Category Archives: privacy

A Partial Report from Social Network Security 2009 @ Stanford

Posted on September 13, 2009 by ben

On Friday, I attended Social Network Security 2009 at Stanford. This was a fantastic get-together, with some very interesting info from Facebook, Google, Yahoo, Loopt, and the research front. I have some notes, mostly from the first half of the … Continue reading →

Posted in privacy, security, web | 2 Comments

The evolution of OpenID: you’re not a URL after all

Posted on September 9, 2009 by ben

The US government has just announced a pilot program to integrate OpenID (and Information Cards) into public government web sites. This is very interesting news, as it will likely catalyze even greater OpenID deployment and use. [I’ve poo-poo’ed OpenID here … Continue reading →

Posted in identity, privacy, security | 2 Comments

HealthEngage leaking email addresses?

Posted on August 3, 2009 by ben

For more than 10 years now, I’ve used custom email addresses when I log in to a web site I don’t fully trust, e.g. ben-SITENAME at adida.net. Until recently, the only time I’ve actually been able to trace emails to … Continue reading →

Posted in medical, privacy | 4 Comments

Engaging Data going, going….

Posted on July 6, 2009 by ben

The Engaging Data Conference at MIT, which brings together a number of interesting folks around the management of personal electronic data, is happening in October. The deadline for papers is this week, so submit a paper now if you’ve got … Continue reading →

Posted in privacy, security, web | Leave a comment

Pot, Kettle, meet Zuckerberg

Posted on June 23, 2009 by ben

Facebook is an impressive company, they’ve done and continue to do some very amazing things. And I admit I certainly didn’t see them coming 4 years ago. But okay, come on: “No one wants to live in a surveillance society,” … Continue reading →

Posted in data, privacy, web | Leave a comment

More on Google Wave Trust Model

Posted on May 31, 2009 by ben

I wrote briefly about Google Wave, and Ben Laurie points out that my statement on the Google Wave trust model is misleading. He’s right. I said that the Google Wave trust model is the same as email (and thus I … Continue reading →

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Google Wave – thoughts

Posted on May 29, 2009 by ben

First impressions / predictions on Google Wave, Google’s new communication idea/product/protocol/service: because it’s open-source, federated, and follows the same trust patterns as email, it will be successful whatever authentication protocol Google Wave uses will be a significant (if not a … Continue reading →

Posted in privacy, security, web | 6 Comments

Engaging Data Forum @ MIT in October

Posted on May 26, 2009 by ben

I’m on the Program Committee for a new conference being held at MIT in the Fall, the Engaging Data Forum. A number of fascinating topics around the issues of managing personal electronic information. Of course I’m focused on the security, … Continue reading →

Posted in policy, privacy, security | Leave a comment

Hotel Facebook and Tethered Data

Posted on February 18, 2009 by ben

After writing yesterday about the Facebook Terms of Service fiasco — Facebook just reverted their Terms of Service due to user outcry — I remembered that Mark Zuckerberg has talked about data ownership before. So I did a little bit … Continue reading →

Posted in policy, privacy | 1 Comment

Facebook: “we’re keeping your data for your friends’ sake!”

Posted on February 16, 2009 by ben

So Facebook changed their terms of service so they can keep and distribute your data forever, even if you delete your account. It seems that they will factor in your privacy preferences, but I’m not a lawyer and I’m not … Continue reading →

Posted in policy, privacy, web | 4 Comments