The Constitution in 2020: The Future of Criminal Justice
"The Constitution in 2020: The Future of Criminal Justice"
Marc Rotenberg,
EPIC Executive Director
Florida State University
College of Law
Tallahassee, FL
October 7-8, 2010
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October 2010 Archives
October 1, 2010
October 4, 2010
EPIC Supports Proposed Reforms for Surveillance Court, Urges Additional Measures
EPIC has submitted comments on the proposed rules for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. In comparison to the previous rules, promulgated in 2006, EPIC said that the new rules would strengthen judicial independence, improve congressional oversight, and promote, to some extent, greater transparency of the court that oversees the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. EPIC also urged the Court to establish a web presence with information about the Court's activities and to publish detailed annual reports. EPIC said these measures would promote accountability and enhance public understanding of the Court and its functions. For more information, see EPIC: Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and EPIC: Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Supreme Court to Hear Arguments in NASA Privacy Case
On October 5, 2010 the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that will determine whether public contract employees have a right to limit the government's collection of their personal information. The case, NASA v. Nelson, was brought by a NASA scientist who argued that the Constitution grants a right to privacy from invasive government background checks. NASA claims that the Privacy Act provides sufficient legal protections. EPIC authored a "friend of the court" brief in the case, cosigned by 27 technical experts and legal scholars. EPIC's brief highlights exceptions in the Privacy Act, claimed by the federal agency, that place the scientists' personal information at risk. For more information, see EPIC: NASA v. Nelson and EPIC: Workplace Privacy.
October 6, 2010
Privacy Groups Object to Google's "Simplified" Privacy Policy
EPIC and 14 other privacy and consumer protection groups sent a letter to Google CEO Eric Schmidt about Google's revised privacy policy. Under this new policy, twelve specific Google privacy policies will be replaced by a single policy that will enable greater data sharing within the corporation. EPIC previously raised similar concerns about Google Buzz in a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission. In the complaint, EPIC argued that Google's Gmail-specific privacy policy was more protective of users than their general privacy policy. For more information, see EPIC: In re Google Buzz.
October 7, 2010
Broadband Networks and Smart Grid at the crossroad between ICT & Energy
"Broadband Networks and Smart Grid at the crossroad between ICT & Energy"
Lillie Coney,
EPIC Associate Executive Director
Columbia Business School
New York, NY
December 3, 2010
October 12, 2010
Hearing: "Data Protection in a Transatlantic Perspective"
Marc Rotenberg,
EPIC Executive Director
European Parliament
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affair (LIBE)
Brussels, Belgium
October 25, 2010
New Social Networking Privacy Poll Released, Kids Privacy Campaign Launched
According to a national poll from Common Sense Media, three out of four parents believe that social network services do not adequately protect children's online privacy. The Common Sense Media "Protect Our Privacy - Protect Our Kids" campaign calls for opt-in consent, clear and simple privacy statements, updated privacy laws, and a prohibition on behavioral marketing for kids. EPIC filed comments with the Federal Trade Commission aimed at improving the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). EPIC President Marc Rotenberg testified before the Senate Commerce Committee earlier this year, and urged Congress to extend COPPA to cover social networks and teens. For more information, see EPIC: COPPA.
Web Companies Defend Data Collection Practices, Google Absent
Eleven internet companies responded to Rep. Markey and Rep. Barton's request for information regarding their data collection practices. However, the companies said that it is "impossible" for them to eliminate online tracking of consumer behavior. Google refused to respond to the survey questions. At the same time, Microsoft, Intel Corp. and E-bay announced support for Rep. Rush's "Best Practices Act." This bill contains a private right of action as well as a safe harbor for companies that comply with a self-regulatory "Choice Program" approved by the Federal Trade Commission. EPIC recently testified before Chairman Rush's committee " and recommended new safeguards for Internet users. For more information, see EPIC: Identity Theft.
October 13, 2010
EPIC Launches Privacy 2010 Campaign
EPIC, joined by the Center for Digital Democracy, Consumer Action, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, and the Liberty Coalition launched the Privacy 2010 campaign at a press conference today on Capitol Hill. The organizations set out a Privacy Platform with recommended positions on 10 key privacy issues. Privacy 2010 also has a Facebook Cause page. As part of the Privacy 2010 campaign, EPIC said that it will release a Privacy Report Card for the Obama administration with grades on medical privacy, cyber security, consumer privacy, and civil liberties.
October 7, 2010
Privacy 2010 Campaign Launch
Privacy 2010 Campaign Launch
Mott House
Washington, D.C.
October 13, 2010
October 18, 2010
2010 Obama Privacy Report Card Release
2010 Obama Privacy Report Card Release
Marc Rotenberg,
Electronic Privacy Information Center
Latanya Sweeney,
Carnegie Mellon University
Philip Friedman,
Consumer Attorney
Paul Smith,
Jenner & Block, LLP
Mott House
Washington, D.C.
October 19, 2010
The Implementation and Enforcement of the OECD Privacy Guidelines
The Implementation and Enforcement of the OECD Privacy Guidelines
Marc Rotenberg,
EPIC Executive Director
International Convention Center
Jerusalem, Israel
25-26 October 2010
October 19, 2010
EPIC to Release 2010 Privacy Report Card
As part of the Privacy 2010 campaign, EPIC will release a privacy "report card" for the Obama Administration at a Capitol Hill press conference on October 19. EPIC released a similar report card at the National Press Club in 2009. In the 2009 Privacy Report card, the Administration received the following grades: Medical Privacy A- ; Consumer Privacy INC; Civil Liberties C+; and Cyber Security B. The 2010 Report Card will reflect developments during the past year.
Investigation of Google Street View Moves Forward in Spain
The Spanish Data Protection Agency has filed suit against Google Street View for five violations of Spanish law. The Agency found that Google collected and stored personal data transmitted through open Wi-Fi networks, as well as SSIDs and MAC addresses that contained subscribers real names. Many countries and several US states are currently investigating Google Street View. In May, EPIC urged the Federal Communications Commission to open an investigation into Street View, as Google's practices appear to violate U.S. federal wiretap laws as well as the U.S. Communications Act. For more information, see EPIC: Google Street View.
October 20, 2010
Congressmen Question Facebook About Latest Privacy Breach
Congressmen Ed Markey (D-MA) and Joe Barton (R-TX) sent a letter to Facebook about the news that Facebook's business partners transmitted personal user data to advertising and internet tracking companies in violation of the company's policy. EPIC has two complaints pending at the Federal Trade Commission regarding Facebook's unfair and deceptive trade practices. For more information, see EPIC: In Re Facebook, EPIC: In Re Facebook II, and EPIC: Facebook Privacy.
Canada: Google Street View Violates Privacy Laws
Canada's Privacy Commissioner has determined that Google violated Canadian privacy law when the company's Street View cars collected user information from wireless networks. The personal information Google captured included e-mails and the names, addresses, and home phone numbers of people suffering from a certain medical condition. The Commissioner called on Google to strengthen its controls and designate an individual to be responsible for privacy issues. In May, EPIC urged the Federal Communications Commission to open an investigation into Street View, as Google's practices appear to violate U.S. federal wiretap laws as well as the U.S. Communications Act. For more information, see EPIC: Google Street View.
FTC Proposes Consent Decree in U.S. Search Case
The FTC is asking for comments on a proposed settlement of the agency's complaint against the company U.S. Search for deceptive practices. U.S. Search sold customers a "privacy lock" service that the company falsely claimed would prevent customers' personal information from appearing on the U.S. Search website. The proposed settlement requires U.S. Search to refund fees and bars the company from further deceptive practices, but does not stop them from charging a fee for an opt-out service. For more information, see EPIC: FTC.
EPIC Releases Privacy Report Card for Obama Administration
EPIC has released the 2010 Privacy Report Card for the Obama Administration. EPIC gave the Administration a grade of C in Consumer Privacy, B in Medical Privacy, D in Civil Liberties, and B in Cybersecurity. A group of experts participated in a Capitol Hill briefing on privacy and the Obama Administration. This year's grades are a drop from the grades given in EPIC's 2009 Privacy Report Card and reflect important privacy developments during the past year. The report card launch is part of EPIC's Privacy 2010 Campaign.
Symposium to Explore Intersection Between Privacy Law and the Vote
Symposium to Explore Intersection Between Privacy Law and the Vote
Nichole Rustin-Paschal,
EPIC Open Government Fellow
William and Mary Law School
Williamsburg, VA
October 22, 2010
"Privacy and Technological Innovation - Compatible or Mutually Exclusive?"
"Privacy and Technological Innovation - Compatible or Mutually Exclusive?"
Marc Rotenberg,
EPIC Executive Director
Information Society Project
Yale Law School
New Haven, CT
October 29, 2010
October 21, 2010
"The Technology of Airport Body Scanners: Implications for Personal Privacy"
Marc Rotenberg,
EPIC Executive Director
The National Academies
Keck Center
Washington, DC
November 5, 2010
October 22, 2010
Google Ends Secret Wifi Data Gathering
Following numerous protests around the world, Google has ended its illegal collection of wifi data transmissions. The company, which originally claimed it was not even collecting wifi data, was forced to admit that the practice has been ongoing for three years in more than thirty countries, following an independent investigation initiated by European privacy officials. Investigations are still underway to determine the extent of Google's liability. EPIC wrote to the FCC earlier this year, pointing out that the practice violated US wiretap laws. For more information, see EPIC: Streetview.
October 25, 2010
At European Parliament EPIC Urges Support for Comprehensive Data Protection Framework
Appearing before the European Parliament in Brussels, EPIC President Marc Rotenberg urged the adoption of a comprehensive framework to protect the flow of personal data between the United States and the European Union. Citing the growing concern about the misuse of sensitive data and the absence of effective legal remedies, Mr. Rotenberg said it was time for the US and the EU to develop an effective legal framework that would safeguard the rights of citizens and the users of Internet-based services. EPIC has previously supported the Madrid Privacy Declaration and the Council of Europe Privacy Convention as good models for international privacy frameworks.
October 27, 2010
Public Voice Hosts Global Privacy Conference in Jerusalem
The civil society conference featured panel discussions on “The Madrid Declaration One Year Later,” "Emerging Privacy Issues," “Establishing International Frameworks for Privacy Protection,” "The Campaigns Against Body Scanners and Biometric Identity Cards," and "Promoting Dialogue Between NGOs and DPAs." Leading privacy officials from Canada, Mexico, Spain, the European Union, the European Parliament, and the OECD participated. Civil society representatives from 20 countries also participated The event was held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Privacy and Data Protection Commissioners. The Public Voice conference was cybercast and tweeted. @thepublicvoice #thepublicvoice.
EPIC releases 2010 E-Deceptive Campaign Practices Report
The Electronic Privacy Information Center released the 2010 update to its "E-Deceptive Campaign Practices: Technology and Democracy 2.0" report, first published in 2008. The report reviews the potential for abuse of Internet-based technology in the election context, and makes recommendations on steps that should be taken by Election Administrators, voters, and those involved in Election Protection efforts. E-Deceptive campaigns are internet-based attempts to misdirect targeted voters regarding the voting process, and include false statements about poll place hours, election dates, voter identification rules, or voter eligibility requirements. For more information, see EPIC: Voting.
Federal Trade Commission Closes Noninvestigation of Google Street View
The Federal Trade Commission has sent a letter to Google, ending an investigation that never began. In May, the Federal Trade Commission was asked by members of Congress to investigate Google's secretive collection of wifi data as part of Street View, a mapping program characterized by the collection of digital imagery. In a letter to Federal Communications Commission, EPIC further explained that Google's conduct likely violated federal wiretap law. Subsequent investigations in other countries revealed that Google secretly collected passwords, email, and sensitive medical data from millions of Internet users, and also built an extensive database of personal information associated with private residential wifi routers. However, the Federal Trade Commission never pursued an independent investigation of Street View, examined the data collected by Google in the United States, or even acknowledged the findings of other agencies. Investigations are still pending in several countries and 37 states in the U.S. For more information, see EPIC: Google Street View.
October 29, 2010
2010 Administrative Law Conference
"Technology and the Fourth Amendment after City of Ontario v. Quon"
Marc Rotenberg,
EPIC Executive Director
American Bar Association
Washington, DC
November 5, 2010
October 1, 2010
EPIC, Joined by 13 Organizations, Sends Statement on NSTIC
EPIC, joined by the American Library Association, Liberty Coalition, Bill of
Rights Defense Committee, and the Center for Media and Democracy, among
others, sent a statement to the Department of Homeland Security responding to the Administration's call for comments regarding its National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace Creating Options for Enhanced Online Security and Privacy (NSTIC) draft policy. The coalition's comments press the Administration for a clearer definition of the problems that the policy intends to solve. The coalition further advocates for the maintenance of a free and open Internet that protects the creative content of users, assures privacy, and creates accountability and oversight of government activity, especially as it relates to law enforcement and surveillance. For more, see EPIC's Cybersecurity and Privacy.
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About October 2010
This page contains all entries posted to epic.org in October 2010. They are listed from oldest to newest.
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