A lot has changed in the last 24 years: Flat televisions, cell phones, tablets, computers, the internet, and much more. One thing that hasn’t: Communications Privacy Law. Back in 1986, the US instituted the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, which protects the public from interception, access, and disclosure of communications data without legal warrant. Unfortunately governments have found a way to circumvent this law, by accessing data (notably email) that is stored on remote servers. But now a number of organizations are pressuring the government to update this law for digital data stored online. (more…)
Archive for the ‘Culture & Law’ Category
Private Data on the Cloud
Thursday, April 1st, 2010EU Challenges ACTA
Monday, March 15th, 2010
The European parliament passed a resolution this weekend challenging some of core elements of ACTA, challenging the assumption that the EU is saturated with spineless bureaucrats. The resolution brings up issues such as:
- Internet disconnection without a judge or court examination
- Personal border searches
- The potential of increased border inspection and seizure to be used against legitimate products
- Three strikes policy
- Failure to include developing nations in negotiations
World Day Against Cyber Censorship
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Tomorrow (March 12) is the World Day Against Cyber Censorship, sponsored by the French organization Reports Without Borders and Google. The event, according to Reporters Without Borders:
“Is intended to rally everyone in support of a single Internet that is unrestricted and accessible to all. It is also meant to draw attention to the fact that, by creating new spaces for exchanging ideas and information, the Internet is a force for freedom. However, more and more governments have realised this and are reacting by trying to control the Internet.”
IRS to Track Online Payments
Monday, March 8th, 2010
In the midst of financial ruin and economic chaos, the United States government quickly scrambled to revive a broken system. Working tirelessly to come up with something, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was born, putting taxpayers on the hook for bank’s bad investments. Because of the emergency situation, there was no time to put in regulations to prevent this $700 billion abuse in the future. However, there was time to put in some IRS tax reform to make sure those pesky internet tax evaders don’t get away with any funny business. (more…)
