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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.
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#COYGIG!! Fantastic evening for soccer in Ireland.
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: Really great win.
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: you are right, amazing performance. You kind of wonder why they couldnt pull it out for the other games though. Still it will give them great confidence going to the playoffs.
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: its a shame you’re not very consistent AND you think FG have overseen some massive recovery in Ireland that they havent
@S Suilleabhain: What has that got to do with his COYGIG comment and this article? Was a comment of his deleted from this page?
@Setanta O’Toole: For the same reason probably that the Ireland’s men’s team would be lucky to win any match if they were in the same group as the 2nd, 3rd and 6th raned teams in the world i.e. France, Belguim and Portugal.
@Injustice Cop: he was odious to me & nasty and is routinely. I’ll say what I like and dont regard him as anything like a decent Irishman
strange username you have there, ironic.
Well done indeed ladies .
Brilliant result. Really attacked today and that goal v England gave them the emputis to push on in this game. Super venue also.
Brilliant! Well done everyone – delighted for you all
Great result for Mna na hEireann
To be fair. This was a great win against a top women’s team. Maybe now they realise that they are better then they think and give them a boost for the next time. Well done ladies.
Well done, great to see them finally getting a well-deserved win. Hope sign of things to come for them.
@ S Suilleabhain: You are pathetic. On an article concerning a great victory for our Women’s National Team you somehow have to bring completely unrelated politics into. How does it feel to have failed so miserable in life? There ar3 people all around you, from every part of the country have successfully made a decent life for themselves under the same circumstances you had to live under. You are a bitter failure. The soo wrong you take responsibility for your life the sooner things will improve for you. As long as you bitterly whinge and moan you will always be a miserable failure. Wise up.
Coolaboola
Great performance. I’m having a piece of humble pie for lunch!
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