Liberty challenges new RIPA data privacy guidelines

Human Rights Organisation Liberty has welcomed the Government's scaling back of organisations able to access data traffic under RIPA (Regulation of Investigatory Powers), but questions whether those charged with granting such powers and monitoring whether these privileges are used properly have the resources to do so. The new proposals add five new bodies to those with access to data traffic, including the fire authorities, the Serious Fraud Office, NHS trusts and the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency. Further restrictions as to the reasons for requesting data were imposed, as well as to which individuals within organisations able to make those requests. ...more

Nokia handsets in Hannover

CeBIT in Hannover, Germany, has proved to be the launchpad for a host of consumer electronics devices. Nokia, in turn, has set a few handsets off the leash boasting colour screens, multimedia messaging capabilities and more. Prepare for debriefing. ...more

Zen feels the power of LLU

Zen Internet has announced that it is joining the ranks of local loop unbundling ISPs. The Rochdale-based company will run a trial offering 4Mbps and 8Mbps connections through its local exchange. Zen customers in the area will be warned that they may lose their broadband link for a few minutes while their line is switched. ...more

Microsoft and Nigeria team up against 419 scams

Microsoft is teaming up with the government of Nigeria in a bid to tackle the problem of 419 scams, or advanced fee frauds. 419 scams, so called because of the Nigerian penal code they fall foul of, involve sending out an email purporting to be from someone with a large amount of money they need to quickly transfer to another bank account. In return the recipient is promised a cut of the funds. ...more

IBM researchers build carbon molecule computer

A group of US researchers at IBM's Thomas J. Watson Research Center claim to have built the first computer circuit on a molecule. Using 12 field effect transistors stretched along a single carbon molecule in the form of a nanotube, the scientists managed to run the logic circuit at some 52MHz. ...more