Privacy

6 Ways We Gave Up Our Privacy

6 Ways We Gave Up Our Privacy: Privacy has long been seen as a basic, sacred right. But in the Web 2.0 world, where the average user is addicted to Google apps, GPS devices, their BlackBerry or iPhone, and such social networking sites as Facebook and Twitter, that right is slowly and willingly being chipped away. In fact, some security experts believe it’s gone already.

Adding to this sobering reality is that public and private entities have a growing array of tools to track our movements, habits and choices. RFID tags are on more of the items we take for granted. Those discount cards you use at the grocery store offer companies an excellent snapshot of the choices you make. And in the post 9-11 world, the government has greatly expanded its power to spy on you with such laws as The Patriot Act.

Privacy: A Bigger Challenge Than Ever

Even for a place where personal information is under siege, the case of Brandy Combs is unusual.

University of Florida police allege Combs stole a university librarian’s personal information to fraudulently obtain more than $31,000 in student loans and took a student’s information to get a false student identification. He was arrested on May 20 on charges of fraud and passing false checks.

While the details of the case were unusual, having a breach of private information at UF was not. The university experienced more than 130 confirmed privacy breaches in 2008, compromising the information of about 358,000 individuals, according to the UF Privacy Office.

UF officials said they’re taking steps to improve security as new regulations increase reporting requirements and fines for breaches. But they say the nature of a university means keeping large amounts of information that is sought by hackers and others.

“Every university, because it’s a university, is a prime target,” said Chuck Frazier, UF’s interim chief information officer. “You can be attacked from anyplace and every place.” The Gainesville Sun.

July 6, 2009 by birdie Libraries Privacy

An Expectation of Online Privacy

Bruce Schneier: “This isn’t a technological problem; it’s a legal problem. The courts need to recognize that in the information age, virtual privacy and physical privacy don’t have the same boundaries. We should be able to control our own data, regardless of where it is stored. We should be able to make decisions about the security and privacy of that data, and have legal recourse should companies fail to honor those decisions.”

May 13, 2009 by Blake Internet Legal Issues Privacy

Privacy and Confidentiality Issues: A Guide for Libraries and Their Lawyers

Book: Privacy and Confidentiality Issues: A Guide for Libraries and Their Lawyers (ALA Editions)

Imagine receiving a subpoena requiring patron records or Internet use history. What is your library’s policy? Do you know? Does your library have a policy? How big a problem is this? Because libraries are on the front lines of patron privacy and confidentiality controversies that raise First Amendment questions, it is increasingly critical that libraries and their counsel become familiar with the constitutional rights of patrons. By understanding the issues and the relevant laws, librarians can take action to protect users’ First Amendment rights. In this clear and concise guide set up in a frequently-asked-questions (FAQ) format, First Amendment attorney and litigation expert Chmara shares her decades of experience in easy-to-understand, jargon-free language. Library directors and managers as well as lawyers who represent libraries will learn: what First Amendment rights exist in libraries; how to create a library policy to best protect patrons’ confidentiality and privacy; the appropriate responses to requests for patron records; and, how to deal with the nuances of Internet use privacy.

May 4, 2009 by Bibliofuture Internet Legal Issues Libraries Privacy

Agency Skeptical of Internet Privacy Policies

Agency Skeptical of Internet Privacy Policies The Federal Trade Commission had some sharp words for Internet companies Thursday, saying that they are not explaining to their users clearly enough what information they collect about them and how they use it for advertising. For now, the commission is sticking to its view that the Internet industry can voluntarily regulate its own privacy practices.

February 13, 2009 by Blake Internet Privacy

Protecting privacy rights in libraries

Jessamyn pointed to This One by Judah Hamer, president of the Vermont Library Association.

Librarians are entrusted with protecting the private information of thousands of innocent community members who use library computers. When law enforcement officials believe they need access to information, it is their responsibility to seek the approval of a judge who can make a rapid, impartial decision about constitutional matters that protect all of us: due process, probable cause and privacy.

September 29, 2008 by Blake Legal Issues Libraries Privacy

Microsoft adds privacy tools to IE8

Microsoft Corp. today spelled out new privacy tools in Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) that some have dubbed “porn mode” in a nod to the most obvious use of a browser privacy mode.

A privacy advocate applauded the move, calling it a “great step forward,” while rival browser builder Mozilla Corp. said it is working to add similar features to a future Firefox.

August 27, 2008 by Blake Internet Privacy

The Eternal Value of Privacy

Bruce Schneier:

Too many wrongly characterize the debate as “security versus privacy.” The real choice is liberty versus control. Tyranny, whether it arises under threat of foreign physical attack or under constant domestic authoritative scrutiny, is still tyranny. Liberty requires security without intrusion, security plus privacy. Widespread police surveillance is the very definition of a police state. And that’s why we should champion privacy even when we have nothing to hide.

August 21, 2008 by Blake Privacy

Librarians Need To Protect Patrons Privacy

Is the privacy of your patrons a sacred trust? According to Nate Anderson, “Librarians want to turn us all into privacy fiends.”

Blogging in ars technica, Anderson reports on the ALA’s new program to preserve and defend a patrons privacy: “”Law enforcement agencies at every level are exploiting fears about terrorism and child safety to encourage lawmakers to strip away statutory privacy protections for library records. This eliminates anonymity in the library, and encourages the mind set that ‘good’ people should have nothing to hide.”

Anderson adds, “Librarians are well suited to mount such a campaign. US public libraries have more locations than McDonalds, and 62 percent of American adults hold library cards. That gives ALA members a natural place to educate the public about these issues and channel that education into public discourse and, hopefully, a new consensus on privacy and its importance.”

July 24, 2008 by birdie American Library Association Legal Issues Librarians Libraries Privacy

Libraries fight to protect patrons’ privacy

Part of this “Libraries fight to protect patrons’ privacy article has a “MULTIMEDIA FEATURE”:
“Click the headings below to learn more about how libaries [SIC] have evolved to meet the changing needs of the communities they serve.” It’s a neat little report, good PR for libraries/ians

July 22, 2008 by Blake Libraries Privacy