Stories about Law from July, 2012
Peru: Concerns Over Computer Crime Bill
Discussions have been held over the past year in the National Congress to draw up a computer crime bill. The bill has raised many questions, among them the fact that it constitutes a probable threat to privacy and freedom of expression on the internet.
China: Beijing Arrests 5,007 Netizens in 2012 So Far
According to mainland Chinese media report, Beijing city steering committee and public security bureau had a working group meeting in July 24 on the control of the internet during summer vacation. The head of Beijing police Fu Zhenghua (傅政华）told the reporters that the public security authorities would strengthen law enforcement...
European Telco Proposal to ITU: A Threat to the Open Web?
A group of European telecommunications companies has made a proposal for global Internet regulation that could fundamentally alter the free flow of information online and undermine Internet neutrality. Parts of the proposal could disadvantage independent creators and content producers, particularly those in less-developed countries.
“Don't Fear the Internet”: Testimonials on Domain Names and Freedom of Expression
Domain names in Chile have become a battlefield over the right to freedom of expression. In this new video from the campaign “Don’t Fear the Internet”, NGO 'Derechos Digitales' highlights two testimonies: elmercuriomiente.cl and estafadoscorfo.cl. Both are examples of how disputes over domain names seek to silence critical speech.
Mexico: Congress Resolves to Reject ACTA
On July 18, 2012, both the Senate and House of Representatives in Mexico passed resolutions calling for the country's new President, Enrique Peña Nieto, to nullify Mexico's signature on the ACTA treaty. Mexico's Ambassador to Japan, Claude Heller, signed the treaty a week prior, despite strong rejections of its terms by Mexico's Senate and the country's telecommunications commission.
Costa Rica: Cybercrime Law Threatens Internet Freedom
Costa Rica just passed Law 9048, which includes reforms to the country’s Criminal Code to create new cybercrime offenses, including rules against illegal access and interception of communications. Journalists and internet freedom activists are trying to modify the most controversial part of the law which criminalizes the publication of State secrets, the use of any form of e-impersonification and the spread of false news.
Mexico: The Government Signed ACTA While Mexicans Were Asleep
The Mexican government signed its adhesion to ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement) on Wednesday, July 11th. 2012 in Japan while it was the middle of the night in Mexico. Netizens showed their outrage complaining that the federal government acted against the will of the people and of the Senate.
Hong Kong: Inconsistent categorization of Indecent and Obscene Articles Leads to Discrimination and Self-censorship
The Hong Kong government is having its second round of consultation in the review of the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance and the deadline for opinion submission is July 15, 2012. In a press conference [zh] on July 12, 2012, representatives from 15 local NGOs pointed out that...
Hong Kong: Activist's home raided for DOS attack allegation
On July 13 2012, a group of police officers raided a Hong Kong activist, Yang Yang's (screen name) home and took away his computer, server and cell phone. According to the police, he was under the allegation of Denial of Service (DOS) attack against two government websites earlier last month....
