March 14, 2012
DOJ Asks Court to Keep Secrety Any Partnership Between Google, NSA 03-14-12
The fact that the DOJ is trying to keep things quiet leads me to conclude that there is a partnership, and that Google isn't the only entity violating the privacy of everyone who uses its services!- LEGAL COMMENTARY Birth Control and the Right to Privacy, a 50 Year Constitutional
Debate Rages On 03-14-12
I don't disagree that there is, indeed, a constitutional right to privacy. And I think whether you want to use contraceptives or not is, indeed, a private matter. So why are you trying to make it everybody else's business? I wouldn't be inclined to pay for your sex toys, and I'm not any more inclined to pay for your sex life in any other regard, either.
March 13, 2012
- Health-record privacy impeding medical research 03-13-12
As most of you know, I'm no fan of HIPAA. To put it bluntly, I don't think it works. I'm especially leery of its requirements for electronic healthcare records. But now I note that HIPAA is ridiculous on the opposite end of the scale as well. I appreciate the protection of privacy more than many, but I'm pretty sure that people who've been dead for a hundred years aren't going to care if a researcher or three sees their records! 
Washington Prepares Data-Privacy Offensive, Web Companies Prepare Their Defense 03-12-12
The difference is simple enough: I opposed SOPA and PIPA because they violated the personal rights of millions. I support data privacy initiatives because many companies are violating the personal rights of millions.
March 12, 2012
- COMMENTARY Googling away your privacy? 03-12-12
I don't care what's in Google's new privacy policy. The fact that it's tracking me wherever I go, and using that data in ways we may or may not be able to predict, is disconcerting at best. And I don't care just how much more convenient or "personalized" my online "experience" may be. Some things just aren't worth it. For me, one of those things is my now entirely unused Google account. (There are alternative search engines, including those who get data from Google but which don't collect your data nor is it passed along to Google. See the links at right for suggestions.) - ACLU warns of expanded spying powers in new GOP cybersecurity legislation 03-11-12
Whether you choose this version or the other under consideration seems immaterial where privacy is concerned. Both measures are threats.
March 7, 2012
- Data Security and Privacy Concerns Impacting What People Buy,
Where They Do Business 03-07-12
Good! Sounds to me like people are finally starting to get it! Better yet, by targeting their purchases to products and companies they believe to be more respectful and careful of their private data, they're also setting the free market in motion on a path that will improve service and security. I like it!
March 6, 2012
Mobile users' privacy bill of rights proposed 03-05-12
That's probably a really good idea. At the same time, am I the only one who's dismayed to see that these kinds of laws actually seem to be needed in the face of businesses that will buy and sell almost anything?- COMMENTARY How to Get Privacy Right 03-05-12
I don't agree with the author that we should just let some things slide. I do, however, think that some facets of data privacy are more important than others and that that's where lawmakers—and we all—should put most of our focus to start.
March 2, 2012
- Google privacy policy: Mozilla-add-on Collusion reveals who is spying on internet users 03-02-12
I've long been a fan of Mozilla products, most especially Firefox (Mozilla's browser). The reasons go beyond ease of use and a broad variety of add-ons. Firefox has always been privacy-conscious which I very much appreciate. Apparently it's now going to educate surfers as to just how threatened their privacy actually. While I suspect the results will be scary, I also think having that information so handy is going to prove the point privacy advocates have been making for years.
March 1, 2012
- New Google privacy policy allows even more access to personal information 03-01-12
Heads up, folks, the new policy goes into effect today. Apparently all of our questions and concerns (including those from the federal government) aren't all that important to Google and its bottom line! - Google's New Privacy Policy: Are You Freaked Out? 03-01-12
If you are—and trust me, I totally see why you might be—some Web pros offer up some alternatives here. While not all may be viable for you, it's worth a look and a test run or two, I think! - PRESS RELEASE Online Privacy Bill of Rights and Do Not Track: Steps in the Right Direction, But Are They Enough to Protect Consumers? 03-01-12
Right direction? Yes, I guess so. But hardly a drop in the bucket, really, so no. Not enough to protect consumers. An interesting point is made here, though, and it's one I've long espoused: You need to take action yourself to protect yourself! - COMMENTARY Stealing Your Privacy—It's Google Once Again 03-01-12
The focus here is probably the best evidence we have that the changes in privacy policies over at Google are a bad idea. As the writer notes, Google's past history as concerns privacy doesn't instill a whole lot of confience!
February 29, 2012
Leap Day
- Privacy Rights Groups Fight FAA on Use of Drones in U.S. 02-29-12
Combine drones with other cutting edge technologies, and you'll agree with those 30+ agencies attempting to fight—or at least mitigate—the broad deployment of drones on American soil! The threat to privacy isn't just real, it's overwhelming.
The Right to Privacy
The Right to Privacy is not specifically addressed within either the Constitution or Bill of Rights. Perhaps this is because, after carefully spelling out protections for the privacy of one's property (Third, Fourth, Fifth Amendments) and the right to one's opinions or friends (First Amendment), the Founders felt privacy was implicit. Numerous court rulings say privacy is, indeed, implicit within other enumerated rights. Others dismiss the notion of privacy as being apart from the Bill of Rights as nonsense thanks to the Ninth Amendment which clearly delineates the inclusion of all rights not specifically excluded. Or perhaps the Founders considered personal privacy such an inviolate and obvious right, it didn't require a special mention. I personally believe this latter explanation is the case. Be that as it may...
Privacy as a fundamental right
was fully established in law in the court decision Griswold v. Connecticut. Though the court agreed that privacy is, indeed, an independent right inferred from several provisions of the Bill of Rights (the court referenced previous privacy-related decisions based on protections under the First, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments), it indicated in the Griswold decision that the legal right to privacy had its source in the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The court further decreed that privacy is a "fundamental right."
Don't have anything to hide? Okay, me neither. But that doesn't mean I'm inclined to install cameras in my house or volunteer to be searched any time soon, nor am I predisposed to waive my civil rights to prove my innocence. No true freedom lover would—or could.
Want to help preserve privacy? Educate yourself, and then take action!
Privacy Focused
Search Engines:
UseStealth.com
startpage.com
ixquick.com
