privacy

For decades, the advocates of privacy have been criticized as alarmists. The word “paranoid” has been used. People who see privacy advocates in a negative light justify their stance with the age-old argument of “I have nothing to hide“.
These critics may want to review the case of Jenny Paton is the United Kingdom:
“… [...]

Encryption is really not that difficult. Really, it isn’t. Chris Pirillo even recommends programs that turns encryption into an easy process. An organization like CalOptima must have technology people who are familiar with the security benefits of encryption. It begs the question: ‘why isn’t it done?‘:
“… Personally identifiable information on [...]

A child is not immune to identity theft. In many ways, using a child’s identity has inherent benefits. For example, a young child will not have a criminal record, will not have debts like mortgages and student loans, will not be doing a credit check soon and possibly will not find out about [...]

If you drive, your face is in the database. The motor vehicle databases have been coveted by advertisers and would pay for access to that information pool. The data may be given away to law enforcement agencies to track down fugitives:
“… the FBI has begun using facial-recognition technology on millions of motorists, [...]

It seems basic to civil rights. A person is innocent until proven guilty. However, in the age of electronics and terrorism, that fundamental assumption may have undergone a radical change. Consider the notion of laptop searches:
“The Department of Homeland Security’s Privacy Office has approved the controversial searches, copying and retention of laptops, PDAs, [...]

For years Google Street View has raised privacy concerns. The images of people and locations were put online without expressed permission. In some countries, there has been a debate as to whether Google was contravening the privacy laws of existing legislation.
Now, in Canada, there is concern that the Street View service may be [...]

Following the videotaping crime involving Erin Andrews, there has been a focus on privacy and security in hotels. Some people, like athletes, are regular travelers and have their trip noted publicly, in the media. For example, it is well known when your favorite team is gone for an ‘away’ game and in which [...]

Millions of family have pictures of baby in various states of undress. It may be chronicling baby as he or she is , dressing, having a bath, at play, toilet training and a myriad of other childhood activities. It can be a totally innocent cataloguing of the child’s development. However, it can [...]

There will be no privacy for Jenny Sanford in the immediate future. As the wife of the embattled and apologetic Governor of South Carolina, the media will follow her for even the briefest of comment and read multiple nuances into her every behaviour.
Nevertheless, Jenny Sanford stands apart.
When Governor Mark Sanford appeared before [...]

It was over ten years ago. Scott McNealy was then the Chief Executive Officer of Sun Microsystems. He was quoted as saying “there is no privacy… get over it“.
There are two news stories this week that illustrate the validity of Scott McNealy’s quote.
The first example is the liver transplant that Steve Jobs [...]