Google Keeps Privacy Snafu Quiet

Google Keeps Privacy Snafu Too Quiet For Too Long 

 By Wendy Davis, Tuesday, January 26, 2010
One of the most vexing issues concerning online privacy is that consumers often have no way of knowing whether companies are honoring their promises. Web users can opt out of being tracked, or even delete their cookies, but in many cases they then simply trust that their choices are being respected. The problem is, that doesn't always happen. Sometimes companies deliberately disregard users' privacy (as when AOL released search queries of 650,000 users), and sometimes privacy snafus occur by accident (as when an AT&T glitch allowed Facebook users to log into other people's accounts from mobile phones). Either way, it's a concern.

Now Ben Edelman, an assistant professor at Harvard Business School, points to yet another privacy problem, this time with Google. Edelman found that a recent version of Google's toolbar was sending information about users' Web activity back to Google even when users thought they had disabled the toolbar.

Google said the inadvertent tracking was the result of a bug, and that it had taken care of the problem this morning. While the fix came out the same day as Edelman's report, Google had been working on it for a while.

Google also said in a statement that the glitch affected only a small number of users. "Specifically it affects those using Google Toolbar versions 6.3.911.1819 through 6.4.1311.42 in Internet Explorer, with enhanced features enabled, who chose to disable Toolbar without uninstalling it. Once the user restarts the browser, the issue is no longer present." the company said in a statement. It also released a new fix at www.google.com/toolbar.

Edelman certainly isn't a disinterested observer. He is co-counsel in a lawsuit against Google and consults with companies that compete with the search giant. But that doesn't make his report any less troubling. In fact, it raises real questions about how seriously Google takes its privacy commitments.

Yes, coding errors can happen to any company. But that doesn't explain why Google didn't alert users to the toolbar problem -- and tell people that if they enabled enhanced features (like SideWiki and PageRank) and didn't want to be tracked, they should restart their browsers rather than disable the toolbar -- as soon as Google learned of the bug.

If Web companies want to persuade consumers -- and Congress -- that no new privacy regulations are needed, the least those companies can do is inform users of potential privacy issues as soon as possible.

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Ohio Scientists Determine Asbestos Causes Cancer

LegalView Reports Development of a Breakthrough Study Explaining How Asbestos Causes Mesothelioma Cancer

LegalView recently reported of a study by scientists at Ohio State University who are attempting to determine the molecular details of how asbestos fibers bind to human cancer cells. The scientists hope that with the study, they will eventually be able to produce more adequate mesothelioma treatments.

Denver, CO, January 01 -- LegalView.com, the most comprehensive legal resource available on the Internet, recently informed its mesothelioma information blog readers of the development of a breakthrough study by Ohio State University researchers as to how asbestos fibers bind to human cells to cause the deadly condition known as mesothelioma. The scientists will be using a method known as atomic force microscopy "to observe how a single asbestos fiber binds with a specific receptor protein on cell surfaces," according to a Dec. 22 Science Daily news article. Although the study is years away from being complete, scientists hope that one day they may be able to offer a better understanding of the development of the condition, which will result in a more comprehensive knowledge of the disease and more adequate treatments.

Mesothelioma cancer is a condition that occurs in individuals who have inhaled asbestos fibers and/or dust. The condition causes cancerous cells to form on the internal lining of the lungs and, after 10 to 30 years, signs and symptoms of the condition begin to develop. Because mesothelioma cancer remains largely in a dormant state for the duration of its life in a victim, by the time its symptoms develop it is often untreatable.

Individuals who suffer from the deadly cancer should consider speaking with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer as to the details surrounding a potential mesothelioma lawsuit. Such a meeting could benefit anyone suffering from mesothelioma symptoms by resulting in monetary compensation, which may assist a victim in receiving expensive and potentially life-saving treatments.

LegalView also offers an array of other legal topics available through its LegalView library. For example, the site has made available the latest information on brain injury treatments as well as information on controversial prescription drugs such as Chantix and Singulair, which have both been linked to suicidal thoughts and tendencies among patients, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports.

LegalView recently updated its TBI information portal with a new therapy known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which is often used among divers when bends occur. However, new research is finding that HBOT may offer success among brain injured victims by administering the therapy among U.S. soldiers as a brain injury treatment. To learn more of the treatment, visit the LegalView brain injury information portal at http://brain-injury.legalview.com/.

Both Chantix and Singulair have been linked to an increase of behavioral and mood disorders as well as depression, increased suicidal tendencies, thoughts and actions; although both drugs treat very different conditions. Chantix is a smoking cessation drug that has been prescribed to nearly 4 million U.S. citizens whereas Singulair is used to treat allergies and asthma among Americans. If a victim suffers from either the Chantix risks or the Singulair side effects, they are encouraged to locate an experienced pharmaceutical attorney for assistance on developing a potential class action lawsuit.

About LegalView

LegalView.com is a public service brought to you by Legal WebTV Network, LLC, a Limited Liability Corporation created by a group of the nation's most highly respected law firms: Anapol Schwartz; Brent Coon and Associates; Burg Simpson; Cohen, Placitella and Roth; James F. Humphreys and Associates; Lopez McHugh; and Thornton and Naumes. For more information on the accomplishments and track records of LegalView.com's superior sponsoring law firms and to get in touch with LegalView attorneys, visit LegalView at www.LegalView.com.

Contact Information
LegalView
Katie Kelley
720-226-6613
press-releases@legalview.com
http://mesothelioma.legalview.com

Personal Property Insurance Coverage Expands

Independent Mutual Fire Insurance Co. Launches New Website to Expand Personal Property Coverage

Independent Mutual Fire Insurance Co., a leading personal property insurance company, recently launched a new website, expanding personal property coverage to a wider range of agents & policyholders.

Baltimore, MD, January 02, 2010 -- Independent Mutual Fire Insurance Company, a leading personal property insurance company providing fire and smoke insurance, tornado insurance, hurricane insurance and more, has recently launched its new website, http://www.imfco.net.

The launch of the new website marks two important milestones for Independent Mutual. Not only does it allow Independent Mutual to experience more accelerated growth on a national level, but the new website also gives Independent Mutual the ability to offer its products and services to both captive and independent agents.

"Our top priorities at Independent Mutual have always been flexibility and fairness towards policyholders and agents alike," reports Scott Sauls, Vice President of Field Support at Independent Mutual. "The website will allow us to offer our personal property insurance products and services to a wider audience. In doing so, we will continue to focus on providing superior levels of customer service to both policy holders and agents."

According to Sauls, the new website offers innovative features that will enable Independent Mutual to offer an unprecedented level of customer service. "Both agents and policyholders can log into customized portals and receive 24/7 access to view the status of their claims reports and adjustments," he says. "We employ real-time claims adjustment technology and provide agents with the ability to instantly quote and issue policies right from their desktop through our AgenTreeT system."

"The new website offers an exciting opportunity for Independent Mutual to provide agents and policyholders with greater fairness and accuracy through the use of technology," Sauls says. For more information about Independent Mutual Fire Insurance Company, please visit http://www.imfco.net or call 800-248-7072.

About Independent Mutual Fire Insurance Company
Established in 1948 and headquartered in Cook County, Illinois, Independent Mutual Fire Insurance Company has been a leader in personal property insurance for over sixty years. Independent Mutual's Executive Office is located in Baltimore, Maryland and offers flexible, comprehensive personal property coverage throughout the United States.

Independent Mutual Fire Insurance Co. is rated as A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. Known for its modest underwriting leverage, irrefutable market expertise, solid investment earnings and long-standing presence in the home service fire and burglary market sector, Independent Mutual provides personal property insurance to policyholders regardless of income or credit history. For more information about the personal property coverage offered by Independent Mutual Fire Insurance Company, please visit http://www.imfco.net or call 800-248-7072.

Contact Information
Independent Mutual Fire Insurance Company
Scott Sauls
800-248-7072
imfconet@gmail.com
www.imfco.net