R&D: Apple and Google Under Fire for Collecting Customer Data, John Ensign Will Resign Senate Seat, and States Debate “Birther” Bills

Here is your R&D for April 22nd:

Apple, Google Collect User Data from the Wall Street Journal
It has been revealed that Apple’s iPhones and Google’s Android smartphones transmit the locations of users back to each company.  Privacy rights advocates say that this is a clear invasion of privacy and raises questions of who should have access to this data.

John Ensign to Resign Friday, Heller Likely Replacement from the Las Vegas Sun
Embattled Nevada Republican Senator John Ensign is planning to resign today.  His move allows for Republican Governor Brian Sandoval to name Congressman Dean Heller to the seat and improve Heller’s position for a bruising 2012 election battle that could determine the control of the Senate.

Evidence Aside, State Lawmakers Debate ‘Birther’ Bills from the New York Times
The birther controversy will not go away and half a dozen states are debating “birther” bills.  Arizona Governor Jan Brewer vetoed a similar measure last week.

Rousseff: South America Is Priority for Brazil’s Foreign Policy from the Latin American Herald Tribune
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has made it clear that Brazil’s foreign policy puts a priority on closer Latin American integration and closer relations with China, India, and Russia.  Rousseff is also making it clear that Brazil wants a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Libya: Stalemate looms, warns Admiral Mike Mullen from the BBC
Admiral Mike Mullen warned yesterday that the Libyan civil war is moving towards a stalemate, despite the fact that NATO air strikes have destroyed over a third of Moammar Gaddafi’s ground forces.

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