CyberLaw Blog

Archive for May 12th, 2009

Google faces Greek Street View ban: “Greek authorities have barred Google from taking photographs of its streets over fears about the privacy implications of the search giant’s Street View service. The Greek Data Protection Authority (DPA) has requested more information from Google.”

(Via OUT-LAW News.)

Judges rap police over raid on paedo expert: “

Warrant quashed

The courts have delivered a sharp rap over the knuckles to Avon and Somerset police, reminding them in no uncertain terms that it is they – and not individual police officers – who rule on legal matters.…

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(Via The Register – Public Sector.)

French Anti-Piracy Proposal Undermines E.U. Telecommunications OverhaulThe European Parliament on Wednesday rejected a long-planned revision of the Continent’s telecommunications laws because of a controversial provision to punish Internet pirates.

(Via NYT > Technology.)

Facebook’s E-Mail Censorship Legally Dubious, Experts SayFacebook is censoring private messages between its users, preventing them from sharing links from The Pirate Bay file-sharing site. Civil liberties lawyers say it could violate the law, but Facebook says its no different than blocking spam.

(Via Wired News.)

High court judge: Data protection isn’t defamation substitute: “

Act does not have your back

The Data Protection Act should not be a backup plan in failed defamation cases, a High Court judge has said. Mr Justice Eady has rejected a claim that an allegedly libellous statement was also a breach of the privacy law.…

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(Via The Register – Public Sector.)

Major law firm drops filesharing threats: “

Staff continue ‘bullying’ at smaller outfit

Exclusive Davenport Lyons, the high profile London media law firm, has dropped its mass letter writing campaign on behalf of copyright holders, which accused internet users of illegal filesharing and threatened court action if they did not quickly pay hundreds of pounds compensation.…

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(Via The Register – Public Sector.)

EU – Commission Recommendation on RFID privacy and data protection: “(RAPID)
There are already over 6 billion smart chips, microelectronic devices that can be integrated into a variety of everyday objects from fridges to bus passes. With Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, they can process data automatically when brought close to ‘readers’ that activate them, pick up their radio signal and exchange data with them. The European Commission adopted a set of recommendations to make sure that everyone involved in the design or operation of technology using smart chips respects the individual’s fundamental right to privacy and data protection. see Commission Recommendation of 12.5.2009 on the implementation of privacy and data protection principles in applications supported by radio-frequency identification C(2009) 3200 final. see also RFID: Radio Frequency IDentification: Frequently Asked Questions and Citizen’s summary.

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(Via QuickLinks Update.)

UK – Call to ‘disconnect file-sharers’: “(BBC)
Persistent illegal file-sharers should be cut off from the net, an alliance of UK creative industries will tell the government later. The alliance wants the government to force internet service providers (ISPs) to disconnect users who ignore repeated warnings about sharing illegal content. John Woodward, head of the UK Film Council, said illegal file-sharing was hurting film-making and risking jobs. The coalition says more than 50% of net traffic in the UK is illegal content.

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(Via QuickLinks Update.)