Archive for 2012/09/23

Dutch Police Union: We Should Be Able To Remove Tweets Of Rioters In Case Of Social Unrest (The Police Has Already Begun Removing Facebook Pages)

Posted: 2012/09/23 in Blocking, Education / Awareness, Enforcement, Filtering, New Business Models, Public Policy, Stats / reports

In the wake of Project X – Haren, 400,000 Tweets had been exchanged. The first calls to go visit the ‘party’ were made on Facebook.

Dutch media report that a 15-year-old has now been arrested for Tweeting about a new and upcoming Project X party.

Update: Dutch law enforcement has removed a Facebook page calling for a Project X event in the Dutch town of Arnhem. Previously a similar Facebook page inviting people to visit the city of Gouda had been removed too.

Dutch language news article:

http://www.nu.nl/internet/2916772/voorzitter-politievakbond-wil-tweets-verwijderen-bij-onrust.html

Previously:

This Is What Happens When 240,000 Facebook Invites Are Being Distributed For A Real Life Version Of Project X

http://vrritti.com/2012/09/22/this-is-what-happens-when-240000-facebook-invites-are-being-distributed-for-a-real-life-version-of-project-x/

The Aftermath of Project X – Haren: Dutch Police Tries To Convince News Media That Facebook And Facebook Riots Are A ‘New Phenomenon’

http://vrritti.com/2012/09/22/the-aftermath-of-project-x-haren-dutch-police-tries-to-convince-news-media-that-facebook-and-facebook-riots-are-a-new-phenomenon/

Youth In Dutch Town Of Schiedam Arrested For Attempting To Recreate Project X – Haren

http://vrritti.com/2012/09/23/youth-in-dutch-town-of-schiedam-arrested-for-attempting-to-recreate-project-x-haren/

German Minister Of Consumer Protection Ilse Aigner: Project X Disaster In Haren Is Also Facebook’s Responsibility

http://vrritti.com/2012/09/23/german-minister-of-consumer-protection-ilse-aigner-project-x-disaster-in-haren-is-also-facebooks-responsibility/

German Minister Of Consumer Protection Ilse Aigner: Project X Disaster In Haren Is Also Facebook’s Responsibility

Posted: 2012/09/23 in Blocking, Education / Awareness, Filtering, Privacy / Data Protection, Public Policy, Stats / reports

The Minister feels that Facebook shares responsibility for what happened in Haren as the company is not willing to change the privacy settings of user accounts which could prevent youngsters from sending messages and invitations to millions of users.

Dutch and German language news articles:

http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/12981865/__Minister__Facebook_is_medeschuldig__.html


http://www.abendblatt.de/politik/deutschland/article109416291/Aigner-gibt-Facebook-Mitschuld-an-wilden-Partys.html


http://www.open-report.de/artikel/Aigner+gibt+Facebook+Mitverantwortung+f%FCr+Party-Ausschreitungen/186338.html

This Is What Happens When 240,000 Facebook Invites Are Being Distributed For A Real Life Version Of Project X

http://vrritti.com/2012/09/22/this-is-what-happens-when-240000-facebook-invites-are-being-distributed-for-a-real-life-version-of-project-x/

The Aftermath of Project X – Haren: Dutch Police Tries To Convince News Media That Facebook And Facebook Riots Are A ‘New Phenomenon’

http://vrritti.com/2012/09/22/the-aftermath-of-project-x-haren-dutch-police-tries-to-convince-news-media-that-facebook-and-facebook-riots-are-a-new-phenomenon/

Youth In Dutch Town Of Schiedam Arrested For Attempting To Recreate Project X – Haren

http://vrritti.com/2012/09/23/youth-in-dutch-town-of-schiedam-arrested-for-attempting-to-recreate-project-x-haren/

Dorifel Virus Aftermath: Dutch National Cyber Security Center Has ‘Dealt With’ 60 Domain Names And Has Sent 10 Notice And Takedown Requests To U.S., Russia, Vietnam And Austria

Posted: 2012/09/23 in Blocking, Cybercrime, Education / Awareness, Enforcement, Filtering, Network Security, New Business Models, Privacy / Data Protection, Public Policy, Stats / reports, Tech Evolution

The Dutch government says that the majority of internet service providers (ISPs) have complied and relevant IP addresses and domains have been rendered inaccessible. The ISPs  also have followed up on notice and takedown requests sent out by the Dutch National Cyber Security Center.

At least 30 (government and non-government) organizations have been affected by Dorifel contaminations. It is believed that at least 3,500 PCs and/or servers have been contaminated in The Netherlands.

Dutch language memo of the Minister of Justice of The Netherlands:

http://tweakimg.net/files/upload/Verslag%20van%20een%20schriftelijk%20overleg%20Dorifel%2026643.pdf

Dutch language news article:

http://tweakers.net/nieuws/84531/minister-aanpak-dorifel-uitbraak-richtte-zich-op-60-domeinnamen.html

Previously:

In Fight Against Dorifel, The Dutch Government Follows In Footsteps Of Entertainment Industry: Ordered IP Blocking At First And Has Now Seized Domain Names Too

http://vrritti.com/2012/08/13/in-fight-against-dorifel-the-dutch-government-follows-in-footsteps-of-entertainment-industry-ordered-ip-blocking-at-first-and-has-now-seized-domain-names-too/

More:

http://vrritti.com/?s=dorifel&submit=Search

Apple needs to ensure that existing social platforms are integrated with its products in ways that benefit its customers

Posted: 2012/09/23 in Education / Awareness, New Business Models, Online advertising, Privacy / Data Protection, Stats / reports

Have Apple and Facebook just merged…virtually?

Social media still has an important role to play in the company’s future, and it needs to forge the right strategy. Rather than rolling its own, the company needs to ensure that existing social platforms are integrated with its products in ways that benefit its customers.

The first phase of that strategy is well underway. Once Apple pushes out the next Mountain Lion and iOS 6 update, both of the company’s major operating systems will feature deep integration with Facebook and Twitter. But why stop there? That integration could be even deeper, and more important, it could include other popular social networks.

Posting iPhone photos directly to Facebook and Twitter is nice, but the visual nature of Pinterest and Instagram begs for equally easy sharing to those services from within iOS. Tweeting and posting status updates from across the OS is great for users (and the services, at least as far as Twitter was concerned when iOS 5 launched), but there may come a day when the unthinkable becomes unavoidable and we see a Google+ button baked into the operating system. Don’t hold your breath on that one.

However Apple’s social strategy shapes up, it will have to – by definition – serve the interests of users.

More:

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/ping-is-dead-long-live-apples-new-social-strategy.php

Previously:

Why Apple Needs a Real Social Network

Facebook and Google are fighting for the future of mobility, media sharing and in fact the future of the social Internet. They’re also the two biggest companies with the nads to boldly challenge Apple over its core businesses.

It makes perfect sense for Apple to hit back and challenge these two companies in the world of social networking.

Apple has fewer “users” than Facebook and Google. But nobody’s fans are more loyal than Apple’s.

Apple’s iCloud service functions as online storage for pictures, music, movies, books and other content, as well as an email platform. In fact, this is a major component of any Facebook killer. The vast majority of Facebook’s costs center on bandwidth and storage for photos, for example.

Both Facebook and Google will figure out how to get your credit card number one day. Everybody wants to be Amazon.com, where users click one button to spend money. Facebook and Google intend to use integrated social networking features to motivate you to register all your credit card info on those social networking sites for one-click purchasing.

Meanwhile, Apple already has your credit card. The integration of music, movie and TV purchases on a social network could happen on a wide scale via the Apple network even before it really happens on Facebook or Google.

It would also integrate and leverage location data, and thereby integrate online with real-life social activity.

In fact, there’s some evidence that Apple is planning something along these lines. A few weeks ago, someone discovered code buried in the iCloud website that refers to a feature called “Find My Friends,” which suggests at least a Google Latitude like feature launched from iOS Contacts and at most a mobile social network.

Facebook this week has boldly slapped Apple in the face, challenging them over the future of media consumption.

And I think Apple should hit them back, by doing what they do so well: Replacing the ugly, the confusing and the clunky with a superior alternative that’s elegant, beautiful, simple and clean.

If Apple launched social network, would you join?

Much more:

http://www.cultofmac.com/115455/why-apple-needs-a-real-social-network/

See also:

iOS 6 is burning up data lines from Anchorage to Mumbai, and OS X 10.8.2 is not far behind. Both include major integrations with the largest social network in the world, Facebook.

http://venturebeat.com/2012/09/19/apple-gives-facebook-a-big-wet-mushy-kiss-today/

Iran has accused German industrial giant Siemens of placing small explosives in equipment that forms the backbone of the country’s nuclear program

Posted: 2012/09/23 in Education / Awareness, Public Policy, Stats / reports

The equipment was supposed to explode after being put to work, in order to dismantle all our systems,” declared Alaeddin Boroujerdi, head of the security committee in Iran’s parliament. “But the wisdom of our experts thwarted the enemy conspiracy.”

He said the measures were intended to slow down the country’s burgeoning nuclear program.

More:

http://rt.com/news/iran-siemens-nuclear-accusations-755/

Life Of A Censor Is Tough: While YouTube censors videos critical of TSA, it openly allows videos promoting DDoS hacking services

Posted: 2012/09/23 in Blocking, Cybercrime, Education / Awareness, Enforcement, Filtering, Google, Network Security, Privacy / Data Protection, Public Policy, Stats / reports

Apparently it’s okay with YouTube to allow hackers to promote their services, uninhibited and without restriction, even though the very act of hacking is malicious in nature and often involves theft of private information.

Much more:

http://www.infowars.com/while-youtube-censors-videos-critical-of-tsa-it-openly-allows-videos-promoting-ddos-hacking-services/

South Korea Signs Deal To Become NATO Partner

Posted: 2012/09/23 in Education / Awareness, Public Policy, Stats / reports


http://www.infowars.com/south-korea-signs-deal-to-become-nato-partner/

How To Find Out If the Web Services You Use Every Day Are Making Money

Posted: 2012/09/23 in Education / Awareness, New Business Models, Stats / reports

A lot of business is done on the Internet, but the model for making money there isn’t as straightforward as “sell a thing, make a profit.” So how do the web services you use every day make money? The aptly named “How Do They Make Money” has some answers.

More:

http://gizmodo.com/5945562/how-to-find-out-if-the-web-services-you-use-every-day-are-profitable

High-level Wikipedia editors and the chair trustee of Wikimedia UK were providing personal clients with special favors and increased exposure

Posted: 2012/09/23 in Education / Awareness, New Business Models, Online advertising, Stats / reports

After news broke, one resignation and a little backpedaling has done little to solve the problem.

When the Web site in question depends on a reputation comprised of integrity, objectivity, accountability, and openness in regard to recording the world’s facts and knowledge, the question becomes, “Who watches the watchmen?“

At the center of the debacle were Wikimedia UK Chair Roger Bamkin and fellow Wikipedian in Residence Maximillion Klein, who had been openly advertising SEO pay-for-play services for clients on his Web site Untrikiwiki. Klein did not admit to anything, yet quickly removed damning Web site material, and Wikimedia UK Trustee Roger Bamkin — at the scandal’s center — resigned.

Members of the Wikipedia editing community had been calling out the paid-PR activity, yet were continually shouted down by opposing editors, effectively derailing whistle-blowers’ arguments.

When news of the paid-PR scandal finally broke outside Wikipedia’s discussion forums, Klein quickly removed language and artwork advertising his access and services, and posted an unapologetic statement explaining that his business believes there is nothing wrong with paid COI (“Conflict of Interest”) editing for special interests on Wikipedia.

After the scandal went public, Bamkin continued to insist there was no issue or conflict with his side businesses and Wikimedia UK. Bamkin’s supporters from Wikipedia’s GLAM WikiProject (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) defended him with vitriol, and made efforts to devalue the news and derail arguments against topics surrounding Bamkin’s actions and paid editing.

But two days after the scandal surfaced, Wikimedia UK announced the sudden resignation of Bamkin as a Trustee.

Does anyone top level at Wikimedia UK or Wikipedia care?
In regard to this scandal, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales has spoken out on his Wikipedia discussion page against paid-PR editing. But how much effect that opinion will have in the ensuing conflict remains to be seen.

Bamkin had been assisting his client, the controversial government of Gibraltar, in the creation of new, positive articles as a means to promote tourism and increase tourist revenue for the troubled locale.

Representatives for the Gibraltar Ministry of Tourism bragged to the press about marketing Gibraltar as a Wikipedia tourist product, as well as their assurances they had that their pages would remain free of “negative vandalism.”

While talking about Gibraltar’s 1 million pound ($1.62 million) investment in the product, the Ministry of Tourism made headlines in Gibraltar’s Independent newspaper, which wrote:

The enthusiasm and conviction radiating from both the Min. for Tourism, Neil Costa, and Clive Finlayson who came up with the idea of marketing Gibraltar as a tourist product through Wikipedia, which the Ministry for Tourism has embarked upon, leaves one without a doubt that the venture will truly be a success.

On Bamkin’s professional LinkedIn page, he claimed that his Wikipedia clients could expect “£2m [$3.25 million] payback on £50K [$81,150] investment” — no doubt enhanced by Bamkin’s ability to facilitate placement on Wikipedia’s front page in the “Did You Know” feature.

That’s about $3,250,000 payback on an $81,000 investment.

Wikipedia’s main page, with an estimated 8 million views a day, is shockingly valuable real estate.

Wikipedia exposed as a conflicted mess: Derailment for Dummies
The Wikipedia community had decried the unsavory behavior and open profiteering — which most believe runs contrary to Wikipedia’s ethos — for months before public exposure prompted action. But because those at the the center of the paid-PR issues have the most editing power and clout, they appear to have dismissed discussion to the contrary.

Within Wikipedia, the issue seems to be far from over. Wikipedia’s community is still locked in an internal fight over whether there has been any wrongdoing, while those accused (and in support of the accused) maintain that even if there was a problem, it’s not really a problem.

Much more:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57518384-93/wikipedia-honcho-caught-in-scandal-quits-defends-paid-edits/

Youth In Dutch Town Of Schiedam Arrested For Attempting To Recreate Project X – Haren

Posted: 2012/09/23 in Education / Awareness, Enforcement, Public Policy, Stats / reports

Because let’s face it, we all want free iPhones when we leave a party

Dutch language news article:

http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/12980762/__Arrestaties__ProjectX__Schiedam__.html

Previously:

This Is What Happens When 240,000 Facebook Invites Are Being Distributed For A Real Life Version Of Project X

http://vrritti.com/2012/09/22/this-is-what-happens-when-240000-facebook-invites-are-being-distributed-for-a-real-life-version-of-project-x/

The Aftermath of Project X – Haren: Dutch Police Tries To Convince News Media That Facebook And Facebook Riots Are A ‘New Phenomenon’

http://vrritti.com/2012/09/22/the-aftermath-of-project-x-haren-dutch-police-tries-to-convince-news-media-that-facebook-and-facebook-riots-are-a-new-phenomenon/