Category Archives: Apple

Is the cure worse than the disease?

Posted on December 23, 2019 by

In a blog which focuses on the meaning of “privacy” in the modern world, Privacy International published an excellent summary of key international instruments which address the subject. At the end they announce their conclusion Privacy is a qualified, fundamental … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Child abuse images, Default settings, E-commerce, Internet governance, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation

A startling statistic

Posted on October 4, 2019 by

In a live broadcast from Washington DC  the Assistant Attorney General of the USA just announced that in 2018 Apple reported 8 instances of csam on their platform. Facebook Messenger reported 12 million. Either Apple’s users are uniquely virtuous or … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Child abuse images

A view from the world of wizards

Posted on February 19, 2016 by

I greatly enjoyed reading a review of David Aaronovitch’s book   “Party Animals: My Family and Other Communists” in which the critic picked up on the metaphor of Muggles from the famous Harry Potter series. Both of Aaronovitch’s parents were … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Default settings, E-commerce, Facebook, ICANN, Internet governance, Regulation, Self-regulation

Mr Snowden’s legacy

Posted on December 18, 2013 by

  Without getting into the rights and wrongs of Edward Snowden’s actions or indeed the actions of the NSA and GCHQ in relation to mass online surveillance, the fallout has been most instructive for those of us who occupy the … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Consent, Default settings, E-commerce, Google, ICANN, Internet governance, Microsoft, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation

Death of “sexting”?

Posted on June 4, 2013 by

  Guest Blog by Dr Mike Short CBE Former UKCCIS Board Member, Vice President, Telefonica Europe The term “sexting” seems to be taking on a life of its own. But is it helpful or misleading ? The issues with “sexting” were discussed … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Default settings, Microsoft, Regulation, Self-regulation

The murkier side of apps and ecommerce

Posted on May 25, 2013 by

  The Office of Fair Trading is the UK’s competition watchdog. This is how they describe their work The OFT’s mission is to make markets work well for consumers. Markets work well when businesses are in open, fair and vigorous … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Age verification, Apple, CEOP, Consent, Default settings, E-commerce, Google, Internet governance, Location, Microsoft, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation

Crap Apple

Posted on March 28, 2013 by

  In Britain we have a breed of small, wild apples which tend to have extremely sharp flavours. They are called “crab apples”. I have just had a run in with the other Apple. It left a bitter taste in … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple

What next?

Posted on December 30, 2011 by

  About this time of year lots of technology pundits write columns about what they think is going to happen in the upcoming twelve months or so. I have decided to join in. You don’t need to be Einstein to … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Age verification, Apple, Child abuse images, Consent, Default settings, E-commerce, Google, Location, Microsoft, Pornography, Privacy, Self-regulation | Leave a comment

Brussels makes a move

Posted on December 4, 2011 by

  Neelie Kroes is a Vice President of the European Commission. She is responsible for the European Union’s ambitious Digital Agenda. Robert Madelin is her CEO, being the Director-General for Information Society and Media. In an earlier blog I said … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Child abuse images, Consent, Default settings, Facebook, Google, Internet governance, Microsoft, Pornography, Privacy, Self-regulation | Leave a comment

Lost in translation

Posted on October 12, 2011 by

  A lie can be halfway around the world before the truth has got its trousers on.  Thus spake Winston Churchill, Mark Twain and many others who used variants of it over the centuries.  In the internet age we have this … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Age verification, Apple, Consent, Default settings, E-commerce, Microsoft, Pornography, Privacy, Self-regulation | Leave a comment