Parry Aftab's Blog

25 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 10 years ago - ★★★★★ - 1 rating

Where Parry Aftab Blogs on Cybersafety, Privacy and Cybersense

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Episodes

Canada's Cyberbullying/Sexting Protection Legislation - C-13 and its Voluntary Disclosure Provision

May 02, 2014 19:57

Canada was the first nation in the world to adopt a law targeting cyberstalking and cyberharassment. Now, 20 years or so later, it is the first country in the world to address hostile sexting and revenge porn. I applaude the leadership of Canada and Minister MacKay in their forward thinking. But, not all about C-13 is designed to address cyberbullying/hostile-sexting/revenge porn. In a broad stroke many security and law enforcement empowering provisions were added, some (IMHO) far beyond wha...

Pennsylvania Legalization of Online Gambling - May 1st hearings WiredSafety's White Paper and Parry Aftab's Testimony

May 01, 2014 02:46

Tomorrow I testify yet again on online gambling. I spend my time protecting consumers, seniors, families, parents and kids online. I identify risks and seek solutions to those risks. The industry and media are often surprised that I have taken a position that is not, on its face, consistent with my straight-laced positions on cybercrime and abuse. I support the legalization of certain online gambling. Sticking our heads in the sand pretending it doesn't exist, that people aren't being scamme...

Finally, the beginning of closure for Carol Todd and Amanda's loved ones. Accused under arrest for sextorting Amanda Todd

April 18, 2014 20:59

I love Carol Todd. She is funny, kind, creative and cares deeply about kids and people facing adversity. I met her for the first time when both of us attended the dropping of C-13, Canada's sexting/revenge porn bill, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Canada. On that day she was overwhelmed. Many of the leading cyberbullying and child protection advocates form North America were there. But the media followed Carol, hanging on her every word. She rarely has a moment to herself. Amanda...

What does WhatsApp collect that everyone is so worried about? Report of Findings Investigation into the personal information handling practices of WhatsApp Inc.

March 11, 2014 00:56

Findings under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act(PIPEDA) PIPEDA Report of Findings #2013-001 Report of Findings Investigation into the personal information handling practices of WhatsApp Inc. January 15, 2013 Complaints under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (the “Act”) 1. On January 26, 2012, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada initiated a complaint against WhatsApp Inc. (“WhatsApp”), a California corporation,...

Privacy Paternalism - EPIC's FTC Complaint against Facebook's Acquisition of WhatsApp

March 07, 2014 04:59

Not all privacy lawyers or advocates always agree. This is one of those times. A well-respected privacy advocacy/watchdog group filed a complaint before the FTC in the US to stop FB's acquisition of WhatsApp. They allege that Facebook's use of users' data would fly in the face of WhatsApp's pro-privacy approach. "EPIC has filed a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission concerning Facebook's proposed purchase of WhatsApp.WhatsApp is a messaging service that gained popularity based on its s...

The Care and Feeding of Advisory Boards – From the Advisor’s Perspective Part 5

March 04, 2014 13:36

It is important to take these roles seriously. I limit my advisory board seats and carefully define the expectations on both sides. I make sure that I am connected to the company and that it fits with my own professional and personal strategic plans. Companies I work with have learned that I am more likely to accept a role if peoples’ lives are improved by the services, products or offerings of the company (for-profit, social entrepreneurship or non-profit). If I think the company has meri...

The Care and Feeding of An Advisory Board – The Good, the Bad and the What Were They Thinking? Part 4

March 04, 2014 13:29

I sit and have sat on many high powered advisory boards and, aside from my own companies, one high-powered board of directors. My role or Facebook and MTV is different than my role with McAfee, Trustee or the Ad Council, which in turn is different from my role with Children’s Television Workshop. Sometimes the advisory board I am joining has been up and running for years. But often, I was the first member or asked to set it up for the company as well as serving as chair. But, in each case ...

Care and Feeding of Advisory Board Members - Controlling Media. Communications and Information Part 3

March 04, 2014 13:25

If you are looking to redeem your reputation or build a new one, and have selected advisory board members to do that, communications and media will be very important. When and how can you use advisory board members’ names? Will there be a media alert or press release announcing their addition to the board? Is the advisory board member expected or invited to do media interviews on the company’s behalf. Are they prohibited or discouraged from doing interview when the company is involved? How ...

The Care and Feeding of Advisory Boards – SWOT Selection Part 2

March 04, 2014 13:21

SWOT. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. We all use this or some form of this when deciding on business strategies or investments. But, how many of us use this when choosing an advisory board? Each advisory board member should address the weaknesses or threats, or further expand the strengths and opportunities. Perhaps some address one and others address the others, but each SWOT item should generally be represented. Are you looking to change your reputation? Want a warm a...

The Care and Feeding of Advisory Board Members Part 1

March 04, 2014 13:17

Why are you considering creating an advisory board? Is it to add expertise? To provide air cover by letting their reputations speak for yours? Do your competitors have advisory boards of their own? Is it to better understand your important markets or stakeholders? Is it for good will? Or media attention? If you are serious about having one, make sure that you have clear goals, articulate those goals and get your prospective members to commit to those goals. 2. Is your goal worth i...

The Care and Feeding of Advisory Board Members Part 1

March 02, 2014 20:07

1. Why are you considering creating an advisory board? Is it to add expertise? To provide air cover by letting their reputations speak for yours? Do your competitors have advisory boards of their own? Is it to better understand your important markets or stakeholders? Is it for good will? Or media attention? If you are serious about having one, make sure that you have clear goals, articulate those goals and get your prospective members to commit to those goals. 2. Is your goal ...

Prepare for a Parry Rant on PPl Getting Little Pony Tattoos to Combat Bullying

March 02, 2014 14:29

I tweeted a link to a news story about the crowds of ppl getting "My Little Pony" tattoos to take a stand against bullying. They got the idea after hearing about a boy who was bullied for watching My Little Pony. (can get the link at @parryaftab on Twitter) Now the rant part. I am delighted that ppl are listening and want to do something to stop bullying of all kinds. It is commendable that so many ppl are caring and want to show how much they care. But a tattoo? Really? Hundreds of thou...

Authenticating Your Brand Agents, Digital Brand Best Practices Part2

March 02, 2014 04:03

To makes sure that the network’s moderators are easily identified and others do not try to pose as them to abuse other users, moderators who are visible on the network should be easily identified. You can do this using special avatars, screen names or other identifiers. Or, you can institute s verification application where any user can click on a moderator’s screen name or avatar to have them authenticated by the network (“Mod65 is one of X network’s moderation team”). Those who pose as ...

Relevant Best Practices – Protecting Your Brand Part 1

March 02, 2014 03:21

Protecting your brand protects your users, advertisers, personnel, strategic partners, sponsors and yourself. If you do not take adequate steps to protect your brand, others will be able to use it against you. They may pretend to be you or one of your moderators, counterfeit pages, goods, points, cheats and coding schemes will be promoted and attributed to you, your founder(s), senior executives and spokespeople will be harassed, trolled or have their identities stolen or manipulated onlin...

Lots from Macau, Hong Kong and Italy today joining the recent mix of international readers.

February 23, 2014 03:49

Users today, so far (rounded to the nearest ten). Interesting to see Russian readers so high. Olympic tourists? or Russians?

February 22, 2014 22:09

The Role of Guidance Counselors and Mental Health Professionals in Addressing Cyberbullying

February 22, 2014 03:14

Cyberbullying is a mental health issue, a lack of Internet literacy and technology skills issue, and a lack of impulse control, coupled with boredom, easy access to technology, and the need for their 15 megabytes of fame. All have to be addressed to prevent cyberbullying. But once it starts, the most crucial professionals are the guidance counselor and mental health professionals. They are the only ones capable of putting the target humpty-dumpty back together again. They are the only ones...

Moldova and Iraq! Thank you to our new readers!

February 22, 2014 02:54

The Role of Network Admins in Addressing Cyberbullying

February 22, 2014 02:47

Frequently, the most talented technology experts within a school system operate the networks. They also have teen assistants who have knowledge of both the technology and the students and their online activities. They can be invaluable in the search for the real cyberbully. By stepping back and watching the chatter within Facebook school groups and triangulating it with what they can locate on the network servers, many cyberbullies can be found and confirmed without having to get subpoenas ...

The Role of Technology Educators in Addressing Cyberbullying

February 22, 2014 02:39

Many cases of cyberbullying result from a lack of technology skills or Internet literacy skills. Students either fail to, or don’t know how to, use security tools and practices, protect their personal information, and accounts or understand the consequences of their tech actions. They think that they are anonymous online. They don’t realize how long what they post online stays online. Caching and archiving are beyond their understanding. And without knowing how Google and other search tools ...

The Role of Librarians and Library Media Specialists in Addressing Cyberbullying

February 22, 2014 02:34

Parry Aftab first wrote about her gratitude for librarians while still an associate at a big Wall Street law firm. The corporate librarian had been invaluable in her success, finding information that no one (pre-web) could find and giving her pointers on information she had come across. Her high esteem for librarians didn’t end there. Although she had admired school librarians, she hadn’t learned about library media specialists until a good friend, Della Curtis a Ph.D. in Library Media Infor...

The Role of Teachers in Addressing Cyberbullying

February 22, 2014 02:30

Teachers play two important roles in addressing cyberbullying in schools. They are primarily educators and are expected to convey credible information and approaches to the students. But perhaps even more importantly when cyberbullying is implicated, teachers are often the “trusted adult” students turn to when they are targeted by cyberbullying or learn of others being targeted. In addition to teaching students not to lend their efforts to aid the cyberbully, teachers can help encourage the...

The Role of Principals in Addressing Cyberbullying

February 22, 2014 02:25

The schools have a valid concern and legal obligation to maintain discipline and protect their students while in their care. But in this tricky area, especially when damages for infringing on students’ rights can exceed the annual salary of much-needed teachers and other educational resources, schools cannot afford to guess. Until the law becomes better settled, the schools need to be careful before acting, seek knowledgeable legal counsel, plan ahead, and get parents involved early. So wh...

The Role of Schools in Addressing Cyberbullying

February 22, 2014 02:21

When schools try and get involved by disciplining the student for cyberbullying actions that took place off-campus and outside of school hours in the US, they are often sued for exceeding their authority and violating the student's right to free speech. They also often lose. Schools can be very effective brokers in working with the parents to stop and remedy cyberbullying situations. They can also educate the students on cyberethics and the law. Parents can be educated as well in presenta...

Cyberbullying - Don’t Support It…Report It!

February 22, 2014 02:12

Digital alerts are very helpful. But these miss cellphone bullying and game bullying entirely. They may also miss images that were photoshopped. For these and other less obvious attacks, you need real and solid intelligence. And that can come from only one source—the students. Create old-fashioned suggestion boxes where students can anonymously report cyberbullying when they find it. Create an online report form and promise anonymity as well. Teach the students what constitutes cyberbullyi...