SAN FRANCISCO — Google has begun using billions of credit-card transaction records to prove that its online ads are prompting people to make purchases – even when they happen offline in brick-and-mortar stores, the company said Tuesday. The advance allows Google to determine how many sales have been generated by digital ad campaigns, a goal […]
privacy
Posted inMaine
Shenna Bellows’ bill would ban ISPs from selling customer browsing data
AUGUSTA — A Maine Democrat says her bill would ban internet service providers from selling their customers’ online browsing data to third parties without explicit consent. Roughly a dozen states have taken up measures in the last two months to enhance internet privacy laws following the defeat of protections proposed on the federal level. Sen. […]
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Posted inLetters
An invasion of privacy
Why do some people think that it is OK to fly their drones over other people’s property? I am having that problem, and I do not appreciate it. I consider it to be an invasion of my privacy. I understand what it is like to have a new toy (I have a 12-year-old grandson). What […]
Posted inNation / World
House approves bill that allows internet providers to sell customers’ data
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress has sent President Donald Trump legislation that would kill an online privacy regulation, a move that could eventually allow internet providers such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon to sell the browsing habits of their customers. The Federal Communications Commission rule issued in October was designed to give consumers greater control over […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lewiston mayor wants public listing of welfare recipients
LEWISTON — Mayor Robert Macdonald, who is seeking re-election to a third term, said he intends to submit a bill to the Legislature to require the creation of a website listing names of people on welfare, their addresses, length of time on welfare and types of benefits received. All of that information is shielded from […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Froma Harrop: Be aware; the Internet knows you
Federal Trade Commission head Edith Ramirez put the matter plainly: “If I’m wearing a fitness band that tracks how many calories I consume, I wouldn’t want to share that data with an insurance company.” In a study last year, the FTC found that 12 mobile fitness apps shared information with 76 enterprises. Face it; personal […]
Posted insj-web
N.H. attempts to regulate drones and protect privacy
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Two state lawmakers have resurrected an effort to limit the use of drones to protect residents’ privacy, despite the failure of efforts last year. New Hampshire was among 43 states last year to introduce bills and resolutions concerning the unmanned aircraft. But the legislation that would have prohibited drones from snapping […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
New cellphone privacy laws go into effect Wednesday
AUGUSTA— Maine law enforcement will have to get search warrants to gather voicemails, text messages or data about someone’s recent location from a cellphone under two new laws that take effect this week. The laws go into effect Wednesday, 90 days after the end of the legislative session in July. Supporters say the measures are […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Educators, state officials debate impact of LePage’s executive order on student privacy
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage’s pre-emptive strike on sharing data on Maine students with the federal government left his political opponents saying his executive order issued Sept. 4 amounts to nothing more than “words on paper” at best and at worst, could interfere with millions of dollars of federal funding that flows to Maine. LePage […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Senate votes to keep cellphone privacy bill alive
AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers have voted to override a veto by Gov. Paul LePage of a bill requiring law enforcement to have a warrant to get location information from a person’s cellphone. The Democratic-led Senate overturned the veto on a 22-11 vote on Tuesday. Veto overrides require a two-thirds majority of present and voting members. […]