SearchEngineUpdate with Vanessa Zamora - 07-09-2008 Part I
Abstract: 1. Google Labs Hosts "Lively" Virtual Chat Tool, 2. Congress To Look At Online Behavioral Tracking And Other Privacy Issues
Vanessa Zamora
Video Content Producer, SearchEngineWorld
4:31 pm on July 9, 2008 (utc 0)
Transcript
Wednesday July 9, 2008
Google Labs Hosts "Lively" Virtual Chat Tool
Developed as a result of a Google 20 percent project, which is the time Google encourages its employees to work on alternative projects, and now a part of Google Labs, an area of Google meant for experimental or beta projects, comes Lively, an online tool that allows people to embody a 3D online avatar and have text-based conversations with other Internet users in virtual chat rooms. Setting Lively apart from other services, is the ability to add the rooms or virtual environments to any blog or Web site. Lively by Google lets users create an avatar, chat with up to 20 people in one room, and design a virtual environment with options that include streaming YouTube videos in virtual TVs or choosing photos from Google’s Picasa to hang on walls as art or in virtual picture frames. The Lively download requires Windows Vista or XP with either Internet Explorer or Firefox browser.
Congress To Look At Online Behavioral Tracking And Other Privacy Issues
Congress is set to meet today to address concerns regarding online privacy with regards to how Microsoft, Google, Facebook and others handle users information as well as to discuss what, if any, policies for stronger online privacy protection should be implemented. One such company expected to face heightened scrutiny over its practices is behavioral targeting network NebuAd, which in recent weeks has worked with Internet service providers to track the online behavior of customers to serve up targeted banner ads based on that behavior. NebuAd could be found in violation of a federal wiretapping law. The congressional senate committee will also address whether Internet companies should be expected to make their programs "opt-in", in which a user is automatically excluded from a service until action is taken to be included or whether "opt-out", in which a user is automatically included unless they decide otherwise, is acceptable. Also on the agenda, the senate committee will examine the potential role of agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission or the Federal Communications Commission with regards to policing issues of online privacy.
4:31 pm on July 9, 2008 (utc 0)