Judge Approves Facebook Beacon Settlement

According to the Wall Street Journal, a judge has approved a $9.5 million settlement over Facebook’s failed Beacon program. The settlement, which is supposed to go toward the creation of a new non-profit agency focused on privacy issues, had been challenged by preexisting privacy non-profits for not awarding monetary damages to any of the suit’s plaintiffs.

Video: Google as the Evil Empire

Today, TechCrunch featured a very interesting video from the Australian television program Hungry Beast. While TechCrunch believes that the 2:45 minute clip, which is critical of Google’s overwhelming presence in all aspects of our digital lives, is overly dramatic, but I think it paints an effective picture of why Google makes Internet privacy advocates nervous. Check it out for yourself below.

California Appeals Court Rules Online Threats Are Not Protected Speech

According to Wired, a California appeals court has ruled this week that online threats and homophobic slurs left on a teen’s website do not constitute free speech, and that the teen’s father is allowed to pursue legal action against the individuals who posted the comments. The case may not be over yet, as the attorney for the defendants has indicated plans to appeal the decision to the California state supreme court.

Internet Addiction Clinic for Teens Opens in the UK

This article from AOL News discusses a new clinic in the UK aims to help teens suffering from Internet addiction, particularly teens who are addicted to online gaming. The issue of Internet addiction has become more prevalent in recent years and has even drawn comparisons to substance abuse. It is important to monitor your child’s Internet habits closely to ensure that they are not suffering from any addictive tendencies.

Massachusetts House of Representatives Approves Cyberbullying Legislation

In an amazing 148 to 0 vote, the Massachusetts House of Representatives has approved cyberbullying legislation that will legally obligate teachers and other school staff to report bullying when they see it. Additionally, the legislation requires that school officials undergo training to be able to identify bullying in schools and also on the Internet.

The quick turnaround on the House bill, which must now be reconciled with a Senate bill that was also passed recently, comes no doubt in response to the recent cyberbullying-related suicides of two Massachusetts students, 15-year-old Phoebe Prince and 11-year-old Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover.

Facebooking in Bed?

Do you check your Facebook account when you wake up in the morning? How about before you go to bed? How about while you’re in bed? According to new research, “48 percent of social media users check or update Facebook and/or Twitter after they go to bed and 56 percent feel compelled to check Facebook at least once a day.”

If you’re spending that much time on the web, you have to be extra careful not to post anything that could damage your reputation. Of course, if you had MyReputation from Reputation.com, you wouldn’t have to worry quite so much since your customized monthly reports would show you exactly where your name appears online, and in what context.