CyberLaw Blog

Archive for the ‘Privacy’ Category

EU privacy watchdogs say Facebook changes ‘unacceptable’: “Europe’s privacy watchdogs have issued a rebuke to Facebook, telling the social networking site that changes it made to the site’s privacy settings late last year were ‘unacceptable’.“

(Via OUT-LAW News.)

Facebook criticised over latest privacy lapse: Facebook is facing growing criticism of its privacy policies after an embarrassing technical error exposed users’ private conversations to others.

(Via Tech and Web from Times Online.)

Google rapped over privacy issues by 10 nations: “(BBC)
Canada’s Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart has sent an open letter to Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt. The letter raises concerns about privacy issues surrounding social network tool Google Buzz and Google Street View. It calls for Google to adhere to a set of ‘fundamental privacy principles’ when creating new services in future. Ms Stoddart’s counterparts in nine other countries, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain and the UK., have signed it too.”

(Via QuickLinks Update.)

Big Brother Watch manifesto makes plea for privacy: “

Look at yourselves, insists pressure group

The latest manifesto into the lists (pdf) comes not from a party standing at election, but from a pressure group.…

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(Via The Register – Public Sector.)

Federal Judge Finds N.S.A. Wiretaps Were Illegal – NYTimes.com

By CHARLIE SAVAGE and JAMES RISEN
Published: March 31, 2010

WASHINGTON — A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the National Security Agency’s program of surveillance without warrants was illegal, rejecting the Obama administration’s effort to keep shrouded in secrecy one of the most disputed counterterrorism policies of former President George W. Bush.

In a 45-page opinion, Judge Vaughn R. Walker ruled that the government had violated a 1978 federal statute requiring court approval for domestic surveillance when it intercepted phone calls of Al Haramain, a now-defunct Islamic charity in Oregon, and of two lawyers representing it in 2004. Declaring that the plaintiffs had been ‘subjected to unlawful surveillance,’ the judge said the government was liable to pay them damages.

The ruling delivered a blow to the Bush administration’s claims that its surveillance program, which Mr. Bush secretly authorized shortly after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, was lawful. Under the program, the National Security Agency monitored Americans’ international e-mail messages and phone calls without court approval, even though the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, required warrants.

The Justice Department said it was reviewing the decision and had made no decision about whether to appeal. (more…)

German court rejects police data snooping store: “

Leaves Euro spooks in limbo

Germany’s High Court has told police and secret services that they must stop storing email and telephone data and delete information already collected.…

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(Via The Register – Public Sector.)

Google says sorry and changes Buzz after privacy outcry: “Google has made major changes to the way its new social networking service works after being at the centre of a storm of criticism claiming that the service had violated users’ privacy.”

(Via OUT-LAW News.)

Google Alters Buzz to Tackle Privacy Flaws: (New York Times)
Google moved quickly to contain a firestorm of criticism over Buzz, its new social network, taking the unusual step of announcing changes to the product over the weekend to address privacy problems. Google has decided to alter one of the most vehemently criticized features in Buzz: the ready-made circle of friends that Buzz gives new users based on their most frequent e-mail and chat contacts. Now, instead of automatically connecting people, Buzz merely suggests to new users a group of people that they may want to follow or want to be followed by. See also HOW TO: Integrate Facebook, Twitter, and Buzz into Your Gmail (Mashable), Buzz or Bust by Leslie Harris, President and CEO of the Center for Democracy & Technology, Google boss says ‘nobody was harmed’ by Buzz debacle (Guardian) and Google facing lawsuit over Buzz privacy in federal court (Ars Technica).

(Via QuickLinks Update.)

Google forced into Buzz revamp over privacy row: “Google has been forced into a hasty revamp of Buzz, its new social networking service, after users claimed that it breached their privacy.“

(Via Tech and Web from Times Online.)

ACLU challenges US laptop border searches: “

Civil liberties assessment still pending

Privacy campaigners are continuing a legal challenge against random laptop border searches by US customs amid concerns there may be a racial bias in those delayed and inconvenienced by stop and search powers introduced as part of the war on terror.…

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(Via The Register – Public Sector.)