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Opinion: Why Google’s Child Porn Tip Off Raises Genuine Privacy Concerns

August 5, 2014 By Bella Ford

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Opinion: Why Google’s Child Porn Tip Off Raises Genuine Privacy ConcernsWhen a child sex offender gets cuffed, bundled into a wagon and taken as far away from decent society as possible, exactly what led to their arrest really shouldn’t matter. The fact that they’re no longer allowed to prey on children should be the only cause for concern of all and one that’s likely to be near-universally celebrated.

However, when Henry Skillern was booked by Texas police having been found by Google to be sharing indecent images of children by email, the matter stirred up a fair bit of controversy. Google tipped off the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, Skillern’s home was raided and all manner of indecent images were found across his Smartphone and tablet PC. They even found disturbing text messages on his phone pretty much laying bear his fixation with kids – one more monster off the treats and one less threat to our kids.

So really – what’s the problem?

Well, as far as those with a bee in their collective bonnet ate concerned, it all comes down to the fact that Google is reading and doing whatever the heck it wants to with our emails. Worrying enough, but if Google suddenly decides to start playing a role in lawmaking and becomes some kind of trusted resource of the authorities, what happens when…not it…an unfair allegation is made?

A family member for example sending photos of their new baby girl out in the garden’s paddling pool for the first time – Google picks up the images that could be interpreted totally the wrong way and suddenly things take a rather sinister turn. Of course, logic would say that when this happens it would be up to Google to investigate the matter properly before tipping off the authorities, but this would mean personally rifling through your emails and those of your contacts to find out who you are, what you’ve been up to and what your intentions are.

Now we’re heading into the realms of way too much snooping that few would approve of.

In this instance the result has been a tremendous one – a convicted sex offender once again being put out of harm’s way and ridding the streets of another vile creature. But should this whole process become another arm of Google’s ongoing expansion and rise to total global power, it really won’t be long before you’re finding yourself worrying about how any given line, picture or reference in your email might be misinterpreted by a Google email scanner.

Filed Under: Tech

GM Suffers Net Income Plummet to $200M, Thanks to $1.2B Recall Bill

July 24, 2014 By Bella Ford

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GM Suffers Net Income Plummet to $200M, Thanks to $1.2B Recall BillGeneral Motors has revealed its second-quarterly revenue performance for 2014, which unsurprisingly does not make for the most reassuring reading. Having been hit with a bill far in excess of $1.2 billion following an unprecedented spat of vehicle recalls, total Q2 income came in at a comparatively paltry $200 million.

By contrast, the same three-month period in 2013 saw GM come out with $1.2 billion – at the time facing a recall bill of just $100 million.

The bad news doesn’t end their either as on top of the funds already forked out in the wake of such gigantic recalls, GM execs tipped a further $400 million bill to pay compensation to those affected by the spate of faulty ignition switches that were linked to several serious accidents. This is the first time the automaker has put an estimate on how much it expects to pay out in compensation, though admitted that without a cap on the figure it might go as high as $600 million.

On a slightly more positive note however, total revenues for the quarter were in fact up a little compared to last year. Q2 2014 brought GM total income of $39.6 billion as opposed to the $39.1 billion of last year, suggesting that the world’s confidence in the brand may not have been shaken quite so damagingly.

“Our underlying business performance in the first half of the year was strong as we grew our revenue on improved pricing and solid new vehicle launches,” said Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors.

According to Brian Johnson of Barclays, the global recall nightmare GM has faced over recent months is already being forgotten by the masses, paving the way for a bright and stable future.

“The recall is increasingly fading to the background,” he said, insisting that investors were likely to look more at the firm’s improved overall revenues than the unfortunate recall bill.

For the crucial North American market, GM’s pre-tax earnings came out at $1.4 billion after factoring in the $1 billion cost of domestic recalls issued. This is of course a marked decline from the $2 billion receded last year, though remains impressive given the turbulence GM has experience this year so far.

As for the future outlook, GM is confident that things will return to normal by way of both recall costs and revenues throughout the rest of the year, though didn’t go so far as to make public any exact targets or projections. There are those however that insist it is simply unfeasible to assume that overall GM vehicle sales will not be adversely affected by the negative global publicity the spate of recalls triggered.

“GM is going to take a hit because of the recalls that have been happening over the last several months,” warned Kelly Blue Book analyst Akshay Anand .

“The question is, how much? Sales haven’t slowed as much as many people expected, thanks in part to a clear recall strategy from GM as it relates to public perception, as well as the introduction of solid, new product.”

Filed Under: Business

LG G3 Release Date Rumors – Where is the Device, And Where Should You Go from Here?

June 21, 2014 By Bella Ford

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LG G3 Release Date Rumors - Where is the Device, And Where Should You Go from Here?Slightly less than a month ago, LG unveiled its newest flagship phone, the G3, and all along we had expected the phone to be released within the second quarter of 2014. LG itself had promised this release window, but now that we’ve got less than ten days to go before the end of Q2 2014, the phone is only available in LG’s home market of South Korea. And most rumors are suggesting that it won’t be until July or August when the LG G3 release date will finally take place outside of Korea. So how does everything stand now, and what can buyers expect? Let’s take a look at those LG G3 release date rumors and round ’em all up as we continue waiting for the device.

Technically speaking, the LG G3 has “arrived”, which means it’s been launched, and it is official. However, it has yet to arrive where it counts the most, and that’s in carrier and retailer stores, but those who live in the United Kingdom might not have much longer to wait. According to recent reports, Carphone Warehouse has promised a July 1 release date for the LG G3. That’s just ten days from now, and one day after the end of Q2 2014. Then again, it would appear that some U.K. carriers and retailers may make it within the Q2 release window after all. Mobile carrier Three is listing a June 26 release date, while Amazon U.K. has a release date (or ship date) of June 28, which means those who order it on or before the 28th should have the device in the mail by June 29. That’s not too bad at all, and once again, that would sort-of back up LG’s promise of international availability within this quarter. However, buyers also have to take note that EE and Phones4U will not be offering the G3 in the U.K.

Unfortunately, it looks like U.S. buyers may be getting the short end of the stick, as far as an imminent release date is confirmed. The Verizon LG G3, according to the esteemed @evleaks, will be released on July 17, with pre-orders going live exactly one week earlier, on July 10. Sprint has separately been rumored to be releasing the G3 on July 25, but none of the other major carriers have a release date in place for the device. Logic would suggest AT&T would be first to offer the LG G3 in America, just like it had “dibs” on the Optimus G and LG G2. Then again, there are some rumblings and leaks suggesting that the AT&T G3 might not be out until August, so things could go either way at this point in the game. One thing remains clear, though – some buyers might have to wait until well into the summer before that LG G3 release date takes place.

LG does appear to be making consumers wait for the G3 much longer than expected, but once the phone gets released, it should be every bit worth the wait.  Specifications include a 5.5-inch, 2560 x 1440 display, a quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB or 32 GB internal storage with microSD expansion, and a 13-megapixel rear camera with Optical Image Stabilization+ and laser autofocus.

Filed Under: Tech

Kerry Meets with Gov’t Official, Pleas for Peace in South Sudan

April 10, 2014 By Bella Ford

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Kerry Meets with Gov't Official, Pleas for Peace in South SudanSpeaking to a top South Sudan official, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that the Juba government has to put an end to the fighting in the country, with the State Department sternly warning against sanctions should fighting continue.

“We will not stand by while the hopes of a nation are held hostage to short-sighted and destructive actors,” Kerry was quoted as saying in his meeting with Awan Riak, South Sudan minister of the office of president.  The State Department prepared a statement on Kerry’s meeting, saying that President Barack Obama recently authorized potential sanctions against anyone who would commit human rights abuses or pose a threat to peace and democracy in South Sudan.  The country, which was declared as independent from Sudan three years ago, has been in the throes of a civil war since December 2013, with thousands of individuals having been killed and over a million others having been displaced.    The civil war was triggered in mid-December following a power struggle between President Salva Kiir’s government and a rebel faction led by Riek Machar, the country’s former Vice President.

In the four months or so since the war started, attempts at peace talks have been unsuccessful thus far, and have served as a pain point for South Sudan’s Western supporters, who have persistently tried to convince both the government and the rebels to come to a ceasefire.  Relief agencies, in addition, have made certain concerns clear, saying that both parties have expressed suspicion of relief efforts from organizations such as the U.N.  Furthermore, the civil war has been harmful to the country’s oil production, which serves as one of South Sudan’s biggest revenue sources.

Prior to his meeting with South Sudan officials, Kerry was scored by lawmakers who believed that he has been sticking his finger into too many figurative pies, but not getting results commensurate to his efforts.  But in his defense, Kerry said that his efforts have indeed been ambitious, and were, at the end of the day, better than him not doing anything.  “Sure, we may fail. And you want to dump it on me? I may fail. I don’t care. It’s worth doing. It’s worth the effort,” said Kerry in an appearance Tuesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as he enumerated his efforts in South Sudan and other African locations. “We’ve helped negotiate a truce in South Sudan and helped pull that country back from the brink of civil war. We’ve helped to create a framework for the disarming of M23 in the Great Lakes region of Africa. We are engaged in helping the French to quell the Boko Haram and other people in the region of Mali and elsewhere.”

Filed Under: World

Richie Incognito Won’t Play for Dolphins for Rest of 2013 Season

December 16, 2013 By Bella Ford

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Richie Incognito Won’t Play for Dolphins for Rest of 2013 SeasonEmbattled Miami Dolphins offensive guard Richie Incognito will be out for the rest of the NFL season after having reached a financial settlement with his team, according to a special report from USA Today.

Incognito, who was, at the time of the report, suspended by the Dolphins, had come to terms with his team earlier today, according to an unnamed insider familiar with the situation.  The person had spoken to USA Today and requested to remain anonymous as the agreement has yet to be confirmed to the public. Officially, the Dolphins released a terse statement summing up the situation, saying that “The Miami Dolphins and Richie Incognito have agreed to maintain his suspension during the ongoing NFL investigation.”  Incognito, who may likely remain paid by the Dolphins as per terms of an earlier agreement, will be a free agent following the 2013 NFL season.

Incognito, 30, has been suspended by the Dolphins since November 3, after proof of alleged bullying and abuse was furnished by representatives for fellow offensive lineman Jonathan Martin.  Martin, a second-round draft pick in the 2012 season, walked out from the Dolphins towards the end of October, citing “emotional” reasons.  He also won’t be returning to the Dolphins this season, as he was placed on the team’s Reserve/Non-Football Illness List as of November 30, 2014.

It is alleged that Incognito had led other Dolphins in the harassment of Martin and other rookies, with the cases of bullying against Martin dating back to his rookie season in 2012, and Incognito accused of sending text messages and voice mails against Martin and his family following his suspension.  Though many individuals, primarily unnamed team executives, have insinuated that Incognito’s chances of signing on with another team once he becomes a free agent may be slim due to his controversial history, several Dolphins, including quarterback Ryan Tannehill and defensive tackle Randy Starks, have defended Incognito and hinted that he and Martin are actually close friends who, like most of the team, push the boundaries when they “joke with each other.”

The NFL has since hired lawyer Ted Wells to investigate the Dolphins’ supposedly toxic locker room culture, and several Dolphins players, including Martin and Incognito, have already been interviewed.  Wells will release his findings to the public once he has completed his investigation.

Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins have been on a roll since the Incognito-Martin debacle, having won five of seven games since the start of November, including three consecutive wins.  The team has the tentative second wild-card spot in the AFC, though there’s a possibility they may lose it should the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Detroit Lions in tonight’s game.

Filed Under: Sports

NBA 2013-14 Season Preview – Scoping the Western Conference

October 24, 2013 By Bella Ford

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NBA 2013-14 Season Preview - Scoping the Western ConferenceNORTHWEST DIVISION

The Northwest Division should once again be ruled by the Oklahoma City Thunder, who, of course, retain their young nucleus of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka. Westbrook won’t be available for the first few weeks due to injury, but he does have a reliable backup in Reggie Jackson. First-round pick Steven Adams should be someone to watch, though it won’t be surprising if the Thunder brings him along slowly. At second place, the Portland Trail Blazers shouldn’t be that far behind, as they’ve got the criminally underrated LaMarcus Aldridge getting fed by 2012-13 Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard, and capable wing players in Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum.

As for our third place team, we’re inclined on picking the Minnesota Timberwolves, provided both Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio remain healthy. The addition of Kevin Martin at off-guard should give the Wolves a deadly outside shooter and scorer, while Corey Brewer’s defensive performance would have to catch up with his defensive stats and potential if he wants to make an impact on the wings. Fourth place could go to the Denver Nuggets, who shall be debuting a new coach (Brian Shaw) and dealing with the loss of Andre Iguodala to the Golden State Warriors. The Utah Jazz seem destined to finish in the cellar, with youngsters Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, Gordon Hayward, and (first-rounder) Trey Burke all expected to get huge minutes.

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

The San Antonio Spurs will give us more of the same in 2013-14 – precise fundamental basketball, Tony Parker quietly staking his claim as one of the NBA’s best pure point guards, and a seemingly ageless Tim Duncan starring at power forward and, on occasion, center. But we should also see more improvement from the Spurs’ youngsters, such as Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. Even with Duncan and Manu Ginobili now on the wrong side of 30, they still look likely to edge the Houston Rockets, who upgraded their defense by signing Dwight Howard from the Los Angeles Lakers. Look for more double-doubles from Dwight, while James Harden lights it up in the backcourt, Chandler Parsons shows his versatility at the three, and Jeremy Lin runs things at the point. The Memphis Grizzlies, led by top defenders Marc Gasol and Mike Conley, will continue grinding it out on “D”, even with young coach Dave Joerger replacing Lionel Hollins.

The Dallas Mavericks got a bit younger by adding Monta Ellis, but coach Rick Carlisle’s options on offense are limited outside of him and the slightly aging Dirk Nowitzki. They may finish fourth, but don’t be surprised if the New Orleans Pelicans, led by last year’s top pick Anthony Davis and new additions Tyreke Evans (ex-Kings) and Jrue Holiday (ex-76ers), escape the cellar.

PACIFIC DIVISION

There doesn’t seem to be any question here – the Los Angeles Clippers should take this one, with the nucleus of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin returning, DeAndre Jordan remaining dominant on defense (though often useless on offense), and J.J. Redick stepping in as a much-needed threat from outside. They’ll likely be followed at second place by the Golden State Warriors, who add versatile defensive stopper Andre Iguodala to a lineup that already has Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, David Lee, and the oft-injured Andrew Bogut. These guys can score, but Iguodala’s addition ensures they’ll do what they could to shut down the other team. And while we pick the Los Angeles Lakers at third, there’s no guarantee they’ll be able to make the playoffs, what with Pau Gasol surrounded by a rather underwhelming supporting cast and Kobe Bryant out indefinitely due to injury. The Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings look to finish fourth and fifth respectively, and even if they don’t win too many games, they’ll likely be exciting to watch – as long as they’re not your home team.

Filed Under: Sports

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