EPIC Alert 19.24
======================================================================= E P I C A l e r t ======================================================================= Volume 19.24 December 21, 2012 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Published by the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) Washington, D.C. http://www.epic.org/alert/epic_alert_19.24.html "Defend Privacy. Support EPIC." http://epic.org/donate =========================================================================== Table of Contents =========================================================================== [1] Facebook Changes Governance Docs Despite Overwhelming Opposition [2] FTC Updates Child Online Privacy Rule, Releases Kids' App Report [3] Instagram Backs Off Proposed Changes [4] Aviation Industry to FAA: 'Ignore Privacy' [5] FTC Pursues Investigation of Data Brokers [6] News in Brief [7] EPIC in the News [8] EPIC's Holiday Gift Guide for the Privacy Enthusiast [9] Upcoming Conferences and Events ======================================================================== [1] Facebook Changes Governance Docs Despite Overwhelming Opposition ======================================================================== Almost 600,000 Facebook users voted to oppose Facebook's proposed changes to its site governance document and privacy policy - about 88% of all Facebook users who voted. It was the largest vote in Facebook history. Yet Facebook has gone forward with significant changes to its privacy policy and ended the voting rights for Facebook users. The impact was almost immediate as Facebook moved quickly to change its business practices, allow the delivery of spam to users' email, and modify the Terms of Service for Instagram users EPIC and the Center for Digital Democracy wrote to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, recommending that the proposal be withdrawn. In the letter, EPIC cautioned that the proposed changes raised privacy risks for users, might be contrary to law, and violated Facebook's previous commitments to users about site governance. EPIC noted that by shifting from a voting system that set an "unreasonably high participation threshold, scrapping the [voting] mechanism altogether raises questions about Facebook's willingness to take seriously the participation of Facebook users" and undermines Facebook's purported commitment to developing policies that reflect user feedback. EPIC's letter also highlighted the fact that "Facebook's proposed changes implicate the user privacy and the terms of a recent settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. The settlement prohibits Facebook from misrepresenting the extent to which it maintains the privacy or security of covered information. Additionally, prior to any sharing of users' personal information with a third party, Facebook must make a clear and prominent disclosure and obtain the affirmative express consent of its users. "By removing users' ability to prevent strangers from sending unwanted messages," the letter argues, "the proposed changes are likely to increase the amount of spam that users receive. Facilitating spam violates users' privacy and security, as many Facebook scams are accomplished through the messaging feature." In a separate December 12 announcement, Facebook announced further changes to site privacy settings, including settings that allow users to choose which personal information Facebook apps can access and disclose, and a privacy shortcuts menu. But Facebook also removed an option that allowed users to hide themselves from strangers through Facebook's search function. EPIC is a leading advocate of the rights of Facebook users and has helped organize several of the campaigns and investigations to safeguard user privacy. In 2007, EPIC organized objections to Facebook's "Beacon" program, which disclosed users' personal information, including their online purchases and video rentals, similarly without their knowledge or consent. Facebook ultimately abandoned "Beacon" after 50,000 users signed a petition protesting the program. Facebook once more updated the site's privacy policy and changed users' privacy settings in 2009. Facebook made several categories of personal data "publicly available information," including users' names, profile photos, lists of friends, fan pages and networks to which they belonged. However, Facebook withdrew proposed changes to the Terms of Service after 150,000 users, in collaboration with EPIC, formed the group "FB Users Against the New TOS." EPIC's complaints to the FTC in 2009 and 2010 were instrumental in the agency's 2011 settlement with Facebook. EPIC: Letter to Facebook re: Governance Changes (Nov. 27, 2012) http://epic.org/privacy/facebook/EPIC-CDD-Ltr-to-FB-Data-Use.pdf Facebook: Changes to Privacy Controls (Dec. 12, 2012) http://epic.org/redirect/122112-fb-release-changes.html FTC: Settlement with Facebook re: Privacy Changes http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/0923184/111129facebookagree.pdf FTC: Facebook Consent Order Press Release (Aug. 10, 2012) http://ftc.gov/opa/2012/08/facebook.shtm EPIC: Facebook Privacy http://epic.org/privacy/facebook/ EPIC: Social Networking Privacy http://epic.org/privacy/socialnet/default.html ========================================================================= [2] FTC Updates Child Online Privacy Rule, Releases Kids' App Report ========================================================================= The Federal Trade Commission has issued an updated rule for industry compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA. The new rule expands the definition of "personal information" to include geolocational information and persistent identifiers, or "cookies". It also forbids third-party advertisers from secretly collecting children's personal information for behavioral advertising without parental consent. COPPA requires parental consent for the collection and use of the personal information of children under age 13, and applies to both commercial websites and online services directed at children. These services must also disclose when data is collected, and give parents the right to delete their children's information. EPIC provided extensive comments in support of the updated changes and, in 2010, testified before the US Senate that COPPA was crucial to protecting children's privacy, and that updates were necessary in light of new business practices, the emergence of social media, and the development of smartphone apps. EPIC also had testified in 1996 in support of the bill that became the Children Online Privacy Protection Act. The FTC has also issued a new report, "Mobile Apps for Kids: Disclosures Still Not Making the Grade," which finds little progress on transparency for child-oriented mobile apps. The FTC surveyed apps from the app stores of Google's Android and Apple's iOS mobile platforms and concluded, "[M]any apps included interactive features or shared kids' information with third parties without disclosing these practices to parents." The FTC report urges the mobile app industry to develop best practices to protect children's privacy, include incorporating "privacy by design" features, giving parents clear choices about data collection, and increasing transparency on data collection and use practices. The report reviewed privacy disclosures, information collection, and information sharing practices, an analyzed in-app advertising and purchasing features, as well as links between apps and social media platforms. According to the report, the agency has launched "multiple non-public" investigations to determine whether certain apps engage in unfair and deceptive trade practices. FTC: New COPPA Rule http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/12/coppa.shtm FTC: Mobile Apps for Kids Report (Dec. 10, 2012) http://www.ftc.gov/os/2012/12/121210mobilekidsappreport.pdf FTC: Text of Original 1998 COPPA Bill http://www.ftc.gov/ogc/coppa1.htm EPIC: Comments to FTC re: COPPA Changes (Sept. 24, 2012) http://epic.org/privacy/kids/EPIC-COPPA-2012-Rule-Rev-Cmts.pdf EPIC: Comments to FTC Supporting COPPA Rule (Dec. 23, 2011) http://epic.org/redirect/122112-epic-comments-coppa-changes.html EPIC: Testimony before U.S. Senate on COPPA (Apr. 29, 2010) http://epic.org/privacy/kids/EPIC_COPPA_Testimony_042910.pdf EPIC: Testimony before House on Original COPPA Bill (Sept. 12, 1996) http://www.epic.org/privacy/kids/EPIC_Testimony.html EPIC: Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) http://epic.org/privacy/kids/default.html EPIC: Federal Trade Commission http://epic.org/privacy/internet/ftc/ ======================================================================== [3] Instagram Backs Off Proposed Changes ======================================================================== Photo-sharing site Instagram Instagram announced that it will withdraw proposed changes to the site's Terms of Service, which were announced earlier this week. Instagram backed off a plan to use the names, images, and photos of users for advertising purposes, instead pleading to site users to let Instagram "complete our plans, and then come back to our users and explain how we would like for our advertising business to work." The previously announced changes to Instagram's Terms of Service would have allowed the company to display user pictures in advertisements without notification or compensation, and to disclose user data to Instagram's new owner, Facebook, and to third-party advertisers. Additionally, parents of minors would have implicitly consented to the use of their children's images for advertising purposes. The changes were due to take effect January 16, 2013, and would not have applied to photos uploaded before that date. After an immediate public and media uproar over the changes to the Terms of Service, Instagram then stated that some of the language would be modified "to make it more clear what will happen with your photos." The change to Instagram's Terms of Service shortly follows Instagram's parent company, Facebook, changing its own terms of service to allow more data sharing with third-party advertisers. EPIC had recently urged Facebook users to vote for "Existing Documents," warning that under Facebook's changed Terms of Service, Facebook would loosen privacy controls, affecting Instagram as well as Facebook users. Despite the fact that 88% of voters supported the "Existing Documents" provision, Facebook moved forward with the new Terms of Service. Facebook is under a 2011 consent order with the Federal Trade Commission that prohibits the company from changing privacy settings without the affirmative consent of users or misrepresenting the privacy or security of users' personal information. Instagram: Update on New Terms of Service (Dec. 20, 2012) http://epic.org/redirect/122112-instagram-update.html Instagram: New Terms of Service http://instagram.com/about/legal/terms/updated/ Instagram: Blog Post re: Terms of Service Changes (Dec. 19, 2012) http://epic.org/redirect/122112-instagram-blog-post.html FTC: Press Release on Settlement with Facebook (Aug. 10, 2012) http://ftc.gov/opa/2012/08/facebook.shtm EPIC: "EPIC Urges Vote for EXISTING Facebook Documents" (Dec. 4, 2012) http://epic.org/2012/12/epic-urges-vote-for-existing-f.html EPIC: Facebook Privacy http://epic.org/privacy/facebook/ EPIC: In re Facebook http://epic.org/privacy/inrefacebook/ EPIC: FTC http://epic.org/privacy/internet/ftc/ ======================================================================= [4] Aviation Industry to FAA: 'Ignore Privacy' ======================================================================= US aviation groups have sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration, asking the agency to ignore the privacy implications of increased drone use in the US. The letter follows the FAA's statement in an open letter to Congress that domestic drones "rais[e] privacy issues [that] will need to be addressed." In the FAA's letter, Acting Administrator Michael P. Huerta cited the privacy issues surrounding the domestic use of drones as the reason the FAA would not be able to name test sites for drone usage by the end of 2012. In July 2012, EPIC testified before Congress on US drone use, warning, "[T]here are substantial legal and constitutional issues involved in the deployment of aerial drones by federal agencies." EPIC stressed that drones pose a unique threat to privacy because of their lower cost point compared to other aerial vehicles, their design towards "constant, persistent surveillance," and their ability to be equipped with sophisticated surveillance technology. Drone technology can include infrared cameras, heat sensors, automated license plate readers, and facial recognition capabilities. EPIC's Congressional testimony called attention to the inadequacy of current privacy safeguards against drones, noting in particular the lack of regulation of governmental drone deployment. EPIC also urged Congress to pass targeted legislation that would include use limitations, data retention limitations, and transparency. In February 2012, EPIC, joined by over 100 organizations, experts, and members of the public, petitioned the FAA to establish privacy safeguards for drones. The petition raised the same issues as EPIC's testimony to Congress and called on the FAA to conduct a notice-and- comment rulemaking to address the impact of drone use on privacy and civil liberties in the US. Meanwhile, Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) has introduced the "Drone Aircraft Privacy and Transparency Act". The bill calls for the FAA to complete a report on the privacy implications of domestic drone use. The bill will also require drone operators to submit a data collection and data minimization statement regarding drones' collection of personally identifiable information. Aviation Groups: Letter to FAA re: Privacy and Drones (Nov. 8, 2012) http://www.rotor.com/rotornews/Nov12/UASLetter.pdf FAA: Letter to Congress re: Privacy and Drone Use (Nov. 1, 2012) http://www.avweb.com/pdf/mckeon-uas-letter_1012-11-02.pdf EPIC: Testimony before Congress re: Privacy and Drones (Jul. 19, 2012) http://epic.org/privacy/testimony/EPIC-Drone-Testimony-7-12.pdf EPIC: Petition to FAA re: Privacy and Drones (Feb. 24, 2012) http://epic.org/privacy/drones/FAA-553e-Petition-03-08-12.pdf Rep. Ed Markey: Text of Drone Privacy and Transparency Act (Dec. 2012) http://epic.org/redirect/122112-text-markey-drone-bill.html Rep. Ed Markey: Press Release on Drone Act (Dec. 18, 2012) http://epic.org/redirect/122112-markey-drone-press-release.html EPIC: UAVs and Drones http://epic.org/privacy/drones/ ======================================================================== [5] FTC Pursues Investigation of Data Brokers ======================================================================== The Federal Trade Commission has issued orders requiring nine data brokerage companies to provide the agency with information about how they collect and use consumer data. Data brokers are companies that collect personal information about consumers from a variety of public and non-public sources and resell the information to other companies. This data is put to use in a variety of ways, including targeted advertising. In March 2012, the FTC called on the data broker industry to increase transparency as part of a Commission report. The FTC anticipates comparing the data it collects from the orders with the practices it recommended in the March report. Pursuant to the orders, each of these companies will have to provide data about their business practices, including: (1) A list "of the nature of the products and services"; (2) The types of data collected; (3) The companies' customers; (4) Consumers' ability to access the information collected about them; (5) Promotions and policies; and (6) Complaints or inquiries directed towards them. The order also contains provisions dealing specifically with data collection from teenagers and children, including how that data is collected and whether it is differentiated from adult data. The FTC plans to use the information in the order to study privacy practices in the data broker industry, as authorized by Section 6(b) of the FTC Act. Subsequently, the agency will use the study to identify weaknesses and areas for improvement in the data-broker industry, and to make recommendations on whether and how the industry could improve its privacy practices. EPIC has been a longtime proponent of regulation of the data broker industry. In 2005, EPIC brought a complaint to the FTC against the data broker ChoicePoint that produced a $10 million settlement, then the largest in FTC history for a violation of federal privacy law. In that complaint, EPIC urged the agency to investigate the compilation and sale of personal dossiers by ChoicePoint and other data brokers. In addition to the penalty, ChoicePoint was required to set up a $5 million trust fund for individuals who might have become victims of identity theft as a result of a major security breach in their consumer record database. In 2009, EPIC testified in support of regulatory legislation over data brokers. EPIC encouraged Congress to craft forward-thinking legislation that is "effective, flexible, and responds to the rapidly changing environment." By focusing on brokers' broad obligations, making clear the incentives, and encouraging the development of the best solutions, EPIC advised, Congress could guide states in their efforts to develop robust data security laws. FTC: Order to File Special Report on Data Brokers (Dec. 18, 2012) http://ftc.gov/os/2012/12/121218databrokerssection6border.pdf FTC: Data Broker Order http://ftc.gov/os/2012/12/121218databrokerssection6border.pdf FTC: Press Release on Data Broker Study (Dec. 18, 2012) http://ftc.gov/opa/2012/12/databrokers.shtm EPIC: Testimony before US House on Data Brokers (May 5, 2009) http://epic.org/linkedfiles/rotenberg_house_ctcp2221_1319.pdf EPIC: ChoicePoint http://epic.org/privacy/choicepoint/ EPIC: Federal Trade Commission http://epic.org/privacy/internet/ftc/ ======================================================================== [6] News in Brief ======================================================================== Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Location Privacy Bill The US Senate Judiciary Committee has approved the Location Privacy Act of 2011, sponsored by Senator Al Franken (D-MN). The bill requires users' affirmative consent for the collection and disclosure of location information, a provision offering important protection for cell phone users and users of location-based services. In 2010, EPIC recommended similar protections for location data in a statement before the US House Judiciary Committee, and earlier in 2012 filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission advocating location privacy safeguards under the Communications Act. US Senate: Location Privacy Act of 2011 http://epic.org/redirect/122112-location-privacy-act.html Senator Al Franken http://www.franken.senate.gov/?p=home EPIC: Statement before US House on Locational Privacy (June 24, 2010) http://epic.org/privacy/ECPA_Statement_2010-06-24.pdf EPIC: Comments to FCC on Locational Privacy (July 13, 2012) http://epic.org/redirect/122112-epic-mobile-privacy-comments.html EPIC: Locational Privacy http://epic.org/privacy/location_privacy/default.html EPIC: Electronic Communications Privacy Act http://epic.org/privacy/ecpa/ Federal Agency Proposes 'Black Box' Mandate for Cars The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published a Request for Public Comment on a proposed rule that would mandate that all automobiles manufactured for sale in the US after Sept. 1, 2014, must include Event Data Recorders (EDRs), otherwise known as "black boxes." The 30 seconds of event data required by NHTSA has been outlined in agency specifications for many years, but language in the proposed rule does not cover EDR data collection by automobile manufacturers, repair shops, or law enforcement. Companies and law enforcement also will not be limited to collecting 30 seconds of data, or have restrictions on the types of data collected. The proposed rulemaking also allows the NHTSA future expansion of data recording length and types of data collected. Public comments may be submitted at http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=NHTSA-2012-0177-0001. Federal Register: Notice of NHTSA Rulemaking (Dec. 13, 2012) http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-12-13/pdf/2012-30082.pdf NHTSA: Press Release on Proposed Ruling (Dec. 7, 2012) http://epic.org/redirect/122112-nhtsa-blackbox-release.html EPIC: Automobile Event Data Recorders (Black Boxes) and Privacy http://epic.org/privacy/edrs/default.html EPIC: Locational Privacy http://epic.org/privacy/location_privacy/default.html EPIC: Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) http://epic.org/privacy/ecpa/ National Academy of Sciences to Assess Airport Body Scanners After years of pressure on the TSA from political leaders, health advocates, and civil liberties groups - including EPIC - the National Academy of Sciences will undertake an independent review of the health risks posed by backscatter x-ray devices. A National Academy committee will assess "whether exposures comply with applicable health and safety standards" for passengers and airport employees. The study is limited to radiation and safety testing, and will not examine the privacy implications or effectiveness of the x-ray machines. In 2012, both the US House and Senate introduced legislation calling for an independent assessment of backscatter machines. Europe has also effectively banned the use of backscatter x-ray devices in EU airports. EPIC has filed a FOIA lawsuit against DHS over body scanner radiation risks. In response to another EPIC lawsuit, DHS will begin a public comment process on the airport-screening program in March 2013. DHS: Contract to NAS for Backscatter Machine Review (Dec. 13, 2012) http://epic.org/redirect/122112-DHS-NAS-contract.html US House: Bill to Examine X-Ray Scanner Health Risks (Feb. 16, 2012) http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.4068: US Senate: Bill to Examine X-Ray Scanner Health Risks (Feb. 16, 2012) http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:S.2044: EPIC: EPIC v. DHS (Body Scanner Radiation Risks) http://epic.org/redirect/120712-epic-v-dhs-scanner-rad.html EPIC: EPIC v. DHS (Suspension of Body Scanner Program) http://epic.org/redirect/120712-epic-v-dhs-scanner-suspend.html EPIC: Whole Body Imaging Technology and Body Scanners http://epic.org/privacy/airtravel/backscatter/ EPIC: EPIC v. Department of Homeland Security (Body Scanners) http://epic.org/privacy/airtravel/backscatter/epic_v_dhs.html EPIC: Air Travel Privacy http://epic.org/privacy/airtravel/ Appeals Court Upholds Non-Harmful Phone Spoofing The US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a Mississippi state law prohibiting all Caller ID spoofing is preempted by the federal Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009. Under the Act it is only unlawful to transmit misleading caller information with the intent to defraud or cause harm. EPIC urged the US Senate in 2007 and the House of Representatives twice in 2006 to establish this intent requirement to protect the use of Privacy Enhancing Technologies, which limit the disclosure of actual identity. The appeals court's ruling upholds this important privacy protection. Fifth Circuit Court: Ruling on Caller ID Spoofing (Dec. 10, 2012) http://epic.org/privacy/iei/Spoof-Phone-Appeals-Ct-Ruling.pdf Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/111/s30 EPIC: Senate Testimony on Truth in Caller ID Act (June 2007) EPIC: House Testimony on Truth in Caller ID Act (May 2006) http://epic.org/privacy/iei/hr5126test.pdf EPIC: House Testimony on Truth in Caller ID Act (Jan. 2006) http://epic.org/privacy/iei/pretext_testimony.pdf EPIC: Comments to FCC on TCIA Rules http://epic.org/privacy/caller_id/EPIC_FCC_Truth_in_Caller_ID_1.pdf EPIC: Illegal Sale of Phone Records http://epic.org/privacy/iei/ ======================================================================= [7] EPIC in the News ======================================================================= "Instagram's terms of use changes draw scrutiny." The Hill, Dec. 18, 2012. http://epic.org/redirect/122112-thehill-instagram-epic.html "New Instagram privacy policy frustrates users." Marketplace (NPR), Dec. 18, 2012. http://epic.org/redirect/122112-marketplace-instagram-epic.html "What Instagram's New Terms of Service Mean for You." The New York Times, Dec. 17, 2012. http://epic.org/redirect/122112-nyt-instagram-epic.html "New Facebook Privacy Settings Change The Way You're Found By People And On Search." International Business Times, Dec. 13, 2012. http://epic.org/redirect/122112-ibtimes-facebook-epic.html "School District Drops Palm Scanners after Outcry." CBN News, Dec. 13, 2012. http://epic.org/redirect/122112-cbn-palm-scanner-epic.html "U.S. Terrorism Agency to Tap a Vast Database of Citizens." The Wall Street Journal, Dec. 12, 2012. http://epic.org/redirect/122112-wsj-database-epic.html "Facebook privacy controls changed, social network adds and subtracts features." San Jose Mercury News, Dec. 12, 2012. http://epic.org/redirect/122112-sjmn-facebook-epic.html "Facebook rolling out new privacy tools." Politico, Dec. 12, 2012. http://epic.org/redirect/122112-politico-facebook-epic.html "Facebook retreats on privacy controls." Financial Times, Dec. 12, 2012. http://epic.org/redirect/122112-ftimes-facebook-epic.html "Internet Freedom Advocates in Tow." Letter to the Editor, International Herald Tribune, Dec. 9, 2012. http://epic.org/redirect/122112-iht-edletter-epic.html "Black boxes in cars raise privacy concerns." AP, Dec. 7, 2012. http://epic.org/redirect/122112-ap-blackbox-epic.html For More EPIC in the News: http://epic.org/news/epic_in_news.html ======================================================================== [8] EPIC's Holiday Gift Guide for the Privacy Enthusiast ======================================================================== PhotoBlocker Spray http://www.phantomplate.com/ Spray this high gloss on your license plates, and your identity "is invisible to traffic cameras yet completely legible to the naked eye." At $29.99, it's a lot cheaper than either a speeding ticket. GSA HSM 390.3 HS L6 NSA/CSS 02-01 Office Shredder with Auto Oiler http://epic.org/redirect/122112-NSA-shredder.html The "NSA" in the product name is, in fact, the NSA, which approves this $3150 machine. Level 6 on the Shredder Security scale, which means it's good enough to eviscerate sTop Secret documents. Sakar Room Privacy Gear by Spy Chix http://www.amazon.com/Spy-Chix-Sakar-Room-Privacy/dp/B000AS9BT8/ Door alarm, motion detector, and closet light, all done up in pink sparkles. Teach your children well. Oakley Men's Encryption 2 Sandal http://epic.org/redirect/122112-oakley-encryption-sandal.html The name's origins are unclear, but how cool is it to say, "I'm wearing my Encryption flip-flops today"? SpoofCard Caller ID Spoofing - 60 Minutes http://epic.org/redirect/122112-spoofcard.html Because sometimes 60 minutes of caller ID fakery, voice disguising, and surreptitious call recording is all you need. Packaged like an old- timey phone calling card. Vintage Reprint: "Historic Photo Over-the-Horizon Backscatter Radar Network Mountain Home Air Force" http://epic.org/redirect/122112-backscatter-radar-print.html An oddly nostalgic panorama. What backscatter machines looked like before the TSA shrunk all that radiation into a box the size of a phone booth. Patriot Act Citizens Suspects ID Holder http://epic.org/redirect/122112-patriot-holder.html An agitated, quill-wielding Uncle Sam sez: "The Patriot Act: Turning Citizens into Suspects Since 2001". Stainless steel body "protects credit cards from RFID theft and demagnetization." Made in USA. LA100 Fully Automatic UAV - Fully Autonomous UAV Drone http://uavdronesforsale.com/index.php?page=item&id=42 Spy like the big boys for under $1000. No piloting experience required: "Launch it. Wait 5 minutes. Enjoy your images." "Homeland": The Complete First Season (2011) http://epic.org/redirect/122112-homeland.html Angsty-spook TV drama "Homeland" has developed a cult following amongst privacy advocates, who feel oddly sympathetic towards the people on the other side of the FOIA lawsuits. Mr. Petcam http://www.mrpetcam.com/ Because your pet doesn't have any privacy. And you might not either, once you discover your cat's collar has been photographing you for three hours. Customized Faraday Cage/Build to Room-Size http://www.shieldingsystems.eu/index.php?p=Nieuws&id=135&Lang=2 Now the bad folks at Google will never find you. Ever. ================================ EPIC Publications: "Litigation Under the Federal Open Government Laws 2010," edited by Harry A. Hammitt, Marc Rotenberg, John A. Verdi, Ginger McCall, and Mark S. Zaid (EPIC 2010). Price: $75 http://epic.org/bookstore/foia2010/ Litigation Under the Federal Open Government Laws is the most comprehensive, authoritative discussion of the federal open access laws. This updated version includes new material regarding President Obama's 2009 memo on Open Government, Attorney General Holder's March 2009 memo on FOIA Guidance, and the new executive order on declassification. The standard reference work includes in-depth analysis of litigation under: the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and the Government in the Sunshine Act. The fully updated 2010 volume is the 25th edition of the manual that lawyers, journalists and researchers have relied on for more than 25 years. ================================ "Information Privacy Law: Cases and Materials, Second Edition" Daniel J. Solove, Marc Rotenberg, and Paul Schwartz. (Aspen 2005). Price: $98. http://www.epic.org/redirect/aspen_ipl_casebook.html This clear, comprehensive introduction to the field of information privacy law allows instructors to enliven their teaching of fundamental concepts by addressing both enduring and emerging controversies. The Second Edition addresses numerous rapidly developing areas of privacy law, including: identity theft, government data mining and electronic surveillance law, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, intelligence sharing, RFID tags, GPS, spyware, web bugs, and more. Information Privacy Law, Second Edition, builds a cohesive foundation for an exciting course in this rapidly evolving area of law. ================================ "Privacy & Human Rights 2006: An International Survey of Privacy Laws and Developments" (EPIC 2007). Price: $75. http://www.epic.org/phr06/ This annual report by EPIC and Privacy International provides an overview of key privacy topics and reviews the state of privacy in over 75 countries around the world. The report outlines legal protections, new challenges, and important issues and events relating to privacy. Privacy & Human Rights 2006 is the most comprehensive report on privacy and data protection ever published. ================================ "The Public Voice WSIS Sourcebook: Perspectives on the World Summit on the Information Society" (EPIC 2004). Price: $40. http://www.epic.org/bookstore/pvsourcebook This resource promotes a dialogue on the issues, the outcomes, and the process of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). This reference guide provides the official UN documents, regional and issue-oriented perspectives, and recommendations and proposals for future action, as well as a useful list of resources and contacts for individuals and organizations that wish to become more involved in the WSIS process. ================================ "The Privacy Law Sourcebook 2004: United States Law, International Law, and Recent Developments," Marc Rotenberg, editor (EPIC 2005). Price: $40. http://www.epic.org/bookstore/pls2004/ The Privacy Law Sourcebook, which has been called the "Physician's Desk Reference" of the privacy world, is the leading resource for students, attorneys, researchers, and journalists interested in pursuing privacy law in the United States and around the world. It includes the full texts of major privacy laws and directives such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Privacy Act, and the OECD Privacy Guidelines, as well as an up-to-date section on recent developments. New materials include the APEC Privacy Framework, the Video Voyeurism Prevention Act, and the CAN-SPAM Act. ================================ "Filters and Freedom 2.0: Free Speech Perspectives on Internet Content Controls" (EPIC 2001). Price: $20. http://www.epic.org/bookstore/filters2.0 A collection of essays, studies, and critiques of Internet content filtering. These papers are instrumental in explaining why filtering threatens free expression. ================================ EPIC publications and other books on privacy, open government, free expression, and constitutional values can be ordered at: EPIC Bookstore http://www.epic.org/bookstore ================================ EPIC also publishes EPIC FOIA Notes, which provides brief summaries of interesting documents obtained from government agencies under the Freedom of Information Act. Subscribe to EPIC FOIA Notes at: http://mailman.epic.org/mailman/listinfo/foia_notes ======================================================================= [9] Upcoming Conferences and Events ======================================================================= "Computers, Privacy and Data Protection: Reloading Data Protection." 23-25 January 2013, Brussels. For More information: http://www.cpdpconferences.org/. 22nd Annual Computers, Freedom, & Privacy Conference. 5-6 March 2013, Washington, DC. For More Information: Contact Chris Calabrese at ccalabrese@dcaclu.org. "Online Privacy: Consenting to your Future." 21-22 March 2013, Portomaso, Malta. For More Information: http://www.onlineprivacyconference.eu. ======================================================================= Join EPIC on Facebook and Twitter ======================================================================= Join the Electronic Privacy Information Center on Facebook and Twitter: http://facebook.com/epicprivacy http://epic.org/facebook http://twitter.com/epicprivacy Join us on Twitter for #privchat, Tuesdays, 11:00am ET. Start a discussion on privacy. Let us know your thoughts. Stay up to date with EPIC's events. Support EPIC. ======================================================================= Privacy Policy ======================================================================= The EPIC Alert mailing list is used only to mail the EPIC Alert and to send notices about EPIC activities. We do not sell, rent or share our mailing list. We also intend to challenge any subpoena or other legal process seeking access to our mailing list. We do not enhance (link to other databases) our mailing list or require your actual name. In the event you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe your e-mail address from this list, please follow the above instructions under "subscription information." ======================================================================= About EPIC ======================================================================= The Electronic Privacy Information Center is a public interest research center in Washington, DC. It was established in 1994 to focus public attention on emerging privacy issues such as the Clipper Chip, the Digital Telephony proposal, national ID cards, medical record privacy, and the collection and sale of personal information. EPIC publishes the EPIC Alert, pursues Freedom of Information Act litigation, and conducts policy research. 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