Privacy restored Consumer Protection Bill will let consumers opt out of receiving unwanted calls junk mail: related news

Privacy restored - Consumer Protection Bill will let consumers opt out of receiving unwanted calls, junk mail

DUPED: People don’t realise that by filling in their names and contact details at security checkpoints, they are giving away information that can be sold to marketers. PHOTO: SYDNEY SESHIBEDIÂ

Australian Internet Filters Have No Real Opt-Out; Only Opt-In To Fewer Filters

We've covered the long history of Australian politicians looking to set up their own censored internet "to protect the children" (of course). The plans have changed over time, but the end goal has always been the same: to force ISPs to block a list of sites provided by the government. In the latest incarnation, the plan supposedly included an "opt-out" option, where a web surfer could specifically ask to opt-out of the filters (effectively asking someone to sign up for a "porn-surfing license"). That, on its own, might scare some people off, but now it turns out that the opt-out isn't really an opt-out. Instead, it's just opting you in to a somewhat less restrictive blacklist. Once again, this idea of mandatory filtering out of "bad" sites on the internet sets a dangerous precedent.

The Privacy Council Launches: 'Together We Can End SPAM, Junk Mail and Unsolicited Phone Calls'

The formation of a Global Privacy Council designed to set firm standards around online privacy has been announced today. In addition to bringing together industry leaders to protect personal privacy on the Internet, The Privacy Council provides a low-cost service for individuals who wish to be removed from the major junk mail, telemarketer and SPAM email lists. The Privacy Council's website also publishes regularly updated articles about the latest personal privacy and security issues.

How To Avoid Annoying, Unwanted Phone Calls

In the long run, everyone receives at least a few unwanted calls from time to time. While some are more fortunate than others, it's unquestionable that a little phone based misfortune must befall almost everybody. And whether the unwanted calls come from prank callers, telemarketers, or other phone abusers, the one thing that most unwanted calls have in common is their obnoxiousness. But believe it or not, you can actually identify and avoid unwanted phone calls without ever having to answer the phone, thanks to revolutionary websites called caller complaint sites.

International Privacy Initiatives Sweep Industry Privacy Competition

ORLANDO, Fla. --(Business Wire)-- International privacy leadership projects swept the 6th annual HP-International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) Privacy Innovation Awards. Winners representing three continents were announced today at the IAPP Privacy Academy in Orlando, Fla. The three areas recognized for significant innovation include organization privacy awareness, consumer privacy education and identity management.

New Bill To Rein In DHS Laptop Seizures

twigles writes with news of a new proposed bill that seeks to curtail DHS's power to search and seize laptops at the border without suspicion of wrongdoing. Here is Sen. Feingold's press release on the bill. The new bill has more privacy-protecting safeguards than the previous one, which we discussed last month. "The Travelers Privacy Protection Act, a bill written by US Senators Russ Feingold, D-Wis., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., would allow border agents to search electronic devices only if they had reasonable suspicions of wrongdoing. In addition, the legislation would limit the length of time that a device could be out of its owner's possession to 24 hours, after which the search becomes a seizure, requiring probable cause.

Bill Moves to Protect Traveler's Laptop Privacy

Following public fears and concerns over privacy, Democrats have submitted a bill that would curtail the Department of Homeland Security's policy of seizing laptops at U.S. borders and demanding access to every file on the hard drive. The bill, dubbed the Travelers Privacy Protection Act, was introduced by Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Representative Adam Smith (D-WA), and is aimed at stopping what they see as "a gross violation of privacy."

Verizon Calls for Industry Adoption of 'Best Practices' to Protect Consumer Privacy in Online Advertising

Verizon Calls for Industry Adoption of 'Best Practices' to Protect Consumer Privacy in Online Advertising

Verizon Calls for Industry Adoption of 'Best Practices' to Protect Consumer Privacy in Online Advertising

TMCNet: Verizon Calls for Industry Adoption of 'Best Practices' to Protect Consumer Privacy in Online Advertising

LinkShare UK: UK Consumers Out-Shop US Consumers Online; Early figures show UK shoppers are less discouraged by the economic downturn in the run up to Christmas

TMCNet: LinkShare UK: UK Consumers Out-Shop US Consumers Online; Early figures show UK shoppers are less discouraged by the economic downturn in the run up to Christmas

URAC Rolls Out Revised Standards to Protect Personal Health Information and Boost Consumer Privacy on the Web

URAC Rolls Out Revised Standards to Protect Personal Health Information and Boost Consumer Privacy on the Web

URAC Rolls Out Revised Standards to Protect Personal Health Information and Boost Consumer Privacy on the Web

URAC Rolls Out Revised Standards to Protect Personal Health Information and Boost Consumer Privacy on the Web

Consumer Reports Unveils New Application For iPhone And iPod Touch

New App Helps Users with New Tech Gadgets Make Better Purchasing Decisions YONKERS, N.Y., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Consumer Reports released a new application for iPhone and iPod Touch users today. Available for free at iTunes, the ConsumerReports.org application features expert tips and buying advice aimed at helping shoppers make better purchasing decisions. Once downloaded onto an iPhone or iPod Touch, consumers will have instant access to consumer news, advice, and best buy information from the testers and editors at Consumer Reports. ConsumerReports.org for the iPhone and iPod Touch provides the latest news from the Consumer Reports' blogs in the following consumer product areas:

Deutsche Telekom to Establish New Data Privacy Standards

Deutsche Telekom affirmed its intention to significantly improve data privacy in the interest of its customers by increasing transparency and optimizing data privacy standards. A new Data Privacy Board department will be established to send out a clear signal in terms of the significance of data protection in today’s information society. To this end, data privacy, legal affairs and compliance are to be combined and significantly reinforced as one area of responsibility.

Fiserv's CheckFreePay to Leverage PayScan(R) Patented Bar Code Bill Payment Process to Transform the Walk-in Bill Payment Market By Enabling Consumers to Pay Bills at Retail Checkout Lanes

TMCNet: Fiserv's CheckFreePay to Leverage PayScan(R) Patented Bar Code Bill Payment Process to Transform the Walk-in Bill Payment Market By Enabling Consumers to Pay Bills at Retail Checkout Lanes

Directive proposed to enhance uniformity of consumer contractual rights both for online and more traditional shopping

On 8 October 2008, the Commission launched a proposal for a Directive on consumer contractual rights. The proposal comes about as a result of the Commission's review of the EU's "Consumer Acquis", i.e., the body of consumer law at EU level. The review concluded that there is a fragmented regulatory framework of consumer protection rules operating in the EU, and therefore a need for greater harmonisation. The proposed Directive (COM(2008)614), while certainly applicable to ordinary high street shopping for all kinds of consumer goods, also aims to give EU citizens more confidence to shop over the internet. Hong Kong sellers will therefore be directly affected by the proposed provisions, once they enter into effect in the Member States.

Vodafone offers new packages for mobile access to e-mail and Internet

Vodafone Romania has announced the launch of new packages providing mobile access to e-mail and Internet, minutes for national calls, as well as top handsets, at special prices. "Following the great success of our total communication offer for business customers including e-mail and Internet services, we offer now attractive mobile propositions that cover total communication needs for consumers. This consumer solution is a continuation of our successful Internet on Your Mobile service. With the new packages launched today, Vodafone customers can access anytime and anywhere, on their mobile phone, the personal e-mail account and the preferred websites, as they do on their computer. Moreover, we are pleased to offer our customers four best in class handsets, at the most competitive prices on the market, together with a combined offering of

Privacy Bill promises protection

The Protection of Personal Information Bill is expected to compel social networking Web sites, such as Facebook, to allow their members to keep their personal information private.

ISPs Try To Prevent New 'Opt In Only' Privacy Law - AT&T, Verizon Time Warner present voluntary code of conduct.....

It appears that ISPs are trying to pre-empt Congressional efforts to create a new law that would make the sale of user browsing data opt-in only. Instead, Verizon, AT&T and Time Warner Cable are proposing a voluntary code of conduct for the sale of user data. According to Broadcasting and Cable, the ISPs are collectively saying they'd only use behavioral advertising systems that required users to opt-in, instead of forcing users to opt-out. From a Verizon statement before Congress:

Consumers are suspicious of how their online data is used, new survey says

Consumers may love shopping online, but they’re still suspicious of the safety of their personal information. A poll just out from Consumers Union’s Consumer Reports National Research Center says that 82% of consumers are concerned about their credit card numbers being stolen online while 72% are concerned that their online behaviors are being tracked and profiled by companies.

Consumer Protection Board releases business privacy guide

The New York State Consumer Protection Board has issued a business guide designed to reduce the risk of identity theft and security breaches.

UK Consumers Out-Shop US Consumers Online

Research Shows Consumers in UK More Apt to Consult Online Reviews, Make More Frequent Online Purchases, and Spend More Money Online than U.S. Consumers

UK Consumers Out-Shop US Consumers Online

Research Shows Consumers in UK More Apt to Consult Online Reviews, Make More Frequent Online Purchases, and Spend More Money Online than U.S. Consumers

Four Out Of Five Do Not Trust Companies With Personal Data

Four Out Of Five Do Not Trust Companies With Personal Data - Four Out Of Five Do Not Trust Companies With Personal Data. Low levels of consumer trust in how businesses manage and secure customer data could put companies at risk, according to a study by Symantec. Nearly four out of five people in Britain believe their personal information is insecure in the hands of the companies that hold the data, according to a recent survey by Symantec Corp (Nasdaq: SYMC) and Moneysupermarket.com, the online price comparison site. The research was commissioned by Symantec to assess attitudes towards online risks from both a consumer and business perspective.

Verizon Calls for Industry Adoption of 'Best Practices' to Protect Consumer Privacy in Online Advertising

PRNewswire/ -- Online companies should commit to a list of industry "best practices" to protect consumers from potential problems associated with targeted Internet advertising -- also known as behavioral advertising -- when consumers surf the Web, a senior Verizon executive told Congress today.

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