Trucking Technology Report - July 21
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FBI Says Carnivore E-Mail Tap System Won't Menace Privacy
The FBI is attempting to convince lawmakers and privacy advocates that its Carnivore surveillance system is not as menacing as its name implies. The FBI says the system is a "diagnostic tool" that would be used only in rare circumstances, and with court approval. The system ignores the vast majority of Internet communications and targets only the specific information packet it is meant to retrieve, says Thomas Motta, assistant general counsel for the FBI. The system also does not examine or record the content of emails, including subject lines, says the FBI.Still, lawmakers have many questions about the system and they intend to get answers from FBI officials at a House judiciary subcommittee next week. The head of the subcommittee, Rep. Charles Canady (R-Fla.), wants to be sure that the system does not jeopardize the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens.
Iconn.Net, EarthLink, and other ISPs have been openly critical of Carnivore. Congress is unlikely to pass legislation outlawing Carnivore and other such systems, but lawmakers may decide to strengthen applicable privacy rules or place more restrictions on the system's use. Wall Street Journal (07/20/00) P. A28; Bridis, Ted; King, Neil Jr.
Handheld Computers Explode in Popularity as Functions Increase
As the capabilities of handheld computers have increased in recent years, a growing number of people are purchasing these units over the larger and more expensive laptop computers.The early models of handheld computers were little more than electronic address books, but today's models feature wireless modems, email and fax capability, as well as Internet use. Professionals in every industry are adopting these devices, from doctors to talk show hosts to Realtors. With all the success, the handheld computer industry has only two worries: keeping them in stock and protecting the devices against computer viruses. Associated Press (07/21/00); Hopper, D. Ian
@Track, Lockheed Alliance to Help Transport Communications
@Track Communications has allied with Lockheed Martin Integrated Business Solutions, a leading e-business firm involved with PrePass, GatePass, and other transportation products, to serve transportation companies with improved mobile communications. "This alliance signifies an important milestone for @Track as we execute our broadened company vision and technology focus," says @Track's Todd Felker. Transport Technology Today (07/00) P. 18VoiceStream Takeover Talks Take on Speed
VoiceStream Wireless' board is expected to consider this weekend a roughly $51.5 billion cash and stock acquisition offer presented by Deutsche Telekom. A finalized deal between the two companies could provide VoiceStream with additional funding for submitting bids in the U.S. wireless auction this fall. However, a merger between the two companies could take at least nine months to complete.Therefore, a compromise deal might be reached first that would give Deutsche Telekom potential ownership rights to the firm and provide VoiceStream with the necessary cash to bid competitively in the U.S. auctions. Deutsche Telekom has offered an exchange rate of 3.2 shares of its stock, with an additional $30 for each VoiceStream share involved in the transaction. Wall Street Journal (07/21/00) P. A8; Deogun, Nikhil; Naik, Gautam
Ericsson Shares Slammed as Handset Unit Suffers
Ericsson, the largest provider of telecom gear for mobile phone networks, announced on Friday that its handset unit went into the red during the second quarter. The declining fortunes of the unit, which is company's second biggest, resulted in a large sell-off of the company's shares. Ericsson warned concerned investors that the division would post a loss for the entire fiscal year.While the division had a 29% increase in sales in the second quarter, its operating deficit drastically increased to 2.29 billion Swedish crowns (US$254 million) from previous figures. The increases in operational costs were attributed to a declining product mix and extra costs caused by a fire at the company's component supplier that resulted in a shortage of parts. Ericsson warned that the component shortage will last into the second quarter.
The company's total revenue increased in the second quarter by 28% to 65 billion Swedish crowns ($7.2 billion), and pretax profit increased by over two times previous levels to 6.7 billion Swedish crowns, not including one-time gains of roughly 6 billion Swedish crowns. Shares in Ericsson decreased by 7% to 190 Swedish crowns in Stockholm following the earnings release. CNNfn (07/21/00)
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