June 2007

Since it would be practically impossible for users after the merger to avoid all web sites serving Google/DoubleClick ads, consumers would have no real ability to choose services other than those served by Google, or to simply opt-out of sharing personal data with Google. To put it in simple words, a website will have to be part of the Google network of content sites if they are to be viable and visible in the commercial market.

The Universe According to AT&T’s U-verse

By Jennifer Harris

AT&T's leap into the converged world is illustrated in its two-pronged IPTV approach, Homezone and U-verse. IPTV is a system that enables digital television sets to be programmed using the more personalized data delivery method of the Internet – Internet Protocol.

U-verse, as explained by Joe Laszlo of JupiterKagan Research, is considered "the end-game" for AT&T. U-verse is similar to a cable-like video service offered by way of phone lines and to only those privileged enough to have fiber in their neighborhoods. Homezone, a hybrid satellite/IPTV service offered in conjunction with Dish Network, is a second-tier option offered to customers who don't want to wait (or may never see) fiber optic appear in their city. The cities able to yield the highest return on investment for the pricey deployment of fiber cables will get services first, while other communities remain on the back-burner. AT&T’s model of preferential treatment extends throughout the formation of their IPTV service, stepping up quality for those with deep pockets and standing aside for those without. By building a new media system that perpetuates the anti-competitive communications market and neglects the public interest, AT&T delivers a service to customers that falls short of its connective and innovative potential.

EU's Article 29 Working Group, who advises European Commission on data privacy matters, sends letter to Google regarding privacy standards.

The Article 29 Working Party is concerned that Google has so far not sufficiently specified the purposes for which server logs need to be kept, as required by Article 6 (1) (e) of Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC. Taking account of Google's market position and ever-growing importance, the Article 29 Working Party would like further clarification as to why this long storage period was chosen. The Working Party would also be keen to hear Google's legal justification for storage of server logs in general.

• Global Internet Policy Initiative, Policy Principles--The ICT Framework
• International Telecommunications Union
• Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
• Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
• The Internet SOCiety (ISOC)
• National Telecommunications and Information Administration Office of International Affairs (NTIA/OIA), International Activities
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Information and Communication Technologies
• Trans-Atlantic Consumer Dialog (TACD)
• World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA)
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
• World Trade Organization, Intellectual Property--TRIPS (trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights)
• World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

International Media: A democratic media and communications system is the goal for many countries around the world. By studying global efforts in media access, free speech, and media reform can give American advocates a new perspective.