Europol wants your data

We ain't seen everything yet. You may be forgiven for thinking the EU's Directive on Telecommunications Privacy gave member state governments enough powers to force communications companies to keep data they may want to look at later, but now Europol has drafted a document that would force companies to do this, whether governments agreed or not. The document came to light thanks to civil liberties groups such as the Electronic Privacy Information Centre and Statewatch. ...more

Updated: Dell refunds Linux users who ditch XP

According to the BBC, Dell is refunding the cost of a Windows XP licence to users that don't use the product but install Linux instead. Dave Mitchell, freelance programmer and consultant, claimed the US company issued a ?50 rebate after he refused to agree to the Windows licence agreement on a new Dell laptop he bought. He made the claim based on a clause in Microsoft's terms and conditions that state Dell, as manufacturer, will refund any unused products. ...more

The beautiful game, online

N.I. Sports and HotGen Studios have just announced plans to launch a new online football management game that will be officially endorsed by Sky Sports. ...more

DoJ hits back at Google over search logs

The US Department of Justice has hit back at Google over the search engine's refusal to hand over search records. The Department of Justice says it needs the search files in order to demonstrate that sites offering pornographic images of children are not only widespread but can be easily found. The Bush administration is also contending that the existing filtering system does not work and is demanding tougher controls. ...more

SiS, ALi to feature non-Springdale products at IDF

With technology licensing issues over the new Springdale platform still not settled, Silicon Integrated Systems (SiS) and ALi Corporation (formerly Acer Laboratories) are expected to put the spotlight on their current Pentium 4 chipsets and peripheral-use chips at this year's Intel Developer Forum (IDF), which will kick off on February 18 in San Jose. Intel's change in Springdale specifications last November made all three Taiwanese chipset designers fall behind in the launch schedule of their new P4-supporting chipsets. Though SiS and ALi are said to have no problem producing their Springdale-based chipsets at the moment, the two companies are not planning to display the chip samples at IDF due to the concern about the licensing issue. ...more