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Center for Democracy and Technology (10 unread)

September 17, 2009
11:45
CDT: Technology Can Provide Needed Transparency for Government Programs
» ‎ Center for Democracy and Technology

CDT told a congressional panel today that providing the public with direct, online access to complex government programs, such as TARP, would strengthen oversight. Media, watchdog groups, researchers and citizens could then better analyze the data for a wide variety of purposes. CDT asked the House Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee to ensure that legislation explicitly require that TARP resources be made available to the public on the Web. CDT also noted that more sophisticated data--such as location and mapping data--are being collected today by government agencies; however, aging federal privacy law needs to be updated to ensure these new types of information are protected as well.
September 10, 2009
15:50
Defense and Celebration of the Online Commonwealth
» ‎ Center for Democracy and Technology

The Center for Democracy & Technology invites you to join in celebrating the upcoming One Web Day (Sept. 22) by reading and signing the document: A Call to Defense and Celebration of the Online Commonwealth. This document, developed in collaboration with our new CDT Fellows, articulates core values that have enabled the Internet to prosper and highlights our shared duty to keep it open, innovative and free.
September 04, 2009
23:30
CDT Urges Privacy Requirements Be Included in Google Books Settlement
» ‎ Center for Democracy and Technology

CDT today filed a "friend of the court" brief in the Southern District of New York requesting that key privacy requirements be included in the Court's approval of the class-action settlement that would dramatically expand Google Book Search. CDT previously released a report in July analyzing the privacy implications of this settlement and is urging the judge to guarantee strong privacy safeguards for the exciting new services Google will be able to offer. The brief asks that the court approve the proposed settlement of the copyright infringement lawsuit between Google and authors and publishers, but to retain oversight in order to monitor implementation of a privacy plan.
August 11, 2009
14:10
FTC Settles with Rail Companies, Responds to CDT Petition
» ‎ Center for Democracy and Technology

Two companies that fired employees and rejected job applicants without informing them that those decisions were based on background checks have settled charges and agreed to pay $77,000 in civil penalties to the FTC. The FTC brought the charges in response to a petition filed by CDT and a group of advocates noting numerous violations of federal rules that require employers to provide proper notice and obtain consent before subjecting employees to criminal background checks. The FTC found the companies to be in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which helps to protect consumers by requiring employers to inform employees and job applicants about the use of background checks in making employment decisions.
August 10, 2009
21:52
CDT Comments on Federal Web Policy Proposal
» ‎ Center for Democracy and Technology

CDT and EFF today submitted joint comments to the Office of Management and Budget in response to the agency's proposed review of the policies governing the use of cookies and other web technologies. OMB's suggested framework begins to address some of the deficiencies regarding current federal policy; however, the final version of the policy must include more granular and comprehensive privacy protections, CDT and EFF said in joint comments. Agency Web sites play a key role in fostering a more participatory government, but with changes in technology and policy special attention should be given to privacy issues. Many of the ideas and recommendations contained in the comments are based on a recently released CDT-EFF report about the use of analytics on government web sites.
August 07, 2009
7:26
CDT Announces Non-Resident Fellows Program
» ‎ Center for Democracy and Technology

With the designation of ten distinguished academics, the Center for Democracy & Technology today announced the creation of a non-resident Fellows Program, designed to bring fresh insight and the latest in academic research to CDT’s work. The program provides an opportunity for leading scholars to collaborate with CDT staff in addressing the complex legal and policy issues facing the Internet. In the past, CDT had several associated Fellows, but the relationship was informal. The announcement today formalizes the fellowship system, strengthening CDT’s cross-disciplinary approach to its mission: keeping the Internet open, innovative and free.
August 05, 2009
13:09
CDT Releases Updated Report on Privacy Controls for Web Browsers
» ‎ Center for Democracy and Technology

CDT today released an update to the browser report it issued in October of 2008. The report includes updated information about privacy tools available in five Web Browsers – Firefox 3.5, Internet Explorer 8, Google Chrome, Safari 4, and Opera 10. The report compares browser offerings in three key areas: privacy mode, cookie controls and object controls. Each of those, when used correctly, can greatly reduce the amount of personal information users transmit online.
July 29, 2009
14:38
CDT Releases Report on Privacy Concerns Surrounding Government Cybersecurity System
» ‎ Center for Democracy and Technology

The Center for Democracy & Technology today released a report outlining a series of privacy and legal questions that surround the government computer monitoring system known as "Einstein." The report calls on the Administration to release information about the legal authority for Einstein, the role of the nation's top spy agency, the National Security Agency, in its development and operation, and the impact of Einstein on privacy.
July 27, 2009
21:15
CDT Releases Privacy Recommendations Report for Google Book Service
» ‎ Center for Democracy and Technology

CDT today released a report analyzing the privacy risks associated with the proposed expansion of Google Book Search. The report urges Google to commit to a strong privacy regime for the new service in advance of the settlement fairness hearing this fall. The tentative settlement between Google and publishers, the result of a copyright infringement lawsuit, would dramatically alter the way the public obtains and interacts with books. The report asks the court to approve the settlement but to retain oversight in order to monitor implementation of a privacy plan.
July 21, 2009
16:16
CDT Files Reply Comments on FCC Broadband Plan
» ‎ Center for Democracy and Technology

CDT filed a second round of comments today in the FCC proceeding to create a national broadband plan. CDT emphasized that the broadband plan should expressly affirm key elements of the Internet's successful policy framework. CDT also offered responses to a variety of arguments raised by other commenters on topics such as nondiscrimination, network management, the regulatory treatment of wireless broadband, active ISP policing of copyright infringement, and the role of self-regulation in protecting user privacy.

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Center for Democracy and Technology (10 unread)