Googled! Will the Internet Come Back to Haunt You?

Hosted by
The Internet is often called "virtual" reality, as if it had nothing to do with the real world. But because it stores vast amounts of information about almost everyone, the Internet can have tangible impact on everyday life. The CEO of Internet search engine Google didn't like it when personal information about him was published by a reporter who spent 30 minutes on Google. Yahoo, Microsoft MSN and other search engines know whom you talk to, what you talk about and what you're thinking of buying. One worried privacy advocate calls it "practically a printout of what's going on in your brain." How much do they have on you? How long will they keep it? What are the safeguards? On the other side of the issue, why do so many people reveal so much on the Internet? We speak with web editors, experts in information management and privacy advocates. Making News: Iraqi Audit Reveals Widespread Fraud in Defense Ministry US withdrawal from Iraq will depend on Iraqi forces being able to establish order and provide for defense. But the Ministry responsible for Iraqi security is wracked with corruption. Knight-Ridder Newspapers are reporting that almost its entire budget has been consumed by phony contracts. Baghdad Bureau Chief Hannah Allam reports that corrupt officials defrauded the Ministry of up to $1 billion in much needed funds. Reporter's Notebook: New York's Fire Department Releases 9/11 Tapes What did office workers say in their 9/11 calls after planes truck the World Trade Center towers in downtown Manhattan? What do firefighters remember about what happened next? Those questions are answered in oral histories and tape recordings released today because of a freedom of information lawsuit brought by the New York Times. John Keefe, News Director at WNYC in New York City, is reviewing the documents.
The Internet is often called "virtual" reality, as if it had nothing to do with the real world. But because it stores vast amounts of information about almost everyone, the Internet can have tangible impact on everyday life. The CEO of Internet search engine Google didn't like it when personal information about him was published by a reporter who spent 30 minutes on Google. Yahoo, Microsoft MSN and other search engines know whom you talk to, what you talk about and what you're thinking of buying. One worried privacy advocate calls it "practically a printout of what's going on in your brain." How much do they have on you? How long will they keep it? What are the safeguards? On the other side of the issue, why do so many people reveal so much on the Internet? We speak with web editors, experts in information management and privacy advocates.
  • Making News: Iraqi Audit Reveals Widespread Fraud in Defense Ministry
    US withdrawal from Iraq will depend on Iraqi forces being able to establish order and provide for defense. But the Ministry responsible for Iraqi security is wracked with corruption. Knight-Ridder Newspapers are reporting that almost its entire budget has been consumed by phony contracts. Baghdad Bureau Chief Hannah Allam reports that corrupt officials defrauded the Ministry of up to $1 billion in much needed funds.
  • Reporter's Notebook: New York's Fire Department Releases 9/11 Tapes
    What did office workers say in their 9/11 calls after planes truck the World Trade Center towers in downtown Manhattan? What do firefighters remember about what happened next? Those questions are answered in oral histories and tape recordings released today because of a freedom of information lawsuit brought by the New York Times. John Keefe, News Director at WNYC in New York City, is reviewing the documents.

CNet News on Google CEO Eric Schmidt

Fair Credit Reporting Act

Friendster

Google

G Mail

Technorati

New York Times v Fire Department of New York, Appellate Court on

FDNY press release on 9/11 tapes

New York Times on release of tapes

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney