News: Facebook's Zuckerberg has private photos released

Facebook founder has private photos revealed

A privacy glitch on Facebook has allowed a user to gain access to a private photo album of Mark Zuckerberg. The glitch allowed some users who report a profile photo as inappropriate to see other displayed photos that were previously blocked to them. Hence shots like the one posted here have been leaked on the web. It’s an ironic turn of events for Zuckerberg who has faced criticism for allowing Facebook to allegedly infringe the privacy of many of its 700 million plus users. The bug in the system has since been fixed.

The most Googled words of 2011

Yes, Google is totally a verb these days. The most searched for news story and general term of 2011 by Australians has been revealed. The iPhone 5 which, as far as we know, doesn’t even exist yet. Well done Apple. The other major newsmakers of the year based on Google searches were Cyclone Yasi in Queensland, the tsunami and earthquake in Japan and the uprising in Libya. More Australians searched for the death of Amy Winehouse than they did Osama bin Laden. Princess Diana was still at number 4 on that list. What were your big Google terms for the year?

Dress sexy, invite criticism from women?

This might not be the world’s most scientific study, but the topic is interesting. Researchers in Canada asked 86 undergraduate women to participate in a study about conflict in female relationships. But before the study began, researchers sent an attractive woman into the room dressed either conservatively in tracksuit pants or in clothes that accentuated her breasts and thighs. Reactions were recorded and, surprisingly or not, the ‘bitchier’ remarks and reactions were reserved for the sexier clothing. In a second part of the study, 66 participants were given photographs of the attractive woman dressed conservatively, provocatively or overweight and provocative. The results were the same: whether ‘overweight’ or not, it was the ‘sexy’ dressing that affected the likelihood of whether the participants would introduce her to their boyfriends. Question is, do you think it reflects society?

Protestor stripped to underwear and left in park by police

An Occupy Melbourne protestor, known as Sarah, was protesting restrictions on camping and tents by wearing a modified tent as clothing when she was surrounded by at least four police officers (some claimed there were eight) and at least one council employee. The council employee was handed a knife to cut the tent from the woman who screamed ‘this is not consensual, don’t leave me in my underwear’. The woman was just out of high school. Though Victoria Police says it gave protestors a ‘reasonable’ amount of time to change into normal clothing before the tents were seized, it has launched an Ethical Standards investigation into the incident. [Thanks Shannon for bringing this to our attention yesterday]. Take a look for yourself:

Australian of the Year nominee sides with gambling lobby

New South Wales Australian of the Year and finalist for the big prize Father Chris Riley agrees with Clubs Australia and says mandatory pre-commitment technology on poker machines won’t help problem gamblers. Nor will an alternative being suggested: restricting maximum bets to $1. He has lent his face and quotes to a flyer produced by Clubs Australia. “I’ve witnessed problem gambling in the community and I believe the only way to treat it is through counselling and education.” His charities Youth off the Streets receives donations from Clubs Australia, but it says the donations only amount to 0.5 per cent of the total.

Rates cut again, but will the banks pass them on?

The Reserve Bank of Australia yesterday cut rates for the second time in as many meetings. But now the waiting game to see whether the big banks will pass on the 0.25 percentage point cut. As of last night the only bank to do so was the Bank of Queensland. The Big Four, with profits of $24 billion, has so far yet to act. But they have a bit of an excuse with concerns out of Europe and their exposure growing. But passing on the cut would ensure more household budget confidence in the lead-up to Christmas. Does it affect you?

What else is happening in the news that is on your mind?