House rules on the privacy settings in Facebook

I came across a good article, a privacy checklist that you can use to have better control over your privacy settings on Facebook following the recent complaints concerning Facebook’s privacy change.

I have a Facebook profile for some time that I have used to understand its impact on how we are communicating, and make my own mind up on all the hype. However, I have become a little tired of it now… so much irrevelant information. Although there are ways to restict this popping up, it seems that it new irrelevant data pops up as it is created. I will deactivate my account, or even better commit Facebook suicide 😉

The Chinese cyber warriors are well armed

Following my previous post, and understanding Google’s sudden decision… or maybe not so sudden….

“The decision wasn’t made in a vacuum, but rather came after years of increasing cyberattacks from the Chinese mainland. A recent, massive infiltration attempt that targeted Google and 20 other tech companies was the final straw. Though Google stops short of naming the Chinese government as the party behind the attacks, the implication is clear.

Google refuses to censor content in China

Suddenly, Google has decided to stop censoring search results in China. Apparently Google’s patience ran at an all time low following allegations that Chinese hackers spied on human rights avocates over Google’s network. Read more at ars technica.

So how will this effect China’s search capabilities? Well not much was claimed on the Swedish radio today. There are other search engines used in China, although I didn’t catch the name of the most popular. So for China it is probably no big thing on a technical level, however it does send a very strong message on the political landscape.

Naked protests at Berlin airport

I must take my hat of to the German’s and their protest the use of the so-called “nacktscanner” (naked scanners). Members of the Pirate Party stripped down to their skivvies last Sunday and converged on the Berlin-Tegal airport. They posted a video of their protest to YouTube, with soundtrack provided by Muse’s song “Uprising.” The lyrics articulated their protest: “They will not force us. They will stop degrading us. They will not control us. We will be victorious!” Read more at Wired.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jrgUhOrHFU&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]

Shedding Your Identity in the Digital Age

is the title of a new article in the December 2009 issue of Wired Magazine. For one month, Evan Ratliff shed his digital identity and tried to disappear. Wired offered $5000 to the first person who could locate him, say the password “fluke” and take his picture within the one month contest period. The premise of the contest was simple: “how hard is it to vanish in the digital age? The article chronicles his adventures on the run, and the phenomena it created on Twitter. Using the hashtag #vanish, contest participants were “tweeting” up to 600 tweets a day as they shared clues and personal information about Evan Ratliff (such as his middle name, a common question of private investigators).

I recommended you pick up the print edition of the article while still available, as it is better than the online version. Otherwise, check out the online version here.

Facebook – “That social norm is just something that has evolved over time”

According to Mark Zuckerberg, the 25-year-old chief executive and founder of Facebook, “People have really gotten comfortable not only sharing more information and different kinds, but more openly and with more people”. For him, “That social norm is just something that has evolved over time”.

Complete article here (The Guardian): Privacy no longer a social norm, says Facebook founder

Inverse social networking

I read in the Time or the Economist… I need to dig out the reference as I have hard-copy subscriptions… anyhow it was a few months ago of how lawyers are using social networking sites like Facebook in divorce cases, especifically when it comes to custody of children. Claims of a pristine life are not well supported if there are pictures of you partying on Facebook. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that a demand for Facebook suicide is growing.

In fact I find it rather annoying that it is only possible to deactivate your profile. Why not a delete function, what have Facebook got to lose?

Dubious practices on collection of DNA in UK by law enforcement

Further to a posting I made some time ago on the removal of DNA from one of the law enforcement databases… that is for those of you that are proved innocent. Here is more posting from ARCH Rights on the dubious collection of DNA by Britain’s law enforcement, and a link to resources to help you in getting DNA removed.

Euthanasia on Facebook?

Did you know that it is not possible to delete your Facebook profile, that you can only deactivate it?

Seppukoo.com, created by the Italian group Les Liens Invisibles, launched a campaign in 2009 to convince people that to commit Facebook suicide. Wannabe ex-Facebook members can provide Seppukoo.com with their names and passwords and Seppukoo then not only deactivates their profiles, but also creates a “memorial” page that it sends to users’ former Facebook friends.

Facebook is not happy about this and there looks as there will be some interesting legal wrangles in the air. In the meantime, Facebook appears to be taking matters into its own hands. The Los Angeles Times reports today that Facebook is now blocking the IP address of another company, Web 2.0 Suicide Machine, which helps people quit social networking sites by unfriending their contacts. Like Seppukoo.com and Power.com, Suicide Machine asks users for their names and passwords.

This is going to be fun..read more at MediaPost blogs…

Data Privacy Day 2010 is just around the corner

Data Privacy Day 2010 is occurring on January 28th. Data Privacy Day is an annual international celebration to raise awareness and generate discussion about information privacy. In 2009, both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives recognized January 28th as National Data Privacy Day.

Over the past few years, privacy professionals, corporations, government officials and representatives, academics, and students in the United States, Canada, and 27 European countries have participated in a wide variety of privacy-focused events and educational initiatives in honor of Data Privacy Day. They have conducted discussions, examined materials and explored technologies in an effort to bring information privacy into our daily thoughts, conversations and actions.

“Despite all the benefits of new and innovative technologies, there are doubts and worries that persist about just how much personal information — our digital identity — is collected, stored, used, and shared to power these convenient and pervasive services.”

Richard Purcell, executive director of The Privacy Projects (www.theprivacyprojects.org), organizing sponsor of Data Privacy Day.

Data Privacy Day has also provided an opportunity to promote teen education and awareness about privacy challenges when using mobile devices, social networking sites and other online services.

Everyone is welcome to participate by sponsoring events, contributing writings and other educational resources, joining activities, and taking actions designed to raise privacy awareness.

More information can be found on the event website at: dataprivacyday2010.org.