Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
JAPAN’S BUREAUCRATS USED the wrong privacy settings for Google Groups discussions, allowing anyone to see internal memos including on negotiating positions for an international treaty, the government said on Wednesday.
Environment ministry mandarins were among those who used the default settings on Google Groups, which allow public access to discussion threads, instead of limiting them to members only.
The mass-selling Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper said it found more than 6,000 cases where information from public or private organisations, including hospital records, was publicly available.
The Yomiuri, the world’s biggest-selling newspaper, also admitted its journalists had been using the wrong settings on Google Groups, and may have revealed draft stories and interview transcripts to anyone who wanted to see them.
Google Groups allows users to establish or join discussions on any subject, which can be accessed either by email or through the web.
The user who sets up the group can determine who can join the group and who can view and post messages.
The default on the set-up page allows anyone to see messages, although this can be limited by a drop-down menu.
A spokesman for the environment ministry admitted officials have used the service to share information, including planned talking points for negotiations on an international mercury trade treaty.
The Japanese delegation also uploaded its exchanges with their Swiss and Norwegian counterparts. The treaty is expected to be signed in the autumn.
“It was problematic that the processes around ongoing negotiations could be seen by outsiders. We have taken corrective steps,” an environment ministry spokesman told AFP.
The memos were not “top secret”, but were not for public release, the spokesman admitted.
Officials from at least six government ministries and agencies used the wrong settings on Google Groups, allowing outsiders to see internal exchanges, national broadcaster NHK said.
The Yomiuri also reported that hospitals and schools had uploaded patients’ and students’ records.
At least one political party also used the service, revealing a list of its supporters, the Yomiuri said.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Woooooo! Well done Scotland!
Fair play Scotland, showing other countries how it’s done!
Kinda proud to be Scottish today.
Suspended a/ “Anus”???
I have a feeling your one of our re-named Troll accounts.
Ignore him, Jeremy. He’s just an assho1e.
Scotland points the way. France has also permitted same sex marriage.
In time, Irish society will come to accept that horrible unfairness and the inherent discrimination involved in denying gay people the opportunity of same sex marriage.
Congrats Sean!
Ah has nowt to do with me, just happy for some people back home!
Still worth congratulating you. You come from a country that has made a great leap forward. Fair play to ya
To be fair, they were probably all pissed during the vote.
Ah, much like the dáil then is it? Feck it, they got the job done
See what can happen when a country refuses to let itself be dictated to by the church!
It’s fantastic isn’t it. People end up happier. Glad to see you’ve changed your tune Rodrigo
Good on ye Scotland!
?
Nice one Scotland
I’ll throw a party tonight to celebrate!
Congratulations, Scotland!
Now I wonder how long it will take for the “fabric of society” to fall asunder, or all the currently married people to feel that their own relationship is jeopardised!
I’m going for never.
Well, there is a storm coming.. And as we all know – gay people are responsible for the bad weather..
And autism. Oh and did you hear about the glass roof in RTE that collapsed. Apparently Shirley Temple Bar was there at the time. True story. Must have been Gods revenge
God’s revenge for the Iona payout!
The island Iona could def find a market in marrying Irish gay couples…
They could set up an Institute of Equal Marriage there.
How lovely would that be? The Iona Institute doing good, for a change.
Up your kilt!
Always the anonymous trolls who come out with the most homophobic comments….come on guys…..show your real profile and make the same comments!! Keyboard heroes!!!
What is it with all the gay stories today. Are we in the middle of some secret gayfest or something?
If you were in the middle of a gayfest I’m sure you’d know
“Back into the pile!!”
Clearly you don’t know what a gay festa is by that question, you should go to one just so you know.
Shame we can’t have the referendum a little sooner.
I was kinda hoping we would do it before our friends across the water
every one to there own. ..but dont need it rammed down our neck. ..for example and this is fact
protesting to have pictures of man and woman marriages taken down from register offices as they feel it’s bias and not equal. ..come on you got yer vote leave ua who believe in the marriage of a man and woman at peace
You do know, that tomorrow heterosexual people in Scotland WILL be able to get married in peace.
Nothing will be rammed down your throat.
You do realise that the vote was in Scotland right?
Patric – did I see you in Jurassic Park?
Patric…. How would you feel if you were not allowed marry the person you love because the law discriminates against you even tho you are a tax paying citizen involved in nothing more disturbing or illegal than being in love..?????…… gay people don’t want extra or special rights. .. Just The equal rights that the rest of our population have
How about you don’t ram hetrosexuality down our throats with all your different sexed marriages, mixed gender couples in the media and on the street. Even most of the politicians are ramming it down our throats by being blatantly married to someone of the opposite gender whilst holding office. Dreadful!
Upset you are losing your privilege? Well tough, losing privilege is not oppression.
Cyberspice, I wanted to high five you for that brilliant response.
As a matter of interest Patric – where is this supposed to be happening?
I’d say if we keep fighting for it, gay marriage in Ireland will be permitted within the next hundred years or so!
It’s a matter of the Government leading out the Referendum. It will be a very popular Referendum and it will pass easily. It’s a shoe in for the short to medium term.
Politicians can recognised a vote catcher.
I don’t care about the motives. I just want to see my gay brothers and sisters have the opportunity that straight people take for granted. Equality cannot come soon enough.
Dirt
I know you are but what about me?
I know now why them jocks like the kilt. they will be celebrating in suckyeall street.
Chris, nice avatar. Who is he?
Says the fella with the gay avatar.
Congrats to Scotland. #Revolutionof love
The logical outcome for a country that embraced Calvinism?
have your say