Spanish police arrest six in porn investigation

Spanish police have arrested six people in a clampdown on Internet child pornography. They also closed down 62 Net 'communities' where pornography was being exchanged, Reuters reports. Investigators discovered 2,870 Internet users in 40 countries who were involved in the distribution of images and videos leading to the arrests in Spain. ...more

EC to investigate 'British Government subsidies' to BT

The European Commission is to investigate whether BT and the Hull based telco Kingston Communications have been given hidden subsidies by the British Government. The subsidies are said to be via a different 'business rate' on property not available to competitors. The difference is said to be in the region of around ?12 billion. ...more

D-Link hunts stolen routers

Network components manufacturer D-Link is asking for the public's help in tracking down thousands of stolen wireless router kits. According to the company some 7,200 Broadband Router and Adapter bundles (DWL-922 - Wireless G Network Starter Kit) were stolen in the UK on the way to European Logistic Centre. D-Link says it has evidence to show that the devices are now being sold on the open market in the UK. ...more

IBM commits to Linux, whether SUSE or Red Hat

IBM has deepened its Linux commitment by forging deals to preload the platform on its products. The company yesterday announced agreements with Novell and Red Hat that allow it to sell its products with either the SUSE or Red Hat Linux platforms preloaded. Red Hat links this to the surge in interest in 64bit computing. ...more

EU, e-business and consumer bodies agree on e-commerce

A breakthrough agreement has been made that could lead to a common standard for conducting business on the Internet in Europe. The EU, European consumer organisation BEUC and the Union of Industrial and Employers Confederations of Europe (UNICE) have agreed common standards covering commercial communications and fair marketing practices, pre-contractual information, confirming and acknowledging orders, payment and security, data protection, handling complaints and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. Also to be implemented is an effective monitoring and approval system including neutral third-party assessment of trustmark schemes to ensure that commitments to these standards are met in practice. ...more