FTC blog rules create big debate

The FTC revised guidelines that govern endorsements and testimonials by online contributors went into effect on 1/1/2010. The new guidelines require that all contributors or endorsers of a particular brand or service must disclose their relationship and any benefits they receive from the brand or service for their endorsements. For example, if you endorse a brand or service on your personal blog, social media accounts, or review sites, and receive any “material connections” this must be disclosed somewhere on the blog. As the FTC explains in a news release published before the new rules went into effect, “The revised Guides also add new examples to illustrate the long standing principle that “material connections” (sometimes payments or free products) between advertisers and endorsers – connections that consumers would not expect – must be disclosed. These examples address what constitutes an endorsement when the message is conveyed by bloggers or other “word-of-mouth” marketers. The revised Guides specify that while decisions will be reached on a case-by-case basis, the post of a blogger who receives cash or in-kind payment to review a product is considered an endorsement. Thus, bloggers who make an endorsement must disclose the material connections they share with the seller of the product or service. Likewise, if a company refers in an advertisement to the findings of a research organization that conducted research sponsored by the company, the advertisement must disclose the connection between the advertiser and the research organization. And a paid endorsement – like any other advertisement – is deceptive if it makes false or misleading claims.”

The new guidelines are to regulate and prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. If you are interested in reading mnore about the new guides check out below!

16 C.F.R. Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising: Notice Announcing Adoption of Revised Guides

• Text of the Federal Register Notice
• Text of the Revised Endorsement and Testimonial Guides

Verizon to Sell the iPad

The big tech buzz is the announcement that Verizon Wireless stores will start to sell the Apple iPad starting as soon as October 28. This is the first time Verizon has ever partnered with Apple and will sell the WI-Fi model of the iPad along with a MiFi wireless modem so customers can still enjoy 3G coverage on their iPad.

Tim Cook, who is Apple’s chief operating officer, said in a press release “We’re thrilled to be working with Verizon Wireless to get iPad into the hands of even more customers this holiday season.” This seems to be a very beneficial maneuver for both parties, and I think it will lead to the incorporation of the iPhone to the Verizon family. Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg stated in April that their company has told Apple they wish to carry the iPhone, which seems like a good business offer for Apple seeing as they could place the most popular phone on the nation’s biggest wireless network. One of the biggest reasons why this hasn’t happened yet is because Apple products such as the iPhone and iPad are not compatible with Verizon’s network which is based on CDMA technology.

Rumors have surfaced that Apple is in the process of developing a CDMA iPhone, but there has been no concrete evidence just yet; however, the fact the Verizon is starting to carry the iPad means Verizon and Apple are starting to do business together which bodes very well for all Verizon customers who wish to own the iconic iPhone. My personal prediction is that very soon we will see the iPhone being featured in a Verizon commercial.

*original article

Stronger Security for Facebook in the Month of October

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month and what does social networking giant, Facebook have to reveal to the public? New security tools that might get users excited. In a recent article by CNN, Facebook rolls out new security tools, talks safety, Joe Sullivan, chief security officer of Facebook, discussed their concern and focus on the privacy of their users. On Tuesday (Oct 12) Facebook will now allow their users to log off from all computers and devices from another computer, and also receive a temporary password to use when on public computers. Joe Sullivan says security is "a core part of the ways we innovate as a company," and this is evident in the site's new improvements.

I know that when I go on Facebook from the UA library or some other public computer, I am worried if maybe somebody might be able to retrieve my password. Well worry no more with Facebook's one-time passwords that will be available for people using public computers. These passwords will last for 20 minutes and can be received by texting "otp" to 32665 and Facebook will send the password straight to your cell phone.

Another tool that Facebook has updated to its user's accounts is the ability to see what computer/cell phone you may be still logged into. I think this is the coolest tool Facebook created because I know that many users such as myself have worried if maybe they forgot to log off of a public computer or a friend's computer. Now users can access their account settings and get a list of all computers and devices they are currently logged on to and simply log off.

Finally Sullivan also added how hard Facebook is working to keeping children 12 and younger out of Facebook and how they truly do not want it going on. They hope that parents will be able to monitor their children and help out but I believe that unless parents are watching their children 24/7 kids 12 and younger will manage to get on Facebook. There is just no way to actually end the problem but I like the concern shown by Sullivan.

Security and privacy has been a hot issue with Facebook and in my opinion, I think that the new tools that Facebook has unveiled to the public are excellent and are what set itself from the rest of the social networking sites but one-time passwords that last 20 minutes Facebook? Do you know how long people spend on your site a day? I do not have the actual number but I know that it is certainly longer than 20 minutes. At least Facebook is showing that they care for their users and are trying to make a difference and for that I respect the social networking site. For more information, please read the link in the text (Article from CNN.com).

--- Information on Facebook Security
--- What you need to know about Facebook privacy

Google's Self-Driving Car

What has the search engine powerhouse Google been up to lately? Apparently, they are now in the car business. No they are not selling cars but rather they are designing a driverless car. That is correct, a driverless car. According to Jalopnik.com, Google has been developing this car for over a year and has logged over 140,000 miles. The reason why everything has been hush-hush is the driverless cars resemble Google’s Street View vehicles, the Google Map cars. Google CEO Eric Schmidt was not lying when he said that people should not have to drive. I guess he took personal interest into seeing this come true.

With the development of a driverless car there raises the question of is it even legal? According to California officials, there are no laws that would bar Google from testing such models, as long as there's a human behind the wheel who would be responsible should something go wrong. Google says its test vehicles always have at least three passengers: a driver behind the wheel and two technicians to monitor the software and systems.

Google's software "would be just a big step up from cruise control," said Mike Marando, a spokesman for the California Department of Motor Vehicles. "If the vehicle goes too fast, or strays across the line, the human would be responsible for operating the car legally."

As long as Google stays within the law there is absolutely nothing wrong with them testing their cars on the open public streets.

My Opinion: Driving a car is great and having someone else drive is even better. Google trying to advance technology and our lifestyle is admirable. However, G4TV: Attack of the Show has pointed out a significant problem. There has already been an accident involving the car. Granted the driverless vehicle was rear ended by another car but this shows that there are multiple opportunities for more accidents to occur just like this one. Unless they can make this software widely available they probably will not make a dent into the accident rate in America.