Category Archives: Privacy

Public WiFi and politics

Posted on May 8, 2013 by

  It is two weeks and a day since Mr Cameron disclosed to the Daily Telegraph that he wanted to ensure, where internet access was being made available via WiFi in public spaces, the WiFi provider would take steps to … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Age verification, Consent, Default settings, Internet governance, Mobile phones, Pornography, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation

Big Brother in your pocket

Posted on March 3, 2013 by

  The American Association for the Advancement of Science met in Boston last week to survey and discuss, erm, the advancement of science. Lots of interesting stuff going on with the boys and girls in white coats. One particular piece … Continue reading →

Posted in Consent, Default settings, E-commerce, Internet governance, Location, Mobile phones, Pornography, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation

My research agenda

Posted on February 9, 2013 by

  I expect we all have ideas buzzing around our heads about unanswered questions which, if we had the time and the money, we would like to see resolved. Below is my current list. Some are probably not research proposals … Continue reading →

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

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

Facebook’s Safety Advisory Board

Posted on January 21, 2013 by

  The Facebook narrative in the online child protection space seeks to position the company somewhere in the vicinity of Mother Theresa, Gandhi and a very large but cool cuddly teddy bear.  Soft, virtuous and hip. Unless Facebooks start paying … Continue reading →

Posted in Facebook, Internet governance, 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

The world goes mobile – but not in a good way

Posted on January 4, 2013 by

  December was a busy month at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in Washington DC. But first let’s wind back to February, 2012, and a report the FTC published based on research carried out in 2011. Mobile Apps for Kids: … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Age verification, Consent, Default settings, E-commerce, Internet governance, Location, Mobile phones, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation | Tagged

More action on privacy. That was quick!

Posted on January 3, 2013 by

  Four days ago I published a blog in which I said we ought to think about mounting a large scale and sustained public campaign which would aim to inculcate more appropriate attitudes towards online privacy and instil some better … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Consent, Default settings, E-commerce, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation

Big can be beautiful

Posted on December 31, 2012 by

  It is possible for us to prove things about ourselves in ways which put those facts and our relationship to them beyond all reasonable doubt. We can say they are true with an exceptionally high level of certainty. Technology … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Age verification, Consent, Default settings, E-commerce, Internet governance, Location, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation