CDT Statement on Facebook's New Transparency Reporting Effort

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) has issued the following statement on Facebook's publication today of its first Global Government Requests Report, which details the number of government requests for user data that the company receives from a variety of countries.

"We are happy to see Facebook issue its first global Government Requests Report and join the growing number of Internet companies that have recognized how important it is to be transparent about the scope of government demands for user data," said CDT's Free Expression Director Kevin Bankston. "Sunlight is the best disinfectant, and basic numbers about the scope of surveillance of Facebook users can serve as an important early warning system for detecting abuse or overuse of a government's authority to demand user data."

"It's disappointing that Facebook is still prohibited by law from disclosing specific information about the number of foreign intelligence and national security-related data demands it receives from the U.S. government. We are thankful to Facebook for being one of the many Internet companies and civil liberties organizations that is pressing the government to allow basic transparency reporting about government requests for data in national security investigations," Bankston continued, referring to a joint letter to the US government organized by CDT last month. "We would strongly prefer that Facebook report specific numbers about the different types of government requests that they receive, and we hope that the Obama Administration and Congress will work together to ensure that companies like Facebook can soon engage in meaningful transparency reporting about the full range of government surveillance of Internet users."

CDT Asks Congress to Protect Free Speech Online, Preserve Section 230 of Communications Act

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) joined a bipartisan coalition of advocacy organizations, trade associations, investors, and legal scholars in voicing their strong support for Section 230 of the Communications Act and their opposition to a proposal from State Attorneys General to create a new exception to the law that would give them broad authority to prosecute the Internet’s intermediaries for crimes conducted by their users.

Section 230 allows Internet companies to host or transmit third-party content without being legally liable for the material that their users post and share. Because of Section 230’s protections, innovative online services such as YouTube, Facebook, and eBay can provide platforms for the content, commentary, and commerce of people in the U.S. and all over the world.

In a letter delivered to Congressional leadership today, the coalition stated, “Section 230 is the legal cornerstone of the Internet economy, enabling the unprecedented scope of lawful commerce and free expression that the Internet supports today. By substantially eroding this essential protection, the proposed amendment would jeopardize the continued growth of the entire Internet industry and the free expression rights of Internet users everywhere. We urge Congress not to go down this dangerous path.”

CDT President Leslie Harris said: “The Internet without Section 230 is like a free press without the First Amendment. The exponential growth of the Internet economy is a direct result of companies having a clear, unambiguous legal framework that promotes innovation and investment. Any fundamental change to Section 230 opens the door to prosecuting the messenger and will likely hinder many potential Internet breakthroughs.”

CDT Policy Counsel Emma Llanso added: “The proposal from the State Attorneys General is far from narrow and would have ramifications well beyond what they intend. This coalition welcomes an open dialogue around the very serious issue of child trafficking, and CDT is committed to work with the AGs to ensure they have the tools they need to prosecute criminals who engage in these crimes. But sweeping changes to Section 230 will imperil the Internet as a platform for free expression and collaboration. To preserve the open nature of the Internet, Section 230 must not be changed.”

Google slowly solving Android fragmentation with stock apps

Filed under Business, Business, Business Technology, Business Technology, Cyber Security, Global Affairs, IDR Press Releases, Life & Culture, New Products, Rising Companies, Students, Tech Trends,Technology, Technology, Technology Initiatives, Technology Initiatives for Rising Companies, World

 

 

Time and time again, news stories emerge criticizing the fragmentation of Android. With every major update, as well as the annual release of new flagship smartphones, the problem gets worse. Apple does a much better job with iOS, but in fairness it only has to deal with a fraction of the handset models; Apple is also the only OEM using its own platform.

Read the full article via The Next Web

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