Andrew Colley reports: The government was warned early this year that proposed new data retention laws would put Australians at higher risk of privacy breaches. The controversial proposal, which could see internet companies store up to two years’ worth of data on subscribers and users, is part of a package of legislative changes to overhaul…
Category: Laws
U.S. Consumer Groups Endorse Proposed European Privacy Law
From EPIC.org: In a letter to members of the European Parliament, over twenty U.S. consumer organizations expressed support for the new European data protection law. The coalition, including Consumers Union, Consumer Federation of America, and Public Citizen, said that the proposed regulation “provides important new protections for the privacy and security of consumers.” The groups also explained that…
Anonymity Granted to Catholic Donor Opposed to Marriage Amendment, But Amendment Supporters Object
Dale Carpenter writes: In Minnesota, pro- and anti-gay marriage activists are fighting over political campaign disclosure laws, though this time the usual roles are reversed. On August 17, the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board ruled that the group working to defeat a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage does not have to disclose the name of a Catholic contributor to…
Missouri cell phone tracking law challenged
Saheli Chakrabarty writes: A Missouri law [HB 1108 materials] allowing police to track individuals’ cell phones in emergencies was challenged in a federal lawsuit Monday claiming that the state law conflicts with federal law. The complaint [text, PDF], filed on behalf of a Bolivar resident, asserts that the Missouri law should be struck down under the supremacy clause of…