Shameless self-promotion.
On April 23, I gave a presentation to the ARMA Houston Spring Conference on “Information Governance Trends 2018-2019.” A copy of my slides, a draft version of the slides-plus-audio, and a spreadsheet with the 300+ headlines from The Wall Street Journal that were the source for this blog and be found at http://liipfertconsulting.com/news.html.
This stuff is all around us.
Filed under Uncategorized
“Online Lender Prosper Settles Probe Over Misleading Investors,” The Wall Street Journal, April 20, 2019. Company provided the wrong data to is investors. For two years.
The error resulted in the company overstating its earnings. Why do these errors never go the other way?
You invest in something, and rely on the company providing accurate information to measure your investment. They overstate their results by not including certain deductions. Then the suit for fraud.
Where is the failure in governance? The company? You?
“Computer Attack Knocks Weather Channel Off the Air,” The Wall Street Journal, April 19, 2019. Ransomware strikes again.
Is there a trend on ransomware attacks? Norsk Hydro then Weather Channel? What does this show? Vulnerability of companies and TV channels to ransomware attacks?
Filed under Uncategorized
“Risk Scores Assess Ties Between Genes and Obesity, Disease,” The Wall Street Journal, April 19, 2019. Using genetic data to predict risk of disease.
This is more about use of available information. Or the reuse of information collected for one purpose being used for another. Whose information is it? What are the controls on the use of this information?
“In SEC vs. Elon Musk, a Question of When Tweets Matter,” The Wall Street Journal, April 18, 2019. Dispute over meaning of settlement agreement with SEC.
What does “reasonably could contain” material information mean? Mr. Musk tweeted allegedly misleading tweets, and entered into a settlement with the SEC.
Lawyers apparently agreed to this language. Does a dispute over meaning implicate Information Governance, and Compliance? Mr. Musk has continuing legal exposure for future tweets.
Confusion in language is not a good thing. Precision is. Who governs the words you use in legal agreements?
“Texting Moves to the Workplace, as Do the Awkward Misfires. ‘I’m Here. I Luv U.’,” The Wall Street Journal, April 17, 2019. Problems when people use texts for both office and personal communications.
When people use the same communications channels for work and personal, do mistakes happen? Yes. What does it say when employees can’t or don’t keep these two channels of communication separate? Are they incapable of managing the technology?
Does this just look at it from the amusing side, when an employee accidentally tells her boss (and not her husband) of her love for him? What about sending your spouse confidential business information over a text? Do these stories help cement the message of separation?
Filed under Technology, Theme One: Information, Theme Two: Governance
“Volkswagen Ex-CEO Faces Fresh Fraud Charges Over Emissions Scandal,” The Wall Street Journal, April 16, 2019. Prosecutors in Germany seek return of salary and bonuses, plus ten years.
The VW story has been going on for some time. They used a software to alter emission testing results and got caught. Billions (25+) of dollars later, prosecutors now try to recoup the salary paid to the CEO.
Should those being paid to provide governance have to forfeit their salaries if they provide “bad” governance after they learn of a problem?
While this is at its heart an Information story, where the company tried to fake information it was giving the government (and its customers), will it’s biggest impact be forcing Management to forfeit salary and bonus?
“WhatsApp Users Spread Antivaccine Rumors in India,” The Wall Street Journal, April 15, 2019. False reports from the US on vaccines spreads in India.
Where do you get your news from? Do you trust the source(s)? Does the government have a legitimate interest in preventing the spread of rumors that affect health? What about politics? What can the platform do to help? Is this people just using the platform as it was designed? We don’t hold gun manufacturers responsible for the damage others do with that product, do we?
Filed under Theme One: Information, Theme Two: Governance
“Google Sued Over Abuse of Search Power, Opening Path for More Claims,” The Wall Street Journal, April 13, 2019. Google accused of favoring its proprietary price comparison tool over that of a competitor.
Are governments starting to rein in the tech giants? What does this tell us about the future?
Yes, this is information governance. The German court is being asked to say how Google can and cannot use the searching protocols on its platform to deliver results. The antitrust/competition laws are one of the controls on how Google uses information on its system. It’s also Compliance, as Google is being accused of illegally using its market power to reduce competition.
“Test-Taking Whiz in College Admissions Scandal Pleads Guilty,” The Wall Street Journal, April 13, 2019. Harvard grad would take SAT tests for others.
Apparently, someone can impersonate you and take “your” SAT test.
One suspects that the SAT folks are tightening the barn door. And schools may be kicking out some loose horses. Lots of different Information, Governance, and Compliance issues, at several different levels.
What information do you rely on when making decisions? How important is it to you that that information is accurate?
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