Google and Apple could be in for a grilling in Washington for their so-called "Locationgate" problems.Executives from both companies are set to appear Tuesday at a packed hearing called by the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law.Alan Davidson, Google's (GOOG, Fortune 500) director of public policy, and Guy L. "Bud" Tribble, an Apple vice president, will testify at the hearing. This comes a few weeks after it was revealed that smartphones and tablets from Apple and Google can track users' location information and store that data.
The allegations kicked off last month after two British researchers released an open source application that let Apple's (AAPL, Fortune 500) customers see the location data stored on their iPhones and 3G iPads.
In his opening remarks, Franken noted that privacy concerns have multiplied as the world becomes increasingly digital.Franken cited a Wall Street Journal investigation of 101 apps, in which the paper found that 47 of those apps transmitted their users information -- some of them without users' consent.
But stalking isn't the only concern, Franken said: "There are a range of harms that can come from breaches."Jason Weinstein, deputy assistant attorney general at the Department of Justice, agreed.
Jessica Rich, deputy director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the Federal Trade Commission, said the FTC believes "consumers have no idea about the layers of sharing [data] that goes on behind the scenes."
Rich suggested prohibiting apps from collecting location information "if it's not necessary to the business model," as well as "streamlined" terms of service "that don't take 100 clicks to get through."
The Apple and Google executives will testify later on Tuesday, in addition to independent security experts.
For its part, Apple released a 10-part Q&A and statement two weeks ago admitting to a lack of transparency. It also promised a software update to fix a "bug" that retained data for more than a year instead of the intended few days .
Meanwhile, Google has said its Android devices collect location data, but only with users' consent. Any location data that is sent back to Google location servers is not tied or traceable to a specific user, according to the company.
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Monday, 9 May 2011
Google Ambassador Program
ive just received this email and i thought its useful to all university students in kenya whose universities have been nominated by the Google Apps Supporting Program (GASP) team to participate in the Google Student Ambassador Program.find more about your varsity nomination if so why not try it out.ill just cop-paste the contents of the mail(the relevant sections).See for yourself.
Dear All,
I'm sending this email following the nomination of University of Nairobi
by the Google Apps Supporting Program (GASP) team to participate in the
Google Student Ambassador Program.
We are launching the Google Student Ambassador program in Kenya and would
like to invite your students to apply. We hope to find 2 - 5 outstanding,
in at least level 2, who are passionate about technology at your
university to spend 1-year as Google Student Ambassadors. In order to help
you spread the word, we have attached a poster and an email invitation
that we invite you to share with your students immediately. The
application deadline is Friday, 27th May 2011.
What we are looking for:
The most Technically savvy, forward thinking, and self motivated students
from any course of study (Economics, Computer Science, History, etc).
As a Google Student Ambassador, your student becomes a liaison between
Google and your university. For example, Ambassadors may plan and host a
few events during the school year, introduce students to new Google
products and features, and act as a campus contact for Google teams.
A Learning Opportunity:
Being a Google Student Ambassador is an excellent learning platform. Among
other things, students will receive invitations to participate in special
Google events, they may learn and support in testing Google Products
before launch, they will have the chance to build their professional
network, and be considered for Internship opportunities in Google.
To apply, students should:
1.Write an Essay on a Google Product or a Web Technology (e.g. Mobile
applications, local content & localization, cloud computing) and how this
product or technology can become an integral part of our lives in Africa.
2.Write a Motivation Essay on why the want to be an Ambassador, what the
can change in their country through learning new technical skills and how
using Google tools could help their university.
3.Provide a short statement from their Head of Department or Personal
Tutor confirming their level and area of study.
4.Submit their application online at http://goo.gl/kSRxh by Friday, 27th
May 2011. Accepted students will be informed by late July 2011.
We hope you find this opportunity as rewarding as we do! We look forward
to hearing from you with a confirmation and are happy to answer any
questions.
With kindest regards,
Dear All,
I'm sending this email following the nomination of University of Nairobi
by the Google Apps Supporting Program (GASP) team to participate in the
Google Student Ambassador Program.
We are launching the Google Student Ambassador program in Kenya and would
like to invite your students to apply. We hope to find 2 - 5 outstanding,
in at least level 2, who are passionate about technology at your
university to spend 1-year as Google Student Ambassadors. In order to help
you spread the word, we have attached a poster and an email invitation
that we invite you to share with your students immediately. The
application deadline is Friday, 27th May 2011.
What we are looking for:
The most Technically savvy, forward thinking, and self motivated students
from any course of study (Economics, Computer Science, History, etc).
As a Google Student Ambassador, your student becomes a liaison between
Google and your university. For example, Ambassadors may plan and host a
few events during the school year, introduce students to new Google
products and features, and act as a campus contact for Google teams.
A Learning Opportunity:
Being a Google Student Ambassador is an excellent learning platform. Among
other things, students will receive invitations to participate in special
Google events, they may learn and support in testing Google Products
before launch, they will have the chance to build their professional
network, and be considered for Internship opportunities in Google.
To apply, students should:
1.Write an Essay on a Google Product or a Web Technology (e.g. Mobile
applications, local content & localization, cloud computing) and how this
product or technology can become an integral part of our lives in Africa.
2.Write a Motivation Essay on why the want to be an Ambassador, what the
can change in their country through learning new technical skills and how
using Google tools could help their university.
3.Provide a short statement from their Head of Department or Personal
Tutor confirming their level and area of study.
4.Submit their application online at http://goo.gl/kSRxh by Friday, 27th
May 2011. Accepted students will be informed by late July 2011.
We hope you find this opportunity as rewarding as we do! We look forward
to hearing from you with a confirmation and are happy to answer any
questions.
With kindest regards,
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