Google silent over US Government subpoena

Google stays schtum on user behaviour following US Government subpoena Google is refusing to hand over information on queries submitted to, and websites available on, through the Internet giant's servers, despite being subpoenaed by the US Government. The company says the Justice Department's requests are overreaching and that complying would jeopardise its users' privacy. Although no identifying information is being sought, Google is concerned that the data requested may well contain personally identifiable information. ...more

Developer cracks iTunes encoding format

Apple may have kept details of the lossless encoding format introduced in recent versions of iTunes to itself, but that hasn't stopped one developer from reverse engineering an encoded file, to compile his own decoder. David Hammerton's project is at an early stage; it can currently decode only mono and stereo ALAC files although the format allows for up to eight channels. And as yet there is no encoder. ...more

BBC closes local history website

The BBC is to close a section of its website dedicated to local history as part of a programme to save in the corporation's new media division. The cuts follow recommendations by the government-sponsored Graf Report, which called for a 10 per cent reduction in spending on online services. As a result, the Legacies | UK local history to you site and the US section of www. ...more

Siemens launches anti-spy phones

Siemens has launched what it claims is the 'world's first cordless encryption phone' in a bid to improve business call security. The Gigaset SL965 DECT handset includes a digital signal processor with 3072-bit Public Key encryption, leading to 'interception proof conversations', according to the company. 'The public keys are newly created with each call and shredded after each call,' explained Nicholas Ord, vice president of innovation at Siemens. ...more

Call centres pinpointed for ID theft

Employees at Indian call centres routinely sell personal financial information that is being used to conduct fraudulent Internet transactions, according to a report by Australia's national broadcaster. An investigation by ABC Television's Four Corners programme saw reporters offered PINs, passport numbers and credit card details. It also found that people were asked for information - notably passport numbers - that they were not required to provide. ...more