Stories about Law from July, 2013
New Philippine Congress Tackles Digital Rights
After only a week in session, lawmakers have proposed multiple laws that seek to protect user rights online and promote public access to the Internet.
‘Mechanisms of Censorship’ in Ecuador's Communications Law
The controversial new law, among other things, imposes limits on corruption investigations and jeopardizes the dissemination of information of public interest.
Snowden Airport Saga Polarizes Russian Human Rights Community
Human rights defenders in Russia are divided over Edward Snowden and the Kremlin's treatment of the former NSA subcontractor who remains in jurisdictional limbo at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport.
MERCOSUR and the Future of the Internet in Latin America
Last Friday, Latin American government leaders issued a strong statement against the mass surveillance of their citizens by the US government at an emergency meeting of MERCOSUR. Activists, academics and NGOs from Latin America wrote an open letter to the regional alliance, inviting leaders to consult with civil society in building human rights-protective Internet policies for the region.
Nigerian Government to Ramp Up Internet Surveillance?
In April, Nigerian news site Premium Times revealed government plans to purchase equipment that would allow it to conduct online surveillance on an unprecedented scale. The government reportedly had contracted with Israeli company Elbit Systems Ltd to advance the Internet and computer-based gathering of Nigerian citizens' personal data.
Journalist Charged With Sedition in Zambia
Zambian journalist Thomas Zgambo was arrested and charged with sedition on Tuesday. Another journalist, Clayson Hamasaka, was arrested but released without charges. Advocates suspect that both events were triggered by the journalists' association with the Zambian Watchdog, an independent citizen media outlet that has faced numerous threats from government officials in the past.
Philippine Online Harassment Bill Could Threaten Speech
In an effort to protect women and children against online abuses, Philippine Senator Nancy Binay has filed a bill called Electronic Violence Against Women. Some are worried that the measure, if passed into law, would be used to strictly regulate social media.
Why Would Edward Snowden Want to Go to Ecuador?
The future of Edward Snowden is uncertain. The young American is reportedly sheltered in Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport, and he has requested asylum from 20 countries. Although it remains unknown where he will go from here, many wonder: Why might Snowden want to go to a country like Ecuador, where restrictions on press freedom appear to be on the rise?
