Post # 3

SOME STATES PUSHING FOR LAWS TO CURB ONLINE BULLYING
The AP reports that states from Oregon to Rhode Island are
considering crackdowns to curb or outlaw online bullying,
the behaviour in which kids taunt or insult peers on social
Web sites like MySpace or via instant messages. However,
there is still some disagreement over how effective
crackdowns will be and how to enforce them.

This article is interesting because it is yet another example of a behavior that has been considered unacceptable and even illegal in some places in the real world, but has been almost completely ignored on the internet. Clearly, bullying is not a good thing. However, trying to find a way to regulate it will likely be as hard as it is to regulate any of the other unsavory behaviors that are so prevalent, such as child pornography, libel, and general transmission of conspiratorial plots by terrorists and criminals. This doesn't mean it is impossible, though. The main challenge is stopping the problematic behaviors without censoring peoples freedom to speak and criticize one another. The problem with that is obvious. Bullying, of course, is a type of criticism. Certainly, it is different than the civilized discourse that our founding fathers might expect from the enlightened citizenry of the republic, but it is criticism to be sure. The challenge, then, is figuring out how to separate the bullying from all the other criticism. As is the case with criticism, that's easier said than done.

http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/editorial/16746515.htm

Entry 1

Hacking


Buffalo.http://news.com.com/2100-1047_3-6157109.htmlID THEFT REMAINS TOP CONCERN FOR CONSUMERSIdentity theft complaints, which include credit card fraud,bank fraud, as well as phone and utilities fraud, accountedfor 36 percent of the total 674,354 complaints submitted tothe FTC and its external data contributors last year. Theresults come at a time when ID theft is a major concernamong consumers and

This is an interesting article about ID fraud which states:

"The overall number of fraud complaints was down slightly from 2005, but the FTC noted that one major data contributor did not properly catalog many of its complaints, so comparisons with previous years are difficult."

So, essentially the FTC's report says that fewer fraud reports were filed than in years past, but more money was fraudulently stolen, but also that their data was incomplete and thus makes it less reliable than years past. Obviously, when billions of dollars are being fraudulently taken each year, it should be a major concern for consumers. However, if they are careful with all personal information, especially social security number, consumers can make ID theft considerably less likely.

When a company like TJX loses that information, however, there is little liability on the part of the corporation and innocent customers are bilked out of more money by identity theives, little will likely be done. Perhaps, then, the lesson here is to be more cautious, fearful, and protective in an increasingly insecure and surveillance-happy world. I mean, at least to some extent. Paranoia may be excessive.