News

• E-commerce trade group: Mobile geolocation privacy bill is 'awful'

  U.S. Senate legislation that would require mobile apps to get permission to check the geolocation of a user is among the bills that make up trade group NetChoice's latest list of "awful" bills for e-commerce.

• CEA switches positions, now supports Internet sales tax

  The Consumer Electronics Association has switched its position on Internet sales taxes, with the huge trade group now supporting the collection of the tax.

• Privacy groups generally cheer FTC's Facebook settlement

  Privacy and technology groups generally applauded a wide-ranging settlement between Facebook and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission over the social-networking site's privacy practices.

• Senators introduce Internet sales tax bill

  Four U.S. senators have introduced legislation that would allow states to collect taxes on Internet sales, even when the seller does not have a physical presence in the taxing state.

• Study: Many websites 'leaking' personal info to other firms

  Many top websites share their visitors' names, usernames or other personal information with their partners without telling users and, in some cases, without knowing they're doing it, according to a new study from Stanford University.

• Tech groups oppose Internet sales tax bill

  Several tech trade groups have voiced opposition to new legislation in the U.S. Congress that would require Web-based retailers to collect sales tax from customers.

• Privacy groups support new do-not-track bill

  Several privacy and civil rights groups voiced support for an online do-not-track bill introduced in the U.S. Senate Monday, saying the legislation would give Web users control over their personal data.

• Senator says he will introduce do-not-track bill

  A senior member of the U.S. Senate plans to introduce legislation that would require websites and online advertising networks to stop tracking Web users who ask to be left alone.

• Group: Google Buzz settlement a 'killer' for e-commerce

  The U.S. Federal Trade Commission's proposed settlement with Google over its bungled launch of the Buzz social-networking service could have disastrous effects on the rest of the e-commerce industry, the head of a trade group said.

• Groups push for additions to Google Buzz settlement

  A coalition of privacy and consumer groups is pushing for the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to add conditions, including requiring that Google get opt-in permission from users before collecting their data, to its proposed settlement over privacy problems related to the rollout of Google's Buzz social-networking service in early 2010.

• California lawmaker touts do-not-track bill

  A state senator in California has introduced a bill that would allow Web surfers to opt out of online tracking efforts by websites and advertising networks.

• Trade group: Do-not-track bill is 'awful'

  A bill that would direct the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to create a mechanism to allow consumers to opt out of online tracking efforts tops a list of proposals that would be bad for the Internet, according to e-commerce trade group NetChoice.

• Online privacy bills would hurt e-commerce, trade group says

  Proposals in the U.S. Congress that would create new rules for websites collecting personal data would cripple the online advertising and publishing industries, e-commerce trade group NetChoice said Thursday.

• Cyber security Tsar needed to lift Australia's defences?

  Symantec global CIO David Thompson suggests a US-style cybersecurity role could help prevent attacks like Anonymous' recent DDoS attack on Prime Minster's Web site.

• NetChoice arrives down under

  A coalition of global e-tailers has launched its first Australian presence.