Episode 120, 09/26/2009
Title/Description: FCC Pushes for Net Neutrality, Facebook Switches off Beacon, Total Information Awareness Déjà Vu, Unrealistic Expectations, and other News Headlines
Welcome to Course Technology's CourseCast of the week, Episode 120, recorded September 26th, 2009. This is Ken Baldauf bringing you this week's technology news and information. This CourseCast is brought to you by Course Technology. Check out www.cengage.com/coursetechnology for innovative textbooks and creative electronic learning solutions. Visit the CourseCasts Website at coursecasts.course.com where you will find links to the full stories covered in this CourseCast, related discussion questions for use in your technology courses, and the CourseCast Archives.
And now the news…
Story 1: FCC Pushes for Net Neutrality
In a recent speech by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, it was made clear that the Chairman strongly supports network neutrality. Network neutrality refers to principles that provide a free and unobstructed flow of data over the Internet. Network neutrality has become an issue in recent years as it has become apparent that some Internet service providers are restricting certain types of Internet traffic. Chairman Genachowski wants to implement new FCC policies that will give teeth to network neutrality principles. "These principles can be summarized as: Network operators cannot prevent users from accessing lawful Internet content, applications, and services of their choice, nor can they prohibit users from attaching non-harmful devices to the network," said the Chairman. In addition, the Chairman wishes to crack down on discrimination in the industry. He intends to stop Internet service providers from blocking services from competitors. He also plans to create rules that will force companies to be transparent about their Internet management policies.
If the Chairman is able to carry out his plans, it would put an end to many inhibitive policies enforced by Internet service providers including the big cellular companies. It will also provide opportunities for small companies that are currently unable to gain access to the market. Consumers could benefit from more products and services and lower prices brought on by increased competition in the market. One example of a positive consequence would be that AT&T and Apple would be forced to finally allow iPhone owners to utilize their iPhones to connect their computers to the Internet. The Chairman's speech is being hailed by consumer advocacy groups, while the telecom industry is warning of unintended negative consequences. With this latest speech we can be assured that Network Neutrality will be a major topic in the news for at least the next year.
Story 2: Facebook Switches off Beacon
After years of controversy, Facebook is finally shutting down Beacon. Beacon is the technology that follows users around between participating Web sites, and reports back to Facebook what the person views, purchases or rents. That information is then being published to the user's news stream. For example, Beacon might post that Josh just rented "P.S. I Love You" from Blockbuster for all of Josh's friends to read. Beacon is a powerful tool for collecting detailed information on Facebook user's interests which can then be used for product endorsements and targeted advertising. Upon its initial released, many Facebook users and privacy advocate groups loudly condemned the technology which motivated Facebook to change it to an opt-in service. Now, after being further influenced by a San Jose court, Facebook is completely shutting down Beacon and donating $9.5 million to an organization that fights for online privacy.
Story 3: Total Information Awareness Déjà Vu
Some recently declassified government files have revealed a massive FBI data-mining operation that some fear threatens the privacy of U.S. citizens. The FBI has accumulated one and a half billion records on citizens and foreigners that when correlated provide a detailed account of people's activities. The records include financial information, and transaction data from rental car companies, hotels, airlines, and dozens of other types of businesses. While originally designed for hunting terrorists, the database is now being used in domestic criminal investigations. Privacy advocates warn that the database comes dangerously close to implementing the "Total Information Awareness" system that was shut down in 2003 due to concerns over privacy and civil liberties.
Story 4: Unrealistic Expectations
You are probably aware that most photos of today's celebrities and fashion models that are published in magazines and other media are touched up to make them look more alluring. Photo shop artists are able to reduce waistlines by inches, add curves and bulges where desired, eliminate blemishes, and basically make people look better than is humanly possible. Some people are concerned that such tweaking sets up unrealistic expectations in society. Well, the French government is making an effort to address the issue. French law makers are crafting a law that would require enhanced photos to include a disclaimer informing the public that the image has been altered.
· Warning: this unrealistic image has been Photoshopped [Ars Technica]
News Briefs
That's it for this week's CourseCasts. This week's shout out goes to Steve Almond and his students at Hanceville High School in Alabama. Go Bulldogs! Thanks for listening! Email me with your comments and suggestions for the show at coursecasts@gmail.com Let me know how you use CourseCasts in your classes and I'll give you and your school a shout out on my next CourseCast. Until next time, have a great week and be sure to take advantage of the Power -- of Technology!