03 Sep 10 | Index Index, minipost
Senators in Ohio have introduced a bill which would force media organisations to remove stories about former convicts from the Internet. The new law would allow non-violent criminals with multiple convictions to have records of their offenses sealed by the courts after five years of clean conduct. Individuals and private businesses, including the media, would then be obliged to delete references to those arrests and convictions. Violation of the bill could be punished by fines of up to $1m. Currently, only first-time offenders can have their criminal records expunged. The bill is expected to be passed later this year.
31 Aug 10 | Index Index, minipost
The High Court has granted another injunction to an England footballer to prevent the media reporting aspects of his private life. The order banned the publication of allegations about a “sexual liaison, encounter or relationship“, after personal photographs stored on a stolen mobile phone were offered to national newspapers. This is the third injunction issued to an England footballer in the past few weeks.
27 Aug 10 | Index Index, minipost
Little Britain actor Matt Lucas is taking legal action against the Daily Mail over a story that he claims breached his privacy. Entitled How Matt Lucas learned to laugh again, the article detailed how the actor was affected by the suicide of his former civil partner, Kevin McGee. Lucas said the story that appeared in March was “a very serious invasion of privacy” and an “intrusion into grief”. He claims the article included false information, such as the suggestion that he blamed himself for McGee’s death.
27 Aug 10 | Index Index, minipost
A proposed data privacy law could prevent companies from checking potential employees’ Facebook profiles. Employers will be allowed to search applicants on Google, but the use of social networking sites in the selection process will be banned. The new legislation will also require companies to notify employees about any monitoring of telephone calls or emails. The German cabinet is set to approve the law on 25 August.
