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Yahoo Shareholders Reject Net Freedom Plan
by Winter Casey
Yahoo shareholders have voted against proposals that would have created a company committee on human rights and called on the firm to oppose Internet repression in countries such as China.
Amnesty International had endorsed the resolutions considered Tuesday during Yahoo's annual meeting. The group said one proposal asked the company to oppose Internet repression in countries such as China while the other would have required the company to establish a corporate Board Committee on Human Rights.
Yahoo has been criticized by human rights groups and others for complying with calls by foreign governments to censor content, provide data on users and other moves. Yahoo has received negative news coverage recently for its alleged role in the imprisonment of Chinese dissidents by giving the Chinese government personally identifiable information about the dissidents.
Yahoo has defended its actions by saying it must operate its local country sites within the law, regulations and customs of those countries. Still, Yahoo this week told China that it condemns "punishment of any activity internationally recognized as free expression," according to news reports.
EU Official Seeks Standards For Data Processing
A European Union official said Tuesday that the processing of personal data in criminal matters should be subject to common standards.
"The processing of personal data in the framework of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters should be subject to common standards to ensure the protection of individuals'" privacy, EU Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner Franco Frattini said in a statement.
The EU Justice and Home Affairs Council, which is made up of Justice and Interior ministers from EU member countries, said future standards for personal data will build upon existing European data protection principles. The council said it plans to reach an agreement on a proposed data protection framework by the end of 2007. The European Commission, the EU's policy making arm, said it would like to see the framework adopted as soon as possible.
"It only establishes a minimum level of harmonization of data protection principles," the commission said.
Meanwhile, the commission released a new report Monday detailing where the region stands on its efforts to improve report and innovation within the EU. The research found that European research and development spending as a percentage of gross domestic product has decreased over the past decade while countries such as China, Japan and South Korea have increased such spending. The United States also continues to spend more than Europe on R&D and has a larger high-tech sector.
In other European news, EU Trade Commissioner Charlie McCreevy was scheduled to visit China and Japan this week to discuss policy issues of mutual interest including intellectual property rights.
Malaysian Authorities Crackdown On Web Scams
Malaysia has announced a crackdown on illegal Internet-based investment schemes.
Malaysia's central bank, Bank Negara, said Tuesday that authorities raided the offices of AB Fund, an unlicensed firm, for alleged illegal activities related to its Web sites www.abfund.us and www.abfundtrader.biz.
The bank said Malaysia's Securities Commission has not licensed the company to provide investment advice or fund management activities in the Southeast Asian nation. If the firm is convicted, it will face up to 10 years of prison and fines.
"Bank Negara Malaysia and the Securities Commission will take all measures against illegal investment activities including taking enforcement action against operators and agents of illegal investment Web sites," according to a statement from the bank.
Bank Negara also urged people to alert the authorities immediately of any "suspicious Web sites, e-mails or information on the Internet relating to deposit-taking activities and investment advice and services."
Virtual Simulation Of Ancient Rome Completed
A project to create a virtual simulation of Ancient Rome during its peak in 320 AD has been completed. The 10-year project, which was based at the University of Virginia, used advanced technology to rebuild a digital version of the historic city. An international team of scientists, architects and computer specialists took part in the project, which was launched in 1996 at the University of California in Los Angeles.
Bernard Frischer, director of the "Rome Reborn" project, said the 3D model of the city is "the continuation of five centuries of research by scholars, architects and artists since the Renaissance who have attempted to restore the ruins of the ancient city with words, maps and images." Frischer and Diane Favro, the director of UCLA's Experiential Technologies Center, came up with the idea for the Rome venture.
"Now, through hard work by our interdisciplinary team, we have realized their seemingly impossible dream. This is just the first step in the creation of a virtual time machine, which our children and grandchildren will use to study the history of Rome and many other great cities around the world," added Frischer, a University of Virginia professor of art history and classics, in a statement.
The simulation was created so that it can be updated to include new discoveries reflecting the latest knowledge of what the city was like.
Zimbabwe's Government Considers Surveillance Law
Zimbabwe's parliament is considering a law that would give authorities the power to monitor phones, mail and the Internet of anyone suspected of threatening national security or of being involved in criminal activities, Reuters reported Tuesday.
Officials say the bill, which is expected to be passed by the lower house of parliament Wednesday, is necessary to fight crime, but civil libertarian groups have voiced privacy and free speech concerns. Nelson Chamisa, a Zimbabwe lawmaker critical of the bill, said "this law is about the interception of fundamental rights of our citizens and this house should refuse such frivolous and outrightly undemocratic laws."
Transport and Communication Minister Chris Mushowe told parliament, however, that "We are all subject to this law ... and Zimbabwe needs to mitigate against those who use technology to commit crime as is the norm globally." Mushowe noted that the United States, Britain and South Africa all have similar legislation.
In other news, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India said last week that cellular phone subscribers will be able to register on a "do not call" list in three months. Firms breaking the rules will face fines.
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