v. Wade, the interference by the government with a woman's right to choose to bear a... more

bedeboop
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While Americans eagerly vote for the next president, here’s a sobering reminder: As of Tuesday, George W. Bush still has 77 days left in the White House — and he’s not wasting a minute.

President Bush’s aides have been scrambling to change rules and regulations on the environment, civil liberties and abortion rights, among others — few for the good. Most presidents put on a last-minute policy stamp, but in Mr. Bush’s case it is more like a wrecking ball. We fear it could take months, or years, for the next president to identify and then undo all of the damage.

Here is a look — by no means comprehensive — at some of Mr. Bush’s recent parting gifts and those we fear are yet to come.

CIVIL LIBERTIES We don’t know all of the ways that the administration has violated Americans’ rights in the name of fighting terrorism. Last month, Attorney General Michael Mukasey rushed out new guidelines for the F.B.I. that permit agents to use chillingly intrusive techniques to collect information on Americans even where there is no evidence of wrongdoing. (details at link)

THE ENVIRONMENT The administration has been especially busy weakening regulations that promote clean air and clean water and protect endangered species.

Mr. Bush, or more to the point, Vice President Dick Cheney, came to office determined to dismantle Bill Clinton’s environmental legacy, undo decades of environmental law and keep their friends in industry happy. They have had less success than we feared, but only because of the determined opposition of environmental groups, courageous members of Congress and protests from citizens. But the White House keeps trying. (details at link)

ABORTION RIGHTS Soon after the election, Michael Leavitt, the secretary of health and human services, is expected to issue new regulations aimed at further limiting women’s access to abortion, contraceptives and information about their reproductive health care options.(details at link)

More horrifying details at link!!!!While Americans eagerly vote for the next president, here’s a sobering reminder: As of Tuesday, George W. Bush still has 77... more

iloveravi
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41 responses

13 days ago

Come Puoi Nascondere Files Dentro Una Immagine Jpeg

Ti sarà capitato sovente di voler mantenere riservate alcune informazioni salvate sul tuo PC e magari impedire che qualcuno... more

ikaro
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13 days ago

100 tools and resources to secure your health records

The following list contains 100 tools and resources you can use to make an informed decision about this issue. Health records... more

sunnyspeaks
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1 response

15 days ago

Latest UK data security breach probed - Reuters

A computer memory stick containing passwords for one of the biggest public sector websites has been found in a pub car park, the latest Whitehall data security breach, the government said on Sunday.

The Government Gateway, a site where people register to use more than 100 public services including tax and benefit claims, was temporarily closed after the loss was discovered.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said it had ordered an investigation into how it happened.

The stick contained the usernames and passwords of a "handful" of members of the public, although their details were encrypted, she said.

"Having looked in detail at the stick we are satisfied neither the Gateway nor members of the public have seen their security compromised and the Gateway is online again," the department said in a statement.

The government has suffered a string of data breaches in recent months. They include the loss of secret intelligence files, the details of every prisoner in England and Wales, and information about thousands of potential army recruits.

Last year, Prime Minister Gordon Brown ordered a review after HM Revenue and Customs lost data on 25 million people, exposing them to the risk of identity theft and fraud.

Opposition parties and privacy campaigners say the government cannot be trusted with personal information.

In the latest incident, the stick was lost by an employee of the IT services firm Atos Origin, which runs the Gateway site for the government.

As well as the log-on details of members of the public, the stick contained information about how an old version of the site was set up.

The company said it had disciplined the employee and would work closely with the government and the police in the inquiry.

"It is clear that the employee removed the device from company premises in direct breach of our own operating procedure," Atos said in a statement.

"The company takes the loss of this device very seriously and we are currently carrying out a full investigation of both the circumstances surrounding its loss and the data content of the stick."A computer memory stick containing passwords for one of the biggest public sector websites has been found in a pub car park, the... more