The Internet
Partner of deceased Internet activist Aaron Swartz denounces US attorney general
By Kevin Reed, 15 March 2013
The tragic death of Aaron Swartz, a gifted and courageous technology pioneer and critic of the profit system, was a product of the Obama administration’s assault on democratic rights.
US officials announce formation of offensive cyber war units
By Alex Lantier, 14 March 2013
US intelligence officials announced Tuesday that Washington is setting up military units to write destructive computer code to attack other countries.
US attorney downplays vendetta against Internet pioneer Aaron Swartz
By Eric London, 21 January 2013
The US attorney whose office led the prosecution against Internet activist Aaron Swartz has issued the government’s first official response to the young man’s suicide.
Father of Aaron Swartz indicts US government for son’s suicide
By our reporters, 16 January 2013
At a funeral attended by friends and family Tuesday, the father of Internet activist Aaron Swartz said that his son was “killed by the government.”
Chinese government imposes new Internet censorship law
By Will Morrow, 7 January 2013
The main purpose is to stifle online political discussion and the use of social media to organise protests.
US walks out of World Conference on Information Technology
Global split over telecom treaty
By Kevin Reed, 28 December 2012
The breakdown of talks at the IT summit signals intensified national conflicts in an increasingly interdependent world.
New Zealand: New evidence about US operation to shut down Megaupload
By John Braddock, 7 July 2012
White House logs demonstrate that meetings took place between Hollywood studio executives and US Vice President Joe Biden six months before the raids on Megaupload.
Facebook IPO falls flat
By Andre Damon, 19 May 2012
Facebook, the social networking platform, made its initial public offering on Friday in the largest technology IPO in US history. High sell volume after the opening prompted the offering's underwriters to buy up stocks to shore up the price.
US government prepares new attacks on Internet privacy
By Marcus Day, 17 May 2012
Over the past month, the US government has ramped up its efforts to create a legal basis for the surveillance of Internet and electronic communication.
Tens of thousands in Germany protest against ACTA’s attack on the Internet
By Johannes Stern, 15 February 2012
Last Saturday, tens of thousands took to the streets in about 60 German cities to protest against the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), which threatens the Internet with increased surveillance and democratic rights in general.
Mother of Richard O’Dwyer: “America is trying to control and police the Internet”
By our reporters, 7 February 2012
An interview with Julia O’Dwyer, whose son Richard, a 23-year-old computer science student at Sheffield Hallam University, faces extradition to the US on copyright infringement charges.
New Zealand judge defers bail decision on Megaupload arrests
By John Braddock, 24 January 2012
As part of a global campaign by the US government, the Megaupload associates face extradition proceedings on copyright charges.
US government shuts down file-sharing site MegaUpload
By Patrick Zimmerman, 20 January 2012
Operating at the behest of the major media conglomerates, the US government moved against one of the most popular file-sharing Internet sites, seizing millions of dollars in assets and arresting four people.
SOPA, PIPA and the freedom of the Internet
By Andre Damon, 19 January 2012
Millions of people signed online petitions Wednesday against internet censorship bills being discussed in the US Congress.
Wikipedia shuts down to protest censorship bills
By Andre Damon, 18 January 2012
Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, and other sites are shutting down for 24 hours today to protest internet censorship bills currently being considered by the US Congress.
Congress seeks legal framework for Internet censorship
By Mike Ingram, 28 December 2011
Two bills aimed at establishing a legal framework for government and corporate censorship of the Internet are expected to be discussed in January when Congress returns from its winter break.
US government targets open access activist
By Patrick Zimmerman, 5 August 2011
Aaron Swartz, a researcher at Harvard is being pursued by government authorities for alleged wire fraud.
US Internet service providers join big media in copyright crackdown
By James Brewer, 13 July 2011
The formation of a consortium of the big media companies and ISPs working together to enforce a new “copyright alert system” was announced last week.
Microsoft and the future of Skype
By Mike Ingram, 16 May 2011
What has become an essential utility for millions of people is now controlled by one of the world’s largest corporations, and one that has a record of subverting technological advances in the interests of maintaining its own monopoly.
Why the FCC can’t protect net neutrality
By Mike Ingram, 28 December 2010
Federal Communication Commission members voted 3 to 2 to accept so-called net neutrality rules which will do nothing to defend the freedom of the internet.
FCC chairman bows to corporations on “net neutrality”
By Mike Ingram, 6 December 2010
New proposals from US Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski do nothing to secure net neutrality and are a capitulation to the demands of big business.
Google-Verizon deal undermines push for an open Internet
By Mike Ingram, 20 August 2010
In its joint proposal with Verizon issued Monday August 9, Google has made a significant change in corporate policy in the direction of forestalling any government requirement to maintain “net neutrality,” the open and equal access to the Internet by all web sites and content providers.
Senate bill would authorize US president to seize control of Internet
By Mike Ingram, 24 June 2010
A bill introduced by Sen. Joseph Lieberman from Connecticut, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman, would give the president the power to order Internet providers to restrict access to the global network.
Google publishes figures on government requests for data
By Mick Ingram, 26 April 2010
Google has launched a new function that allows users to see how many requests have been made by governments for the data Google routinely collects on users.
Google shuts down search services in China
By John Chan, 3 April 2010
While Google’s tactics were driven by commercial considerations, the issue has become entwined with the Obama administration’s more aggressive stance toward Beijing.
Sri Lankan government prepares new Internet restrictions
By Sarath Kumara, 15 February 2010
As part of an escalating assault on basic democratic rights, Sri Lankan authorities are preparing new measures to censor web sites critical of the government.
US-China tensions continue over Google
By John Chan, 8 February 2010
The Obama administration is using Google’s hacking and censorship allegations as part of a broader push to intensify pressure on Beijing.
The China-Google dispute
US plans to harness Internet to its hegemonic goals
By Alex Lantier, 23 January 2010
In a recent speech on Internet freedom, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton unveiled a global policy of Internet-driven regime-change, under the guise of freedom of speech.
Australian government pushes ahead with internet censorship
By Richard Phillips, 29 December 2009
The Rudd government’s censorship measures constitute a major attack on democratic rights. They would see Labor introducing the harshest internet censorship regime of any so-called western democracy.
The Google Book Search copyright settlement and the future of information—Part 2
By K. Reed, 13 August 2009
The second of a two-part article on the Google Book Search settlement.
The Google Book Search copyright settlement and the future of information—Part 1
By K. Reed, 12 August 2009
The first of a two-part article on the Google Book Search settlement.
China forced to delay Internet censorship measure
By John Chan, 11 July 2009
The Chinese government abruptly announced late last month that it had postponed its July 1 deadline for all personal computers sold in China to be installed with government-developed Internet filtering software.
German parliament opens way for Internet censorship
By Andreas Kunstmann, 30 June 2009
The German parliament has passed a law using child pornography as a pretext to censure the Internet.
US cybersecurity plan poses new war threats, attacks on democratic rights
By Tom Eley, 30 May 2009
On Friday, President Barack Obama announced the creation of a “cyber czar” who would oversee the defense of US financial networks. Separately, plans proceeded within the military-intelligence apparatus to develop a Cyber Command that would have offensive-war capabilities.
File-sharing trial against The Pirate Bay has wide-ranging implications
By Mike Ingram, 20 February 2009
What the Times of London described as the “internet piracy trial of the decade” is under way in a courtroom in Stockholm, Sweden, with protesters with megaphones camped outside the building. The trial of file-sharing site thepiratebay.org for copyright infringement is being followed by legal and technology experts all over the world.
Behind Apple’s decision to drop anti-copying measures in iTunes
By Mike Ingram, 19 January 2009
Apple’s decision to drop the anti-copying protection known as Digital Rights Management (DRM) has received a mixed response from consumers and music fans across the world.
Australia: Growing opposition to Labor’s Internet censorship
By our reporters, 27 December 2008
More than 2,000 opponents of the federal Labor government’s plans to censor the Internet rallied in cities across Australia on December 13—the second national protest in the past two months.
Pakistani regime ban of YouTube highlights threat to free Internet
By John Grais, 5 March 2008
On February 22, the Pakistani Telecommunications Authority (PTA) ordered the country’s Internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to YouTube, the world’s most popular video web site. Access was completely restored in Pakistan only after four days, amid popular opposition and allegations of electoral fraud.
Australian Labor government threatens to censor Internet
By Richard Phillips, 14 January 2008
Under the guise of “protecting children” from pornography and X-rated violence, the Australian Labor government has announced that it will attempt to censor local internet access. Labor’s plans, which were mooted by Minister for Communications Stephen Conroy on December 31, constitute a direct attack on freedom of expression.
European antitrust case finds against Microsoft
By Mike Ingram, 31 March 2004
The European Commission issued a statement March 24 announcing that it had found that Microsoft broke the European Union competition law. After a five-year investigation the EC concluded that Microsoft has carried out illegal practices “by leveraging its near monopoly in the market for PC operating systems (OS) onto the markets for work group server operating systems and for media players.”
Microsoft threat to discontinue Windows 98 and NT operating systems
By Kerem Kaya and Mike Ingram, 19 February 2004
The decision by Microsoft to stop supporting its previous generation of Windows Operating Systems (OSs), Windows 98 and NT, has resulted in a market reaction leading to the long-term postponement of the decision.
European battle over software patents
By Kerem Kaya and Mike Ingram, 23 December 2003
The long-running battle over patents for computer software has reached a new stage in Europe. An amendment [1] submitted on a Directive proposal [2], already approved by the European Parliament (EP) about three months ago, includes significant limits on software patentability. It makes software explicitly unpatentable and regulates safeguards such as freedom of publication and interoperation. The EP’s Directives can become law only with the approval of the European Union (EU) Council. The approved Directive is then relayed to the Member States for local approval.
US court case: Renewed attack on open source software
By John Neilson, 12 December 2003
On March 6 this year, the US software company SCO Group filed a $1 billion civil lawsuit against IBM, claiming the latter had stolen proprietary code from the Unix operating system for use in the current version of Linux, the free open source operating system.
Heavy-handed tactics against music fans: the recording industry’s new assault
By James Brewer, 23 September 2003
On September 8, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) filed the first 261 of possibly thousands of lawsuits against private individuals accused of music piracy. This is the beginning of a legal campaign aimed at the intimidation of music fans themselves. The criterion set by the RIAA for targeting particular persons is suspicion of downloading over 1,000 songs each across the Internet. The organization claims more than a 30 percent drop in revenues from CD sales over the last three years and blames this on the practice of downloading music.
Spanish cut-price music web site forced to close
By Paul Mitchell, 26 July 2003
Spanish web site Puretones has closed as a result of the giant music companies’ campaign against anyone who threatens their near monopoly.
Music industry turns against file sharing customers
By Mike Ingram, 10 May 2003
The recording giants have turned their fire on music consumers after failing to halt online music swapping, despite shutting the file-sharing pioneer Napster.
War coverage takes over as top Internet search
By Mike Ingram, 28 March 2003
“War” has taken over “sex”, “Britney Spears” and “travel” as the top Internet search term since the US and British forces commenced their bombardment of Iraq.
Serious security flaws in Microsoft web browser
How safe is your computer?
By Mike Ingram, 12 January 2002
If you are using an operating systems from Microsoft, the answer to the question, “how safe is your computer?” would have to be “not very!”
Settlement reached in Microsoft antitrust case
By Mike Ingram, 6 November 2001
Reports emerged November 2 that the US software giant, Microsoft, has reached a settlement with the US Justice Department in the four-year antitrust case. The settlement has gone ahead without the agreement of the 18 states and the District of Columbia, which had launched the case alongside the Justice Department, with Judge Kollar-Kotelly giving them until Tuesday to decide if they will back this conclusion to the case.
PGP creator defends right to encrypt emails
By Mike Ingram, 1 October 2001
Philip Zimmermann, the creator of Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) encryption software, has issued a statement aimed at clarifying his attitude towards encryption in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
Internet privacy threatened following terrorist attacks on US
By Mike Ingram, 24 September 2001
Governments around the world are using the terror attacks on the US to remove all privacy protection from Internet users.
US Justice Department drops demand for Microsoft break-up
By Mike Ingram, 10 September 2001
The decision by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) to drop its demand for the break-up of Microsoft is a dramatic reversal of policy by the Bush administration. In a statement issued Thursday September 6, the DoJ’s Antitrust Division said it had advised the software giant that it will not seek a break-up of the company in remand proceedings before the US District Court. It also said that it does not intend to pursue further proceedings on the tying of the Internet Explorer web browser to the Windows operating system, a central component of the original case brought four years ago against the company.
European Union extends investigation of Microsoft
By Mike Ingram, 4 September 2001
As the software giant Microsoft seeks to bring an end to its four-year battle with the US Justice Department, the company has come under increasing scrutiny in Europe.
The Microsoft lawsuit: Appeals court ruling favours company
By Mike Ingram, 6 July 2001
The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has overturned the ruling of Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson that Microsoft should be broken-up. The judges severely criticised Judge Jackson’s conduct and removed him from future hearings in the case.
Microsoft launches attack on open source software
By Mike Ingram, 8 May 2001
Microsoft Senior Vice President Craig Mundie made a speech on May 3 championing what he called “the commercial software model.” His remarks were particularly directed against the increasingly popular method of providing free access to a programme's source code in a form that clearly reveals how the software works, and so can be altered.
Recording industry giants vie for Napster user base
By Mike Ingram, 3 May 2001
As the online music swap service Napster attempts to comply with the terms of an injunction brought by the recording industry, a number of strategic alliances are underway aimed at harnessing the mass user base that it has attracted.
Yahoo's capitulation to right-wing pressure groups sets dangerous precedent
By Mike Ingram, 19 April 2001
Following a barrage of e-mail protests from the Christian fundamentalist American Families Association (AFA), the Internet Service Provider (ISP) and portal Yahoo has pledged to remove all pornography from its shopping and auction channels and reject requests for related advertising. Yahoo has further agreed to censor home pages created by members of its Geocities service. Yahoo said it would restrict “inappropriate material” and make it more difficult to use the popular search engine to find listings of pornographic Web sites.
Napster seeks to block access to copyrighted music
By Mike Ingram, 5 March 2001
Confusion reigned over the weekend following a hearing Friday March 2 to determine how to formulate a new injunction against the online music swap company Napster.
AOL-Time Warner threatens children running Harry Potter fan sites
By Mike Ingram, 28 February 2001
A 15-year-old girl from West Yorkshire, England has found herself at the centre of a raging battle being waged by media conglomerate AOL-Time Warner against young fans of the “Harry Potter” books.
Napster offers record companies a new commercial arrangement
By Mike Ingram, 24 February 2001
The Internet music swap service Napster and its 50 million-plus users face a new court injunction that may effectively close down the service as it presently exists. Whatever the eventual fate of Napster, however, the naked economic interests that lie behind the invocations of artistic copyright and intellectual property on the part of the music industry giants are increasingly clear.
US Court rejects Napster appeal
By Mike Ingram, 15 February 2001
After three months of deliberation, the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the major record labels that the online music swap service Napster must prevent its users from exchanging copyrighted material.
Ten years of the World Wide Web
By Mike Ingram, 18 January 2001
As the new millennium gets underway, there are many anniversaries that could and probably should be marked. The 20th century was packed with tumultuous events that changed the world, including two World Wars and the Russian revolution. Alongside such great happenings, the commemoration of the invention of a system to aid the reading of electronic documents may seem a little out of place. But the creation in 1991 of what became known as the World Wide Web was a technical innovation that has profound social, economic and political implications.
Yahoo bans sale of Nazi memorabilia from its Internet auctions
By Mike Ingram, 5 January 2001
The Internet portal Yahoo has decided to ban the sale of Nazi memorabilia from its on-line auctions. The company has denied that the move was in response to a court ruling in France that it must prevent Internet users in that country from accessing Yahoo websites that sell such material.
Microsoft appeal against break-up, claiming judge was biased
By Mike Ingram, 2 December 2000
US software giant Microsoft filed a 150-page brief with a court of appeals this week, in an attempt to halt a planned break-up of the company.
Recording giants could join Bertelsmann's embrace of Napster
By Mike Ingram, 30 November 2000
After an initial period of shock at Bertelsmann's decision to break ranks with the rest of the recording industry and enter into an alliance with Napster, there are indications that the major players are ready to do business.
French court rules that Yahoo must block access to auction site
By Mike Ingram, 24 November 2000
A landmark ruling on Monday November 20 could have serious consequences for Internet freedom and privacy internationally.
China imposes censorship of news reports and Internet chat rooms
By Mike Ingram, 10 November 2000
On November 7, the Chinese government announced new restrictions on Web sites offering news reports and requiring chat rooms to use only officially approved topics.
Online music-swap firm Napster forms strategic alliance with media giant Bertlesmann
By Mike Ingram, 4 November 2000
An October 31 announcement showed light at the end of the tunnel for beleaguered Internet company Napster. As legal action against the online music-swap firm continues, Napster announced a strategic alliance with media giant Bertelsmann.
The Internet: US Congress to consider Web filtering in schools and libraries
By Mike Ingram, 23 October 2000
Support is said to be growing within the US Congress for a bill requiring schools and libraries with Internet access to install software to lock out sites deemed to contain pornographic, obscene or other material considered harmful to minors. If passed the bill would require schools and libraries that receive funding under the E-rate program, which provides subsidies for Internet connection, to install filtering software or lose financial support.
The Internet: US court challenges online anonymity
By Mike Ingram, 18 October 2000
A Florida appeals court ruled Monday that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must divulge the identities of people posting messages on their servers that are deemed to be defamatory.
What is the significance of the delay in the Napster ruling?
By James Brewer, 17 October 2000
An October 2 hearing to decide whether to lift a stay on the injunction against Napster, the Internet music sharing service provider, concluded without making a decision, stating the need for further information and deliberation. Whatever the final outcome of the case, the delay in the ruling will provide time for deals to be struck by financial interests that have a stake in the dispute.
British firms given right to spy on employees' e-mail and phone calls
By Mike Ingram, 12 October 2000
From October 24, companies in Britain will be free to spy on their employees' e-mail and telephone calls, when legislation introduced by the Labour government takes effect.
Napster offers deal to recording industry
By Mick Ingram, 10 October 2000
Digital music company Napster has made an offer to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) that could end long-running court battles over alleged copyright infringements. Napster has said it would introduce a $4.95 fee for subscribers to its service, which allows users to swap digital music or mp3 files online. A portion of the charge could then go the music industry as compensation for losses due to the file sharing software.
Conclusion to Microsoft anti-trust case delayed: Supreme Court decides against expedited hearing
By Mike Ingram, 2 October 2000
Last week's decision by the US Supreme Court not to hear the anti-trust case against Microsoft before it has gone through the appeals court has been hailed as a victory for the software giant in its battle against the US government's proposed break up of the company.
World Internet usage grows to 300 million
By Mike Ingram, 15 September 2000
Almost three hundred million people access the Internet worldwide according to a report released this month by the Internet monitoring service Nielsen/NetRatings.
MP3.com face up to $250m penalty for music copyright infringements
By Mike Ingram, 12 September 2000
US District Judge Jed S Rakoff ruled last week that MP3.com had wilfully violated the copyrights of music companies. The ruling will cost MP3.com a penalty of around $25,000 per CD. Depending on the number of CDs the court decides are subject to the fine, MP3.com will be forced to pay between $118 to $250 million.
Microsoft ordered to pay $1 million to US software firm
By Mike Ingram, 6 September 2000
A US federal judge has ordered Microsoft to pay $1 million to a small Connecticut company, declaring that the software giant had engaged in “wanton, reckless” and deceptive business practices.
LinuxWorld Conference highlights corporate interest in alternative computer operating system
By Mike Ingram, 18 August 2000
This years' LinuxWorld Conference and Expo in San José, California took place as US software giant Microsoft faces a court-ordered break-up and only days after the European Union served notice of a number of antitrust actions against it in Europe.
Pro-Napster protesters vandalise web sites
By Mike Ingram, 17 August 2000
According to a report by Newsbytes.com on August 15, Internet vandals have defaced a number of web sites around the world in protest at the court action being taken against music file-swapping service Napster.
Yahoo! granted reprieve in French court's attempt to block access
By Mike Ingram, 16 August 2000
The August 11 judgement by a French court, widely anticipated, ordering Internet portal Yahoo! to block access to its US web site from France has been delayed for a further two months, pending reports on its technical feasibility.
European Union widens anti-trust case against Microsoft
By Mike Ingram, 9 August 2000
American software giant Microsoft faces anti-trust action by the European Union (EU) following a complaint by Sun Microsystems that the company engaged in discriminatory licensing and refused to supply essential information on its Windows operating system.
Clinton administration plan for FBI spying on email
By Patrick Martin, 2 August 2000
The Clinton administration announced July 17 that it would seek broad powers to compel Internet Service Providers to allow FBI monitoring of email messages, using a powerful software package devised by the police agency and given the ominous title of “Carnivore.”
Temporary injunction granted against Napster
By Mike Ingram, 28 July 2000
A federal judge in San Francisco granted a temporary injunction Wednesday against the Internet music company Napster. US District Judge Marilyn Hall Patel issued the order at the request of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Napster has been given until midnight on Friday, July 29 to shut down the computers that allow millions of users to share music on the Internet.
British parliament set to adopt law enforcing police access to encrypted email
By Mike Ingram, 19 July 2000
The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill (RIP) will be presented to the Commons for the final reading Wednesday after amendments made in the House of Lords.
Chinese government backs development of Linux operating system
By Mike Ingram, 15 July 2000
Similar reports have emerged several times this year. In January, Jon Hall, Linux International executive director, said that it was government policy in China to use the operating system across all ministries. Speaking at the Linux World Asia conference, Hall said Wu Jichuan, China's Minister of Information Industries, had told him this during a visit to Beijing in July 1999.
A comment and clarification on the Napster controversy
28 June 2000
Dear editors,
US Judge orders break-up of Microsoft
By Mike Ingram, 9 June 2000
US District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson ordered Microsoft split in two in his final judgement, issued June 7. In a ruling that was almost a word-for-word reprint of proposals filed by the Justice Department and 17 plaintiff states, Judge Jackson also imposed sweeping restrictions on the software company's business practices.
Judge grants more time to government in Microsoft anti-trust case
By Mike Ingram, 2 June 2000
In an unexpected move Thursday, the US government asked for more time in the anti-trust trial against Microsoft, saying that it might incorporate several of the suggestions made by the company into its proposal to split Microsoft in two.
A glimpse behind the veil of business secrets
Microsoft lawsuit reveals predatory corporate practices
By Mike Ingram, 23 May 2000
The anti-trust action against Microsoft by the US Justice Department has brought to the surface a virtual state of war between major corporations in the fields of computer technology, telecommunications and the media.
New email virus potentially more damaging than "Love Bug"
By Mike Ingram, 20 May 2000
A new computer virus was reported May 18 which is said to be potentially more damaging than the so-called "Love Bug" which caused up to $10 billion worth of damage to world-wide computer networks earlier this month.
New Internet spy agency to be set up in Britain
By Mike Ingram, 18 May 2000
The British Labour government is planning to set up a new spy centre that can track all email and Internet communication, including encrypted messages.
More than 20 countries affected
"Love-Bug" virus damage estimated at $10 billion
By Mike Ingram, 10 May 2000
It is estimated that the so-called "Love-Bug" email virus has caused some $10 billion in losses in as many as 20 countries.
Email virus wreaks havoc on corporate networks throughout Europe and America
By Mike Ingram, 6 May 2000
A computer virus, which has become known as the "love bug," has spread rapidly across corporate networks connected to the Internet.
Metallica joins recording industry's attack on Napster
Rock band launches suit against Internet music downloads
By James Brewer, 5 May 2000
The giant conglomerates of the recording industry have come by a new spokesman in the person of Lars Ulrich from the heavy-metal group, Metallica. In December of last year, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) filed a suit against Napster to prevent the California company from providing the software which enables computer users to exchange music files across the Internet.
The Microsoft law suit, software development and the capitalist market
By Mike Ingram, 2 May 2000
The US government proposal to break up Microsoft, dividing its operating system (Windows, NT etc.) from the Office suite (Word, Excel etc.), raises fundamental questions concerning the development of computer software and its relationship to the capitalist market.
Internet free speech under attack in San Francisco libel suit
By Mike Ingram, 18 April 2000
A libel trial taking place in San Francisco could have major implications for freedom of speech on the Internet, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
French anti-racist group sets dangerous precedent in court action against Yahoo!
By Mike Ingram, 17 April 2000
A Paris-based anti-racism group is taking legal action against the Internet portal Yahoo! over the auction of Nazi memorabilia on its web site. Yahoo! runs public auctions in which users can post items for sale on which others users then bid.
Growing concern over Internet privacy
By Mike Ingram, 25 February 2000
A number of lawsuits currently underway in the US have drawn attention to privacy issues raised by the use of “cookies” or strips of data sent to an Internet user's browser by a web site.
Montreal Internet service provider raided by FBI
By Mike Ingram, 18 February 2000
In the wake of a series of attacks blocking access to some of the largest and best known Internet web sites, the US government is seeking to use popular concern over the denial of services to push through new legislation that could affect the democratic rights of millions.
Internet vandals threaten access and expression on the World Wide Web
By the Editorial Board, 11 February 2000
The source of the coordinated attacks that crippled major Internet web sites earlier this week and the motivations of those responsible remain unclear. But whoever carried out these actions, and whatever their subjective purpose, the objective content of the assault on the Internet was a reactionary attack on democratic rights.
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