Computing in the Cloud - Part 2: "Possession and ownership of data" – January 14, 2008

Summary: "Computing in the cloud" is one name for services that run in a Web browser and store information in a provider's data center — ranging from adaptations of familiar tools such as email and personal finance to new offerings such as virtual worlds and social networks. This workshop will bring together experts from computer science, law, politics and industry to explore the social and policy implications of this trend. Part 2 includes the first panel of the workshop, entitled "Possession and ownership of data". In cloud computing, a provider’s data center holds information that would more traditionally have been stored on the end user’s computer. How does this impact user privacy? To what extent do users “own” this data, and what obligations do the service providers have? What obligations should they have? Does moving the data to the provider’s data center improve security or endanger it? Sponsored by Microsoft and Princeton University's Center for Information Technology Policy.