Category Archives: Privacy

Is the cure worse than the disease?

Posted on December 23, 2019 by

In a blog which focuses on the meaning of “privacy” in the modern world, Privacy International published an excellent summary of key international instruments which address the subject. At the end they announce their conclusion Privacy is a qualified, fundamental … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Child abuse images, Default settings, E-commerce, Internet governance, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation

A big “thank you” to Facebook

Posted on December 19, 2019 by

The essence of Facebook’s argument for changing Facebook Messenger and Instagram Direct Messaging from unencrypted to encrypted environments is that “all the other major messaging Apps are already encrypted or are going to be so if we don’t do this … Continue reading →

Posted in Child abuse images, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation

More shocking insights

Posted on December 8, 2019 by

Here’s another great piece from the New York Times. It’s the third in the series. The headline tells you what the focus is this time around. Video Games and Online Chats are ‘Hunting Grounds’ for Sexual Predators Children are the … Continue reading →

Posted in Default settings, Internet governance, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation

More evidence about the dangers to children posed by encryption

Posted on December 6, 2019 by

Earlier this week the NSPCC published the results of a series of Freedom of Information requests it made to the police in England and Wales (so not the whole of the UK). They  asked the police how many cases they … Continue reading →

Posted in Child abuse images, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation

Good news from the EU

Posted on November 22, 2019 by

I have just heard the Finnish Presidency of the EU has decided NOT to press for a resolution of the ePrivacy Regulation before end of the year. I think we can say “hurrah!” This means the status quo remains i.e. … Continue reading →

Posted in Child abuse images, Default settings, Internet governance, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation

Age verification update

Posted on October 17, 2019 by

Brexit madness is intensifying (and I didn’t think that was possible) so today’s media coverage of yesterday’s announcement by the Government of a delay in implementing age verification has not been anything like it would have been in more normal … Continue reading →

Posted in Age verification, Pornography, Privacy, Regulation

On encryption and child protection

Posted on October 5, 2019 by

A company is normally driven by a desire and a legal obligation to build “shareholder value”. In the case of one company, Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg owns a majority of the voting stock so when looking at its big decisions we … Continue reading →

Posted in Child abuse images, Facebook, Privacy, Regulation, Self-regulation