
Google Provides Open Source Platform for Beacon Security
After an initial splash, news about beacon technology has been fairly quiet recently, but last week an advancement was announced that will support easier access to privacy and security capabilities on this unique technology. Beacons are sometimes misunderstood – thought to collect or retain data on nearby people, or able to track smartphone movements without […]

A Way Forward for Social Media Research
Few would deny that technology and social media are changing the way we interact. People today can stay in touch with friends on Facebook, share vacation photos on Instagram, follow trends on Twitter, grow their networks on LinkedIn, and explore communities on Reddit. And people are staying connected wherever they go. The Pew Research Center […]

Rise of the Drones
This morning, the Center for Strategic and International Studies presented a panel conversation on some of the challenges – and opportunities – around domestic drone use. After following the issue for …

Beacons in Airports Provide Information for Travelers
Readers know we support responsible beacon technology practices. Today’s story illustrates how airports can provide real-time updates about travel plans, accommodations, and flights to travelers …

"Gambling? In This Casino?" Jules and Omer on the Facebook Experiment
Today, Re/code ran an essay by Jules Polonetsky and Omer Tene, offering their take on the Facebook’s now-infamous experiment looking at the effects of tweaking the amount of positive or negative comments on a user’s News Feed: As the companies that serve us play an increasingly intimate role in our lives, understanding how they shape […]

Wall Street Journal: MLA-Driven Approach to Airport Wait Times
On Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal published an article about long lines at U.S. customs in airports around the country, and what airlines are doing to shorten them. They include a spreadsheet where you can see the kind information that’s been collected thanks to Mobile Location Analytics (“MLA”) technology. This is just one example of […]

Domestic Drones Should Embrace Privacy by Design
Ironically, the vocal public concern about drones actually combats one of the biggest challenges to implementing …

December 5th Privacy Conference
The Future of Privacy Forum Presents Personal Information: The Benefits and Risks of De-Identification On December 5, 2011, leading academics, advocates, Chief Privacy Officers, legal experts and policymakers will gather to discuss and debate the benefits and risks of de-identification and the definition of personal information. Please join us for this discussion of one of […]

Special Guest Post by Robert Ellis Smith
We loved this article by Robert Ellis Smith, noted privacy expert and publisher, Privacy Journal, and republish it here with his permission. Privacy Journal offers our readers a beginning rate of $65 for the next year, a 50 percent discount. The newsletter is available in hard copy by U.S. mail or pdf by email. Please place […]