Federal Government Confirms That It Still Sucks at Cyber Security (Recode)
A $6 billion security system intended to keep hackers out of computers belonging to federal agencies isn’t living up to expectations, an audit by the Government Accountability Office has found. A public version of the secret audit released last week concerns the Einstein system, operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Porn advertising is going legit, kinda (Media Life)
More and more non-porn advertisers are buying ad space on sites, alongside the usual mix of sex-trade vendors. Why? It’s cheap, it reaches huge numbers of users, and for many it works.
Report: Time Warner-Hulu Talks Heat Up (Broadcasting and Cable)
Time Warner’s talks about acquiring a stake in the streaming service Hulu have intensified, according to a published report. Hulu is owned by Comcast, Walt Disney Co. and 21st Century Fox and is seen as the traditional TV industry’s answer to Netflix.
Muy Loco Parentis: How ‘Freakouts’ Over Student Privacy Hamper Innovation (Chronicle- Commentary)
Colleges should start thinking of data about students as data that in some way belongs to the students. Let them make the call about sharing it.
Tech groups face fresh scrutiny of transatlantic data transfers (Financial Times)
Apple, Microsoft and Google are facing further scrutiny of the methods they use to transfer data across the Atlantic amid a fresh bout of complaints from the Austrian law student who brought about the demise of a crucial transatlantic data-sharing arrangement.
On Patents, Courts Step in Where Congress Won’t (Inside Sources)
Six months ago, Congress seemed poised to advance several measures designed to stamp out abuse of the patent system. So-called patent “trolls,” known more politely as non-practicing entities (NPEs) or patent assertion entities (PAEs) found themselves on the receiving end of the legislation.
Security Of Connected Toys Seen As Major Issue (Wearable Tech)
The “Internet of things” is no longer just a topic of conversation at your workplace or outside of it. It is no longer just a concept with some potential impact on how we live and how we work. The IoT is happening right now. It is already here. The number of “connected” devices into people’s homes and their day-to-day routines is on the rise.
Microsoft app used to tally votes at Iowa caucus fails in some areas (USA Today)
As Republican and Democratic caucus voters used new Microsoft tallying apps during the Iowa caucuses, some took to Twitter to say the sites were crashing, while others complemented them on how swiftly they worked. In an emailed statement, Microsoft said that the mobile apps for both parties worked without issue.
HOW FACEBOOK TRACKS AND PROFITS FROM VOTERS IN A $10 BILLION US ELECTION (The Guardian)
Facebook, which told investors it was “excited about the targeting”, does not let candidates track individual users. But it does now allow presidential campaigns to upload their massive e-mail lists and voter files – which contain political habits, real names, home addresses and phone numbers – to the company’s advertising network.
REMARKS OF LAWRENCE STRICKLING AT SILICON FLATIRONS CONFERENCE (NTIA)
National Telecommunications & Information Administration head Lawrence Strickling provided the keynote address at the Silicon Flatirons Conference on the Digital Broadband Migration. He used the opportunity to continue to promote the Obama Administration’s $4 billion Broadband Technology Opportunities Program.
THE TRAGEDY OF ETHIOPIA’S INTERNET (Vice)
Former American diplomats, current members of Ethiopia’s intelligence agency, and foreign policy experts all said that the Ethiopian government is afraid of dissident views spreading online, and has crafted its intelligence service, telecommunication sector, and legal codes to stamp out digital dissent.
‘NBA 2K’ Videogame Maker Sued for Copyright Infringement Over LeBron James’ Tattoos (Hollywood Reporter)
A new lawsuit addresses an uncertain legal issue that’s been stained in the minds of the public ever since Mike Tyson’s tattoo artist sued in 2011 to stop the release of Hangover 2. The action was filed by Solid Oak Sketches, which claims to own copyright to several tattoo designs featured on the bodies of several NBA stars.
On Wikipedia, Donald Trump Reigns and Facts Are Open to Debate (NY Times)
Ted Cruz’s birthplace became a presidential campaign issue last month when Donald J. Trump added it to his tool belt of attacks. But it was hardly news to the readers and volunteer editors of Mr. Cruz’s Wikipedia page, where mentions of his Canadian birth have been added to, deleted or modified more than 600 times since 2009.