Not investigating seems wrong to me

If there is as serious an allegation that, if true, has various people saying it should be investigated properly, then having such an investigation denied, that seems wrong to me.

The investigation could be held in private, the results kept private and so on, if there are any security or similar concerns.

To just not investigate is plain wrong and does nothing to reinforce public belief that the MPs and their associated processes are nothing but an old boys (and girls) network.

Bad move MPs

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44148019

GDPR – are you ready?

GDPR is coming, the steamroller is not stopping and that is a great analogy for how it feels for some, I would say.

Its a huge change, a seismic shift in focusing on individual privacy to address the technology changes that have happened in the 20 years or so since the last iteration of the legislation.

And its no surprise that MPs and others are surprised by it or flummoxed as to what to do. There is a lot to consider and the larger the business and scope of that business, the more things to be considered or managed.

As an individual, however, its a great time. Concerned about recurrences of Cambridge Analytica or similar data slurping and sharing should disappear because if they can be fined €20m or 4% of turnover, whichever is the greater figure, if found in breach, that’s a huge incentive to work correctly.

So, on one side, as an employee, its a lot to consider and act on, as an individual, I think its brilliant.

Make sure your employer, whoever that may be, is prepared and ready to address privacy properly.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-44128539

Very proud to read this

I can claim no credit other than being in the same office and knowing both Harshitha and her sister – both of whom are amazingly capable ladies.

That said, I am proud to be working in a company which employs such talent, even if at present they have both only done a year’s internship, they clearly have a long way to go.

Harshitha has done a sterling job in her placement year and will doubtless be even more effective over time.

https://risingstars.wearethecity.com/rising-stars-shortlist-2018/technology-2018/

Brexit campaign spending misrepresentation

Seems the Leave.EU campaign might have been a tad naughtier, based on the fines levied, than any other group.

Indeed, Liz Bilney might suffer more than just fines if the investigations find more evidence of wrongdoing.

Thing is, its just not quite enough in my opinion. ???

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44080096

Whistleblowers should expect and deserve privacy

No one wants to be a whistleblower, nor does anyone wish to be the target of a whistleblower either.

However, the function is a necessary and worthwhile safeguard to ensure compliance, especially where any business is and has to be secretive in what it is doing.

As the article says, the Barclays boss is very lucky to still be employed and also not sufficiently reprimanded to be blackballed from future banking roles, though one might think he is as close as he could be to that status.

Privacy for this function of whistleblowing is key and is enshrined in law in some countries. Long may that continue.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44081942

Deadpool is just magnificent

This BBC post highlights just how well the Deadpool marketing machine works – and clearly that Ryan Reynolds not only has a lot of time on his hands, but uses that time to star in some “interesting” movies.
That said, I liked Green Lantern, RIPD and Blade: Trinity – so not so sure he has anything to apologise for…
Really looking forward to Deadpool 2 later this month, so well done BBC for more free Deadpool publicity.???

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-44079292

An intriguing side effect of Brexit – less accurate travel

Bet those who voted for Brexit never counted on the fact that our sat navs might prove less reliable.
GPS is the name for the US system, Galileo is the European one and GLONASS is the Russian one.
So, whilst we often mention GPS, that’s specifically the US system and may not always be the most accurate.
Galileo, at least for Europe, aims to improve that situation, but of course as its European, access to some of the advanced functions will no longer be available to the UK post-Brexit.
May’s “threat” to create her own satellite system, still needs a satellite delivery mechanism – which are owned primarily by – yes you guess it – the US, Europe and Russia.
Given the issues with Salisbury, Russia seems unlikely. Europe will of course want their pound of flesh for us exiting Europe, so that’s also unlikely.
That leaves the US, so that might work whilst 45 is in position, so May had better strike soon if at all.
Such fun.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44002900

iOS 11.4 looks like limiting law enforcement USB access

Based on the report below, it seems likely Apple are reinforcing user’s rights to privacy.
It’s a double edged sword of course, but I must admit I’d feel a lot safer with this limitation in place, not because of law enforcement, but because nefarious types won’t be able to use it either.
Any technology the good guys get to break security, eventually makes it into the wild, so better to engineer against that from the start.
Have a read.

iOS 11.4 security tool is Apple’s newest way to foil the Feds

Sorted some wedding photos today

So, I have just spent a few hours, well, it should have been less, but I messed up on something simple, getting a page of photos completed for a couple I know.
The link is here: http://www.rmpaterson.com/wedding.htm
Feel free to peruse but I’ve not linked it back to all the pages – yet.
Enjoy.