Expectations of Privacy

Do you have an "expectation of privacy"? The term doesn't just refer to your attitude about your personal information...

You Say You Want a Revolution

The Beatles may not have had privacy in mind when they sang about a revolution, but it's an issue that's on the minds of people all over the world today. More and more of us see that privacy has grown into one of the most pressing issues of our time, but can we say we want a revolution? Do we all want to change the world? And, most importantly, are we ready to stand up and make it happen?

Protecting Privacy Moves into the Mainstream

For libraries in America, protecting privacy has always been a major concern. In fact, libraries in this country have been talking about privacy for library users since 1939, when privacy first showed up in the ALA Code of Ethics.

• CDT's Health Privacy Project Releases Paper on De-identification of Personal Health Data

CDT's Health Privacy Project today released a paper advocating the need for stronger standards for "de-identified" personal health information when used for medial research, to promote public health, or other specialized purposes. The paper notes that stronger standards are needed to ensure the "de-identified" data cannot be re-identified in order to maintain patient privacy and build trust in the health care system. CDT's paper makes several policy recommendations on how to strengthen current de-identification standards found in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Privacy Act and increase the use of anonymized data for many health care purposes.
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• miniLinks for 2009-06-26

• Surveillance in Iran vs. Surveillance in the US
  Iran has an Internet monitoring center built by Nokia and Siemens AG -- what kind of domestic spying is happening in the US?
• Data Shows Music Fans Are Willing to Buy
  TopSpin and Nettwerk have experimented with premium discs, free albums, and free shows, and have found that fans are still more than willing to pay.
• Panasonic Blocking Use of Third-Party Batteries
  A firmware update to some Pansonic cameras is preventing consumers from using their choice of battery, forcing users to buy only "genuine" Panasonic batteries.
• Endless Privacy Concerns After "Clear" Shuts Down
  What happens to all the fingerprints, iris scans, and social security numbers collected by the Clear registered traveler service?
• Electronic Arts Selling Stores in Games
  The video game publisher seeks to move beyond piracy by selling games that, as a rule, encourage payment for an improved experience, like access to the game community and better content.
• Musician Makes $19k Using Twitter; $0 on Major Label Solo Album
  Amanda Palmer, of the Dresden Dolls, recounts recent examples of using Twitter to reach out to fans directly and garner direct support for her creative efforts, while her major label album sales net nothing.
• Does a Private Company Own Your Bus Arrival Times?
  A controversy is brewing over NextBus Information Systems, which shut down an iPhone app by claiming to have exclusive ownership of bus arrival data.
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• Facebook to Change User Privacy Settings

Facebook announced planned changes to user privacy controls today. Chris Kelly, Facebook's Chief Privacy Officer, stated that the new policy will promote "control, simplicity and connection" for user data. The announcement states there will be no changes in term of "the information Facebook provides to advertisers" but does not address concerns about the information provided by Facebook to app developers. In June, European Privacy Commissioners warned about the secondary use of personal data collected by social network services. The officials issued an opinion requiring robust security, privacy-friendly default settings, and the application of European privacy law. In April, EPIC supported the adoption of the new Facebook Terms of Service when Facebook said that "users own and control their information." See EPIC Social Networking Privacy.
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