Topic: Information Privacy

The Monitor's View: Private eyes are watching you (surf the Web)

Commercial tracking software often secretly records where users go on the Internet. If businesses don't set their own clear, simple privacy standards, government may need to step in with a 'do not track' option.

Cybercrime: Are mobsters planting hackers in big companies?

That is just one finding of a cybercrime report by Verizon released this week. While cybercrime fell in 2009, the report noted that hackers are getting better at what they do.

Privacy issues hit Facebook again

Privacy issues are again at the center of debate over whether Facebook is doing enough to protect its users.

Facebook again taken to task on user security

Facebook today was reprimanded by a coalition of ten privacy groups, which urged the popular social-networking site to close several outstanding security loopholes. For Facebook, it's déjà vu all over again.

The Facebook Effect

Facebook may know more about you than your government does.

German agency may sue Facebook if it doesn't approve of privacy changes

The German government agency that is in charge of consumer protection may take legal measures if it finds the social network's changes to privacy controls don't meet German data-protection standards.

If you Googled yourself lately, you're not alone

A majority of people have Googled themselves, the results of a recent poll show.

Turkey sours on surveillance systems after alleged affair video

The resignation of Deniz Baykal, a major figure in Turkish politics, over a purported sex video has sharpened debate about whether Turkey's surveillance systems have been misused as smear weapons.

Google snooping? German prosecutors investigating Google on privacy issues

German prosecutors are investigating Google Inc. on suspicion of violating privacy laws.

What's so bad about the Google Street View data flap?

The revelation that Google Street View cars accidentally recorded personal data from 'open' WiFi networks has Germany and privacy advocates upset.

Under fire from critics, Facebook updates Internet privacy measures

Facebook will now allow users to receive a notification when an unauthorized device is used to sign on to their accounts. Will the Internet privacy update be enough to silence the critics?

Facebook: Does its new 'instant personalization' service make you nervous about privacy?

Facebook's bid to socialize the entire Web is sparking a backlash among privacy advocates. What's your view?

Could a start-up called Diaspora knock Facebook off its perch?

For now, Diaspora is a work-in-progress. But if all goes as planned, Diaspora could go head-to-head with Facebook, the reigning king of the social media world.

Facebook is being careless with user data, European group says

Facebook is needlessly exposing reams of valuable user information, a coalition of European data protection authorities wrote in an open letter this week. For its part, Facebook says its platform is perfectly safe.

Facebook privacy: New questions after bug exposed more user information

For the second time in two months, a Facebook privacy bug compromised profiles. Oops.

Video of Iraqi journalists' killings: Is WikiLeaks a security threat?

A 2008 report by the US Army suggests that WikiLeaks, which on Monday published a video that shows US forces apparently killing two Iraqi journalists, could be a threat to national security. The website has released sensitive information in the past, the report notes.

Doh! Your new friend on Facebook might be the FBI.

Think you can hide out in cyberspace? Think again. The FBI is all over Facebook, Twitter, and other sites.

Why Europe doesn't want an invasion of body scanners

In Europe, body scanners may simply not be cost-effective, regardless of whether they represent a real health risk or the digital equivalent of a strip search.

You sign a petition to curb gay rights. Should your name be public?

The US Supreme Court has decided to hear a case about releasing to the public the names of people who signed a petition. The petition in question called for repealing Washington State's law granting partnership rights to gay couples.

Howard Schmidt, cybersecurity 'czar': Who is he?

Facebook privacy changes, aimed at openness, may trigger the opposite

Facebook will require its 350 million users to review their settings as it rolls out new privacy controls.

Opinion: Senate health care bill: the five paragraphs you must read

Buried in the Senate's 2,074-page health reform bill are provisions that undermine your health freedom and privacy.

Could a new Netflix contest put private customer data at risk?

New scam: Get your free stimulus money now!

States are targeting cheats who offer stimulus checks in exchange for bank data or small downpayments.

How we're losing our privacy online

From personal photos circulated inadvertently on Facebook to ‘Web bugs’ that monitor our buying habits, the Internet is exposing the private us to the public more than any technology in history. Here’s why you should care – and how to avoid it.