--------------------------------------------------------------- EPIC DIGEST AT PRIVACY.ORG EPIC-DIGEST is a weekly update of news, information, and action items posted on privacy.org. June 12-19, 2001 TOC------------------------------------------------------------ NEWS Microsoft Computer Phone May Track User Presence ICANN Conducting Whois Privacy Survey Targeted TV Advertising to Begin EFF To Target Different Privacy Invaders Monthly Majority Leader Armey Urges Ashcroft to Reconsider Carnivore FBI Ends Request for IMC Web Logs Senate Passes Student Privacy Protection Act EU Approves Standard Privacy Contract Clauses Digital Angel Tracking Devices Developed ACTION Promote the Privacy of Domain Name Registrants NEWS----------------------------------------------------------- Microsoft Computer Phone May Track User Presence Microsoft intends to bundle an Internet phone in Windows XP, its newest operating system. The "intelligent phone" may be able to route calls to individuals through "Hailstorm" technology, which allows the network to detect a userıs presence at a device. Microsoftıs phone may be an attempt to compete with ENUM, a new standard that links a single number to multiple points of contact information. Microsoft Is Ready to Supply a Phone in Every Computer, New York Times, June 12, 2001 (registration required). http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/12/technology/12SOFT.html --------------------------------------------------------------- ICANN Conducting Whois Privacy Survey The International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is requesting feedback on privacy concerns regarding the Whois database. The Whois database contains the names and contact information of all persons who have registered a domain name. The current structure of the database and domain registration process prevents the anonymous purchase of a domain name. In addition, the database is often mined by unscrupulous commercial interests that use the registration information for spam and marketing. ICANN Whois Database Survey, ICANN Web Site. http://www.icann.org/dnso/whois-survey-en-10jun01.htm ICANN To Gauge Privacy Concerns Over 'Whois' Database, Newsbytes, June 11, 2001. http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/166711.html --------------------------------------------------------------- Targeted TV Advertising to Begin Cable and satellite companies will begin targeting advertising based on viewer age, sex, race, income, and viewing habits later this year. One cable company, AT&T will target advertising based on subscriber records and through consumer profiling databases. The TV's Eye Is Set on You, Los Angeles Times, June 12, 2001. http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/updates2/lat_tvads010611.htm --------------------------------------------------------------- EFF To Target Different Privacy Invaders Monthly The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) will organize protests against privacy-invasive companies on a monthly basis. This month, EFF is protesting the Macyıs department store. Macyıs online store, including the bridal registry, collects and shares consumersı name, address, birth date, and credit card number with other companies. Advocacy group protests Macy's privacy policy, CNET, June 12, 2001. http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-6260653.html?tag=mn_hd EFF Privacy Now!, EFF Web Site. http://www.eff.org/privnow/ --------------------------------------------------------------- Majority Leader Armey Urges Ashcroft to Reconsider Carnivore Representative Armey (R-TX) has urged Attorney General John Ashcroft to reconsider use of the Carnivore Internet surveillance system. In a letter, Armey argues that the recent Supreme Court decision in Kyllo v. United States raises new Constitutional questions with the use of Carnivore. Rep. Armey asks Justice Department to rethink Carnivore's use, Declan McCullaghıs Politechbot.com, June, 14, 2001. http://www.politechbot.com/p-02141.html Armey to Press Opposition to Net Wiretaps, New York Times, June 14, 2001 (registration required). http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/14/technology/14CARN.html Privacy Protection, New York Times, June 14, 2001 (registration required). http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/14/opinion/14THU3.html --------------------------------------------------------------- FBI Ends Request for IMC Web Logs The FBI has abandoned attempts to subpoena the web logs of an Independent Media Center news site. Federal agents attempted to obtain the web logs of all visitors to the site in order to discover who posted secret police security plans during the Quebec free-trade protests in April. Reporters Win Web Logs Fight, Wired, June 15, 2001. http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,44532,00.html --------------------------------------------------------------- Senate Passes Student Privacy Protection Act The Senate has passed legislation that will require schools to give notice and obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from students for commercial purposes. The legislation, the Student Privacy Protection Act, was introduced as Senate bill 290 earlier this year. The legislation passed as an amendment to Senate bill 1, an education measure that passed last week. Senate Approves Student Privacy Bill, Newsbytes, June 15, 2001. http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/166923.html S. 290, the Student Privacy Protection Act, THOMAS Database. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:s.290: S. AMNT. 457 to S.1, Student Privacy Protection Act (as incorporated in Senate Bill 1), THOMAS Database. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:s.amnt.457: --------------------------------------------------------------- EU Approves Standard Privacy Contract Clauses The European Union (EU) has approved standard contract clauses that can be added to legal agreements to enhance individualsı privacy. The clauses were developed to ensure responsible transfer of personal data to businesses located in countries where privacy protections are inadequate. EU OKs Standardized Pro-Privacy Business Contracts, Newsbytes, June 18, 2001. http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/166971.html --------------------------------------------------------------- Digital Angel Tracking Devices Developed Digital Angel, a company that develops location-tracking technology, is ready to begin testing on devices that monitor humans. The devices can monitor health conditions and location. Developers of the technology envision the devices becoming a tool for verification of identity. Digital Angel set to fly tomorrow, WorldNetDaily, June 19, 2001. http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=23232 More on Digital Angel, chip implants, and human tracking, Declan McCullaghıs Politechbot.com, June 19, 2001. http://www.politechbot.com/p-02154.html ACTION--------------------------------------------------------- The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is conducting a survey on the Whois database. The Whois database contains contact information of all persons who have registered domain names. In its current form, the database prevents the anonymous registration of domain names and it exposes registrants1 personal information to the public where it is often either sold or "mined" for commercial purposes. Tell ICANN to limit the amount of information required by the Whois database and to promote the ability to register a domain name anonymously! ICANN Whois Survey. http://www.icann.org/dnso/whois-survey-en-10jun01.htm EPIC Letter on Privacy of Domain Name Registration Data. http://www.epic.org/privacy/internet/ICANN_privacy.html --------------------------------------------------------------- Privacy.org is a joint project of the Electronic Privacy Information Center (http://www.epic.org) and Privacy International (http://www.privacyinternational.org). For more information, e-mail Chris Hoofnagle at digest-editor@privacy.org. --------------------------------------------------------------- How to unsubscribe from EPIC-DIGEST: You can leave the EPIC-DIGEST by entering the subscription e-mail address at http://www.privacy.org/digest.php and selecting "unsubscribe." 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