Run afoul of secrecy

Google revealed that it had unintentionally collected WiFi data from open routers using its Google Street View cars.

The data was only discovered when the German Data Protection Authority asked to audit the WiFi data collected by the Google Street View team.

Google said that up until the time of the audit, it had been under the impression that it was only collecting MAC addresses and SSID information. However, the audit showed that Google had been collected fragments of payload data from open WiFi networks.

Data collected by Google included emails and web addresses users were viewing. Google said that it would be deleting all of this extra data and said a third party would be brought in to ensure this was done in the correct manner.

However, it seems Peter Schaar, Germany's federal commissioner for data protection, and freedom of information, is not satisfied with Google's story.

"So everything was a mistake, a software bug! The data was collected and stored without the authorization of the project's managers or even the company's managers. If we go along with this story, this means the software was used without having been properly tested beforehand," he said, according to TGDaily.

Indeed, Germany is not the only country who has found issue with Google's behavior.

The Irish Data Protection Authority Friday contacted Google and asked that all data accidentally harvested in Ireland be deleted.

Google today confirmed that this Irish data was deleted over the weekend in the presence of an independent third party.

PM: mainstream media faced intense competition from new media

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak asked the mainstream media to continue reporting news based on facts to remain relevant with the people.

He said the mainstream media was now faced with intense competition from new media like blogs and websites that were more based on the perspective of the individual and did not provide news based on accurate facts.

As such, he said, the mainstream media needed to be more creative and innovative in presenting the news in order to continue to gain acceptance by the people.

"If we follow the mainstream media, we will know intuitively that the reporting cannot be disputed, in terms of fact or perspective, because the basis is facts.

"As such, I wish to encourage the mainstream media to hold fast to its role as providers of factual based reporting and well-thought out opinions, intellectual and based on the actual facts" he added.

The interesting question arises: Can the mainstream media make outstanding profit beside maintain the true quality journalism?

King disappointed with new media for "slander, lies and distortion of facts"

Tuanku Mizan said freedom of speech was not an excuse for any party to demean others to the extent of inflaming conflict and inciting racial sentiments.

The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin has expressed his disappointment that slander, lies and distortion of facts still prevailed in the new media.

“All parties involved must realize that no religion condones such actions.
“We urge them to cease committing these irresponsible acts.

“At the same time, the authorities must take stern actions against those involved,” he said.

Tuanku Mizan said freedom of speech was not an excuse for any party to demean others to the extent of inflaming conflict and inciting racial sentiments.

He said in the last two sessions of the Dewan Rakyat, he had reminded all MPs that good conduct was paramount in the House.

“Unfortunately, there are still embers who display manners and deeds unbecoming of elected representatives.

“Please bear in mind that all of you are constantly being watched by the people.