X
Tech

FTC sues Amazon, China bickers with Apple, and MS looks into right-to-be-forgotten [Government IT Week]

There's a Zune or BlackBerry gag there, but we'll just let it pass. This week, Apple is not only the bling to swing in China, but is accused of being a national security concern. Mix location tracking with selfies and who knows what you'll get? Click on in to read some more worldwide IT government news.
Written by David Gewirtz, Senior Contributing Editor

We took last week off here at ZDNet's Government IT Week to celebrate America's Independence Day — which meant eating too much, getting too many bug bites, spending too much time in the sun, and having way too much fun! But we're back in full form, this week celebrating our independence from all things World Cup. Congrats to the winners!

ZDNet's worldwide team provides global 24/7 technology news and analysis. In addition to my own coverage analysis here in the ZDNet Government column and on ZDNet's DIY-IT, every week I'll bring you a selection of the best government-related articles posted by our intrepid reporters and analysts. Here are some of the most interesting from last week.

Top stories

FTC sues Amazon over children's in-app charges made without parental consent
UPDATED: The FTC alleges that the in-app charges debate has been an internal struggle at Amazon for some time now, citing internal company emails referring to the situation as a "house on fire."

US charges Chinese businessman with hacking military data
As the cybersecurity row between the US and China escalates, another Chinese man has been arrested on hacking and data theft charges.

Apple's iPhone branded a 'national security concern'
Is Apple's iPhone truly a risk to state secrets due to location-tracking technology? 

Apple refutes China report on iPhone threat to national security
iPhone maker dismisses suggestions that the "frequent locations" function on the smartphone can monitor the location of the user's movements, noting that personal data is encrypted and stored locally on the device.

Microsoft gears up to open 'right to be forgotten' request form
Microsoft is moving closer to launching a form which could see it flooded with requests to de-link search results.

Unisys finds ‘alarming’ gaps in critical infrastructure security
New research by Unisys, in partnership with the Ponemon Institute, has unveiled large gaps in the security of companies operating in the world’s critical infrastructure industries, including oil, gas, and energy.

Other government coverage around ZDNet

UK spy agency GCHQ tribunal on surveillance claims begins
The UK spy agency's Tempora project is under scrutiny by regulators as part of a hearing demanded by civil liberty groups.

Bring on data retention before terrorist attack: Labor MP
Australian Labor MP and the chair of the committee that investigated Australia's telecommunications interception laws has called for the Coalition government to bring on data retention legislation.

MPs decide drones invade Australian privacy
An Australian parliamentary committee has recommended that new laws be put in place to prevent drones from invading people's privacy.

Samsung Galaxy S5 approved for partial Australian government use
Samsung has achieved approval for Samsung Galaxy S5 use in Australian government agencies on an unclassified basis.

Proposed data breach fines a ‘drop in the ocean’
Security architect Peter Benson is concerned New Zealand’s proposed data breach disclosure regime isn't strong enough.

Brazilian president makes 'internet for all' pledge
Dilma Rousseff releases first tech-related promise ahead of upcoming elections.

Police, security firms team up and take down Shylock malware
The notorious Shylock, a dangerous financial Trojan, has been disrupted due to the efforts of police and security experts.

'Much ado about nothing': Are Italy's 2,300 startups reason to be cheerful?
Italy's startup community is growing. Are recent government measures helping to foster growth, or are young companies succeeding despite them?

Labour unveils NZ 'Digital Upgrade' ICT policy
New Zealand's Labour Party promises direct, targeted support for the ICT sector including "garage grants" for very early stage entrepreneurs if elected to government.

NBN Co boasts rollout stats ahead of marathon committee hearing
Ahead of an all-day Senate Select Committee hearing, NBN Co has said that it has beat its revised forecast for premises ready for service on the fibre network as of the end of June.

Editorial standards