CyberLaw Blog

Archive for the ‘Child Protection’ Category

Child Predator’s Encrypted Files Stumps Feds: “Computer crimes expert Gus Dimitrelos’ efforts to crack an encryption code on the computer of an alleged child predator have been thwarted.”

(Via XBIZ.com | News & Articles.)

UK govt publishes ‘kids and videogames’ action plan: “

Internet safety scheme too

The Byron Review, it seems, was just the beginning. The UK government has unveiled a comprehensive action plan designed to develop ways of making videogames and the internet safer for children.…

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(Via The Register - Public Sector.)

Public Comment Period Opens for Proposed Porn-Free Wireless Net: “A two-week public comment period commenced today for the proposed establishment of a free national wireless Internet that would filter out content considered harmful to teens and adolescents.”

(Via XBIZ.com | News & Articles.)

FOXNews.com - Girl, 12, Charged With Distributing Nude Pic of Classmate

Associated Press, Tuesday, June 24, 2008

WESTPORT, Conn. — A 12-year-old Westport girl has been charged with distributing a nude photo of a classmate to fellow students.

The investigation began on May 12 when the incident was reported to Westport police after word circulated throughout Coleytown Middle School that a nude snapshot was taken during a video chat and distributed to others.

The girl is being referred to Juvenile Court in Norwalk on a charge of second-degree breach of peace, which involves the distribution of offensive and indecent material. Her name is not being released because of her age.

“In light of how sensitive this case is for all the families involved, I don’t feel it’s appropriate to comment at this time,” said Mark Sherman, an attorney for the girl.

The arrest comes amid growing worries among parents about teenagers snapping naked pictures of themselves on their cell phones and sending them to their boyfriends and girlfriends. Many of the pictures are falling into the wrong hands or being posted on the Internet, leading to criminal charges.

In Castle Rock, Colo., 18 middle school students sent around nude pictures of themselves last year.

Similar cases have been reported in New Jersey, New York, Alabama, Utah, Pennsylvania and Texas.

UK - Plan to protect children online unveiled: “(Guardian)
The government has unveiled an action plan to make the internet safer for children with a £9m ad campaign promoting ‘e-safety’ and setting up a council on child internet safety. The action plan, unveiled today by the department for children, schools and families, aims to deliver on Dr Tanya Byron’s recommendations in her report ’safer children in a digital world’. See Byron Review Action Plan.”

(Via QuickLinks Update.)

Traders caught selling violent games to children, online and off: “Thirty-eight online traders and three high street shops have been caught selling 18-rated video games to children in a series of undercover investigations. Such sales are illegal and businesses can be punished by prison sentences and fines.”

(Via OUT-LAW News.)

EU - EDPS Opinion on safer Internet for children: “(RAPID)
The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) has adopted an Opinion on the proposed multiannual Community programme on protecting children using the Internet and other communication technologies. The EDPS fully supports the general orientations of the programme aiming at more efficiently protecting children using the Internet, while adapting to the evolution of new technologies. He stresses the fact that the protection of children’s data is an essential first step in guaranteeing more safety and prevention of abuse on the Internet. Data protection considerations should also apply to all persons who are connected in some way with the information circulating on the network to prevent illegal content and harmful conduct (e.g. person reported as suspect, reporting person, victim of abuse). Data protection authorities play a decisive role in the protection of children on the Internet. This should be taken into consideration when it comes to the implementation of the multiannual programme;
any reporting system to be put in place in order to report illegal or harmful content online has to take into account the existing data protection framework. Guarantees related to the supervision of the system, in principle by law enforcement authorities, are decisive elements to comply with this framework; filtering or blocking tools to control access to networks should be used cautiously, bearing in mind their potential adverse effect (e.g. preventing access to legitimate information) and taking advantage of the privacy enhancing opportunities offered by technology; the development of best practices by the industry should be promoted. However, the surveillance of telecommunication networks, where necessary in specific circumstances, should be the task of law enforcement authorities.”

(Via QuickLinks Update.)

UK - Youths ‘buy violent games online’: “(BBC)
Children are able to illegally buy violent video games through online auction websites, the UK’s Trading Standards Institute has said. Almost 90% of retailers tested by the association sold under-18s games, such as Manhunt 2, through such outlets. Traders supplying games to an under-age person in breach of official classifications can face a fine or up to six months in jail.”

(Via QuickLinks Update.)

EU - Public consultation on Age Verification, Cross Media Rating and Classification, and Online Social Networking: “(Europa)
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on age verification, cross media rating and classification, and online social networking. The purpose of the public consultation is to gather the knowledge and views of all relevant stakeholders (including public bodies, child safety and consumer organisations, industry). The gathered information will be fed into this year’s Safer Internet Forum 2008, which will be dedicated to the above mentioned topics. The consultation will be open until 31 July 2008.”

(Via QuickLinks Update.)

ISPs: Govt porn filters ‘could cripple internet’: News - Communications - ZDNet Australia: “ISPs: Govt porn filters ‘could cripple internet’

Marcus Browne, ZDNet.com.au, 16 June 2008 03:31 PM

Broadband providers Internode and iiNet have hit out against the Federal government’s ISP-level content filtering initiative — a scheme that could cripple Australia’s high-speed internet access, according to one exec.

Mandatory filtering, one of Kevin Rudd’s election promises, is set to move the emphasis from parents onto ISPs to remove ‘inappropriate content’ from Australians’ internet experience with potential software filters currently being trialled by ACMA.

The regulator is expected to file its report on the filter tests with Communications Minister Senator Stephen Conroy by the end of this month, after the Federal government pledged a one-off AU$125.8 million subsidy for ISPs to install the required equipment as part of this year’s budget.

The plan has already attracted its critics. Security experts recently called government filters to block malware — rather than the ‘inappropriate content’ currently targeted — a suggestion backed by ISP Internode.”

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