[eccr] QuickLinks 263 - 16 March 2003

QuickLinks 263 - 16 March 2003

HTML version: http://www.qlinks.net/quicklinks/latest.htm
Forthcoming events: http://www.qlinks.net/quicklinks/events.htm
Home Page: http://www.qlinks.net

Legal and regulatory issues

Computer crime
1. DE - Polizei darf auf Verbindungsdaten von Journalisten zugreifen
2. UK - Scottish law firm hit by malicious email hoax

Consumer protection
3. EU - Commissioner David Byrne launches Consumer Affairs web site

Content regulation
4. NZ - ISPs should be licensed says report

Data Protection (privacy)
5. EU - Airline passenger data transfers from the EU to the United
States

Digital signatures
6. UK - URU joins authentication service fray

e-Government
7. FR - Le Forum des droits sur l'internet lance DroitDuNet.fr

Human Rights
8. Inauguration of the International Criminal Court

Information society and Internet policy
9. EU - eEurope and the electronic communications sector - speech by
Mr Liikanen
10. EU - La diversité culturelle - discours de Mme Reding

Interception
11. UK - How to avoid the online snoopers

Junk mail (spam)
12. UK - New rules tackle text adverts

Liability, jurisdiction and applicable law
13. FR - Hyperliens : statut juridique
14. FR - Loi numérique : l'Assemblée vote à haut débit un cadre
juridique pour Internet

Multilingual content and software
15. EU - Multilinguisme et multiculturalisme : des défis pour
l'éducation en Europe

Protection of minors
16. Talk to Your Kids About Cell Phone Use
17. US - Children-TV Violence Link Has Effect
18. US - Congress cracks down on P2P porn

Racism and xenophobia
19. DE - Bundespräsident fordert schärferes Vorgehen gegen
rechtsextreme Webseiten

Rating and filtering
20. US - Porn 'Filter' Uses Peer Pressure

Safer Internet awareness
21. AU - Parents role vital in safe internet use

Security and encryption
22. UK - Cyber terrorism 'overhyped'

Telecommunications
23. UK - Frequently asked questions (FAQs) by service providers about
the new regulatory framework

Market & Technology

Mobile and wireless
24. UK - 3G arrives in Britain

Technology
25. Scientists: Internet speed record smashed

Forthcoming events

26. 2003-07-22 UK, Oxford - OII Summer Doctoral Programme

1. DE - Polizei darf auf Verbindungsdaten von Journalisten zugreifen
(Heise)
Die Polizei darf auf die Verbindungsdaten der Telefonate von
Journalisten zugreifen. Voraussetzung ist, dass sie aus beruflichen
Gründen in Kontakt mit gesuchten Straftätern stehen, hat das
Bundesverfassungsgericht in Karlsruhe heute entschieden. Ein solcher
Eingriff in die Pressefreiheit und das Fernmeldegeheimnis ist
zulässig, wenn die Erfassung der Verbindungsdaten von
Festnetztelefonen und Handys zum Aufenthaltsort eines gesuchten
Verbrechers führen kann.
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15476.htm

2. UK - Scottish law firm hit by malicious email hoax (silicon.com)
A Scottish law firm is counting the cost of a damaging hoax email that
someone has sent to thousands of addresses, purporting to be from a
prominent partner at the firm who promises to be a "ruthless bastard"
and "screw the opposition" on behalf of his clients in legal
proceedings.
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15484.htm

3. EU - Commissioner David Byrne launches Consumer Affairs web site
(RAPID)
David Byrne, the Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection,
launched the European Commission's new multi-lingual Consumer Affairs
web site to mark World Consumer Day, which takes place every year on
15 March. The "right to be informed" is one of the four fundamental
consumer rights that World Consumer Day is designed to highlight.
Commissioner Byrne emphasised the Commission's recognition of, and
commitment to, this right.
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15470.htm

4. NZ - ISPs should be licensed says report (Computer World)
The select committee reviewing the Films, Videos and Publications Act
is calling for a licensing or registration of all ISPs "in order to
control their behaviour". While most of the findings relate to the
film and video industries, the report also looks at online
publications and where the responsibility lies for obscene material.
The report's recommendations include introducing a voluntary code of
practice for ISPs that will be enforced should ISPs not comply and a
licensing or registration of all ISPs "in order to control their
behaviour". Inquiry into the operation of the Films, Videos, and
Publications Classification Act 1993 and related issues. see also
Report a wake-up call for ISPs, says InternetNZ and ISPs shouldn't
panic about report advice says MP.
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15485.htm

5. EU - Airline passenger data transfers from the EU to the United
States (RAPID)
Intervention by Frits Bolkestein, Member of the European Commission in
charge of the Internal Market and Taxation, European Parliament's
plenary session, Strasbourg, 12th March 2003. Airline passenger data
transfers from the EU to the United States (Passenger Name Record) see
also European Commission / US Customs talk on Passenger Name Record
(PNR) transmission, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) (formerly
known as the U.S. Customs Service) statement of 4 March 2003 and
frequently asked questions.
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15467.htm

6. UK - URU joins authentication service fray (ZDNet UK)
A service is being developed that will help businesses check the
identity of people they are dealing with - without increasing the
number of places where personal data is stored. Unlike Microsoft's
Passport and the Sun-led Liberty Alliance Project, where users create
an online identity by providing personal details to the service, which
then authenticates them, the new service, called URU, uses information
already existing to verify an individual's identity.
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15483.htm

7. FR - Le Forum des droits sur l'internet lance DroitDuNet.fr
(Communiqué de presse)
Le Forum des droits sur l'internet annonce le lancement de
www.DroitDuNet.fr. Ce site est conçu comme un service d'information et
d'orientation à la disposition de tous et accessible gratuitement. Il
a pour but d'apporter des réponses pratiques à l'ensemble des
questions de nature juridique que peuvent se poser les internautes
dans leur usage quotidien du réseau. ¬ Plus de 100 fiches pratiques,
accessibles gratuitement, pour informer et orienter les internautes
sur les questions de droit et d'usage de l'internet ; Un accès simple
et personnalisé à l'information, pour répondre à toutes les questions
des internautes ¬ Un service plébiscité par plus de 80% des
internautes ; Protection de l'enfance (53%), sécurité des paiements en
ligne (36%) et sécurité informatique (30%) arrivent en tête des
préoccupations, selon un sondage Ipsos-SIG.
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15471.htm

8. Inauguration of the International Criminal Court (RAPID)
The European Commission warmly welcomes the inauguration of the
International Criminal Court in The Hague.
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15466.htm

9. EU - eEurope and the electronic communications sector - speech by
Mr Liikanen (RAPID)
Mr Erkki Liikanen, Member of the European Commission, responsible for
Enterprise and the Information Society, British Chamber of Commerce EU
Committee, Brussels, 13 March 2003.
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15469.htm

10. EU - La diversité culturelle - discours de Mme Reding (RAPID)
Mme Viviane REDING, Membre de la Commission européenne responsable de
l'Education et de la Culture, Parlement européen, Strasbourg, le 10
mars 2003
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15465.htm

11. UK - How to avoid the online snoopers (BBC)
Where is the line to be drawn when it comes to protecting privacy and
respected the law in the digital world, asks technology consultant
Bill Thompson. There are in fact two consultations going on at the
same time, and two separate laws being discussed. The first, RIPA,
decides who gets to see what. The second, the Anti-Terrorism Crime and
Security Act, decides what data should be stored and for how long, on
the sensible basis that access is only possible if the information is
actually there to be looked at. Communication Data Consultation paper
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15479.htm

12. UK - New rules tackle text adverts (BBC)
Companies sending text message or e-mail adverts will have to get the
permission of users before they do so under new rules. Regulations on
new media have now been included in the latest edition of the code of
advertising practice, which has been updated by the the Advertising
Standards Authority to include new media.
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15480.htm

13. FR - Hyperliens : statut juridique (Forum des droits sur
l'internet)
Cette recommandation sur le statut juridique des hyperliens identifie
les problèmes soulevés en droit par l¹acte même consistant à établir
un ou plusieurs liens vers des contenus licites appartenant à des
tiers et de définir un cadre juridique susceptible d¹en permettre
l¹exercice. Conclusions: Le lien hypertexte est libre, sous réserve
des droits des tiers : ¬ Liberté a priori des liens simples et des
liens profonds vers des pages web ¬ Demande préalable d¹une
autorisation pour les liens conduisant à s¹approprier des contenus
protégés par la propriété intellectuelle ¬ Identification de
l¹appartenance du contenu lié ¬ Information auprès du propriétaire du
contenu ¬ Respect de la politique en matière de liens hypertextes
établie par le titulaire du site
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15472.htm

14. FR - Loi numérique : l'Assemblée vote à haut débit un cadre
juridique pour Internet (Journal du Net)
Adoptée en première lecture par l'Assemblée nationale, la loi sur
l'économie numérique (LEN) transpose notamment une directive adoptée
par le Parlement européen et le Conseil le 8 juin 2000. La LEN vise à
préciser et durcir les sanctions encourues en cas de fraude dans le
domaine du commerce électronique, du spam et de la cybercriminialité
au sens large. La responsabilité des hébergeurs et des fournisseurs
d'accès y est notamment clarifiée. Outre la simple transposition de la
directive européenne, plusieurs amendements spécifiques ont été
adoptés lors de la séance. L'un concerne la responsabilité des
hébergeurs en matière de diffusion d'informations "manifestement
illicites". Ils leur est demandé "un minimum de surveillance" sur les
pages web qu'ils stockent afin de limiter la diffusion de contenus
"faisant l'apologie des crimes de guerre ou des crimes contre
l'humanité, incitant à la haine raciale, ou ayant un caractère
pédophile." Par ailleurs, la LEN stipule la possibilité d'un filtrage
de l'accès à Internet sur décision du juge. L'Association des
Fournisseurs d¹Accès et de services Internet (AFA) a vivement réagi à
cette mesure. Dans un communiqué, elle a souligné le fait que "le
filtrage de l¹accès à Internet est un choix politique unique à ce jour
dans le monde occidental. L'AFA évalue à plusieurs milliers le nombre
de sites pouvant faire d'emblée l'objet d'une injonction de filtrage,
sans compter les contenus musicaux piratés. Toutes les études
existantes concluent qu'aucune des technologies disponibles
aujourd'hui ne permet d'empêcher efficacement l'accès aux contenus
prohibés".
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15489.htm

15. EU - Multilinguisme et multiculturalisme : des défis pour
l'éducation en Europe (RAPID)
Mme Viviane REDING, Membre de la Commission européenne responsable de
l'Education et de la Culture, Colloque sur « Les défis pour
l'Education en Europe », St-Germain-en-Laye, 14 mars 2003.
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15468.htm

16. Talk to Your Kids About Cell Phone Use (PC Answer)
by Larry Magid. There has been a lot of talk about mobile phone
safety, but it has largely focused on distraction while driving as
well as the possibility that cell phone use might cause health
problems. But now there's another reason to be concerned. Mobile
phones in Japan and Europe have been linked to harassment and sexual
exploitation of both children and adults. Children, Mobile Phones and
the Internet Experts' Meeting Tokyo, 6 - 7 March 2003. Internet
Association Japan and Childnet International. Presentations and see
see ">Larry Magid radio report.
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15473.htm

17. US - Children-TV Violence Link Has Effect (AP)
Both boys and girls who watch a lot of violence on television have a
heightened risk of aggressive adult behavior including spouse abuse
and criminal offenses, no matter how they act in childhood, a new
study says. While the results may not be surprising, experts say the
study is important because it included hundreds of participants and
showed the effect in females as well as males. The findings are
presented in the March issue of the journal Developmental Psychology
by psychologists L. Rowell Huesmann and colleagues at the University
of Michigan's Institute for Social Research.
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15482.htm

18. US - Congress cracks down on P2P porn (CNET News.com)
The U.S. Congress is targeting peer-to-peer networks again - and this
time politicians aren't fretting over music and software piracy. A
pair of government reports scheduled to be released at a hearing warn
that file-swapping networks are exploding with pornography--much of
which is legal, and some of which is not. Searching for words such as
"preteen," "underage" and "incest" on the Kazaa network resulted in a
slew of images that qualify as child pornography, the General
Accounting Office said in a 37-page report File-Sharing Programs Peer-
to-Peer Networks Provide Ready Access to Child Pornography. The second
report, prepared by staff from the House Government Reform Committee,
concluded that current blocking technology has "no, or limited,
ability to block access to pornography via file-sharing programs." see
also US - File-sharing sites allow trading of porn (CNN) .
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15475.htm

19. DE - Bundespräsident fordert schärferes Vorgehen gegen
rechtsextreme Webseiten (Heise)
Bundespräsident Johannes Rau hat ein schärferes Vorgehen gegen
rechtsextreme Internetseiten gefordert. Die Aufsichtsbehörden der
Länder sollten sich die Düsseldorfer Bezirksregierung zum Vorbild
nehmen, sagte Rau laut dpa. Der Bundespräsident äußerte sich nach
einem Gespräch mit dem Düsseldorfer Regierungspräsidenten Jürgen
Büssow.
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15477.htm

20. US - Porn 'Filter' Uses Peer Pressure (Wired)
Frustrated with the shortcomings of conventional software designed to
block out pornographic websites, Brandon Cotter is urging moralistic
Web surfers to take matters into their own hands. Instead of relying
on filters, the approach, which his nonprofit monitoring service,
NetAccountibility, has been pitching primarily to religious groups,
calls for Web users to share records of their online activity. Users
pick a friend, spouse or other confidant who receives a regular report
showing which sites they visit, highlighting potentially objectionable
material. The idea, according to Cotter, is that people will choose
not to visit "sinful" websites if they know a close friend or family
member will be aware of their actions.
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15486.htm

21. AU - Parents role vital in safe internet use (ABA)
The Australian Broadcasting Authority stressed today the vital role of
parents in ensuring their children are not exposed to unsuitable
content on the Internet. The ABA's comments were prompted by the
release of research report by the Australian Institute on Youth and
Pornography in Australia. see also Families concerned about offensive
sites should look for the ladybird (IIA). Australian families with
concerns about offensive internet content should consider moving to an
Internet Service Provider who is compliant with Codes of Practice
developed by the Internet Industry Association (IIA). Most internet
users in Australia are now serviced by Code compliant ISPs and are
entitled to seek solutions from them if they are worried about
inappropriate access of online content. Under the Code ISPs must abide
by the request. Australia Institute's Parent Survey Results Misleading
(EFA) The accuracy of claims by The Australia Institute that "93% of
parents back tough Net porn laws" has been questioned by Electronic
Frontiers Australia (EFA). Censorship laws contribute to youth access
to violent pornography (EFA).
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15487.htm

22. UK - Cyber terrorism 'overhyped' (BBC)
The threat posed by cyber-terrorism has been overhyped and the net is
unlikely to become a launch pad for terror attacks. That was the
conclusion of a panel of security and technology experts brought
together at the CeBIT technology fair to consider the threat posed by
net attacks on businesses and consumers.
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15478.htm

23. UK - Frequently asked questions (FAQs) by service providers about
the new regulatory framework (OFTEL)
These FAQs are intended to answer the most common questions asked by
service providers about the new regulatory framework that enters into
force in July.
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15481.htm

24. UK - 3G arrives in Britain (Euractiv)
On the special date of 03/03/03, the next generation mobile phone
company 3 announced the phased launch of the first third generation
mobile phone service in Britain. The UK arm of Hutchison 3G, majority
owned by the Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa and partly owned
by Japan's NTT DoCoMo and KPN Telecom of Holland, said it expected the
first 3G handsets to be available to customers within the next two
weeks. The launch has been delayed since early 2001 by handset
shortages and software glitches. Hutchison's 3 UK unit plans for a
nine-country launch this year (including Sweden, Austria, Denmark and
Ireland), and seems cautiously optimistic on demand for 3G services
that include video calls, colour video clips, picture messaging and
Internet browsing. The company hopes to sell around two million new
phones in Europe by the end of 2003. In Britain, Hutchison will battle
established rivals Vodafone Group, Orange, Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile
and mmO2, who do not expect to launch 3G services until 2004. More
than 65,000 Britons have already signed up for 3G mobile phones. see
also UK - 3G phones hit the shops this weekend (Reuters).
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15474.htm

25. Scientists: Internet speed record smashed (CNN)
Offering a glimpse of a faster digital future, researchers announced
they have set a new Internet speed record. Scientists at the Stanford
Linear Accelerator Center used fiber-optic cables to transfer 6.7
gigabytes of data -- the equivalent of two DVD movies -- across 6,800
miles in less than a minute.
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15488.htm

26. 2003-07-22 UK, Oxford - OII Summer Doctoral Programme (OII)
The Oxford Internet Institute will be holding a Summer Programme for
doctoral students in 2003. Running from 22nd July to the 9th August in
Oxford, UK, this Programme is intended to bring together doctoral
students in the field of Internet Studies from around the world to
study with leading academics and to share and discuss their own
research. The Annenberg School of Communication at the University of
Southern California and the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at
Harvard Law School are collaborating with the OII in the provision of
this programme. All applications must be received by April 11th.
http://www.qlinks.net/items/qlitem15464.htm

Main Sources and Contributors: Baker & McKenzie E-Law Alert, Michael
Geist BNA - ILN, cybertelecom.org, jugendschutz.net, Gerhard Heine,
David Goldstein.

QuickLinks
Links to news items about legal and regulatory aspects of Internet and
the information society, particularly those relating to information
content, and market and technology.

QuickLinks is edited by Richard Swetenham (richard.swetenham /at/ cec.eu.int)



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