Crime | Video | Camera | Record | Forensic | Whistleblower | Surveillance See important notices and disclaimers on right side of full web version of this blog.
In the Internet Age, official investigators, like prosecutors in Japan, must change. They must embrace more transparency, and make themselves more accountable to the public. http://legal-beagle.typepad.
"they are sure to face further calls for limits to their power, including demands for interrogations to be recorded to prevent abuse."
- FT.com / Japan - Calls for curbs on Japanese prosecutors (view on Google Sidewiki)
In some circumstances, an official investigator may be at risk if she mis-identifies herself in an Internet forum. She may be acting unethically, or may be compromising the credibility and admissibility of the evidence she is collecting http://legal-beagle.typepad.
"law is designed to crack down on cyber-bullying and would apply to cases like that of Elizabeth Thrasher"
- California bans malicious online impersonation - Computerworld (view on Google Sidewiki)
Connecticut legislation seems to say that someone possessing data about my behavior must somehow safeguard the data from abuse. That's a very broad requirement, as virtually everything I do (including writing this note) reflects my behavior that is unique and identifying to me. http://legal-beagle.typepad.
"pattern of links between individuals and their behavior in the network--how often they email or call each other"
- Technology Review: Blogs: arXiv blog: New Class of Malware Will Steal Behavioral Patterns (view on Google Sidewiki)
As the economic value of virtual assets rises, promoters desire to control, monitor and investigate abuses of those assets. Key to this desire are the terms of service (end user license agreements) that come with virtual goods and services. Often when a consumer accesses virtual products, she must legally agree to be monitored and investigated. This agreement affects her privacy. http://legal-beagle.typepad.
"Virtual goods include items that people buy on popular Facebook games like FarmVille, Mafia Wars or Sorority Life"
- Virtual Goods to Grow By 40 Percent Next Year, Study Says - NYTimes.com (view on Google Sidewiki)
As outward-facing video cameras become more common in homes and offices, owners will be tempted to video record visitors. In view of current privacy law, owners would be wise to post notices informing people that they may be recorded. http://www.google.com/
"business videoconferencing will not be alone in introducing family video calling to the living room"
- FT.com / Media - Video calling reaches the living room (view on Google Sidewiki)
As forensic investigations become more common in modern life, investigators must be sensitive to the many restrains on their work. Privacy laws, for instance, can regulate the collection and use of evidence. http://legal-beagle.typepad.
"SPCA inspectors took part in a CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) training"
- SPCA learns CSI skills to catch animal abusers | Stuff.co.nz (view on Google Sidewiki)
The operator of a wearable camcorder may be wise to get permission before video recording people. Without permission, privacy law issues can arise. People recorded by small, personal video cameras may not realize they are being records and may think what they were doing or saying was private. http://hack-igations.blogspot.
"Slip it over the ear and switch on to begin documenting your life."
- Looxcie wearable camcorder and social sharing system launched (view on Google Sidewiki)
