RFID Journal reports that the US Department of Transportation is soliciting proposals “for the development of a radio frequency-enabled license-plate system that would assist government agencies in the enforcement of traffic laws.” DOT says (pdf):

There are increasing reports in multiple State jurisdictions across the United States that motorcycle riders intentionally conceal motorcycle license plates and operate their vehicles in a reckless manner on public roadways knowing that (1) law enforcement personnel do not possess a tool with which to positively identify the motorcycle or the rider, and (2) law enforcement personnel are prohibited from engaging in high-speed pursuit in many jurisdictions. Therefore, the goal of this research study is to develop a radio frequency identification (RFID) system for motor vehicle (including motorcycle, passenger car, light-truck, etc.) license plates to assist law enforcement in highway safety activities. While the initial concept for this project is focused on improving motorcycle operator compliance with laws through increased technology for law enforcement agencies, there are other applicable roles for this technology (i.e., identification of stolen vehicles, etc.) that would benefit law enforcement agencies. Read more »

The Contra Costa Times reports that a high school girl in California was suspected after she videotaped her class on a cell phone. The girl was upset that the class was loud and unruly.

By May 15, with less than a month left in the school year, the classroom atmosphere had not improved, [parent Allison ]Moore said. That morning, when students flicked the lights on and off and began a paper ball fight with no intervention by their teacher, Moore’s daughter caught the chaos on video with her cell phone. Read more »

The Washington Post has a profile of Tim Sparapani, who left the ACLU a couple months ago to become a lobbyist for Facebook. Tim is a friend as well as a colleague whom I respect. I hope that he will continue his strong fight for privacy rights in his new position at Facebook.

As a prominent privacy advocate, Timothy Sparapani, former senior legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union, argued that Internet companies have too much control over consumers’ data. The self-described “privacy zealot” didn’t join Facebook until seven months ago because he was uneasy about revealing personal information on the site.

Now Sparapani is responsible for shaping Washington’s view of Facebook, the world’s third-most-viewed site with more than 200 million users, and the privacy policies that will define its business. It’s a sign that one of Silicon Valley’s most influential companies wants to cultivate influence in Washington, and much earlier than its tech titan predecessors Google and Microsoft.

EFF has released an important guide on protecting your privacy. From the press release:

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) launched its Surveillance Self-Defense project today — an online how-to guide for protecting your private data against government spying. You can find the project at http://ssd.eff.org.

EFF created the Surveillance Self-Defense site to educate Americans about the law and technology of communications surveillance and computer searches and seizures, and to provide the information and tools necessary to keep their private data out of the government’s hands. The guide includes tips on assessing the security risks to your personal computer files and communications, strategies for interacting with law enforcement, and articles on specific defensive technologies such as encryption that can help protect the privacy of your data. [...]

Surveillance Self-Defense details what the government can legally do to spy on your computer data and communications, and what you can legally do to protect yourself against such spying. It addresses how to protect not only the data stored on your computer, but also the data you communicate over the phone or the Internet and data about your communications that are stored by third party service providers.

The Montana State Legislature is currently debating Senate Bill 46, seeks to place a ballot measure that would ask voters to amend the state constitution by adding “the protection of unborn human life” as a compelling state interest. If the bill is passed by 2/3 of the state legislature and voters pass the ballot measure, the Montana Constitution would then read: 

Section 10. Right of privacy. The right of individual privacy is essential to the well-being of a free society and shall not be infringed without the showing of a compelling state interest. The protection of unborn human life is a compelling state interest.

Bill sponsor State Senator Dan McGee (R-Laurel) “gave the example of domestic violence to say the right to privacy ends when a human being’s life is in danger,” reports Montana’s News Station.

The Associated Press reports, “Opponents argued the proposed ballot measure is unnecessary, and that it would strip constitutional rights only from pregnant women. They said it would allow government interference into citizens’ lives, and lay the groundwork to outlaw abortion should the Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision be trumped by Congress.”

FTC workshop on digital rights management will be held on March 25; deadline for the public to submit comments is February 9.

From the Web site:

The Federal Trade Commission and the Technology Law and Public Policy Clinic at the University of Washington School of Law will host a conference on the use of digital rights management technologies, a widespread practice that is expected to become increasingly prevalent in the U.S. marketplace in the coming years.

Digital rights management (DRM) refers to technologies typically used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, and copyright holders to attempt to control how consumers access and use media and entertainment content. Among other issues, the workshop will address the need to improve disclosures to consumers about DRM limitations.

The Commission invites interested parties to submit requests to be panelists and to recommend other topics for discussion. The requests should be submitted electronically to [email protected] by February 9, 2009. Interested parties should include both a statement detailing their expertise on the issues to be addressed at the Town Hall, and complete contact information. The Commission will select panelists based on their expertise and on the need to represent a range of views.

Interested parties may submit written comments or original research until February 9, 2009. Comments should refer to “DRM Town Hall – Comment, Project No. P094502.” To file electronically, follow the instructions and fill out the form at https://secure.commentworks.com/ftc-DRMtechnologies. Paper comments should include this reference both in the text and on the envelope, and should be mailed or delivered to the following address: Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, Room H-135 (Annex A), 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. Read more »