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Policy PostsConviction in MySpace Suicide Case Dangerous Ruling - The conviction of a Missouri woman accused of creating a fake MySpace account to harass a girl who later committed suicide represents a gross and inappropriate expansion of federal power to regulate speech and communications over the Internet. Lori Drew was convicted of illegally accessing MySpace computers on the basis of having created false registration data using a law intended to prosecute criminal computer break-ins. CDT, in court filings, warned that using that law to prosecute Drew had "dangerous ramifications" for Internet users. If the current ruling stands, it "would convert the millions of Internet-using Americans" into instant criminals for nothing more than entering a convenient nickname for online identification purposes. CDT believes the conviction should be overturned and further prosecutorial attempts abandoned. December 01, 2008
Share this articleCourt Must Vacate 'Baseless' Domain Name Seizure - Three public interest groups have filed a "friend of the court" brief urging a Kentucky appeals court to overturn a lower court ruling that authorized the seizure of more than 100 Internet domain names associated with websites operating around the globe. The brief, from CDT, Electronic Frontier Foundation and American Civil Liberties Union, says that if the lower court's ruling allowing Kentucky to seize the domain names is allowed to stand, it would wreak havoc with Internet free speech and governance. "If the Kentucky order is upheld, no speech that conflicts with any law, anywhere in the world, would be safe from censorship," said John Morris, general counsel for CDT. November 14, 2008
Share this articleGlobal Network Initiative Launched - Today a diverse coalition of leading Internet companies, major human rights and free press organizations, investors and academics launched the Global Network Initiative to protect and advance freedom of expression and privacy in information and communications technologies. CDT and Business for Social Responsibility co-facilitated an 18-month effort by these groups to craft the key documents underlying this effort. The documents provide guidance for companies, NGOs, investors, academics and others working together to resist efforts by governments that seek to enlist companies in acts of censorship and surveillance that violate international standards. The documents also provide specific implementation commitments and outline a framework for accountability and learning. October 28, 2008
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