"Big Data" Report

On May 1, the White House released a major report on technology, innovation and privacy: "Big Data: Seizing Opportunities, Preserving Values." The report is based on a 90-day study examining "how big data will transform the way we live and work and alter the relationships between government, citizens, businesses, and consumers."  "Big Data" makes a number of specific recommendations to the President in an attempt to "present solutions that can enhance accountability, privacy, and the rights of citizens" while at the same time focusing on "how the public and private sectors can maximize the benefits of big data while minimizing its risks." Presented and endorsed by a working group of cabinet members and high level officials headed by John Podesta, the President's Counsel, the recommendations include advancing the Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights and amending the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (18 U.S.C. Sec. 2510-22) to ensure protection for modern digital content.

The White House web site provides both a brief summary of findings and a fact sheet for the "Big Data" report. The assessment of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which advocates for electronic privacy rights, is here.




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Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA)

Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) Passes the House of Representatives

CISPA is headed for the U.S. Senate.  So, what is CISPA and how did it get to the Senate?  "CISPA’s designed to let private business share information about cybersecurity threats with one another and with the U.S. federal government."

(Read more about the CISPA controversy here: http://mashable.com/2012/04/29/where-cispa-stands-now/)

Although the cybersecurity legislation has many supporters, there are others who do not believe that citizens' privacy is adequately addressed.  "In a statement, Michelle Richardson, [the American Civil Liberties Union] ACLU legislative counsel, said that “CISPA goes too far for little reason. Cybersecurity does not have to mean abdication of Americans’ online privacy. As we’ve seen repeatedly, once the government gets expansive national security authorities, there’s no going back. We encourage the Senate to let this horrible bill fade into obscurity.”"

(For more information about CISPA supporters and critics, see: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/cispa-whos-for-it-whos-against-it-and-how-it-could-affect-you/2012/04/27/gIQA5ur0lT_story.html)
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BNA Internet Law Resource Center

If you are interested in legal issues concerning cyberlaw topics such as online defamation, computer crimes, workplace privacy, internet patents and more take a look at BNA's Internet Law Resource Center. This resource provides full text case law, statutes & regulations, pleadings, motions, expert insight and more.
To access BNA Internet Law Resource Center:

• Go to the Library's home page, click "Online Resources"
• Click the "Commercial and Corporate Law" link
• Scroll down to "Internet Law Resource Center"

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