Monthly Archive: August 2009

Aug 26

Massachusetts Data Delay

Tweet The implementation date for Massachusetts’ pending data security regulations has been further delayed until March, 2010.

Aug 26

Apple Rejects Update

Tweet More on Apple App Store rejections here.  The bottom line, according to Don Reisinger at CNET:  “Apple wants nothing to do with apps that can be found “objectionable,” have functionality similar to Apple-built features, or might conflict with a contract it has established with AT&T or other partners.”

Aug 22

Google Voice App Pending on iPhone

Tweet In letters to the Federal Communications Commission, both Apple and AT&T have denied that AT&T played any role in determining whether the Google Voice application would be approved for use on Apple’s iPhone.  Apple also indicated that it has not rejected Google Voice, but is “still pondering” whether to allow the application, which includes …

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Aug 18

Netchoice Fighting Maine’s New Internet Law

Tweet The Netchoice trade group has named Maine’s new privacy law, scheduled to go into effect on September 12th, as the top placeholder on its list of the worst proposed internet laws in America.  Netchoice is apparently working with companies on obtaining an injunction to prevent the law from going into effect.

Aug 18

Facebook Allegedly Violated California’s Privacy Laws

Tweet A civil lawsuit was filed in California on Monday by five Facebook users claiming that Facebook violates California’s privacy laws.  According to a report in the Washington Post, “[t]he complaint alleges that Facebook violates California privacy and online privacy laws by disseminating personal information posted by users to third parties. The lawsuit also alleges …

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Aug 17

Facebook vs. Canada

Tweet Facebook is due to give its final response to Canada’s privacy commissioner today regarding its alleged failure to comply with Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, the country’s private-sector privacy law.  See this article in the Ottawa Citizen.  Will Facebook voluntarily change its policy regarding sharing information with third party application providers?  …

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Aug 13

Maine Passes Sweeping Law Governing Marketing to Minors

Tweet There’s a sweeping new privacy law being enacted in Maine.  Details here.  We’ll be monitoring this one closely, as its reach goes well beyond the bounds set by COPPA.

Aug 11

Recent Online Mergers

Tweet There are some interesting acquisitions going on:  (1)   Yahoo has purchased the domain www.omg.com for a mere $80,000.  (2)   Facebook has purchased FriendFeed for a reported $47.5 million in cash and stock.  This may be more of a “talent buy” by Facebook, but it simultaneously folds in a potential rival.  (3)   VMware has announced …

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Aug 07

Apple to Disclose Thought Process Behind Chosen iPhone Apps?

Tweet Apple’s decision-making process regarding its approval or rejection of specific iPhone applications has always been something of a mystery.  Yesterday, Phil Schiller, a senior Apple executive, took the unusual step of e-mailing  John Gruber of Daring Fireball to comment on the approval process for the Ninjawords application, a dictionary application that was rejected multiple …

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Aug 06

Online Media Content No Longer Free?

Tweet The Financial Times is reporting that News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch has vowed to charge for all of the company’s online news-related content, and, if it proves to be a successful business model, to begin charging for all other online media content as well.  News Corp.’s news-related holdings include Dow Jones & Co. (The Wall …

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