Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


Forums › Off topic › A very interesting article on cloud computing privacy...


242 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 29


Topic # 25435 21-Aug-2008 11:08
Send private message

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/08/20/cloud_computing_privacy/

Basically saying that if you use 3rd parties to hold your data you have no expectation of privacy. Now, this article applies to US entities, but I wonder what the situation is here.

For example, what status does my skydrive have?

More importantly, Message Labs are trying to sign my business up to their filtering service. What expecation of privacy should I have with regard to our mail and surfing habits? Message Labs archives mail for a month or so, can this be seized without a warrant or our knowledge?

Scary stuff.

Cheers
Jon

Edit: Link HTML updated




I reject your reality and substitute my own!
- Adam Savage, Mythbuster

Create new topic
3046 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 900

Trusted
Subscriber

  Reply # 158609 21-Aug-2008 11:58
Send private message

Interetsing story.  I can see all sorts of arguments being put forward for both sides here!  Any chance you can edit your post to actually include the link rather than just citing it?

In New Zealand a warrant is required to do electronic interceptions or retrieve data from ISP's.  So, in general (unless you're being investigated for something) you should expect privacy.  But the events alleged in this thread, involving Trademe and the police, might tend to cast a shadow over that expectation.

It would be interesting to know how information gathering might work if the cloud is hosted in or run by entities in a different country.

Getting back to the issue of notice raised in the article, in NZ there is no requirement to give notice of a search warrant beforehand and IMHO neither should there be.  Giving prior notice would only result in destruction/concealment of evidence.  However, subsequent handling of information obtained should done with great care which, it might seem, has not been the case in the Trademe incident.

In regards to your expectations of mail and surfing habits via Message Labs:
- Electronic mail is protected in the same way physical mail is, so your expectation of privacy from Message Labs itself should be absolute.  Reality may vary, especially if they have staff who subscribe to Adam Savage's sentiments...Wink
- Surfing habits have been tracked since the invention of cookies.  Unless you always block all of these, plenty of corporations know your surfing habits already!

Create new topic



Twitter »

Follow us to receive Twitter updates when new discussions are posted in our forums:



Follow us to receive Twitter updates when news items and blogs are posted in our frontpage:



Follow us to receive Twitter updates when tech item prices are listed in our price comparison site:





News »

Amazon launches the International Shopping Experience in the Amazon Shopping App
Posted 19-Apr-2018 08:38

Spark New Zealand and TVNZ to bring coverage of Rugby World Cup 2019
Posted 16-Apr-2018 06:55

How Google can seize Microsoft Office crown
Posted 14-Apr-2018 11:08

How back office transformation drives IRD efficiency
Posted 12-Apr-2018 21:15

iPod laws in a smartphone world: will we ever get copyright right?
Posted 12-Apr-2018 21:13

Lightbox service using big data and analytics to learn more about customers
Posted 9-Apr-2018 12:11

111 mobile caller location extended to iOS
Posted 6-Apr-2018 13:50

Huawei announces the HUAWEI P20 series
Posted 29-Mar-2018 11:41

Symantec Internet Security Threat Report shows increased endpoint technology risks
Posted 26-Mar-2018 18:29

Spark switches on long-range IoT network across New Zealand
Posted 26-Mar-2018 18:22

Stuff Pix enters streaming video market
Posted 21-Mar-2018 09:18

Windows no longer Microsoft’s main focus
Posted 13-Mar-2018 07:47

Why phone makers are obsessed with cameras
Posted 11-Mar-2018 12:25

New Zealand Adopts International Open Data Charter
Posted 3-Mar-2018 12:48

Shipments tumble as NZ phone upgrades slow
Posted 2-Mar-2018 11:48


Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.


Updates »

Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.

Alternatively, you can receive a daily email with Geekzone updates.