CAN-SPAM still gets mixed reviews
When the US Federal Trade Commission announced a US$2.9 million settlement with online marketing firm ValueClick this month, it was a record monetary settlement under the 4-year-old CAN-SPAM Act.
Stories by Grant Gross
ValueClick to pay $2.9 million to settle spam complaint
Online advertiser ValueClick has agreed to pay a record US$2.9 million to settle a U.S. Federal Trade Commission complaint that it sent deceptive advertising claims in spam e-mail and failed to secure consumers' sensitive financial information.
Bill would double cap on H-1B visas
A bill introduced in the U.S. Congress would double the number of immigrant worker visas available each year under the H-1B program, earning the legislation praise from Microsoft.
Gates: Next decade will bring huge software advances
The coming decade will bring even more advances in software and computing than the last 10 years, bringing new ways to watch television, to use telephones and to input information into computers, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates predicted Thursday.
Judge rules against accused spyware distributor
A US judge has granted a request by the US Federal Trade Commission for a judgment against a company accused of distributing spyware and adware onto people's computers.
ICANN looks toward end of US oversight agreement
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is starting to look at how the organization might function after its current memorandum of understanding with the US Department of Commerce expires in September 2009.
US brothers sentenced for software piracy
Two brothers in the US were sentenced last week to multiyear prison terms for selling what the US Department of Justice called "massive" amounts of pirated software online, the DOJ announced.
Siemens to cut 3,800 jobs in telecom unit
Siemens plans to cut 3,800 jobs at its Siemens Enterprise Communications (SEN) subsidiary, including 2,000 jobs in Germany, the company announced Tuesday.
Study: More US broadband has $134 billion economic impact
A modest increase in U.S. broadband adoption would have an annual economic impact of US$134 billion, according to a study released Thursday.
Security issues scuttle Bain/Huawei bid for 3Com
A deal for Bain Capital Partners and China's Huawei Technologies to buy 3Com is on hold because the companies were unable to come to agreement with the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) about security concerns.
SIIA sues eBay-based software sellers
Online auction giant eBay has been slow to respond to concerns about pirated software being sold there, prompting the Software & Information Industry Association to file nine lawsuits against eBay-based software sellers, an SIIA official said.
Civil liberties groups sue DHS over laptop, device searches
Two civil liberties groups have filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Homeland Security, complaining that the agency's Customs and Border Protection (CBP) division has routinely searched many US citizens' laptops and other electronic devices and questioned them about their religious practices and political beliefs.
Judge orders end to weight-loss, anti-aging spam operation
A US judge has ordered a Las Vegas company to stop making weight-loss and anti-aging claims and to stop sending unsolicited e-mail, the US Federal Trade Commission announced this week.
Presidential candidates stake out tech positions
Technology policy hasn't played a major role in this year's US presidential campaign, but the major candidates have staked out positions on issues such as net neutrality and skilled-worker visas.
Privacy groups vow to fight Microsoft-Yahoo deal
Privacy groups are promising a fight before U.S. regulatory agencies if Microsoft's offer to buy Yahoo for $44.6 billion is accepted, and the deal could face significant hurdles in Europe as well.