Comments on: AT&T Controls the Future of Privacy — Seriously http://gigaom.com/2008/11/20/att-controls-the-future-of-privacy-seriously/ Trusted Insights and Conversations on the Next Wave of Technology Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:03:27 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: NebuAd Bites the Dust http://gigaom.com/2008/11/20/att-controls-the-future-of-privacy-seriously/#comment-944417 NebuAd Bites the Dust Tue, 19 May 2009 15:11:20 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=29764#comment-944417 <p>[...] the search for better behavioral advertising lives on. Today the Future of Privacy Forum, a privacy group backed by AT&T, announced a research project designed to develop privacy notifications “that will resonate [...]</p> [...] the search for better behavioral advertising lives on. Today the Future of Privacy Forum, a privacy group backed by AT&T, announced a research project designed to develop privacy notifications “that will resonate [...]

]]> By: Actions Speak http://gigaom.com/2008/11/20/att-controls-the-future-of-privacy-seriously/#comment-923561 Actions Speak Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:44:22 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=29764#comment-923561 <p>If you are a member of AT&T (including Cingular and SBC), Bell South or Verizon, your telecom company willingly sold the private telephone records of American citizens to the Bush administration's illegal domestic spying operation. Please contact your provider and let them know that this is simply unacceptable.</p> <p>Contact AT&T: http://www.consumer.att.com/contact?source=body Contact Verizon: http://www22.verizon.com/CustomerSupport/ContactUs/ Contact BellSouth: http://www.bellsouth.com/contactus/index.html</p> <p>In protest, I cancelled my landline and DSL with AT&T (who bought SBC) although I still use Yahoo! which they also now own. I also switched from Verizon to Credo (aka Working Assets) whose website I linked in my sig FYI.</p> <p>I did discover the latter has an office in the Federal Reserve building in SF, and their PR rep informed it's a tenant relationship which I decided is preferable to collaboration with the NSA et al.</p> If you are a member of AT&T (including Cingular and SBC), Bell South or Verizon, your telecom company willingly sold the private telephone records of American citizens to the Bush administration’s illegal domestic spying operation. Please contact your provider and let them know that this is simply unacceptable.

Contact AT&T: http://www.consumer.att.com/contact?source=body Contact Verizon: http://www22.verizon.com/CustomerSupport/ContactUs/ Contact BellSouth: http://www.bellsouth.com/contactus/index.html

In protest, I cancelled my landline and DSL with AT&T (who bought SBC) although I still use Yahoo! which they also now own. I also switched from Verizon to Credo (aka Working Assets) whose website I linked in my sig FYI.

I did discover the latter has an office in the Federal Reserve building in SF, and their PR rep informed it’s a tenant relationship which I decided is preferable to collaboration with the NSA et al.

]]> By: Yahoo Will Delete Some Data After 3 Months http://gigaom.com/2008/11/20/att-controls-the-future-of-privacy-seriously/#comment-918314 Yahoo Will Delete Some Data After 3 Months Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:29:04 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=29764#comment-918314 <p>[...] to get search firms to delete user information after 6 months — and likely the creation of a telecommunications-backed lobbying group that hopes to set the nation’s agenda when it comes to online privacy. Microsoft has a member [...]</p> [...] to get search firms to delete user information after 6 months — and likely the creation of a telecommunications-backed lobbying group that hopes to set the nation’s agenda when it comes to online privacy. Microsoft has a member [...]

]]> By: BlueKai Gets $10.5M to Improve Ads http://gigaom.com/2008/11/20/att-controls-the-future-of-privacy-seriously/#comment-918107 BlueKai Gets $10.5M to Improve Ads Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:01:37 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=29764#comment-918107 <p>[...] The Bellevue, Wash.-based startup had previously raised $3.2 million. Because I’m trying to wrap my brain around the realities of online privacy, I chatted with Omar Tawakol, CEO of BlueKai, about what he’s trying to [...]</p> [...] The Bellevue, Wash.-based startup had previously raised $3.2 million. Because I’m trying to wrap my brain around the realities of online privacy, I chatted with Omar Tawakol, CEO of BlueKai, about what he’s trying to [...]

]]> By: McGuire’s Law » Blog Archive » Big Bell Dogma: November 2008 http://gigaom.com/2008/11/20/att-controls-the-future-of-privacy-seriously/#comment-915804 McGuire’s Law » Blog Archive » Big Bell Dogma: November 2008 Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:55:27 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=29764#comment-915804 <p>[...] “AT&T Controls the Future of Privacy — Seriously” [...]</p> [...] “AT&T Controls the Future of Privacy — Seriously” [...]

]]> By: Can You Be a Good Parent and a Good Blogger? - GigaOM http://gigaom.com/2008/11/20/att-controls-the-future-of-privacy-seriously/#comment-914977 Can You Be a Good Parent and a Good Blogger? - GigaOM Thu, 27 Nov 2008 23:10:29 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=29764#comment-914977 <p>[...] slide, I am also taking some time to think about a few topics that really interest me, such as privacy, home networking, broadband pricing and regulation, and where the chip industry might be in the [...]</p> [...] slide, I am also taking some time to think about a few topics that really interest me, such as privacy, home networking, broadband pricing and regulation, and where the chip industry might be in the [...]

]]> By: Dave Burstein http://gigaom.com/2008/11/20/att-controls-the-future-of-privacy-seriously/#comment-914454 Dave Burstein Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:07:16 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=29764#comment-914454 <p>Tim I winced as well when Stacey called a lobbying group a "think tank." But then I decided the point was perhaps more effective with irony.</p> <p>The interesting thing about all this is that AT&T needed to find a job for Wolf after essentially disbanding HOTF (McCurry left, then Wolf.) He's a Democrat in a Democratic town, and those get paid very well these days.</p> <pre><code>T has essentially abandoned the fight against NN, because we beat them and the incoming administration is strong on the issue. Meanwhile, those of us who care about consumers and the Internet have to realize where they have shifted their efforts. Their primary goal this year is to get as much government money as possible, with a massive campaign underway to get a gift from "broadband infrastructure" spending. They are looking for $30-60B, an almost unbelievable figure, for proposals that will not produce any meaningful growth in broadband however you define it. None of which means the NN fight doesn't need careful watching, but the bells have moved on and are pulling the debate to how much money they can get. These guys are very, very good. </code></pre> <p>Ugly.</p> Tim I winced as well when Stacey called a lobbying group a “think tank.” But then I decided the point was perhaps more effective with irony.

The interesting thing about all this is that AT&T needed to find a job for Wolf after essentially disbanding HOTF (McCurry left, then Wolf.) He’s a Democrat in a Democratic town, and those get paid very well these days.

T has essentially abandoned the fight against NN, because we beat them and the incoming administration is strong on the issue. Meanwhile, those of us who care about consumers and the Internet have to realize where they have shifted their efforts. Their primary goal this year is to get as much government money as possible, with a massive campaign underway to get a gift from "broadband infrastructure" spending. They are looking for $30-60B, an almost unbelievable figure, for proposals that will not produce any meaningful growth in broadband however you  define it. 

None of which means the NN fight doesn't need careful watching, but the bells have moved on and are pulling the debate to how much money they can get. These guys are very, very good.

Ugly.

]]> By: AT&T, Verizon: Privacy Advocates Extraordinaire - When it suits them and looks good… | Voip Blog http://gigaom.com/2008/11/20/att-controls-the-future-of-privacy-seriously/#comment-914188 AT&T, Verizon: Privacy Advocates Extraordinaire - When it suits them and looks good… | Voip Blog Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:11:14 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=29764#comment-914188 <p>[...] some sprinkles on this cupcake of privacy irony, AT&T this week spearheaded the creation of a new privacy astroturf organization think tank dubbed the Future of Privacy forum. In standard [...]</p> [...] some sprinkles on this cupcake of privacy irony, AT&T this week spearheaded the creation of a new privacy astroturf organization think tank dubbed the Future of Privacy forum. In standard [...]

]]> By: Joel M. Blatt http://gigaom.com/2008/11/20/att-controls-the-future-of-privacy-seriously/#comment-914060 Joel M. Blatt Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:18:48 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=29764#comment-914060 <p>Privacy + Internet equal a nasty convergence. With search engines and specifically people search tools online dating and social networking are tantamount to surrendering your personal information. Yesterday, I read an article [ http://www.sparkbliss.com/blog/2008/11/should-online-privacy-for-educators-exist/ ] regarding a professional who lost their job based upon comments made on Facebook. On the other hand, Sparkbliss is a rare example of personal privacy online.</p> Privacy + Internet equal a nasty convergence. With search engines and specifically people search tools online dating and social networking are tantamount to surrendering your personal information. Yesterday, I read an article [ http://www.sparkbliss.com/blog/2008/11/should-online-privacy-for-educators-exist/ ] regarding a professional who lost their job based upon comments made on Facebook. On the other hand, Sparkbliss is a rare example of personal privacy online.

]]> By: Tim Karr http://gigaom.com/2008/11/20/att-controls-the-future-of-privacy-seriously/#comment-914030 Tim Karr Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:10:29 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=29764#comment-914030 <p>Calling Hands off the Internet a "think tank" is generous. The phone-company front group was a thinly disguised effort to cloak AT&T's policy agenda in a skin of public consent. Thankfully, their efforts to "Astroturf" issues like Net Neutrality were exposed by watchful bloggers and others, and HandsOff's rhetoric was soon accompanied by its own laugh track. The credibility of Wolf and his Hands Off partner Mike McCurry has been deeply damaged by such corporate shilling. His name on this effort should raise significant doubts.</p> Calling Hands off the Internet a “think tank” is generous. The phone-company front group was a thinly disguised effort to cloak AT&T’s policy agenda in a skin of public consent. Thankfully, their efforts to “Astroturf” issues like Net Neutrality were exposed by watchful bloggers and others, and HandsOff’s rhetoric was soon accompanied by its own laugh track. The credibility of Wolf and his Hands Off partner Mike McCurry has been deeply damaged by such corporate shilling. His name on this effort should raise significant doubts.

]]> By: michaelzimmer.org » Archives » The Future of Privacy Forum http://gigaom.com/2008/11/20/att-controls-the-future-of-privacy-seriously/#comment-913963 michaelzimmer.org » Archives » The Future of Privacy Forum Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:21:11 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=29764#comment-913963 <p>[...] some are skeptical of an industry-funded effort to shape privacy policy and legislation, I’m optomistic that the FPF will work in good faith [...]</p> [...] some are skeptical of an industry-funded effort to shape privacy policy and legislation, I’m optomistic that the FPF will work in good faith [...]

]]> By: Stacey Higginbotham http://gigaom.com/2008/11/20/att-controls-the-future-of-privacy-seriously/#comment-913916 Stacey Higginbotham Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:47:49 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=29764#comment-913916 <p>Paul, I agree with you on the Google angle.</p> <p>benjaminwright that's an interesting concept, but I'm not sure how many people would be willing to do that and I'm also not sure how enforceable such contracts would be. Plus, would a consumer have to go to court to really enforce them? That's expensive. It's an interesting framework to consider. Thanks for giving me something to think about.</p> Paul, I agree with you on the Google angle.

benjaminwright that’s an interesting concept, but I’m not sure how many people would be willing to do that and I’m also not sure how enforceable such contracts would be. Plus, would a consumer have to go to court to really enforce them? That’s expensive. It’s an interesting framework to consider. Thanks for giving me something to think about.

]]> By: Roundup: Job report hurts stocks, BlackBerry reviews surface and more » VentureBeat http://gigaom.com/2008/11/20/att-controls-the-future-of-privacy-seriously/#comment-913889 Roundup: Job report hurts stocks, BlackBerry reviews surface and more » VentureBeat Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:53:14 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=29764#comment-913889 <p>[...] AT&T funds privacy nonprofit — The Future of Privacy’s backing from the telecom giant is just one reason why GigaOM’s Stacey Higginbotham is skeptical that the nonprofit group actually has consumers’ privacy in mind. [...]</p> [...] AT&T funds privacy nonprofit — The Future of Privacy’s backing from the telecom giant is just one reason why GigaOM’s Stacey Higginbotham is skeptical that the nonprofit group actually has consumers’ privacy in mind. [...]

]]> By: Paul Kapustka http://gigaom.com/2008/11/20/att-controls-the-future-of-privacy-seriously/#comment-913885 Paul Kapustka Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:35:25 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=29764#comment-913885 <p>Not a surprise that AT&T is backing this new astroturf idea -- in interviews for our <a href="https://www.sidecutreports.com/order-sidecut-reports/report-details/?rid=2" rel="nofollow">net neutrality report </a>both AT&T and Verizon were of the opinion that Google and privacy issues were a bigger deal than net neutrality; so if Google is your biggest opponent, makes sense to attack them on the field where they are weakest.</p> Not a surprise that AT&T is backing this new astroturf idea — in interviews for our net neutrality report both AT&T and Verizon were of the opinion that Google and privacy issues were a bigger deal than net neutrality; so if Google is your biggest opponent, makes sense to attack them on the field where they are weakest.

]]> By: benjaminwright http://gigaom.com/2008/11/20/att-controls-the-future-of-privacy-seriously/#comment-913880 benjaminwright Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:17:15 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=29764#comment-913880 <p>Yes, future legislation will help to set the rules for online privacy. However, I argue legislation is not the only relevant source of future privacy law. Contract law will also play a role. Consumers have the ability by contract to achieve more of their legitimate privacy goals. And the Internet enables consumers to make more use of contract law. Internet contract law is surprisingly powerful.</p> <p>If Google can assert its legal contract terms just by publishing them (on something less than its homepage), then maybe consumers/users can assert their own <a href="http://hack-igations.blogspot.com/2008/05/google-privacy-policy-terms-of-service.html" rel="nofollow">terms of privacy protection just by publishing</a> them! A user might say in her published terms of service that search engines (or ISPs) cannot keep records of her searches longer than 2 weeks. What do you think? --Ben <a href="http://hack-igations.blogspot.com/2008/05/google-privacy-policy-terms-of-service.html" rel="nofollow">http://hack-igations.blogspot.com/2008/05/google-privacy-policy-terms-of-service.html</a> My ideas are not legal advice for anyone or any particular situation, just something to discuss.</p> Yes, future legislation will help to set the rules for online privacy. However, I argue legislation is not the only relevant source of future privacy law. Contract law will also play a role. Consumers have the ability by contract to achieve more of their legitimate privacy goals. And the Internet enables consumers to make more use of contract law. Internet contract law is surprisingly powerful.

If Google can assert its legal contract terms just by publishing them (on something less than its homepage), then maybe consumers/users can assert their own terms of privacy protection just by publishing them! A user might say in her published terms of service that search engines (or ISPs) cannot keep records of her searches longer than 2 weeks. What do you think? –Ben http://hack-igations.blogspot.com/2008/05/google-privacy-policy-terms-of-service.html My ideas are not legal advice for anyone or any particular situation, just something to discuss.

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