Post Tagged with: "privacy"

MSFT and the Ontario IPC Office

The Office of the Ontario Privacy Commissioner has long been a world leader in privacy advocacy, displaying a remarkable ability to anticipate the privacy impact of cutting-edge technologies. Given its track record, the attention being lavished on the release of a new document on identity management is much deserved as it merits wide reading. The Seven Laws of Identity builds on work being done by Microsoft designed to allow Internet users to better manage their online "identities" by limiting the disclosure of personal information ("data minimization"), using better authentication practices, and building in user consent and controls. In recent news reports, the Office has touted the virtues of its Seven Laws of Identity approach, with claims that it will help solve Internet ills such as phishing, pharming, and spam.

As I read the coverage and white paper, I am left somewhat uncomfortable.

October 19, 2006 — 4 comments — News

ICANN Sacrifices Privacy for Shot at Independence

My weekly Law Bytes column (Toronto Star version, BBC version, homepage version) examines the recent agreement between ICANN and the U.S. government. Late last month, ICANN took a major step toward addressing some ongoing concerns by signing a new agreement with the U.S. government entitled the Joint Project Agreement. ICANN immediately heralded the JPA as a "dramatic step forward" for full management of the Internet's domain name system through a "multi-stakeholder model of consultation." It added that the agreement grants it unprecedented independence by removing many of the U.S. government’s oversight controls. These include the elimination of a twice-annual reporting requirement to the U.S. Department of Commerce (ICANN will instead release a single annual report targeted to the full Internet community) and a shift away from the highly prescriptive policy responsibilities featured in the original ICANN contract.

While the JPA may indeed represent an important change, a closer examination of its terms suggest that there may be a hidden price tag behind ICANN newfound path toward independence – the privacy of domain name registrants.

October 9, 2006 — Comments are Disabled — Columns

ICANN Sacrifices Privacy for Shot at Independence

Appeared in the Toronto Star on October 9, 2006 as Web's Naming Body Barters Away Privacy Appeared in the BBC on October 10, 2006 as Internet Privacy 'Sacrified" By ICANN Internet governance has attracted increasing attention in recent years as governments, business communities, and Internet users struggle to develop a […]

October 9, 2006 — 2 comments — Columns Archive

Sony Hit With Privacy and Consumer Protection Complaints

As Sony seeks court approval of its class action settlement today (word is that the judge took note of the objections to the settlement and asked the parties to go back and try to address the concerns, likely leading to some modest amendments), CIPPIC has filed an avalanche of complaints […]

September 21, 2006 — 1 comment — News

30 Days of DRM: 30 Things You Can Do

Update (December 3, 2007) – I have posted a newly updated version of what you can do in light of the forthcoming Canadian DMCA. The posting includes a YouTube video, a Facebook group, and updated contact information.

Update (November 29/07): With a Canadian DMCA seemingly imminent, the importance of speaking out has never been more important. Some details on the likely new bill can be found here. I've updated the 30 Things You Can Do to reflect the new Ministers.

The House of Commons is back in session and, as I promised last month, the 30 Days of DRM project has now concluded. The postings remain accessible via the 30 Days of DRM page, the wiki, and a new PDF version that incorporates all postings into a single document.

The project generated considerable commentary online and lots of email offline. The most frequently asked question provides reason for optimism as many people simply asked "what can I do?" I typically responded that the best starting point was to write to their local Member of Parliament. Upon reflection, there is more that can be done and to that end, I offer up 30 things you can do about the issues raised by the 30 days of DRM project.

September 18, 2006 — 21 comments — News