Nicky Phillips reports: The federal government should justify why mandatory collection and retention of personal data is necessary for law enforcement, a senate report into online privacy has found. An analysis of the costs, benefits and risks should be conducted before the government pursues its proposed data retention scheme, the report stated. ”We have sent…
Category: Laws
Internet firms wake up to federal privacy scrutiny
Cecilia Kang reports: As LinkedIn prepares to sell its stock to the public, the social network for professionals is warning of a potential threat to its business: Internet privacy laws. In a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission this month, the startup said a push by federal regulators to create first-time privacy rules “could…
Arkansas State Supreme Court strikes down law prohibiting cohabitors from adopting
John Lyon reports: A state law banning unmarried, cohabiting couples from adopting children or becoming foster parents is unconstitutional, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled unanimously today. The high court upheld a Pulaski County circuit judge’s ruling that the law unconstitutionally burdens fundamental privacy rights. Read more on Arkansas News. Related: Opinion (pdf)
Privacy dispute tests Obama’s earlier promises
Declan McCullagh reports: An emerging dispute over electronic privacy is testing whether President Obama will live up to his promise to protect Americans’ online rights. Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Justice criticized changes backed by Internet companies and privacy groups that would update a 1986 federal law to extend greater legal protections to…