CyberLaw Blog

Archive for June 23rd, 2009

The rise of Hate 2.0: “(BBC News)
The number of hate and terrorist websites has increased by a third in the past year, according to the Simon Wiesenthal Center. The Los Angeles-based Jewish human rights organisation put the figure at more than 8,000 in its 2008 report Hate 2.0. And the number of so-called hate sites is growing fast, while the use of social networks to push controversial messages is also on the rise. See Facebook, YouTube +: How Social Media Outlets Impact Digital Terrorism and Hate.

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(Via QuickLinks Update.)

Government surveillance response ‘inadequate’, say Lords: “The Government’s response to a Parliamentary report on the monitoring and legislation surrounding surveillance is ‘inadequate’ and it has ‘paid insufficient attention’ to the report’s recommendations, a follow up report has said.”

(Via OUT-LAW News.)

US raises China filter amid business concern: official: “(AFP)
The United States raised concerns to China about its new rule requiring Internet filtering software in computers after US businesses voiced unease. Computer makers have been told that all personal computers sold from July 1 must be shipped with anti-pornography software, a move that trade and rights groups say is a bid by Beijing to further tighten Internet controls. In Beijing, US embassy spokesman Richard Buangan told AFP that US officials had met with Chinese authorities to address concerns about the software. A US official said in Washington that the appeal came in part due to worries by US computer makers.

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(Via QuickLinks Update.)

Google and Facebook go Farsi to help spread Iran message: “Google and Facebook set up Farsi versions of their websites and services yesterday, saying that they were responding to the importance of the internet as a communications tool for Iranians during the turmoil in the country.

(Via Tech and Web from Times Online.)

Tech giants deny helping Iran eavesdrop: “

A joint venture of Siemens AG and Nokia Corp., two large European technology firms, is denying reports that Iran uses its Web-monitoring technology to censor and spy on its citizens’ online activities.

Nokia Siemens Networks said Monday that it has sold telecommunications systems to the Iranian government but that any …

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(Via The Iconoclast.)

2009-07-08 EU, Brussels – Hearing on video games and protection of minors: “(Europa)
In April 2008, the Commission with its Communication on video games signalled the growing importance of video games both in social and economic terms and explicitly showcased the video games industry, arguing that it is about to become a major pillar of European media culture. One year after the Communication, Commissioner Reding, experts and relevant stakeholders will come together in order to re-assess progress to date towards improved protection of minors and identify further measures as necessary. The European Commission’s hearing on video games and the protection of minors will take place on 8 July 2009 in Brussels. It will take the form of panel discussions on the following topics: Raising awareness among parents and consumers; Online Games: particular risks, specific responses?; Towards a pan- European Code of Conduct for the retail sale of video games. 8 July 2009; 10.00 ? 16.30

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(Via QuickLinks Update.)

CN – Google to cut China porn results: “(BBC)
Google says it will take ‘all necessary steps’ to remove pornography from its Chinese language portal, Google.cn. The firm was responded to criticism from China’s internet watchdog which said Google was ‘disseminating pornographic and vulgar information’. Google has been warned twice about allowing unacceptable porn sites to be seen in search results.

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(Via QuickLinks Update.)

Social networking giants are subject to EU data protection laws, say regulators: “Social networking sites are legally responsible for their users’ privacy, Europe’s privacy watchdogs have confirmed. A committee of data protection regulators has said that the sites are ‘data controllers’, with all the legal obligations that brings.”

(Via OUT-LAW News.)

Google submits to Beijing porn drive: “

Thumbing nose at Tehran OK, but not at Beijing

Google’s attempt to burnish its public image by helping anti-government demonstrators in Iran has been hobbled by its apparent submission to a Beijing anti-porn drive that has even drawn fire from the US government.…

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(Via The Register – Public Sector.)

Web Pries Lid of Censorship by Iranian Government: “Iran’s sometimes faltering attempts to come to grips with censorship in the 21st century are providing a laboratory for what can and cannot be done.

(Via NYT > Technology.)