Adblock Plus ruled legal by German court
In a blow to publishers and advertisers (and a victory for consumers) a German court in Hamburg has ruled that the practice of blocking advertising is legitimate.
Regulation
Right to reply: Biometrics will replace passwords ‘only when consumer trust is won’
Passwords could soon be replaced by a new generation of identity verification devices that read body functions such as heartbeat, glucose levels and vein patterns. Matt White, senior manager in KPMG’s cyber security practice, argues why brands need to win consumer trust before this becomes a reality.
Elearning shambles in US school system: $1.3bn project goes awry
A $1.3 billion iPad school project in the US is in turmoil, amid complaints that the scheme was incomplete and let pupils bypass security.
Facebook suffers setback as Indian firms withdraw from Internet.org scheme
A group of Indian technology and internet companies have pulled out of Facebook’s Internet.org initiative, claiming it threatens the principle of “net neutrality”.
Google Shopping search accused of ‘abuse’ by EU
The European Union has filed a complaint against Google over its alleged anti-competitive behaviour, targeting its shopping search which is pitched as a “matchmaker” between products and customers.
Down Periscope! HBO attacks Twitter over Game of Thrones live streaming
Broadcaster HBO has sent ‘take down’ notices to Periscope, the live-streaming video app owned by Twitter, after users of the app broadcast episodes of the hit show Games of Thrones on Sunday night.
Big brands ‘appearing on sleazy website ads’
Many big brands ads from the likes of British Gas, Marks & Spencer, Cillit Bang and O2 are appearing on inappropriate websites, according to a news report this week.
Most online crime ‘goes unreported’
Eighty percent of online crime is not reported to the authorities, with digital police practices ‘severely hampered’ and requiring ‘a fundamental change in mindset’, according to City of London Police commissioner Adrian Leppard.
Predatory or prudent? High price of .sucks domain investigated
The price of new .sucks domains is to be investigated amid claims that brands and celebrities could be exploited.
Facebook admits tracking ‘non-users’…but blames bug
Facebook has admitted that it is tracking non-users, often referred to as ‘shadow profiles’, but denies claims it breaches EU privacy law.