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Posts tagged Privacy
Rumours abound about Facebook email service
Nov 12th
The internet is abuzz with rumours that Facebook is about to launch a new email service that will be heavily tied in with Facebook’s current social networking features. Tentatively named ‘Project Titan’, it is speculated that the service will provide Facebook users with their own personal ‘@facebook.com’ email addresses. Facebook do seem to be unveiling a lot of new features after their ‘Summer Lockdown’ in which engineers at the company were directed to work feverishly on new and existing products offered by Facebook.
What do you think about this ‘Facebook Mail’ concept? Would it be a fantastically convenient option, or do you feel like the social media giant is intruding too far? Which email service do you use at the moment? Would you leave for a Facebook version? Tell all in the comments section!
Google significantly breached UK Data Protection Act
Nov 3rd
The search engine technology company Google has found to be in ‘significant breach’ of UK laws regarding data protection and privacy.
Whilst collecting images for its ‘Street View’ service last year, Google supposedly inadvertently collected ‘payload data’ from unsecured wireless networks as part of its efforts to improve location services that work off of nearby wi-fi hotspots.
‘Payload data’ contains snippets of data transferred over unsecured wireless networks. This may include snapshots of email addresses, passwords and other such data.
Google claims the code was left in the software accidentally and has promised to dispose of the data as soon as legally possible. It has consulted local governments everywhere that it has contravened the law to ensure the legality of such an action.
The ICO had previously ruled that no breach had occurred but the rulings in other countries such as Canada have prompted a U-turn. The Information Commissioner says no charges will be pressed but the data protection practices at Google will be audited.
Google has since appointed a ‘Head of Privacy’ to enforce better practice across engineering teams within the company.
Do you have a wireless network? Google may not be the only one listening in. Your network is secured if you have to type More >