Link
FTC OKs Facebook’s privacy settlement
FTC OKs Facebook’s privacy settlement
Tony Romm, writing at Politico:
The order means Facebook must now obtain consent before sharing a user’s information with advertisers or others in a way that differs from their current privacy settings, and it bars Facebook from again misrepresenting its privacy and security practices.
This settlement will be in place for twenty years. Will Facebook still be here in twenty years?
Apple sold 5.7 million tablets in the U.S. last quarter, court documents show. Samsung sold 37,000
Apple sold 5.7 million tablets in the U.S. last quarter, court documents show. Samsung sold 37,000
Philip Elmer-DeWitt’s article at Fortune is one of many today about the revelations coming out of the Apple v. Samsung trial. But his headline is the main reason I had to share this link. It must feel like a punch in the gut for Samsung executives to see those numbers juxtaposed.
Pulse Comes To The Web
Frederic Lardinois, writing at TechCrunch:
The web app, says Pulse, is “designed for discovery” and while it’s still a very visual experience, Pulse did away with the row layout it uses in its mobile apps. Instead, your list of sources is now on the left and stories appear in a beautiful dynamic grid layout. The design is responsive, so the layout will automatically adapt itself to the size of your browser windows.
I’ve only tried it out for a few minutes, but it’s beautiful and functional, and it’ll be much easier to manage sources on the web than it is on mobile.
I cut a parenthetical in Lardinois’ headline referring to Microsoft’s part in bringing Pulse to the web. The end result certainly does look great for touchscreen devices generally, and like it fits right into the Windows 8 design aesthetic specifically.
Philadelphia newspapers CEO’s message to employees
Philadelphia newspapers CEO’s message to employees
Jim Romenesko, quoting the letter from Bob Hall, CEO at Interstate General Media, which owns Philly’s major papers:
We must produce products that reflect the needs of our readers, viewers, advertisers and future prospective customers. This is essential if we are to increase the total audience that we reach and to provide the consumer superior content, whenever, however (multi-products), and in whatever format desired. It is becoming even more important to be relevant, useful and timely via the applications that are utilized by our customers.
If Hall means what he says, and is well-informed, he’ll approach people like the folks who run Technically Media—people who are connected to what 21st-century journalism is shaping up to be.
In related news, read the response of the Newspaper Guild, as posted by Philly Mag’s Victor Fiorillo, [here][blogs.phillymag.com/the_phill...](http://blogs.phillymag.com/the_philly_post/2012/08/08/28-million-cuts-proposed-philadelphia-inquirer-daily-news/.)
U.S. will not challenge computer fraud case to high court
U.S. will not challenge computer fraud case to high court
The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act prohibits, among other things, accessing a computer without authorization or in excess of authorization. Employers have been known to use it against employees where the latter has used a company database to poach clients for a new venture or otherwise used proprietary company information for personal benefit and to the employer’s detriment.
The Reuters article correctly points out that many jurists look at such issues as employer/employee matters undeserving of criminal prosecution, at least to the extent that they don’t violate other laws pertaining to trade secrets, securities law, and other potentially-applicable law.
I agree: an employee’s exceeding authorized access to further goals contrary to the company’s interests, unless the information retrieved is properly considered a trade secret or otherwise is protected, should be a firing offense but not a prosecuting one.
Managing Email Realistically
I’m not sure all of Matt Gemmell’s advice would work for me, but it’s well worth reading. It’s especially handy for people who don’t care for formalistic productivity methods like GTD.
Flame and Stuxnet Cousin Targets Lebanese Bank Customers, Carries Mysterious Payload
Flame and Stuxnet Cousin Targets Lebanese Bank Customers, Carries Mysterious Payload
Kim Zetter, writing at Wired:
The researchers don’t know if the attackers used the bank component in Gauss simply to spy on account transactions, or to steal money from targets. But given that the malware was almost certainly created by nation-state actors, its goal is likely not to steal for economic gain, but rather for counterintelligence purposes.
It’s worth thinking about: state-sponsored cyberespionage has been around for a while, but modern advancements in malware are giving such snooping tools a new level of automation and scale.
PS: I’m going to keep an eye on this story with the hopes that Kaspersky, the Russia-based security lab researching Gauss, eventually cracks the encryption on the mysterious payload.
Only crazy people don't use Facebook?
Only crazy people don’t use Facebook?
Zoe Fox, writing at Mashable:
Employers may suspect that an applicant’s absence from the social network means the account is so full of offensive material that it had to be deleted.
But what if I deleted my Facebook account because my friends’ accounts were so full of offensive material? Regardless, I certainly don’t want to work for someone who makes psychological judgments about me 1) without a relevant degree or experience making such diagnoses and 2) without any significant interaction with me.
Today’s job market, unfortunately, may leave some people without a choice: create and maintain a net-positive Facebook account or risk being overlooked for an interview. Then again, one study does not scientific fact make. And there’s my generally positive Twitter presence, for what it’s worth.
Apple's Secrets Revealed at Trial
Apple’s Secrets Revealed at Trial
Ian Sherr, writing for the Wall Street Journal:
In cross-examination, Mr. Forstall said Eddy Cue, now head of Apple’s Internet services efforts, had used a 7-inch Samsung tablet for a time, and sent an email to Chief Executive Tim Cook that he believed “there will be a 7-inch market and we should do one.”
While the rumor mill is still citing anonymous sources, this quote, for me, seals the deal. If Apple thinks there is a market (and at least one of its high-ranking executives does), and Apple thinks it can dominate that market (and they already dominate the ~10 inch tablet market), Apple will enter that market.
Does Cybercrime Really Cost $1 Trillion?
Does Cybercrime Really Cost $1 Trillion?
A spokeswoman for Senator Joe Lieberman, speaking to Peter Maass and Megha Rajagopalan of Mother Jones:
Senator Lieberman and his staff believe that McAfee, Symantec, and General Alexander are reputable sources of information about cybersecurity.
The evidence, in this case at least, would suggest otherwise, Mr. Senator.
Note: An earlier version of this post left out Megha Rajagopalan, a co-author of the cited ProPublica piece.
Don't believe the 'Apple invests in Twitter' hype
Don’t believe the ‘Apple invests in Twitter’ hype
In fact, an Apple investment in Twitter is painted as something Twitter can take or leave, but a partnership Apple desperately needs.
Tim Carmody makes a great point in this piece.
Geek preferences matter
We installed Firefox on every non-geek’s computer we could find. And while we were there, we set everyone’s search engine to Google instead of Yahoo or MSN, and we made fun of their AOL email addresses until they switched to Gmail. Our preferences matter.
I took this quote somewhat out of context and Marco Arment’s post about how Apple’s new OS X Mountain Lion handles third party app is worth reading.
I just particularly like the reminder that geeks, who sometimes feel marginalized, are often setting trends.
Apple TV: The Soon-To-Be #1 Gaming Console?
Apple TV: The Soon-To-Be #1 Gaming Console?
MG Siegler points out that, despite Apple CEO Tim Cook’s quiet mention of Apple TV, the little box Steve Jobs once called Apple’s hobby has sold more units than the best-selling Xbox 360 gaming console.
Not bad for a hobby.