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Critical News

NO CURE FOR ONLINE PRIVACY OF MEDICAL DATA

Some online activities involving medical data will not be protected under the upcoming medical privacy rules, according to a report by the Health Privacy Project in conjunction with the Pew Internet & American Life Project. Expected to take effect in April 2003, the medical privacy rules will not cover the majority of online purchases, searches, or other activities conducted on health-related Internet sites, the report says. As a result, the data collected by health Web sites does not have to be kept private. The study reports that data collected by health care providers--physicians, hospitals, health insurance agencies, or health care clearinghouses--are covered by the rules; most Web sites are not managed by such groups. (Reuters, 19 November 2001)

Yahoo! Seen Censoring
Anti-War Speech

The war in Afghanistan is having a subtle but important effect on the Internet, namely making censorship acceptable to some, even patriotic. Yahoo! has adopted an aggressive policy against anti-U.S. language in relation to the conflict on its message boards. The policy ranges from deleting insultingly worded posts to deleting sometimes rationally worded opposing points-of-view. One Muslim U.S. student, Usman Sheikh, says he has repeatedly tried to post messages foregrounding civilian casualties in the U.S.-led war only to see them deleted, while anti-Arab and anti-Muslim posts have remained up despite complaints by himself and others. In addition, eBay has banned the selling of Sept. 11-related memorabilia unless items are "described in a positive and commemorative way." (Washington Post, 18 November 2001)

THE WEB'S NEXT INCARNATION: INTELLIGENCE

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) say the future Internet will be much more interactive, enabled by a framework for computers to understand the data they display. The research has the backing of such luminaries as Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of the World Wide Web and W3C director. Software agents would help computers find and understand what their human users are looking for by scouring and interpreting the Web. A new coding protocol, Resource Description Framework (RDF), would tag data to make it intelligible by computers. Such tagging involves inference rules and common definitions, something the area of artificial intelligence has been working on for some time. (NewsFactor Network, 13 November 2001)

DOES INTERNET USE 
HASTEN DEPRESSION?

The Internet does not worsen depression and loneliness, according to a new study spearheaded by Carnegie Mellon University's Robert Kraut. The study's findings conflict with an earlier Kraut report, which concluded that more online time meant greater depression. "Either the Internet has changed, or people have learned to use it more constructively, or both," said the psychologist. Kraut believes that the Internet is a more social place than when his study began in 1995. For example, e-mail, instant messaging, and support groups are on the rise. Another ongoing study by Kraut has found that the Internet boosts mental health for extroverts, but reduces it for introverts. (USA Today, 23 July 2001)

ACLU WARNS
OF 'MASSIVE'
CYBER-SNOOPING
BY GOVERNMENT

The ACLU will launch a print and online ad campaign this month to raise awareness of government eavesdropping programs in cyberspace and in wireless devices. Full-page ACLU ads will appear in the "New Yorker" and "New York Times Magazine" assailing the federal government's Carnivore and Echelon programs that have broad powers to read and intercept online and wireless communications. Such programs violate an individual's Fourth Amendment right to privacy, argues the ACLU, and many prominent members of Congress agree, including House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas). An Armey spokesperson said Armey looks forward to addressing the issue in Congress this year. One ACLU ad will contain a picture of a wireless phone with a caption that reads, "Now Equipped With 3-Way Calling. You, Whoever You're Dialing, and the Government." (Newsbytes, 10 April 2001) 

BILL WOULD
CRIMINALIZE
DRUG LINKS

The House Judiciary Committee is expected to vote this morning on the Methamphetamine Anti-Proliferation Act, legislation that would affect some Web sites because it restricts the publication of information about illegal drugs.  Marv Johnson, legislative counsel for the ACLU, says the act raises serious First Amendment concerns.  A section of the bill prohibits teaching or demonstrating how controlled substances are manufactured.  The
House and Senate both have their own versions of the bill.  A number of House Judiciary Committee members are in favor of the Senate version.  The Senate version would require ISPs and other hosting companies to respond to government complaints by shuttering offending Web sites on 48 hours notice. (Wired News, 9 May 2000)

SECOND-HAND SMOKE
LINKED TO LUNG CANCER,
OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) announced in November that the availability of the most comprehensive report on the health risks of secondhand smoke ever conducted. The monograph, "Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke: The Report of the California Environmental Protection Agency," links secondhand smoke, also called environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), not only with lung cancer, but with heart disease, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), nasal sinus cancer, and a host of other diseases in both adults and children.

In a preface to the 430-page report, U.S. Surgeon General and Assistant Secretary for Health, David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D., said that the public health burden caused by ETS "more than justifies public policies creating smokefree workplaces and public areas."

Previous reports issued by the U.S. Surgeon General in 1986 and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 concluded ETS caused lung cancer, but that too few studies were available to assess its relationship to heart disease. In contrast, the new report compiled by the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) includes 18 epidemiological studies linking ETS to coronary heart disease.

Because of the new findings, U.S. Surgeon General and Assistant Secretary for Health, David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D., said, "I call on everyone committed to public health to join me in a renewed effort to complete the creation of a smokefree society."

More information: http://rex.nci.nih.gov/NCI_MONOGRAPHS/INDEX.HTM or http://www.nci.nih.gov.

OLYMPUS, IBM HAVE EYES
ON WEARABLE COMPUTER

IBM and Japanese camera manufacturer Olympus unveiled a futuristic wearable computer in Tokyo on Friday. The 13-ounce computer consists of a screen that fits over one eye and a handle with a touchpad and two buttons to make commands. Although the wearable computer lacks a keyboard, it may be added in the future, says Olympus' Shinichiro Murakami. It comes with 64 MB of RAM, uses Windows, and can play audio and video. The companies will decide next year when to release the computer commercially, Murakami says. (Baltimore Sun 11/27/99)

DRAFT POLICY ON EXPORT
OF ENCRYPTION CRITICIZED

The White House yesterday released a draft of its policy aimed at relaxing encryption exports, but critics say the proposed regulations are still too strict. Several bills in Congress, such as the Security and Freedom Through Encryption (SAFE) act, were also targeted at loosening export laws, but the Clinton administration believed these bills threatened national security. The administration on Sept. 16 proposed new rules instead of the existing bills, and final regulations will be released on Dec. 15. The proposed rules permit the export of retail encryption products with no restrictions on key length. In addition, the draft proposes looser export laws for open source software such as Linux. However, the rules might not apply to encryption software that is part of another program, and full bans would still exist for Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria. Some high-tech firms objected to the draft's unequal treatment of different types of encryption, saying tougher laws would apply to encryption that is built into hardware or software components. (Washington Post 11/24/99)

OSHA OUTLINES
STANDARD TO FIGHT
INJURIES IN WORKPLACE

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a proposal that will require many employers to provide equipment and workspaces that support the physical makeup of any individual performing a job that requires heavy lifting or repetitive motion such as operating a computer keyboard. The proposal requires all manufacturers and companies that have workers lifting objects to have a program identifying ergonomic issues and teaching employees. In addition, the proposal requires any employer whose worker reports an ergonomic injury to improve the conditions in the workplace, rotate jobs, slow the speed of the task, or assign different tasks. The proposal is OSHA's first formal attempt to limit employee exposure to working conditions that could cause musculoskeletal disorders, and the agency intends to issue a final rule next year. Business groups say they will continue to oppose the new standard, saying they want more scientific evidence supporting ergonomics. (Washington Post 11/22/99)

Criticism.Com comments: Finally.

HIGH-SPEED WIRELESS - On Monday, Oct. 25, 1999, a group of leading technology companies told The New York Times that they would form an alliance to create products that would allow consumers to get high-speed Internet access through a wireless system within the next year. The consortium -- which is led by Cisco Systems, the giant Internet networking company, and Motorola, the maker of wireless telephone products -- is essentially backing an alternative to delivering broadband Internet access through underground cables and wires. Aware that AT&T was moving into cable television and developing a system capable of delivering high-speed Internet access through its cable services, MCI Worldcom and Sprint have spent about $1 billion in the last few years to buy many of the companies that owned the licenses to the MMDS radio spectrum. The companies involved in the agreement Monday said that the ability to deliver high-speed broadband access through a wireless system would also rapidly accelerate the introduction of broadband services to rural areas and urban centers, and do so more easily and inexpensively.

FLAW EXPOSES
WEB SHOPPERS'
PERSONAL DATA

In one of the most widespread security flaws in electronic commerce history, over 100 online stores are leaving personal customer information open to anyone with a Web browser, according to a report last Wednesday. The security error is caused by shopping cart software that is installed incorrectly and affects mainly small retailers. The problem was discovered by Joe Harris, a computer technician at Internet service provider Blarg Online Services, while he was inspecting an online store that his service hosts. He found that incorrectly installed shopping cart software copies a customer's order information in a file that can be accessed by anyone with a Web browser. Shopping cart software that is vulnerable to such security risks include programs from Order Form, QuikStore, Enterprise's EZMall2000, PDGSoft, and Mercantec, according to Harris. (Los Angeles Times 04/22/99)

PRIVACY GROUP
SCOLDS MICROSOFT
BUT DOES NOT DEMAND AUDIT

The Santa Barbara, Calif.-based nonprofit group called Truste that monitors online privacy policies has chastised Microsoft for compromising consumer policy by including a unique ID number in each copy of the Windows 98 operating system to surreptitiously collect consumer data. On the other hand, Truste said that it had found no actual privacy violations involving information collected through Microsoft's Web site. Privacy advocate Jason Catlett, who is critical of Truste's decision not to demand a full audit of Microsoft's privacy policies, says that "they haven't caused any consequences for Microsoft other than this rebuke. It really demonstrates that self-regulation is a toothless tiger." Microsoft is a "premier corporate partner" of Truste and has contributed $100,000 to the organization. (New York Times 23 Mar 99)

HHS PROPOSES
SECURITY STANDARDS
FOR ELECTRONIC HEALTH DATA

AUG. 11, 1998: HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today proposed new standards for protecting individual health information when it is maintained or transmitted electronically.

The new security standards were designed to protect all electronic health information from improper access or alteration, and to protect against loss of records.

At the same time, Secretary Shalala called on Congress to enact further protections to guarantee the privacy of medical records.

"The proposals we are making today set a national standard for protecting the security and integrity of medical records when they are kept in electronic form," Secretary Shalala said. "It is crucial to have these standards, as we move increasingly toward electronic medical records. But it is also not enough. In addition, we urgently need new legal protections to safeguard the privacy of medical records in all forms."

The new electronic data security standards were mandated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), which also called on the Secretary of HHS to make recommendations to Congress on how to protect the privacy of health information. Secretary Shalala delivered her recommendations for new health privacy legislation last September. Under HIPAA, Congress is given until August 1999 to enact privacy protections. If Congress fails to act by that time, HIPAA authorizes the Secretary to implement privacy protections by regulation.

"Electronic medical records can give us greater efficiency and lower cost. But those benefits must not come at the cost of loss of privacy," Shalala said. "The proposals we are making today will help protect against one kind of threat -- the vulnerability of information in electronic formats. Now we need to finish the bigger job and create broader legal protections for the privacy of those records."

Today's proposed regulations include technical guidance as well as administrative requirements for those who use electronic health information, medical records of individuals. All health plans, health care providers, and health care clearinghouses that maintain or transmit health information electronically will be required to establish and maintain responsible and appropriate safeguards to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the information.

Depending on size and complexity, health care businesses will have different security needs. All will have to comply with the security requirements. Some businesses may need to implement more sophisticated safeguards than others.

For example, all firms that transmit or maintain electronic health information will need to develop a security plan, provide training for employees, and secure physical access to records. Health information about individuals must be protected during transmission and where maintained in electronic form. Other administrative procedures, physical safeguards, and technical security measures will also be needed.

"This is not a one size fits all security plan," said Nancy-Ann DeParle, Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration, "but a carefully developed set of standards. They should ensure that individual records are secure while providing the flexibility for each health care business."

The proposal includes an electronic signature standard which specifies that a digital signature be used when an electronic signature is required for one of the standard transactions specified in the law. This standard will verify the identity of the person signing and the authenticity of an electronic health care document.

The proposal, to be published in the Federal Register, is one of a series of administrative simplification efforts required by HIPAA. Other HIPAA-required proposals include standards for a uniform electronic health care claim (and other common administrative transactions), and for reporting diagnoses and procedures in the transactions.

HIPAA also required HHS to establish standards for unique identifier numbers for health care providers, employers and health plans. Proposals have already been made for employers and providers.

In addition, HIPAA called on HHS to adopt standards for a unique health identifier number for each individual American. However, the Clinton Administration has said no proposal for patient identifier numbers will be implemented until privacy protections, as called for by HIPAA, have been put in place.

Note: HHS press releases are available on the world Wide Web at: http://www.hhs.gov.

ACTION ALERT: The Media Monopoly

GOVERNMENT LOOKS
AT MICROSOFT'S DEALS
WITH MEDIA PARTNERS

As part of its antitrust suit against Microsoft, the U.S. Justice Department is considering whether to charge the company with using the market dominance of its Windows operating system to leverage itself into domination of information and entertainment services on the Internet. Microsoft requires that PCs using Windows display the logos of the dozen media partners the company has selected to appear on its "Active Desktop." (Wall Street Journal 5 Feb 98)

Criticism.Com comments: Finally.
ACTION ALERT: Government Intrusion

INTERNET NEEDS MORE, NOT LESS SECURITY

Netscape CEO James Barksdale says encryption legislation proposed by FBI Director Louis Freeh could trigger the downfall of U.S. dominance in the software industry. The FBI-backed Oxley-Manton amendment would "require makers of encryption software to provide the government with immediate access to the information in a computer or network without the knowledge of the owner or user of the computer." Barksdale says that rather than reducing crime by giving law enforcement officials to digital transmissions, the legislation likely would result in more crime: "By taking away encryption as we know it today, the FBI proposal would expose computer users to assault by hackers intent on economic espionage, blackmail and public humiliation. At a recent congressional hearing, one witness testified that with the $1 billion and 20 people using existing technology, he could effectively shut down the nation's information infrastructure, including all computer, phone and banking networks... The FBI cannot catch every hacker. But there will be fewer and fewer of them trying to penetrate sensitive networks if those networks are adequately protected and communications secured through the use of strong encryption." (Wall Street Journal 26 Sep 97)
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Push by all available means for the complete dissolution of the incompetent, intrusive FBI. A recent issue of The Nation documents the ineffectivity of the FBI. Read it.

EUROPE REJECTS CLINTON'S ENCRYPTION PLANS

The European Commission has rejected the "key recovery" and "key escrow" data security approaches favored by the Clinton Administration but opposed by the computer industry and many privacy groups. Under the "key" system, the users of encryption software would be required to deposit a decoding "key" with an independent organization, which would have to make it available to law enforcement agencies that obtained a court-ordered wire tap. The European Commission says that the key escrow and recovery techniques would not only threaten privacy and impede commerce, but would be ineffective as well. (New York Times 9 Oct 97)
ACTION ALERT: The Media Monopoly

ONLINE NEWSPAPER ALLIANCE

The 125-newspaper New Century Network alliance is unveiling its NewsWorks Web site (www.newsworks.com), which will contain features from individual newspapers, as well as an overview of national news stories assembled from various publications. The New Century Network includes Advance Publications, Cox Newspapers, Gannett, Hearst Corp., Knight-Ridder, the New York Times Co., Times-Mirror, Tribune Co. and the Washington Post Co. (Broadcasting & Cable 23 Jun 97) http://www.broadcastingcable.com

Criticism.Com Comments:
Such an alliance is sure to only worsen the uniformity of perspective and the lack of diversity of ideas that characterize American journalism. Alliances of this nature should be banned by swift legal action, using antitrust laws, as anti-democratic.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Internet users should actively protest the sorry state of American corporate journalism by not using such sites and by sending email to the editors of such site making them aware of the media monopoly and the threats to democracy it entails. And tell them you will be boycotting their site.

ACTION ALERT: SAN JOSE

Mercury News Pulls Reporter Off Story
Linking CIA to Cocaine Sales for Contras

An investigative reporter for the San Jose Mercury News who linked the CIA to crack cocaine sales in Los Angeles has been pulled off the story and demoted to a suburban bureau, the Associated Press says. The reporter, Gary Webb, wrote a series revealing that the CIA sold the cocaine to funnel money to the CIA-backed Nicaraguan contras. A four-inch Associated Press story reporting Webb's demotion appeared in the The New York Times on June 12.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Inundate the Mercury News' executive editor, Jerry Ceppos, and other editors at the paper with email accusing them of pandering to government interests and of violating the responsibility of the press to aggressively pursue and publish stories critical of the CIA even if full information about the event has not been uncovered, which is not unusual considering that it is, after all, a coverup.

ACTION ALERT: SLOVAKIA

Independent News Agency
Sabotaged During Break-in

(IPI/IFEX: 9 June 1997) -- Unidentified individuals broke into the Bratislava headquarters of the independent news agency Slovak Information and News Agency, or SITA, on June 7, 1997, and stole several dozen computers, fax machines and photocopiers, as well as the agency's satellite equipment. SITA had planned to begin test operations on June 15 and was to supply potential customers over the next two months with political and economic news.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Send appeals to authorities urging them to do their utmost to ensure that those responsible for this crime are brought to justice and further urging that there be a full public disclosure of the findings from the police investigation into this apparent act of sabotage against the country's first independent news agency.

APPEALS TO
His Excellency Vladimir Meciar
Prime Minister
Office of the Government of the Slovak Republic
Bratislava, Slovakia
Fax: +427 5315 487
For further information, contact IPI, at Spiegelgasse 2, A-1010 Vienna, Austria, tel: +43 1 512 90 11, fax: +43 1 512 90 14, email: ipivienna@xpoint.at.

The information contained in this action alert is the sole responsibility of IPI, which www.criticism.com credits for its publication.

Internet Users Evade Election Secrecy Law in France

A French law requiring that opinion polls be kept secret during the week before a parliamentary vote was evaded by tens of thousands of French Internet users who accessed Web sites on which the polls had been posted anonymously. The Le Monde newspaper editorialized: "From here on, it is the globalization of communications that renders the law obsolete." (AP 31 May 97)


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