Frances Gibb reports: Would-be judges will no longer have to declare if they are Freemasons, the Government said yesterday. The policy reversal was announced by Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, after a threat of legal action forced a review. He said that it would be “disproportionate” to continue with the practice. The United Grand Lodge…
Category: Non-U.S.
Tight controls urged in use of personal data
Dick Ahlstrom reports: People are in effect giving up a piece of their bodies when they provide personal biometric data, meaning tight controls are needed to ensure the data is properly used, according to the Irish Council of Bioethics. The council this morning publishes a considered opinion, “Biometrics: Enhancing Security or Invading Privacy?” The substantial…
NZ: Big Brother Will Be Watching You – The Search And Surveillance Bill
Chris Ford writes: Recently, the National Government decided to take up the previous Labour administration’s Search and Surveillance Bill. This bill would effectively make George Orwell’s ‘Big Brother’ character blush. Already both the Human Rights Commission and the Privacy Commissioner have condemned the bill. Human Rights chief commissioner Ros Noonan has called the proposed law…
DK: New law strips blind of voting privacy
A new directive from the Interior and Social Ministry that visually impaired voters must have a council representative present with them in the voting booth has raised the ire of human rights groups. Moreover, the new requirement is in violation of both the constitution and the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with…