Web creator criticizes Brazil's local storage plans

World wide web creator Sir Tim Berners-Lee has criticized the Brazilian government's plans to demand that organizations store data locally at a United Nations gathering in Geneva yesterday (5).

Berners-Lee was quoted by newspaper O Estado de São Paulo as saying that the requirements for local data storage, which are part of Brazil's upcoming set of regulations to govern internet use, are an "emotional reaction" to the NSA spying episode and will not have any practical impact in reducing espionage risk.

The statements were made at the launch of the Web We Want campaign, which aims to create a national bill of rights for the internet in every country to protect online freedom. The initiative is led by a coalition of influencers around the world including Joaquim Arruda Falcão, the dean at Fundação Getulio Vargas, one of the most prestigious business schools in Brazil.

The British scientist added that the Brazilian government's plans to demand that data lives only inside the country are not applicable for two reasons. One is related to the difficulty of managing social networks, as well as the fact that the web is based on the principle of not having government controls - meaning that nationalizing servers would not be a good idea.

Berners-Lee pointed out that while the Marco Civil da Internet is generally positive, the requirement to store data locally should be removed.

But Brazilian ministers have affirmed in the last few weeks that the government will not back down on its decision to introduce rules that supposedly increase control for the better and reduce the likelihood of NSA-like spying occurrences.

Meanwhile, corporates are moving to adjust to the possible new realities. Microsoft, for example, has announced this week that it will enable cloud customers in Brazil to store their data locally from next year. Other companies such as Facebook and Google have voiced their disapproval of the proposals.

As I said before in this blog, even the enforcement of stricter rules regarding data protection do not mean that our information is safe. While legislation can help create a safer environment on the web, the law is never going to be ahead of the technology.

We can only hope that Brazil's politicians and their advisors can realize that - before voting an ill-conceived set of regulations that is utterly irrelevant in this day and age.

How to Find a PS4 in Stock Online or in a Local Store

The PS4 release date is finally here and while many gamers braved midnight release events to get the console, the day is just getting started. The midnight release was the best time to get a PS4 without a pre-order, but there are still consoles available according to several store trackers.

If you want to buy a PS4 on release day, you won’t have a lot of luck online, though some stores may let you reserve one for pickup online. Most of the PS4 release date stock for walk in customers appears to be scattered across Walmart, Best Buy and GameStop.

Here’s a fast look at how you can find a PS4 in stock on release day, and through the holiday shopping season without resorting to paying high prices on eBay and Craigslist.

Read: 10 Things Ps4 Buyer’s Need to Know

If you want to find a PS4 in stock at a local store without calling or driving all over town there are a few tools you can use to simplify your search.

Google Product search will check the stock of your local Walmart to find a PS4 at the a store near you. According to the search of Walmart locations in Ohio, five nearby stores offer the PS4 in stock.

Find a PS4 in stock at a local store like Walmart or Best Buy with these tools.

This is not a 100% guarantee that the PS4 is in the store and available, as inventory systems may have trouble differentiating between pre-orders and stock to sell, but it should narrow down the hunt, and possibly limit you to a single phone call.

To search for a PS4 in stock at Best Buy, Frys or GameStop you can use the BuyVia App. This free app will check the stock of these stores once per day. Unfortunately that means it may not be up  to date, but that is all the retailers will allow for updates.

Check the stock of local stores for a PS4 with BuyVia’s App.

This shows a PS4 in stock at our local Best Buy, even though the Best Buy website does not allow users to check stock easily. If you search for “8240103? on Best Buy you will be able to enter your zip code in the left sidebar to check local stock. Keep in mind this search is in beta.

If you want to buy your PS4 online, you may be in for a longer wait, but BuyVia’s PS4 tracker checks the online stock of many popular online retailers monitoring for sales of the PS4 console as well as bundles.

BuyVia tracks online stores to find where you can buy a PS4 online this holiday season.

This tracker is a handy way to look for a PS4 online from Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Sony, Target and others. It certainly beats visiting every store 12 times a day to look for a PS4.