Open Rights Group Newsblog

Jammie Thomas judge: “error of law” may result in new trial

Mark Levitt — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:41:57 +0000

Citing a flawed jury instruction and a precedent-setting Eighth Circuit ruling he was previously unaware of, Judge Michael Davis is on the cusp of granting Jammie Thomas’ request for a new trial.

NHS stalls electronic record system rollout

Glyn — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:38:03 +0000

(Via ZDNet) Nick Heath writes

The NHS has pledged to halt the further rollout of its electronic patient record system while it takes stock of criticisms in a report. A report evaluating the trial rollout of the Summary Care Record (SCR) system highlighted concerns that the system was clunky, interfaces poorly with other systems and was being foisted upon patients without their full knowledge.

RIPA decryption use disclosed

Richard — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:02:17 +0000

Via Linx Public Affairs blog:

The Home Office has disclosed police use of powers to demand the decryption of data or production of decryption keys.

Deep packet inspection under assault over privacy concerns

Mark Levitt — Tue, 13 May 2008 09:03:54 +0000

(Via Ars Technica.)

A Canadian law clinic has asked the country’s Privacy Commissioner to take a closer look at the deep packet inspection being used by Bell Canada and others. While the technology also raises net neutrality concerns, in this case the issue is privacy.

Pirate Bay: MPAA’s $15.4 million damage claim a fabrication

Mark Levitt — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:34:18 +0000

(Via Ars Technica.)

The MPAA has asked a Swedish court for $15.4 million in damages from The Pirate Bay. Peter Sunde, the torrent tracker’s fearless captain, says that the claims are bogus.

TorrentSpy ordered to pay $110m

michael — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:38:37 +0000

via BBC

File-sharing site TorrentSpy has been ordered to pay $110m (£56m) in damages to the Motion Picture Association of America for copyright infringement.

Nine Inch Nails release free, CC licensed album

Richard — Tue, 06 May 2008 18:44:04 +0000

Trent Reznor has released the latest Nine Inch Nails album as a free download under a Creative Commons attribution, non-commercial, share-alike license.

As a thank you to our fans for your continued support, we are giving away the new nine inch nails album one hundred percent free, exclusively via nin.com.

We encourage you to remix it, share it with your friends, post it on your blog, play it on your podcast, give it to strangers, etc.

The law of Phorm

michael — Fri, 02 May 2008 08:23:13 +0000

Via OUT-LAW

EDITORIAL: Critics have branded Phorm a regulatory rogue. Its targeted advertising technology will bend our laws and even break them. But these will be hairline fractures – even if Phorm’s operation makes you wince.

Identity “at risk” on Facebook

michael — Fri, 02 May 2008 08:21:21 +0000

Via BBC

Personal details of Facebook users could potentially be stolen, the BBC technology programme Click has found. The popular social networking site allows users to add a variety of applications to their profile. But a malicious program, masquerading as a harmless application, could potentially harvest personal data.

Tax staff breach data security

Harry — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:41:36 +0000

From the BBC:

More than 600 staff at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have been disciplined for accessing personal or sensitive data, it has been revealed.

In a Commons written reply, Treasury Financial Secretary Jane Kennedy said that in many cases the penalty for staff was dismissal.

There were 238 people disciplined in 2005, 180 in 2006, and 192 in 2007.