Groups applaud (Obama administration's) push to boost policing of web privacy

[Turborama]

Source: BBC

November 13 2010 Last updated at 00:02 GMT -

Advocacy groups have welcomed reports that the US government plans to boost the policing of online privacy with new laws and a new watchdog.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Obama administration was set to unveil its new strategy in the coming weeks. A more hands-on approach would mark a break from previous governments that relied on industry self-regulation.

Google and Facebook have been at the forefront of consumer privacy concerns.

In the summer, Facebook - the world's biggest social network with 500 million users - simplified its privacy settings following criticism from US senators, the European Union and civil liberty groups. Google has more recently been in the firing line for its inadvertent collection of user data via its Street View cars. It has been the subject of scrutiny from data protection agencies around the world as a result.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11748346

[nosmokes]

1. uh-huh, sure

this from the same president that expanded warrantless wiretapping and embraced the patriot(sic) act.

[The Doctor.]

4. Damn! I knew it! You have some evidence to back up this 'expansion of warrentless wiretaps', right?

'Cause that would certainly be the straw that stops me from holdin' this guy on a pedestal.

I'd be mighty grateful if'n ya could provide that fer me.

Thanks.

[kirby]

9. Is this a joke?

Obama ran on opposing Bush's warrentless wiretaps. The administration was non-committal when Congress was considering additional FISA oversight in 2009. And last year when the Patriot Act was up for renewal the administration asked Congress to extend it as is. There were two different bills that strengthened oversight, but the administration requested the extend the status quo.

I guess you could avoid calling that an expansion and refer to it as preserving the status quo that he campaigned against.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[The Doctor.]

12. No, it's not.

And as it turns out, he didn't expand it.

You want to know where I stand?

I'm pissed. I told wingnuts that Bush's program would wind up in the hands of The Executive, whoever that would be, and that it was too much power to be had. They scoffed until I said; "So you're ok with Hillary having this power?"

Then they blanched... it was priceless.

I have little concern Obama will abuse, or even Clinton would have abused, this power, but it's still unconstitutional.

Obama's actions do not confirm to me that he is a 'sell out' as much as they confirm that he is up against more powerful forces than he could deal with. Either way, it's disappointing.

In the meanwhile, the man is doing good in many areas the PTB don't care about.

[Scurrilous]

2. Thanks.

K & R :thumbsup:

[Matariki]

3. Wow. An article that's favorable to Obama on DU.

You don't see that often.

This is great news. Thanks for posting it.

[deacon]

5. +1

[polmaven]

6. And followed immediately

by response #1 bashing him....Wow.

[Scurrilous]

8. LOL

This place has become a joke.

[FrenchieCat]

10. Yes it has.....

[Better Believe It]

7. Will it still be OK for the CIA, NSA and other gov't agencies to spy on us?