Plans to create a cellphone directory may challenge the privacy of users. The national Do-Not-Call list has taken away telemarkerters ability to reach those on the list, but a plan to create a cellphone directory may offer new opportunities. A representative with Qsent, the company contracted by several large cellphone providers, said that current laws protects cellphone users because they prohibit automated calls and calls that cost the cellphone owner. This would not protect users if telemarketers paid the charge for calling cellphone users.
Something interesting has been happening to reproduction technology the application of features that secretly mark documents. The suggested purpose of this features is to make fraud investigation easier, but it also compromises the privacy of users. The technology reproduces the printer’s serial number and manufacturing code on the documents copied.
The cost of privacy is rising if you are a customer of the Southwestern Bell Company (SBC). Is reported that if customers request that their personal information not be shared with SBC's "family of companies," it will cost them company discounts. The discounts offered by SBC on high-speed Internet service is one of popular features that customers will have to pay more for if they want control of their personal information.
HIPAA is now reported by one CPA to risk durable powers of attorney that create a health care proxy according to Ronald H. Surabian a CPA and attorney. He reports that HIPAA may prevent the use of a durable power of attorney written a couple of years ago if it requires letters from a doctor about a patient's medical condition. HIPAA requires that the medical professional must get permission from the patient prior to writing the letter. He suggests that the durable power of attorney be amended to include a HIPAA authorization form. Note that the acronym used in the article HIPPA is incorrect it should be HIPAA.
Although court records can be public information, there is growing controversy over whether that information should be available online. The debate centers around the nature of the Internet and the personal and often sensitive subject matter that may be contained in court records, which could include, medical history, divorce records and arrests. Many court are seeking the assistance of special commissions to determine their policy with regards to court records and the Internet.
Ronald L. Plesser a Pioneer in Privacy and Open Government Dies
Ronald L. Plesser a widely respected advocate of privacy rights and open government in the United States died suddenly. His long and distinguished career included work with the Ralph Nader's Center for the Study of Responsive Law; leader in the effort that ultimately lead to the over hall of the Federal Freedom of Information Act; and litigation that uncovered the first evidence of COINTELPRO, the FBI's program to disrupt the civil rights and antiwar movements.
It could have been two powerful members of the U.S. Congress if keen Senate staff had not noticed a provision in the omnibus appropriations legislation recently passed by the House of Representatives. The provision would have allowed two members of the U.S. House to read any person's tax return filed with the IRS. The Senate struck that language from the appropriations bill prior to passage, but it will require another vote by the House, minus the language for the bill to become law.
The U.S. State Department is exploring technology, which may include RFID or digital biometric information that would be incorporated into U.S. citizen passports. Privacy advocates are raising awareness about proposals to adopt digital technology for application on the next generation of U.S. passports. It is anticipated that by the end of 2005 U.S. passports that are issued will include a chip that contains the holders: name, birth date and issuing office, as well as a "biometric" identifier_ a photo of the holders' face.
US Government Secure Flight May Violate EC Privacy Laws
Although Secure Flight does not apply to foreign airlines, it may involve privacy violation of European citizens traveling on US airlines. This was one of the observations of Peter Schaar, a European data commissioners. Commissioner Schaar said that no one knows how Secure Flight is going to work and whether it will not include or exclude Eurpoean Union citizens. He said that the EC Data Protection Commissioners had "huge" concerns about this proposed travel security program.
While in a learning environment students explore their understanding and views regarding lessons and life, but should their reflections be part of the public or private domain? Students at Fort Lewis College taking a class in Native American Studies faced this question when Andrew Gulliford, director of the Center of Southwest Studies, at the college wrote an article. His article titled "The Kokopelli Conundrum: Lessons Learned from Teaching Native American Students," appeared in the June/October issue of the American Studies International that quoted students without obtaining their permission.
A discussion on NPR on the consequences of a new law, Proposition 69, in the State of California that would create a DNA Database. The database is expected to become a major source of DNA material for law enforcement nationwide. Civil Liberties groups charge that the cost of this program to civil rights and civil liberty is too high.
Company Claims to have Tech. to block Junk Faxes and Block Calls
Federal and State Do-Not-Call Registries are reported to have competition from a new product offered by Privacy Corps that would block unwanted calls and junk faxes. The system allows telephone users to establish a "white list" of allowed phone numbers, while allowing unknown numbers to be ignored or directed to a screening process.
The Procter and Gamble Company announced that COAST Software Inc has been contracted to monitor their online privacy policy. COAST will automate the process of auditing the network of website run by the company for compliance with Procter and Gamble stated online privacy policy. COAST was formed in 1996, as a supplier of Web site management solutions.
