The most recent articles from VNU Business Publications

Lose data and you go to jail

Tom Young — 2008-05-08T17:42:00.000Z

Tom Young, Computing, Thursday 8 May 2008 at 17:42:00

Act amendments could mean jail terms for losing or trading in data

Individuals who negligently disclose personal data could be jailed for up to two years under legislation voted through by the House of Lords last week....

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Time we stopped passing the buck

Computing — 2008-05-08T09:32:00.000Z

Computing, Computing, Thursday 8 May 2008 at 09:32:00

All employees must realise the value of personal data and stick rigidly to data-protection rules

The realisation is growing that data protection is not somebody else’s responsibility. Moves to make individuals liable for the loss or disclosure of personal information held by public sector bodies...

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UK market losing skilled workforce

Janie Davies — 2008-05-07T17:32:00.000Z

Janie Davies, Computing, Wednesday 7 May 2008 at 17:32:00

Overseas opportunities are becoming more attractive to UK IT staff

UK IT market is in danger of losing a huge portion of its workforce to overseas rivals as companies fail to evoke staff loyalty....

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MEP says Microsoft could be excluded from government contracts

Tom Young — 2008-04-17T00:00:00.000Z

Tom Young, Computing, Thursday 17 April 2008 at 00:00:00

Anti-competitive behaviour may lead to disqualification under EU rules

Microsoft's track record of anti-competitive practices could disqualify the software giant from bidding for public contracts, according to MEPs. In February the European Commission fined Microsoft €899m (£681m) after the...

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Microsoft begins to publish code

Tom Young — 2008-04-09T00:00:00.000Z

Tom Young, Computing, Wednesday 9 April 2008 at 00:00:00

Software vendor to publish 30,000 pages in move to open up software to competitors

Microsoft said today it has posted more than 14,000 pages of software code online as a response to an European Commission anti-competition decision last month....

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Data watchdog to keep an eye on BT's Phorm trial

Tom Young — 2008-04-07T00:00:00.000Z

Tom Young, Computing, Monday 7 April 2008 at 00:00:00

Information Commissioner's Office wants experts to scrutinise the technology

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has said it will monitor an upcoming BT trial of targeted advertising system Phorm to gauge internet users' reaction to the service....

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EU gives approval for in-flight mobile phone calls

Neon Kelly — 2008-04-07T00:00:00.000Z

Neon Kelly, Computing, Monday 7 April 2008 at 00:00:00

"I'm on a..." - you get the idea

The European Commission has approved plans for the use of mobile phones on flights across Europe's airspace. The commission announced measures that will create a single set of technical and...

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Long arm of the law

Dino Wilkinson — 2008-03-27T00:00:00.000Z

Dino Wilkinson, Computing, Thursday 27 March 2008 at 00:00:00

The popularity of remote working has given rise to legal pitfalls for firms that do not protect data

With increasing numbers of workers using mobile devices, companies should be aware of the potential legal pitfalls before allowing their staff to go free range....

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Telecoms giants may be stifling EU broadband

Neon Kelly — 2008-03-20T00:00:00.000Z

Neon Kelly, Computing, Thursday 20 March 2008 at 00:00:00

Market dominance is limiting competition and smothering take up, says the European Commission

The dominant position of incumbent operators may be affecting the European Union's (EU's) efforts to increase broadband penetration. Eight of the EU's 19 member states are ahead of the US...

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MPs raise fears over data protection for national ID register

Parliamentary reporter — 2008-03-14T00:00:00.000Z

Parliamentary reporter, Computing, Friday 14 March 2008 at 00:00:00

Committee highlights question marks over repeated breaches of data laws

Repeated breaches of data protection laws by government departments raise huge question marks over plans for the national identity register required for ID cards and biometric passport, an influential parliamentary...

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ISPs urged to be honest about broadband speed

Bryan Glick — 2007-12-19T00:00:00.000Z

Bryan Glick, Computing, Wednesday 19 December 2007 at 00:00:00

Update: Ofcom agrees to discuss a mandatory code of practice for providers

Broadband providers should adhere to a code of practice that allows customers to cancel their order if the line speed does not match up to its advertised bandwidth, according to...

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EU mandates energy-efficient equipment

Bryan Glick — 2007-12-19T00:00:00.000Z

Bryan Glick, Computing, Wednesday 19 December 2007 at 00:00:00

European public sector should be seen to be taking a lead in green policies, say experts

European Union governments will be expected to purchase office equipment such as PCs that conform to international energy-efficiency ratings, after a new ruling was passed this week....

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Utility companies want industry reorganisation

Janie Davies — 2007-12-13T00:00:00.000Z

Janie Davies, Computing, Thursday 13 December 2007 at 00:00:00

Upgrading meters could take 20 years under the current system

Power companies are calling for a radical restructuring of the utilities industry if government goals for smart meters are to be accomplished within the next two decades....

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Spectrum boost for wireless broadband and mobile TV

Neon Kelly — 2007-12-07T00:00:00.000Z

Neon Kelly, Computing, Friday 7 December 2007 at 00:00:00

Regulator Ofcom will hold an online auction to sell off prime radio frequencies next spring

Ofcom has revealed the next steps in the redistribution of wireless spectrum, with plans for an online auction next spring....

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Microsoft barely scratched by EU decision

Tom Young — 2007-11-01T00:00:00.000Z

Tom Young, Computing, Thursday 1 November 2007 at 00:00:00

Allowing third-party access to its code may not dent supplier’s dominance

Microsoft’s agreement to open up its operating system source code may not be as profound a change as initial reports suggested, say experts....

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