What Issues Are Important to You?

The debates have come and gone and we are in the final weeks of the election.  Are you still not sure which candidate you support?  Check out The Washington Post, which details a wide-ranging list of issues important to many people. 

What is most important to you?  Stop by the library to vote on what you think is the most critical issue that the candidates should be talking about.  The last day to cast your vote is November 1st and we will announce the results of the issues most essential to the school the following week.

Do You Have Online Rights?

With various tracking policies and constantly changing privacy policies by a wide array of companies, it can be difficult to make sure your privacy is protected online.  Last week, the Obama Administration released the Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights, a set of standards written to guard against privacy exploitation.  Will these guidelines become law?  Read more about it on Wired’s Threat Level: Privacy, Crime, and Security Online blog or on the Forbes technology site.

Privacy vs. Security

Last Thursday, President Obama signed a law renewing facets of the Patriot Act involving surveillance and court-ordered searches that had previously passed the House and Senate.  The Washington Post covers the Congressional resistance to this extension while Salon recounts the various arguments against renewed security measures.   

Read the Patriot Act for yourself on the U.S. Government Financial Crimes Enforcement Network page.

Who is Accessing Your Information?

Privacy concerns have been raised recently after a few technological mishaps have caused the release of secure customer information.  

Last month, the personal information from millions of customers was hacked from Sony PlayStation, while Apple is currently involved in two lawsuits regarding iPhone tracking.  Although the Wall Street Journal argues that identity theft is rare with only 3.5% of consumers reporting theft, the New York Times questions how much personal data is kept by cellphone companies.  

While people who check in at places like Foursquare should know the privacy risks associated with voluntarily giving up information,  it is also wise to be aware of potential dangers whenever you put a piece of your digital self out there.