Protests grow over digital bill
The Digital Economy bill has sparked a wave of protest among consumers and rights groups. Soon after the bill began its journey through Parliament on 19 November, many expressed worries about parts of it. The bill suggests the use of technical measures to tackle illegal file-sharing that could involve suspending the accounts of persistent pirates. Critics fear this and other powers the bill reserves could damage the UK's growing digital economy.

Via BBC Online


Jam mobile phone signals in prisons, says inspector
Technology should be used to jam mobile phone signals in prisons, an inspector at Britain's largest jail has said. David Jamieson, chairman of Wandsworth prison's Independent Monitoring Board, says illegal phones fuel prison drug trading, bullying and gang problems. Behind bars, phones can cost £400 each. He said the trade had been worth £9m in 2008, when 7,000 phones were seized. The Prison Service says signal blocking is technically challenging and not quick, simple or cheap to implement.

Via BBC Online


EGoogle buying display advertising startup
Web search leader Google Inc said it is buying Silicon Valley display advertising technology startup Teracent, which expands its competition with display leader Yahoo Inc. Online advertising is divided into search -- usually text ads related to content on a Website -- and display, such as banner ads that are often used as branding tools by corporations.

Via Reuters


"Jail Broken" iPhones hacked by new virus
Hackers have built a virus that attacks Apple Inc's iPhone by secretly taking control of the devices via their Internet connections, security experts said. The virus has been detected in the Netherlands and can only attack iPhones whose users have disabled some pre-installed security features, according to analysts monitoring the progress of the virus.

Via Reuters


Early Holiday Spending Suggests Strong Season for TVs, Videogames
Consumers are generally cautious heading into the critical holiday shopping season, with preseason trends suggesting that electronics sales may be solid while sales of apparel, particularly women's styles, could get pummeled. Spurred by the release of a hot videogame and earlier-than-usual promotions on televisions, U.S. shoppers spent 6.1% more on electronics in the first half of November the month, through Nov. 14, than a year ago, according to a recent analysis from MasterCard SpendingPulse, a unit of MasterCard Advisors.

Via WSJ