edb - Slashdot User

Submission + - SWIFT applies for Safe Harbor Protections

Submitted by KDR_11k on Sunday February 25, 2007 @03:42AM

KDR_11k writes: The Belgium-based Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT, the system used for all international bank transfers) is now applying for Safe Harbor protections in the US following a dispute with the EU over handing data to US authorities (of course with subpoenas). EU data protection laws don't allow giving peronal information to other entities without the consent of the person the information is about which already caused the dispute over handing passenger data to US authorities. SWIFT hopes that with these Safe Harbor protections they will no longer be forced to give up information they aren't allowed to but Safe Harbor does not apply to banking organizations. Now it depends on whether SWIFT is a banking institution (they claim they aren't) and whether they are a data processor or controller (they claim the former, apparently data protection laws only apply to the latter).

The EU's proposed solution is that SWIFT should abandon its US data center to bring its data out of range of US officials.

Submission + - Is RFID A Security Risk?

Submitted by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 25, 2007 @01:13AM

An anonymous reader writes: From ABC news: "All it takes is a second, and it's gone — a modern day pick-pocket can snatch your credit card and other personal information without ever touching your wallet. The thieves need only a little know how, and about a hundred bucks. The technology we rely on everyday — is being abused." Video at http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=7on_your_ side&id=5065414

Submission + - Security Scanner Can See Through Clothes

Submitted by

mikesd81

on Sunday February 25, 2007 @12:59AM

mikesd81 writes: "The Associated Press has an article about Sky Harbor International Airport becoming the country's first to begin testing a controversial new federal screening system that takes X-rays of passenger's bodies in an effort to find concealed explosives and other weapons. From the article: "Critics have said the high-resolution images created by the "backscatter" technology are too invasive. But the Transportation Security Administration adjusted the equipment to make the image look something like a line drawing, while still detecting concealed weapons."

The machines is only supposed to be a backup for when passengers fail a metal detector scan. However, they do get an option of a pat-down or the x-ray machine. Passengers selected for screening by the device are asked to stand in front of the closet-size X-ray unit with the palms of their hands facing out. Then they must turn around for a second screening from behind. The procedure takes about a minute. Critics say the altered image is ineffective and the full image is invasion of privacy."

Merck To Halt Lobbying For Vaccine 544

Posted by kdawson on Sunday February 25, 2007 @12:12AM from the get-that-needle-away-from-me dept.

theodp writes "Reacting to a furor from some parents, advocacy groups, and public health experts, Merck said yesterday that it would stop lobbying state legislatures to require the use of its new cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil, which acts against strains of the sexually-transmitted human papilloma virus. The $400, 3-shot regimen was approved by the FDA in June. Later that month, a federal advisory panel recommended that females 11-26 years old be vaccinated. The governor of Texas has already signed an executive order making its use mandatory for schoolgirls."

Submission + - Gigafast Fails To Fund Rebate Offers

Submitted by Anonymous Coward on Saturday February 24, 2007 @11:53PM

An anonymous reader writes: From: http://consumerist.com/consumer/rebates/gigafast-f ails-to-fund-rebate-offers-239434.php

Gigafast, manufacturer of networking equipment and consumer electronics, has failed to fund their rebate offers, according to an email circulated yesterday by rebate-processor OnRebate.com.

"We regret to inform you that the above rebate claim has not been funded by the sponsoring manufacturer, Gigafast Inc., and therefore cannot be paid. Gigafast Inc. contracted with OnRebate.com Inc. to have OnRebate.com Inc. process Gigafast Inc. sponsored rebates but, in violation of the terms of this contract, Gigafast Inc. has not funded disbursements for several months and has not responded to our many funding requests or other attempts to reach them. As a result rebate disbursements to customers who purchased Gigafast Inc. products have not been made. At this point your rebate claim is being cancelled but your rebate details will be kept on file in the event that you are able to contact Gigafast, Inc. and get them to fund your claim.

Unfortunately Onrebate.com has no further information available at this time. If you have any questions regarding the non-funding of your rebate claim please direct them to Gigafast Inc.:

Gigafast Inc.
17531 Railroad St #C
City of Industry, CA 91748
Phone: 626-964-2960
Fax: 626-964-2690
www.gigafast.com
rebate@gigafast.com

We apologize for this regrettable situation. OnRebate.com Inc. has tried repeatedly over the course of several weeks to secure funding for your rebate claim. Weve done everything reasonably possible on your behalf but have not gotten a response.

Sincerely,

OnRebate.com Inc. customer service"

OnRebate is known to be stingy with rebate disbursements. Is this bad karma in action?

Journal SPAM: Former Federal Prosecutor Publishes Indictment Of Bush 1

Journal by Jeremiah Cornelius on Saturday February 24, 2007 @10:38PM

Former federal prosecutor Elizabeth Vega has written a book containing a draft indictment of the so-called president and other top administration officials for conspiracy to defraud the American people on the issue of whether or not we needed to invade Iraq. The book also includes a fictional grand jury proceeding based on that indictment.

Journal SPAM: Scramble for Iraq's oil begins as troops start to pull out 4

Journal by Jeremiah Cornelius on Saturday February 24, 2007 @10:35PM

We are about to find out if the invasion of Iraq really was a war for oil. The country is on the verge of passing a petroleum law, which will set down rules for investing in its oil industry. That will set off a race among the foreign oil giants, scrambling for their slice of Iraq's vast oil riches. Britain's two world-leading oil companies, BP and Shell, both say they want to enter Iraq. Exxon, ConocoPhillips, Total, Russia's Lukoil and the Chinese

IRS May Ask eBay To Snitch On Sellers 418

Posted by kdawson on Saturday February 24, 2007 @10:34PM from the taxman-cometh dept.

Makarand writes "The IRS thinks that many sellers on online auction sites are unaware of their obligation to declare their profits and pay their taxes to the IRS. Tax experts are now asking the IRS to require online auction sites like eBay, Yahoo, and Ubid to report the gross sales numbers for their sellers. Such a requirement will surely send a shock wave across the online trading world because it could drastically reduce the profits a seller would make on these sites. The IRS thinks it can collect an extra $2 billion in taxes from this requirement that auctioneers report sellers who complete 100 or transactions a year worth at least $5,000."

Submission + - Using free wireless at library described as theft

Submitted by

dallas

on Saturday February 24, 2007 @10:01PM

dallas writes: "http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/8667098p-8559 268c.html

Using free wireless at library described as theft
PALMER: Man was tapping into library connection after hours.

By ANDREW WELLNER
Anchorage Daily News

(Published: February 24, 2007)
WASILLA — Brian Tanner was sitting in his Acura Integra recently outside the Palmer Library playing online games when a Palmer police pulled up behind him.

The officer asked him what he was doing.

Tanner, 21, was using the library's wireless Internet connection. He was told that his activity constituted theft of services and was told to leave. The next day, Sunday, police spotted him there again.

"It was kind of like, 'Well gee whiz, come on,' " police Lt. Tom Remaley said.

The police officer confiscated Tanner's laptop in order to inspect what he may have been downloading, Remaley said. Remaley on Friday said he hasn't looked inside the computer yet; he's putting together a search warrant application.

Alaska state troopers had chased Tanner off a few times at other locations, Remaley said.

Tanner said that was true. He has a device on his keychain that sniffs out wireless networks. When he found one, he would park in his neighborhood and use his $800 Dell laptop to hop on the Web. But worried neighbors summoned the troopers, who told him to park in a public place.

"I went to the public library because I go there during the day," Tanner said.

Though the library was closed, its wireless was up and running, he said.

Tanner said he was upset that he hasn't gotten his computer back yet. The police have told him he won't until the case is concluded, he said.

Jeanne Novosad, the library system manager, said the wireless connection is normally shut off when the library is closed. But the library was waiting on a technician to install a timer and the connection was left on after hours for several days, she said.

Remaley said the investigating officer is talking with the District Attorney's Office to determine whether criminal charges are warranted.

Remaley said few of these cases that he's seen have resulted in criminal prosecution.

But, "in this particular case you know he's feeding off something that we know the city of Palmer pays for and there are requirements to use it," Remaley said.

Either way, Tanner's Internet usage has been curtailed. He's got a home computer, but his parents don't let him on the Web after 9 p.m. He's been using computers at the library during the day.

He's a moderator on an online gaming site, conquerclub.com, where he plays a game similar to the board game Risk.

"It's pretty addicting," he said.

Contact Daily News reporter Andrew Wellner at 352-6710 or awellner@adn.com

Copyright © 2007 The Anchorage Daily News (www.adn.com)"

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