Facebook is wishing some of its “Jewish” users a Happy New Year. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, began Wednesday evening — and some Facebook users received a celebratory message when they logged in. While the note was well received by some, others questioned how exactly the social network was aware of their religious affiliation. In some… Read more »
Posts Categorized: IT and the law
Apple reveals ‘leap forward’ iPhone X
Apple has revealed a high-end smartphone with an “edge-to-edge” screen that has no physical home button. The iPhone X – which is referred to as “ten” – uses a facial recognition system to recognise its owner rather than a fingerprint-based one. Source: BBC Technology News Date: September 12th, 2017 Link: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-41228126 Discussion 1) Is it really a “leap… Read more »
YouTube stars win fair use legal battle
Videomakers Ethan and Hila Klein, who run the YouTube channel h3h3 Productions, have won a legal battle over copyright in online video. The pair were sued after making fun of a video by another film-maker, Matt Hosseinzadeh, in which he pursued a love interest using parkour. They had used clips of his film, which he… Read more »
Using the wrong emoji can cost you — literally
Imagine if an emoji — one casually fired off in a text-message conversation — ended up costing the sender thousands of dollars. Or $3,000, to be exact. That’s what happened in Israel recently, after a judge determined that a message containing a string of emojis conveyed clear intent. The case was a dispute over rent…. Read more »
Canadian policies on cellphone searches at border aren’t easy to find
When you travel to the U.S., customs agents can search your smartphone, laptop and other electronic devices at will — a longtime policy that has attracted renewed scrutiny in light of President Donald Trump’s controversial immigration ban. Canadian customs agents can do the same, but unlike their U.S. counterparts, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) doesn’t make its… Read more »
Canadians want judicial oversight of any new digital snooping powers for police
Most Canadians feel strongly about their right to privacy online, but a new poll shows the vast majority are willing to grant police new powers to track suspects in the digital realm — so long as the courts oversee the cops. Source: CBC Date: November 17th, 2016 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/investigates/police-power-privacy-poll-1.3854186 Discussion 1) In the US, leaks by a whistleblower, Edward… Read more »
Canadian grandmother accused of pirating zombie game
Canadian grandmother Christine McMillan does not include killing zombies among her hobbies, neither does she play the games that would allow her to do so. So when she received a letter accusing her of illegally downloading first-person shooter Metro 2033, she was surprised. Source: BBC Technology News Date: November 1st, 2016 Link: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37834766 Discussion 1) “It is now… Read more »
German Chancellor Merkel says Facebook, Google ‘distort perception,’
German Chancellor Angela Merkel launched a broadside at internet media giants, accusing them of “narrowing perspective,” and demanding they disclose their privately-developed algorithms. Merkel previously blamed social media for anti-immigrant sentiment and the rise of the far right. Source: RT News Date: November 1st, 2016 Link: https://www.rt.com/news/364235-merkel-facebook-google-algorithms/ Discussion 1) Is it possible that Facebook and Google algorithms could… Read more »
Humans need new skills for post-AI world
Robotics and AI have “huge potential” to reshape the way people work and live, but the government needs to do more to address the issues raised by such technology, including careful scrutiny of the probable ethical, legal and societal impact. Source: BBC Technology News Date: October 18th, 2016 Link: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37618579 Discussion 1) What might be some probable ethical issues… Read more »
Yahoo scanned millions of its users’ emails on behalf of the US government.
Yahoo has downplayed a report that said it had scanned millions of its users’ emails on behalf of the US government. Reuters made the allegation recently, saying Yahoo had created special software to comply with a classified directive. Source: BBC Technology News Date: October 11th, 2016 Link: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37568106 Discussion 1) Every email was scanned. “Sources had told said… Read more »
Leading Titles
Introduction to Information Systems, 3rd Canadian Binder Ready Version Update Edition
R. Kelly Rainer, Casey G. Cegielski, Ingrid Splettstoesser-Hogeterp, Cristobal Sanchez-Rodriguez
ISBN: 978-1-119-13385-8
August 2015, © 2016
CDN $98.95; CDN $114.95