Annie among 'leaked' Sony films

1 December 2014 Last updated at 11:58 By Dave Lee Technology reporter, BBC News

Five films distributed by Sony Pictures appear to have been leaked online following a reported cyber-attack on the company last month.

Among the titles is a remake of classic film Annie, which is not due for release until 19 December.

The company was reported to have shut down its internal systems last week due to an "IT matter".

Some have linked the cyber-attack to forthcoming film The Interview, Sony's comedy about North Korea.

That film does not appear to have been leaked.

However, reports say other high-profile titles have been circulated. Among them Fury, starring Brad Pitt, which was in cinemas in October but is yet to be made available on DVD.

According to research firm Excipio, Mr Turner, Still Alice and To Write Love on Her Arms are also being distributed and downloaded.

Sony has not confirmed the authenticity of the leak, but was quoted in Variety magazine as saying: "The theft of Sony Pictures Entertainment content is a criminal matter, and we are working closely with law enforcement to address it."

A spokeswoman for Sony Pictures refused to comment further on the leak.

Korea row

In The Interview, Seth Rogen and James Franco play two reporters who have been granted an audience with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The CIA then enlists the pair to assassinate him.

Technology news site Recode quotes unnamed sources saying the possibility that North Korea may have targeted Sony is being investigated.

The site said: "The sources stress that a link to North Korea hasn't been confirmed, but has not been ruled out, either."

In July, North Korea complained to the United Nations that the film, which will be released on 25 December, was "the most undisguised sponsoring of terrorism as well as a war action".

The country's UN envoy Ja Song-Nam said there would be a "merciless response" if the film was not cancelled.

In response, Rogen joked on Twitter: "People don't usually wanna kill me for one of my movies until after they've paid 12 bucks for it."

#GOP

Little is known about the breach of Sony's systems last month.

A group calling itself the Guardians of Peace - #GOP - claimed responsibility.

Some reports said some computers of Sony employees displayed a picture of a skeleton, threatening to release large amounts of data from the company.

The early leak of films is considered, by the film industry, to have a devastating effect on the potential success of a title.

Last month, in an unrelated case, police in the UK arrested two men alleged to have leaked the Expendables 3 before its release date.

Some calculations said the leak of the film meant $10m (£6.4m) in lost box-office takings - although others said it is difficult to determine the true effect of piracy.

Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC

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Social media told to simplify terms

28 November 2014 Last updated at 00:04 By Rory Cellan-Jones Technology correspondent

Social networking firms including Facebook and Twitter are being told to make it clearer to members how they collect and use their data.

A report by the Commons Science and Technology Select Committee says the firms' terms and conditions are far too long and complex.

The MPs say users may not be aware of how their details can be used by websites and apps.

Any reasonable person would struggle with long privacy policies, they add.

The committee says reading such documents has been likened to "engaging with Shakespeare".

And it says that the rules have been designed for use in US courtrooms and to protect organisations in the event of legal action rather than to convey information.

The Chairman of the Committee, Andrew Miller MP, pointed to an experiment where Facebook had manipulated users' emotions by varying the stories they saw in their newsfeeds.

He said this "highlighted serious concerns about the extent to which ticking the 'terms and conditions' box can be said to constitute informed consent when it comes to the varied ways data is now being used by many websites and apps".

T&Cs updates

The report calls on the government to set standards which organisations can sign up to, promising to explain how they use personal data in clear, concise and simple terms.

Facebook recently unveiled updated terms and conditions policies that it claims are simpler and easier to read. It says it has "listened to people who have asked us to better explain how we get and use information".

Meanwhile Twitter has clarified its use of data in a blogpost, which explains that it collects data on the apps which users have on their phones in order to "deliver tailored content that you might be interested in".

This includes promoted tweets from advertisers. Twitter goes on to explain how users can turn off this form of data collection.

Relationship of trust

The Science Committee's report also says there is a problem with apps which request information which they do not obviously need, so as to provide their service.

It says companies should have a greater responsibility to explain why they need to collect information.

The government does not escape criticism in the report.

The Committee cites the NHS Care data programme, which was delayed after concerns about patient privacy.

This is described as an example of where the relationship of trust between data collector and customer failed to develop.

The report says the government must learn lessons and assess the impact on privacy of policies that collect, retain or process personal data.

Listen to Rory on Tech Tent on Fridays at 1630GMT on BBC World Service or catch the podcast.

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Black Friday moves into Cyber Monday

1 December 2014 Last updated at 09:47

Online retailers are hoping that a spending frenzy will continue, with internet shopping reaching a pre-Christmas peak.

Dubbed Cyber Monday, some online stores offer discounts for consumers ramping up their Christmas shopping.

The first two Mondays of December tend to be the busiest online shopping days, after browsing over the weekend.

Cyber Monday comes after the frenzy of Black Friday offers - which some stores have carried over for a few more days.

However, some analysts say that shoppers are leaving their Christmas buying later.

This is the result of greater confidence in delivery services as retailers now rely so heavily on online sales.

Nigel Wilson, managing director of consumer insight at Experian Marketing Services, said that the pre-Christmas shopping peaks were "clearly identifiable".

Experian predicts consumers will spend £649.6m on 1 December, or £451,000 a minute - a 26% increase on Cyber Monday last year.

As the month goes on, online spending tends to be replaced by spending on the High Street for last-minute gifts and Christmas preparations. The busiest shopping day in stores is, according to Experian, on Boxing Day when traditional sales begin.

Cyber Monday is seized on by retailers' marketing arms. The same is now true of Black Friday - which originated in the US. The discounts on offer prompted some frenzied scenes on Friday.

Police criticised management of some supermarkets after crowd surges and scuffles in scenes that officers in Greater Manchester described as "totally predictable".

Online retailer Amazon UK recorded orders for more than 5.5 million goods, with about 64 items sold per second - its busiest ever day.

Some online retailers reported problems with customers accessing their websites on Friday owing to demand.

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Uber hit by legal row and bans

1 December 2014 Last updated at 13:15

Taxi-app firm Uber has clashed with Indian authorities over the way customers pay fares.

It criticised "antiquated" rules that demand credit-card payments use a two-step authentication process.

The row follows Uber's suspension of its operations in Nevada after a state court banned it from operating there.

In addition, Uber has been declared illegal in Thailand, and it is fighting legal action in France that seeks to outlaw one of its services.

Legal challenge

The row in India arose after taxi drivers in the country said Uber drivers were breaking rules set by the Reserve Bank of India, which demands that any credit-card payment uses two-step authentication.

The Reserve Bank agreed that paying for a ride in an Uber cab via smartphone did break these laws and set a deadline of 30 November for it to comply.

In response, Uber set up a deal with smartphone-wallet company Paytm that meant anyone using that system no longer directly used a credit card and did not fall under the two-step requirement.

In a blogpost, Uber criticised the two-step system that remains in place for people who do not sign up for Paytm as "unnecessary and burdensome". It said such a system was "cumbersome for consumers and stifling for businesses across India".

It has also asked for a 45-day extension to the bank-set deadline, to give it time to update cars to handle two-step authentication.

Separately, Thai authorities who oversee taxi companies in the country have declared Uber illegal.

The Thai Department of Land Transport told the Bangkok Post that it had made the declaration because:

• Uber vehicles were improperly registered
• its drivers were not licensed
• fares were being levied outside regulated rates
• the service was unavailable to those without a credit card

The department has now started to find and fine Uber drivers. Those caught by police could face fines of up to 4,000 baht (£80) for breaking laws governing how taxis operate.

Uber has yet to comment on the ruling.

The Thailand decision is just one of many that have gone against the taxi-app firm in recent weeks.

In late November, Uber suspended its operations in the US state of Nevada following a regional court ruling that went against it.

The suspension came soon after a state court issued an injunction preventing it operating because it did not obey regulations that covered other taxi operators in the state.

Spokeswoman Eva Behrend said it was "unfortunate" that Nevada was the first US state to make Uber temporarily shut down. Uber added it would work with authorities to overcome the regulatory hurdle.

The bad news could continue for Uber as French lawmakers are set to decide by 12 December whether its Uberpop car-pooling service can operate in the country.

The legal case was begun by taxi companies, rival app makers, public transport operators and the government, who argue Uber's use of drivers who are not professional cab drivers broke laws.

Uber has argued that the laws covering professional drivers do not apply to its Uberpop service as it uses private cars.

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Selfie-stick sales outlawed in S Korea

1 December 2014 Last updated at 11:11

In South Korea, selling a "selfie stick" that lets people photograph themselves could mean a fine of up to £17,300 if the gadget is unregistered.

South Korea's radio management agency has issued guidelines outlawing the sale of unregistered selfie sticks.

The law applies to sticks using Bluetooth to remotely trigger a phone to take a picture.

The agency said unregistered sticks might interfere with other devices using the same radio frequencies.

Selfie sticks into which smartphones can be slotted to take snaps of their owners beyond arm's length have proved hugely popular and the most sophisticated versions use the Bluetooth short-range radio technology to trigger a handset's shutter.

Because they use Bluetooth, the devices are considered to be a "telecommunication device" and must be tested and registered with the South Korean agency that oversees such gadgets, an official at the Central Radio Management Office told the AFP newswire.

"The announcement last Friday was really just to let people know that they need to be careful about what they sell," said the official.

The regulations published by the Office can impose fines or jail terms on those making and selling unregistered sticks.

"We've had a lot of calls from vendors who think they might have been unknowingly selling uncertified products," added the radio management office's spokesman.

So far, the new regulations are not being rigorously enforced and there are no reports of the sellers of selfie sticks at attractions in South Korea being targeted by police.

Even the official at the radio frequency watchdog wondered if the new regulation was going to make a difference to the sale of the sticks - whether or not they are registered.

"It's not going to affect anything in any meaningful way, but it is nonetheless a telecommunication device subject to regulation, and that means we are obligated to crack down on uncertified ones," said the spokesman.

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Airport raids tackle cyberthieves

28 November 2014 Last updated at 11:54

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Wil Van Gemert, Europol: This fraud costs up to a billion dollars a year

Cyberthieves who used stolen credit cards to buy airline tickets have been targeted in a series of raids.

Europol co-ordinated the raids at airports, targeting people who were trying to travel using a fraudulently bought ticket.

In total, 118 people were arrested at 80 airports in 45 countries during the raids.

Airlines lose more than $1bn (£640m) a year to the trade in fraudulent tickets, said Europol.

"Airlines are fighting credit card fraud on their ticket sales on daily basis," said Meta Backman from the European airline fraud prevention group in a statement. "It is clear to the airlines that they are up against organised crime in this fight."

Europol said the raids marked the start of an initiative called Global Airport Action, which will build on the links forged between police forces, airlines and credit card companies in preparation for the raids.

These links helped to spot when tickets bought with stolen cards were being used to check in at an airport during the two days of the action. Police officers then swooped on the individuals using the tickets. Command centres in The Hague, Singapore and Bogota helped to direct the checking of tickets and travel documents as well as identifying individuals arrested.

Some of those arrested were already known to police and had been arrested before for trading in tickets.

In a statement, Europol said the stolen credit cards also helped organised crime groups keep operating and to facilitate the drug trade and human trafficking.

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Emergency repairs for cracked phones

28 November 2014 Last updated at 12:58 By Jane Wakefield Technology reporter

A US firm is launching an emergency repair service for broken or damaged smartphones in the UK.

Increasingly services are springing up offering quick fixes for the annoyance of cracked screens or broken home buttons.

New entrant, iCracked, is hoping its model of sending technicians to customers, sometimes within an hour, will help it win market share.

But critics questioned what impact it would have.

The firm already operates in 250 US cities and as the name suggests, focuses mainly on iOS devices but also repairs some Samsung models.

The prices it will charge for fixing devices will vary but will average about £57, according to the firm.

"For most people, their phone is an extension of themselves, so when it breaks it can have a huge impact on the way they go about their everyday lives," said founder A J Forsythe.

The firm began life in 2010 at a US university where Mr Forsythe was a student.

"I started handing out flyers around campus and people would call me and I'd fix their device," he told the BBC.

Growth came fast and the firm now employs 1,000 technicians across the US.

Its UK launch will initially be focused in London with 30 technicians which it hopes to expand to 100 next year.

Customers can call out a fixer either via the iCracked website or its app. They then arrange a time for them to come to their home, office or local coffee shop to repair the device.

There is a burgeoning industry springing up around smartphone repairs. High street shops offer drop-in services where they can repair phones or tablets in a matter of hours, often more cheaply than iCracked.

'First-World problem'

Websites such as Quick Fix Mobile also offer repairs within 24 hours, with prices averaging £30 - £50 for a broken screen.

Marketing manager Sean Barber was dismissive of iCracked.

"I'm not sure why these big companies come from the US and make such big news. There are already plenty of others in the UK already offering this service."

He compared iCracked's launch with that of Uber, the lift-sharing service which has proved controversial to the taxi industry.

"I don't think iCracked is going to disrupt the market like Uber did. You still have to book an appointment with a technician and in that time, a customer could have come to a service like ours and had it fixed," he said.

Mr Forsythe admitted that some may question the need for an emergency service for iPhones, but said that demand was there.

"We're seeing hundreds of requests each day and we are expecting London to be one of our busiest cities.

"I wouldn't say that it is limited to a First World problem."

Apple did not wish to comment on the service but on its website it advises customers to contact their carrier or Apple to arrange service for damaged devices. Users can also take broken phones into stores.

There is also a growing trend for do-it-yourself services such as the Restart Project - which gives amateurs advice on how to extend the life of their gadgets.

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Sony makes experimental e-paper watch

28 November 2014 Last updated at 15:42 By Dave Lee Technology reporter, BBC News

Sony has developed a watch made from e-paper as part of an initiative to experiment with the use of the material for fashion products.

The Fes Watch has a minimalist, monochrome design but falls short of the features offered by smartwatches.

However, the battery of the e-paper watch could last far longer with an estimated 60 days of use.

The device has been described as "retro and cool" by gadget expert Stuart Miles from Pocket-lint.

"One of my predictions for next year is that fashion is going to play a huge part in shaping the tech industry.

"Having a phone that's big and square is one thing, but if we're actually wearing things, it has to look good."

The watch face and straps have an e-paper display - comparable to the technology used in e-book readers such as Amazon's Kindle.

It means the watch can alternate between several different styles of watch face and strap design.

Shoes and bow-ties

According to the Wall Street Journal, Sony had deliberately kept the development of the watch low-key, opting to use a spin-off division called Fashion Entertainments to work on the device.

Fashion Entertainments ran a crowdfunding campaign to fund the watch's creation, the WSJ reported, in an attempt to gauge the public's interest in the concept.

It raised 3.5 million yen ($30,000; £19,000).

"We hid Sony's name because we wanted to test the real value of the product, whether there will be demand for our concept," a person involved in the project told the newspaper. A spokeswoman for Sony confirmed to the BBC that Fashion Entertainments is a division of company's New Business Creation Department, and was working on a number of e-paper prototypes.

Other e-paper experiments being worked on by Fashion Entertainments include shoes, bow-ties and glasses.

One drawback of using e-paper rather than, for example, liquid-crystal displays (LCD) is a limitation on possible features due to the limitations of what e-paper can display.

However, Mr Miles said he did not envision that being too significant a drawback for e-paper wearable technology.

"Look at traditional watches now, they just tell the time and we're happy with that," he said, noting that one of the most popular smartwatches on the market, the Pebble, uses e-paper.

Sony has not provided a date for the Fes Watch's release.

Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC

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Landlines pricier, as callers hang up

1 December 2014 Last updated at 11:53

The cost of having a fixed-line telephone is going up significantly, as people spend less time using them.

Three of the biggest operators are raising their line rental charges on Monday by up to five times the rate of inflation.

Experts say consumers are switching to free technology instead, and operators are raising prices to compensate.

But BT, the largest UK operator, said the rise was simply a result of their regular annual price review.

Latest figures from the regulator, Ofcom, show that consumers spent three billion minutes fewer on their landlines in the year to June 2014, a reduction of 12.7% in one year alone.

As a result, operators lost out on £85m of revenue compared with the previous year.

"Call volumes are declining," said James Barford of Enders Analysis.

"People are using Facebook or WhatsApp, or even email if they're a little old-fashioned, so operators are having to recover their costs from increased line rental," he added.

Line rental charges

Sky: up by 6.49% to £16.40 a month

BT: up 6.25% to £16.99

Virgin Media: up 6.25% to £16.99

Talk Talk: up 4.7% to £16.70

Sky, BT and Talk Talk are all introducing their price increases from Monday.

Virgin Media introduced its increase on 24 November for new customers. Existing customers will be charged more from 1 February next year.

But BT disputed the idea that prices were going up because of falling usage.

"Whilst call volumes are going down, the number of landlines is going up," a BT spokesman told the BBC.

Ofcom figures show that the number of residential lines has risen, but has been more than offset by a fall in the number of business lines.

However, people are still spending longer on their mobiles, according to Ofcom, with the total number of minutes increasing by 2.3% in the past year.

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HSBC severs links with Bitcoin firm

1 December 2014 Last updated at 15:30 By Mike Weir BBC News

HSBC has severed ties with the firm behind the world's first regulated Bitcoin investment fund.

Jersey-based hedge fund Global Advisors (GA) claims the bank was worried about "money laundering risk".

GA's Daniel Masters told the BBC that the development threatens well publicised plans to make Jersey a global centre for digital currencies.

HSBC would not discuss individual customers, but said ending a client relationship is never done "lightly".

Mr Masters said both his firm and the Bitcoin fund are tightly regulated.

The States of Jersey has created a company called Digital Jersey, in part to foster financial technology.

Island politicians have travelled to Bitcoin conferences to promote Jersey's enthusiasm for digital currencies.

Mr Masters launched the Global Advisors Bitcoin Investment Fund (GABI) in August after it was certified by the Jersey Financial Services Commission.

He said HSBC's move was a "step in the wrong direction for Jersey".

Continue reading the main story

Bitcoin is an online currency founded in 2009, although nobody knows by whom.

Each Bitcoin, like other forms of crypto-currencies, is simply a long string of computer code protected by a personal key which provides ownership and security.

All Bitcoins in circulation and their transactions histories are recorded in a giant ledger known as the blockchain. This prevents Bitcoins from being spent twice.

No middleman is required to verify the transaction, which, say supporters of Bitcoins, makes them quick, secure and cheap to use.

Unregulated Bitcoin funds exist elsewhere, but the official approval allowed major investors, such as pension and insurance companies, to speculate on Bitcoin for the first time.

Having his accounts closed by HSBC is only the latest difficulty faced by GABI, said Mr Masters.

'Money laundering'

He said that when he was launching GABI he could not find any island bank willing to provide services, so took GABI's business elsewhere.

Global Advisors has found another Jersey bank, but GABI's banking is not done on the island, although the fund remains registered and regulated in Jersey.

Geoff Cook, chief executive of Jersey Finance, said he could not comment on individual cases, but said GABI reflected Jersey's position "as both a leading hedge fund jurisdiction and a pioneering centre for the rapidly evolving world of fintech (financial technology".

There have been issues around the digital currencies, including a lack of regulation and concerns about the potential for money laundering and other illegal activity.

In October 2013 the FBI shut down online marketplace Silk Road, which traded in drugs and other illegal goods and took payments using "crypto-currencies".

A spokesman for HSBC said: "We do not discuss individual customers, nor do we confirm whether an individual or business is, or has been a customer."

But he added: "In reviewing our portfolio, we have identified a number of relationships that don't meet our strategic criteria.

"We don't take the commercial decision to end a customer relationship lightly, and when we do so it follows careful consideration of that relationship in light of our strategic focus or global risk management standards."

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