The Cybercrime Prevention Act may have far reaching negative effects on free speech on social media networks. While the new law is meant to be “a measure against hacking, identity theft, spamming, cybersex and online child pornography”, there are fears that it will be used in libel cases which are a criminal offense in the Philippines. For the full story read, “Media Groups, Filipinos Protest Tough Cyber Law” by Hrvoje Hranjski.
In a global environment, social media sites must be aware of differing standards and laws among their many users. The line between hate speech and free speech is rarely clear, and social media sites try to clarify their own stance through their own terms of use and guidelines. Somini Sengupta examines the issue in “On Web, a Fine Line on Free Speech Across the Globe.”
Twitter’s days of standing between your tweets and the law may be numbered. Manhattan Judge Matthew Sciarrino Jr told Twitter they have until September 14 to produce Malcolm Harris’ tweets in relation to criminal charges or be held in contempt. Christine Simmons relates more details in her article “Twitter is Given a Deadline to Avoid Contempt.”
A recent story in Time by Didi Tang with contributions from Gillian Wong, “U.S. Consulate’s Account Disappears from Chinese Social Media Site”, reveals that an American Consulate’s microblog from Beijing has suddenly disappeared fom the Internet due to mysterious “technical problems”. This appears to be a common problem with blogs that post on topics that are considered taboo. American should not expect to enjoy the same rights they experience at home even while on social media.
Indian Interior Advisor Rehman Malik says social media must be regulated. Read more here.
According to Twitter’s terms of service, users own their tweets, but Judge Matthew Sciarrino has issued a subpoena requiring Twitter to release tweets in relation to the Occupy movement in New York. In his decision, Judge Sciarrino states that users have no reasonable expectation of privacy once they post. Twitter, however, maintains that the issue really centers around ownership of the tweets and that rests firmly with users: the tweets simply aren’t Twitter’s to turn over. Read the full story here.
In a widespread student protest in Montreal, Quebec, students are helping raise awareness of perceived unfairness in tuition hikes through social media. They have also effectively harnessed social media to organize their public protests. Perhaps most significantly, the students are doing a much more efficient job of utilizing social media channels than the government is. Nelson Wyatt’s article “Social Media Making It Easier to Organize Student Protests, Get Media Out” provides a good overview of the situation.
The US government wants to be able to mine all social media more efficiently in the name of national security. In addition to privacy concerns, are issues with finding software that can accurately determine risks. Marcus Wohlsen of the Associated Press reports in “US Government Seeks to Mine Social Media to Help Predict Future.”
It’s likely not surprising to anyone that social media is playing a part in Occupy Wall Street. Here’s an article on just one instance of how social media is being harnessed.
By Drew Grant, “Occupy Wall Street’s Media Team Arrested, Secretly Film Events in Back of Police Van.” New York Observer.
Here’s an interesting article examining the role of social media in coordinating crowds and the implications for First Amendment protections.
By Noah Feldman, “Twitter Can Start a Party but Can’t Keep It Going.”