Microsoft to Disclose Changes on Privacy Practices

Microsoft said that it would change its new disclosure policy to tell consumers explicitly that it would not use personal information it collects from users of some Microsoft products to produce or promote targeted online advertising. The action followed a letter by Representative Edward J. Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat who is co-chairman of the Congressional Bipartisan Privacy Caucus, to Steven A. Ballmer, Microsoft’s chief executive, expressing concern about the policy.

Microsoft Quietly Broadens Its Privacy Policy

Microsoft instituted a policy that gives the company broad leeway over how it gathers and uses personal information from consumers of its free, Web-based products like e-mail, search and instant messaging. Almost no one noticed, however, even though Microsoft’s policy changes are much the same as those that Google made to its privacy rules this year.

Twitter Deletes Anti-Semitic Posts in France

Hours after Twitter blocked access to the account of an outlawed neo-Nazi group by users in Germany, the social networking site agreed to remove anti-Semitic posts that were proliferating in France under the hashtag #unbonjuif, or “a good Jew,” a French Jewish group announced. The agreement was announced by lawyers for the Union of Jewish Students of France, who had a conference call with Twitter representatives in California.

Defense Secretary Cites 'New Threat of Warfare' Online

Cyberspace is the battlefield of the future, with attackers already going after banks and other financial institutions and developing the ability to strike U.S. power grids and government systems, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said. "We confront a whole new threat of warfare in (cyberspace). ... This is an area we've got to pay close attention to. This is the battlefront of the future," he told a business group in Norfolk, Virginia, a city at the center of one of the largest concentrations of military power in the United States.

New Zealand Music Group Drops File-Sharing Case

After bringing several file-sharing cases to a copyright tribunal following the implementation of a "three strikes" rule, the New Zealand recording industry group RIANZ has dropped the one case that was actively being defended. The defendant was the account-holder in a shared apartment who said she had no idea how to use file-sharing software, or even what it was, according to an account posted by Tech Liberty NZ, the group that defended her.

Google Considers Settlement on Patent-Antitrust Issues

Google Inc. is weighing whether to settle a potential claim by U.S. authorities that it violated antitrust law in the way it handles mobile-device patents, according to a person familiar with the matter. At issue, according to two people familiar with the matter, is whether Google improperly refused to grant patent licenses to some mobile device competitors and sought court injunctions against them to stop their products from being sold.

ISPs Prepare for Launch of 'Copyright Alert System'

The "Copyright Alert System," which will provide notices to consumers if their ISP suspects there is illegal downloading going on, will start "in the coming weeks," according to the group behind the system. "Over the course of the next two months, each participating ISP expects to begin rolling out its version of the CAS," according to the Center for Copyright Information, but an exact date for launch will be up to the ISPs involved.

Iran Advances Cyber Military Capabilities, Expert Says

Iran’s rogue regime has significantly advanced its cyber military capabilities over the last couple of years, now flaunting it as a “source of national pride,” according to a cyber security expert. Experts fear Iran, already pursuing nuclear weapons as its leaders amp up their rhetoric against Israel, could mount a digital attack against the West or Israel in retaliation for crippling economic sanctions.

Google Threatens to Stop Links to French Media Sites

Internet giant Google has threatened to exclude French media sites from its search results if France implements a proposed law forcing search engines to pay for content, according to a letter obtained by AFP. The letter sent by Google to several ministerial offices this month said it "cannot accept" such a move and the company "as a consequence would be required to no longer reference French sites."

British Court Upholds Samsung Ruling Against Apple

Apple has lost its appeal against a ruling that cleared rival Samsung of copying its registered designs for tablet computers, in a decision which could end the two firms' legal dispute on the subject across Europe. Britain's Court of Appeal upheld the country's High Court judgment that, despite some similarities, Samsung's Galaxy tablet did not infringe Apple's designs, in part because its products were "not as cool".

Islamist Hackers Blamed for Attack on BB&T Website

The BB&T website became the latest target of Islamist hackers who recently interrupted the websites of Capital One, SunTrust, Regions Financial and other banking companies, the North Carolina-based bank acknowledged. BB&T customers had trouble accessing BBT.com after the Iranian “hacktivist” group Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Cyber Fighters launched its attack.

Google's Page Says Current Privacy Policy Necessary

Even though European regulators want it changed, Google’s current privacy policy is necessary for the company to be able to create new products that know more about Google users, said Larry Page, the company’s chief executive. “Virtually everything that we want to do, I think, is somewhat at odds with locking down all of your information for uses you haven’t contemplated yet,” Mr. Page said.

Verizon Sells User Data, Raising Privacy Concerns

Verizon Wireless has begun selling information about its customers' geographical locations, app usage, and Web browsing activities, a move that raises privacy questions and could brush up against federal wiretapping law. The company this month began offering reports to marketers showing what Verizon subscribers are doing on their phones and other mobile devices, including what iOS and Android apps are in use in which locations.

Uber Drops Fight Over Tax-Hailing App for New York

As a wave of smartphone taxi-hailing applications has challenged the industry’s regulators in cities around the country, Uber Inc. seemed to corner the market on brashness. But Uber backed down from its most recent confrontation -- an effort to launch a hailing application for New York’s yellow cabs, in apparent violation of existing rules that don’t allow cab drivers and passengers to “prearrange” a ride.

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The GigaLaw Firm helps companies of all sizes protect their brands online, using domain name dispute policies – such as the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) – and other legal tools available to copyright and trademark owners on the Internet.