Smart Security and Privacy for the Smart Grid
Last week, security researcher Brian Krebs reported on an FBI bulletin warning that criminals are hacking smart meters. In the bulletin, the FBI warns that former employees of smart meter manufacturers and utilities have been reprograming residential and commercial smart meters to lower power bills. The FBI identifies one particular instance where a utility may […]
Chris Wolf Participates in ITU Telecom World in Geneva
FPF’s Chris Wolf is currently participating in the International Telecommunications Union’s Telecom World in Geneva. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is part of the United Nations and handles issues in information and communications technology. Chris is on a panel discussing cybersecurity challenges and was also invited to submit his paper The Role of Government in Commercial […]
Breaking News: Firefox 'Do Not Track' Advances
Future of Privacy Forum comments on Firefox’s plans to implement a Do Not track feature in Firefox 4: “Firefox is advancing the “Do Not Track” concept by providing a simpler and more effective way to opt-out of behavioral ads, but in a way that is likely to allow most ad networks to continue to deliver […]
Utility Regulators Vote on Smart Grid Privacy Resolution
This week, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) is holding their annual meeting in Chicago. On Wednesday, the Commissioners will vote on passing a new resolution that will address privacy concerns and the development of the Smart Grid. We applaud the proposed resolution (see pg. 16) which will call for clear notices, consent, […]
Privacy and the Smart Grid: New Frontiers, New Challenges
Today, Jules is in Madrid presenting at “Privacy by Design: The Definitive Workshop” on privacy issues and the Smart Grid. While upgrading our power system by introducing two-way data flows could lead to a cleaner environment, reduced power costs, and more reliable utility service, there are data privacy issues that must be addressed if consumers […]
Targeted Advertising Cookie Opt-Out (TACO) On A Roll
Privacy activist and technologist Chris Soghoian has updated his TACO opt-out plug-in to include 44 additional ad networks. Users who download TACO automatically get opt-out cookies from 84 ad networks, cookie tracking companies and others offering an opt-out cookie. Importantly, this opt-out sticks even if users inadvertently delete opt-out cookies. Since we well know that […]
Persistent Opt-Out Cookies
Future of Privacy Forum Applauds Yahoo for Enhancing Consumer Control of Cookies FPF Co-Chairman and Director Jules Polonetsky today issued the following statement in reaction to Yahoo’s announcement that it would refresh the opt-out preferences of users across different computers and browsers, and re-set a new opt-out cookie if a user inadvertently deleted their opt-out […]