Android apps found sharing data

Some of the most popular apps written for Google's Android phones do not tell users what data they are gathering, says a study by US researchers, reports the BBC.

Half of 30 applications studied share location information and unique identifiers with advertisers.

App creators should provide more information on what will be done with harvested data, say the researchers.

A Facebook security boss says police are closing in on the authors of the infamous Koobface worm, writes The Register.

Nick Bilogorskiy, who leads the anti-malware team at the social network, told delegates at the Virus Bulletin conference in Vancouver on Wednesday that the hackers behind Koobface made an estimated $35 000 per week through their botnet in 2009.

He added that the true identities of the miscreants behind the worm are known to Facebook and that "law enforcement agencies are investigating", according to a report on the presentation from security firm Sophos.

A Bill designed to ensure Net neutrality has been killed, after a lack of support from US Republicans, says Computing.co.uk.

The Bill was proposed by Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and would have handed regulation of the Internet to the Federal Communications Commission, which has already stated Net neutrality as a goal.

The legislation would also have curbed paid preferred access by ISPs, stopped mobile Internet providers blocking sites, and ensured broadband providers were transparent in their dealings with customers.

The FBI and US Attorney's office in southern New York announced charges today against 37 people accused of being part of an international crime ring that stole $3 million from bank accounts by infecting computers with the Zeus Trojan and other malware, reveals CNet.

Between federal and state charges, more than 60 people in total are being charged in the operation, officials said.

Ten people were arrested today by federal and New York law enforcement officers and another 10 were previously arrested in the US as part of a coordinated takedown, authorities said. Seventeen people are still being sought in the US and abroad, officials said.