Govt Allows Internet Companies Increased Transparency On Spy Requests, Sort Of

The Justice Department on Monday announced new rules that will loosen restrictions on Internet companies like Google and Facebook to inform customers about government requests for user data. While welcoming the new change as a step forward towards increased transparency, critics charge that it falls far short of true surveillance reform. The new authorization marks an agreement […]

Common Dreams
By Common Dreams
Exhibitors of the Google company work on laptop computers in front of an illuminated sign of the Google logo at the industrial fair Hannover Messe in Hanover, Germany. (AP/Jens Meyer)

The Justice Department on Monday announced new rules that will loosen restrictions on Internet companies like Google and Facebook to inform customers about government requests for user data. While welcoming the new change as a step forward towards increased transparency, critics charge that it falls far short of true surveillance reform. The

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Tech Firms Vie To Protect Personal Data But Gain Profits

Tech. companies are making a huge profit by mining personal data and peering into people’s online habits but are now becoming more aggressive in their attempts to counter any perception that they voluntarily give the government access to users’ email.

Associated Press
By Associated Press
GOOGLE PRIVACY

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Even as Silicon Valley speaks out against the U.S. government's surveillance methods, technology companies are turning a handsome profit by mining personal data and peering into people's online habits. The industry's profit machine has become tarnished by revelations that the National Security Agency trolls deep into the

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Ruling: Chevron Granted Access to Environmental Advocates’ Private Internet Data

The US government is not the only entity who, with judicial approval, is amassing massive amounts of personal information against their so-called enemies. A federal judge has ruled to allow Chevron, through a subpoena to Microsoft, to collect the IP usage records and identity information for email accounts owned by over 100 environmental activists, journalists and attorneys. […]

Lauren McCauley
By Lauren McCauley

The US government is not the only entity who, with judicial approval, is amassing massive amounts of personal information against their so-called enemies. A federal judge has ruled to allow Chevron, through a subpoena to Microsoft, to collect the IP usage records and identity information for email accounts owned by over 100 environmental

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Microsoft’s New Xbox Raises Ownership Issues, Privacy Concerns

Rumored features like the capacity for the always-online console to detect how many people are in a room reveal a potential for abuse.

Frederick Reese
By Frederick Reese

After an introduction of their new gaming console at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo was -- by the most gentle of terms -- flawed, Microsoft has taken a black eye and a near-knockout in this opening round between Microsoft’s Xbox One and Sony’s Playstation 4. Many privacy advocates feel that Microsoft’s heavy-handed attempts with its

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