Google versus the NSA, choice versus trust
Why do we trust Google, Facebook, and other commercial operations to compile vast amounts of personal data, yet fear the NSA doing the same?
The Full Tilt
Stilgherrian delivers an undiluted dose of criticism and analysis of the ways digital technology is changing our world and the spin that goes with it. Mostly in words -- sometimes in audio or video formats -- always cynical. Incorporating the Patch Monday podcast.
Stilgherrian
Stilgherrian is a freelance journalist, commentator and podcaster interested in big-picture internet issues, especially security, cybercrime and hoovering up bulldust. He studied computing science and linguistics before a wide-ranging media career and a stint at running an IT business. He can write iptables firewall rules, set a rabbit trap, clear a jam in an IBM model 026 card punch and mix a mean whiskey sour.
Latest Posts
Dump shared hosting to avoid ASIC's Section 313 hammer
If you want your online business to stay in business, or even to stay online, build your own infrastructure — because Australian law enforcement trashes shared hosting like it's a crack house.
Australia, your lack of cyber transparency disturbs me
There's little public trust in the government's push for more online surveillance and broader powers for its spooks. Perhaps it's time for more openness, less hypocrisy.
iPhone, therefore I am ... a selfish disruptor
'Disruption' is a good thing? No: Next time you hear some Kool-Aid-sculling startup genius boast that they're 'disruptive', punch them really hard. Smashing things at random is not progress.
Reckless Oz regulator runs roughshod over rights
The Australian Securities and Investment Commission censored a website it alleges was part of a scam — plus 1,200 others as collateral damage. An apology is nowhere near enough.
Mobile broadband's false promise
If wireless broadband is supposed to liberate us from fixed-line data tethers, it's a dream that won't become a reality any time soon.
The fuzzy logic of Australia's data breach draft
Australia's long-overdue data breach notification laws are finally being drafted. But will they be tough enough to staunch the haemorrhage of personal data?
LulzSec? Bah, cybercrime ain't no joke
Forget the LulzSec speculation sideshow. The cybercrime charges against Matthew Flannery are a rare chance for the AFP to put a head on a spike as a warning to others.
WordPress attack highlights 30 million targets
The recent botnet attack on websites running WordPress hasn't had much impact — yet. But with millions of vulnerable sites and a knowledge gap at the low end of the market, things could get much, much worse.
Will speed kill the next tech revolution?
It took decades to develop and popularise our now-familiar desktop user interfaces. Do we still have the patience to develop the next interface revolution?