Telecoms, Government, and Privacy, Oh My!

Technology moves and grows at exponential rates; policy, on the other hand, does not. This combination leads to a potential conflict in the relationship between governments, private industry, and citizens. Huawei, the giant Chinese telecommunications company, is currently struggling with this very issue, as it balances large growth in the private sector with concerns over the state's relationship with the company. India, China's neighbor to the south, is also attempting to address this issue: the government received criticism for shutting down websites and restricting texts in response to ethnic violence. This week's Monday Round-Up inlcudes stories about mobile, advice about your passwords, and donkey powered WiFi.

• If you're looking for a way to increase your own mobile security, turn off your GPS and location applications as much as possible.
• The government of India has claimed access to skeleton keys to BlackBerry's communication encryptions, despite the fact that they do not exist.
• As T-Mobile moves forward with its purchase of 4G spectrum, consumers hope this competition will lead to a drop in mobile prices.
• The Guardian this week featured 5 mobile apps created in Africa that are revolutionizing the market.
• Addressing a serious security gap, the CIO Council released guidelines and case studies for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device).
• If you haven't been convinced yet to use multiple passwords for different accounts, read this article and be warned that the same goes for information sharing websites.
• Skype has changed its privacy policy, saying that it will release chat information to authorities when deemed "appropriate".
• Have you heard of the TPP? If you haven't, take a good look at this infographic on the Trans Pacific Partnership, the latest in policy restricting internet freedoms.
• In a fusion of the new and the (very) old, a tourist site in Israel that recreates the experience of ancient Galilee (think Williamsburg) includes WiFi, carried by donkeys.
• Never fear using your phone with wet hands again: a new software release does a better job of interpreting false touches on the screen of your phone.
• If you have a little time for fun, check out Google's newest easter egg: go to the Google homepage and hover your cursor over the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button.
• New designs for a kinetic charger that recharges your phone as you move is exciting for those of us with phones that have regrettably short battery lives.
• It sounds like the tagline for a movie: a former hacker from the FBI most wanted list is now working to improve cyber security.
• InfoDev writes on interesting developments from Mobile Mondays, events that encourages innovators to get together and discuss in dozens of developing countries.
• Are you interested in cryptographic tools? Follow CryptoParty - #cryptoparty on Twitter - to keep up to date on events happening soon.