Facing up to Encryption
IT Columnist, Rupert Kendrick, reports on a recent survey that highlights the inadequate approach that many law firms show towards encryption and looks at some proprietary solutions…
Privacy & Data Protection
Hands Up! Who Wants to be Phorm Monitor?
Phorm provides technology to monitor surfing patterns so that advertising can be more closely targeted to the surfer’s needs. Its recent deals with prominent UK ISPs have caused a good deal of concern about the privacy and data protection implications of using Phorm software. It seems that practically everybody wants to be Phorm monitor….
Conservative Party Report on Cybercrime
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis has launched a report that looks at the threats posed by cybercrime and proposes measures to tackle it….
SCL Information Governance Conference 2008
The last two months have seen enormous demand for safe guidance on data handling. There is widespread concern that breaches of good data practice will wreak havoc in an organisation and damage its reputation irretrievably. In response to that demand and to alleviate that concern, SCL has arranged a special conference at short notice. The…
Copyright: Media Monitoring and Analysis
The Danish case concerns Infopaq International, a media monitoring and analysis company. It has pretty obvious implications for the whole of the EU, even if the answers to some of the referred questions seem clear in advance of an ECJ ruling. The Højesteret may have decided to get its money’s worth. It has decided to…
What is Personal Data?
A recording of the SCL Privacy and Data Protection Group Meeting (Webinar course code HW/SFCL14 part of the SCL online CPD scheme – 1.5 hours)…
NCC refers software companies to OFT
New NCC research claims that software rights-holders are shifting the legal burden onto consumers who buy computer programmes, leaving them, say the NCC, with less protection than when they buy a cheap biro. The OFT has been asked to examine the potentially unfair contract terms of 17 firms that NCC has identified in Whose licence is…
The Rise of Machinima
Computer games based on films are nothing new. However, a new movement has given an interesting twist to this process. Machinima is a burgeoning new film form where films are made using 3D real-time technology. To quote the machinima Academy of Arts and Sciences,[1] machinima is: ‘the convergence of filmmaking, animation and game development….
SCL Response to Data Sharing Consultation
In December 2007, the Data Sharing Review Secretariat sought responses to a range of questions on the steps that might be taken to improve the workings of the Data Protection Act 1998 with a particular focus on data sharing. SCL’s Privacy and Data Protection Interest Group has worked on a meaningful response, with Andrew Sharpe…
Data Protection and CCTV
The new CCTV Code of Practice makes it clear that the data protection legislation applies to CCTV in many cases. It describes the use of sound recording as ‘highly intrusive’ and warns organisations that its use would only ever be justified in highly exceptional circumstances. The Code outlines the key issues which organisations and businesses…