Category Archives: Google

Much ado about……what exactly?

Posted on February 2, 2013 by

  In a blog I wrote in March, 2011, I quoted Robert Madelin, the then newly appointed Director-General of DG Connect. Speaking about the role of self-regulation as a mechanism for making the internet a better place for children Madelin said … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Consent, Default settings, E-commerce, Facebook, Google, Internet governance, Location, Microsoft, Mobile phones, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation

Non-Disclosure Agreements – enforced silence?

Posted on January 16, 2013 by

  Over the years I have worked for many different high tech companies. As I recall in each case under the contractual agreement I entered into there was either an implied or, more often, an express term requiring me to … Continue reading →

Posted in Consent, Default settings, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation

COPPA – probably not the last word

Posted on January 9, 2013 by

  The COPPA Rule is an online child protection measure. It was adopted and became Federal law in the USA under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, 1998. The Rule came into effect in 2000. It governs key data collection and advertising practices … Continue reading →

Posted in Age verification, Default settings, E-commerce, Facebook, Google, Internet governance, Mobile phones, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation

No more low hanging fruit

Posted on October 2, 2012 by

  I have been reflecting on the achievements of the UK’s framework for making the internet a better and safer place for children and young people. We have an impressive record. Yet I was struck by a quite dramatic but … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Age verification, BlackBerry, CEOP, Child abuse images, Consent, Default settings, E-commerce, Facebook, Google, ICANN, Internet governance, Location, Microsoft, Mobile phones, Pornography, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation

Why are Google so coy and evasive about age?

Posted on July 25, 2012 by

  On 9th June, 2011, at their invitation I went in to Google’s London office in Victoria to meet with some new staffers who had an interest in online child protection. It was a “getting to know you” thing. Only one … Continue reading →

Posted in Age verification, Consent, Default settings, Google, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation

“Your Kindle is Updated”

Posted on June 23, 2012 by

I guess last night I must have left my Kindle with the WiFi turned on because when I looked at it this morning I noticed a new and unsolicited item at the top of the list. Very simply it said … Continue reading →

Posted in Amazon, Default settings, E-commerce, Google, Kindle, Pornography, Regulation, Self-regulation

Kindle – porn slips in under the radar

Posted on May 7, 2012 by

  My wife and I often used to set off on holiday with a suitcase each of clothes and a third one of books which typically weighed more than the other two combined. Not any more. Two “e-book readers” do … Continue reading →

Posted in Amazon, Default settings, E-commerce, Google, Kindle, Pornography, Self-regulation | Leave a comment

What next?

Posted on December 30, 2011 by

  About this time of year lots of technology pundits write columns about what they think is going to happen in the upcoming twelve months or so. I have decided to join in. You don’t need to be Einstein to … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Age verification, Apple, Child abuse images, Consent, Default settings, E-commerce, Google, Location, Microsoft, Pornography, Privacy, Self-regulation | Leave a comment

Brussels makes a move

Posted on December 4, 2011 by

  Neelie Kroes is a Vice President of the European Commission. She is responsible for the European Union’s ambitious Digital Agenda. Robert Madelin is her CEO, being the Director-General for Information Society and Media. In an earlier blog I said … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Child abuse images, Consent, Default settings, Facebook, Google, Internet governance, Microsoft, Pornography, Privacy, Self-regulation | Leave a comment

In praise of Google

Posted on October 28, 2011 by

  Anyone walking about on London’s underground recently or reading a newspaper in the UK cannot have failed to notice the gigantic hoardings and ads bearing the logos of Google and the Citizens’ Advice Bureaux (CAB). For readers of this blog … Continue reading →

Posted in Default settings, Google, Location, Privacy, Self-regulation | Leave a comment