'Virtual strip search' backlash goes viral (week in review)
TSA feels travelers' wrath, while The Beatles and iTunes finally come together. Also: Facebook tackles e-mail.
The Internet is helping to fuel anger over air traveler screening, but changes to what some have termed a "virtual strip search" are unlikely to materialize before the busy Thanksgiving travel period draws near.
John Tyner, a software engineer from Oceanside, Calif., became an Internet sensation after telling a TSA screener: "If you touch my junk, I'll have you arrested." Tyner had the foresight to record the exchange on his mobile phone (videos are here) and is now facing a possible lawsuit for entering a security line and then not allowing a government employee access to his crotch during a pat-down search.
Foes who had hoped a Senate hearing would lead to a privacy outcry on Capitol Hill were disappointed when Democratic senators applauded the Obama administration and Republicans offering only modest criticism. Indeed, Jay Rockefeller, chairman of the Senate committee overseeing air travel, told the TSA chief: "I think you're doing a terrific job."
An administrator with the Transportation Security Agency said the agency would be "announcing some new policies" in the "near future" that will change the screening process for pilots, who have protested being forced to choose between an X-ray machine's "virtual strip search" or a pat-down from a TSA agent.
• Senator: TSA's whole-body scans are 'right thing'
• Transcript: Senate hearing on TSA, full-body scanners
More headlines
Facebook unveils e-mail, the sequel
"Seamless messaging" will take into account e-mail, IMs, SMS, Facebook messages, and more, and offer a "social in-box" to set priorities, says CEO Mark Zuckerberg.• Would e-mail transform Facebook, or vice versa?
• Facebook's new in-box brings MS Office support
• Facebook acquired start-up assets for mail overhaul
• MySpace 'Mashup' adds Facebook Connect
The Beatles come to iTunes at last
Fans of the Fab Four can now get the entire Beatles catalog via the iTunes store. The news marks a long-time-coming, personal victory for Apple's Steve Jobs.• Report: Google, Amazon pursued Beatles too
• Forget the Beatles--Garth Brooks still AWOL on iTunes
• Where are the Beatles-branded iPhone, iPod, and iPad?
• Sirius tries to upstage iTunes with McCartney news
U.S.: Beijing backs hacking on 'massive scale'
Commission report to Congress says hacking by Chinese government, individuals, and organizations into networks in the U.S. and elsewhere has "extensive intelligence and reconnaissance components."Google's Schmidt teases new Android phone
No specific details were released, but CEO Eric Schmidt held up an unannounced Android phone during his Web 2.0 Summit talk that uses a new wireless chip.Google Voice finally in Apple's App Store
One of the more convoluted App Store approval processes has come to an end now that a native Google Voice app is available for the iPhone.• Google Voice, other services soon in Google Apps
• Google's own office blurred out on Street View
Competitive unease hovers over Web 2.0
The Web 2.0 Summit conference in San Francisco made plenty of attendees and speakers nervous about the level of ill will in the Valley these days. But here's a thought: Isn't that just business?• Zuckerberg: We don't have the answers yet
• Bartz: Google is great, Facebook is competition
• Twitter co-founder riffs on Facebook, developers
• Netflix CEO: iPad affects us 'very little'
• FCC chair: U.S. faces 'innovators' dilemma'
Why film studios are betting on Web again
Hollywood could have snubbed Netflix, ditched Hulu and stuck with traditional distribution. Instead, they're licensing content for Web TV and taking on former partners, including theaters owners.• Studio didn't report 'Potter' leak to feds
• New Amazon movie studio seeks submissions
Also of note
• Webroot's safety tips for holiday online shopping
• Intel Sandy Bridge chip coming January 5
• Kinect officially a hit with 1 million units sold