Library Records Post-Patriot Act (Federal Law)

Check out the above link for a table of issues cross referenced with changes in law.  Looks to be well done.

11:54:20 AM    

The Political Wave of the future

The book Smart Mobs talks of what happens when technology, especially mobile, is used to coordinate actions of groups.

Smart mobs emerge when communication and computing technologies amplify human talents for cooperation. The impacts of smart mob technology already appear to be both beneficial and destructive. Smart mobs emerge when communication and computing technologies amplify human talents for cooperation. The impacts of smart mob technology already appear to be both beneficial and destructive.

Definite food for thought.  Connect these thoughts to those found in The Next Deal and others and you have fodder for an interesting future.

7:47:35 AM    

50 sets of rules?

Computerworld: Privacy battle seen as a 'gathering storm'. Things are lining up for real legislative battles next year in Congress and in the states, triggered by the impending expiration of a provision of the Fair Credit Reporting Act that blocks states from imposing their own data privacy rules. [Tomalak's Realm]

Ah, the nightmare of every tech lobbyist.  If the FCRA rule sunsets, then states can create their own privacy rules regarding sharing of consumer data.  Credit reporting and other firms will suddenly find themselves in the same position as insurance companies, utilities and others that have to contend with different governance structures in the states.  Given Congress' reluctance to do anything on privacy, what's wrong with data companies having to acknowledge that we actually do live in a republic of 50 states and not one monolithic central government?

7:26:30 AM