Accurate, Focused Research on Law, Technology and Knowledge Discovery With Daily Postings Since 2002
Updated September 28, the freedominfo.org Global Survey – Freedom of Information and Access to Government Records Around the World (pdf, 90 pages). “David Banisar of freedominfo.org provides the most up-to-date and comprehensive summary of the state of access to information in more than 50 countries, examining existing laws and prevailing practice, with links to relevant …
According to Admiral James M. Loy, Administrator, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), commenting on CAPPS II at briefing in Washington, D.C. on September 26, “We do need to get on with real testing of real data…” From dc.internet.com, further information on Loy’s comments, which indicate that “if no airlines voluntarily provide data for a 180-day testing …
This afternoon the President signed a bill (H.R. 3161, P.L. 108-82) that “overrules the objection of a judge in Oklahoma City who said the FTC did not have the proper authority to oversee the list.” See my posting from yesterday on the challenges that continue to face the Do Not Call registry here. See the …
From the Electronic Frontier Foundation, this website on MGM v. Grokster: “EFF is defending StreamCast Networks, the company behind the Morpheus P2P software, in this important lawsuit pending in federal court in Los Angeles. Twenty-eight of the world’s largest entertainment companies brought this lawsuit against the makers of the Morpheus, Grokster, and Kazaa software products, …
Via the DC Chapter of the Special Libraries Association website, this link to a compilation of Patriot Act commentaries, news and journal articles, and postings to discussion groups, from a range of sources that include the New York Times, USA Today, PBS, LLRX.com, and librarian.net, a website which was prominently cited in the print version …
From Warren Slocum, Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder, San Mateo County, California, a link to his new blog, Election Central, “The Web’s 1st Blog on Verified Voting, Election Reform & Democracy.” [via Politechbot.com] From the EFF, see also Flawed E-Voting Standard Sent Back to Drawing Board
From the New York Times Magazine, 9/28/03: Is it possible that librarians could be the biggest threat to the Patriot Act?
PoliticsOnline announced the results of its global survey to identify the 25 Who Are Changing the World of Internet and Politics. From the press release, what follows is a selection of the honorees: BBC News and iCan team – The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) website is arguably the leading global authority in political news. Dean …
According to Declan McCullagh, the Amerian Library Association (ALA) planned to file an amicus brief today (9th Circuit Court of Appeals), contending that file sharing companies Streamcast Networks and Grokster should not be forced to close down. The ALA was joined by the Association of Research Libraries, the American Association of Law Libraries, the Medical …
From the House Conference Report (108-283), on H.R. 2658 (263 pages, pdf): Sec. 8131. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this or any other Act may be obligated for the Terrorism Information Awareness Program: Provided, That this limitation shall not apply to the program …
As part of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill, H.R. 2555, Sec. 519, Congress is blocking the implementation of CAPPS II pending a review (to be completed by February 15, 2004), by the GAO, of the system’s privacy standards. Sec. 519, Research, Development, Acquisition, and Operations, states in part: “None of the funds provided …
Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) issued a press release on his introduction of a bill (H.R. 3171) to repeal sections of the Patriot Act that authorize violations of civil liberties. “The Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act repeals sections of the USA PATRIOT Act that authorize sneak and peak searches, warrentless library, medical, and financial record …