Most of us resignedly consent to the use of cookies in order to use internet sites, vaguely aware that these collect information about our browsing habits in order to target us with advertisements. It’s annoying, but does it do us any harm? That is the question that came up before Warby J in a preliminary application for a representative claim in the case of Lloyd v Google LLC [2018] EWHC 2599 (QB). Continue reading
The International Forum for Responsible Media Blog
Month: October 2018 (Page 3 of 4)
A wide consensus has emerged that regulatory framework for platforms like Google and Facebook needs to change. Calls for action are coming from a range of different stakeholders in the UK, with proposed solutions varying in terms of models of regulation, and who should implement them. Continue reading
In Savva Terentyev v. Russia the ECtHR has applied a very high level of free speech-protection for aggressively insulting and hostile comments about police officers, published on a weblog. The ECtHR observes that some of the wording in the blog post was offensive, insulting and virulent, but it found that the (emotional and sarcastic) comments as a whole could not be seen as inciting to hatred or violence. Continue reading
This summer marked the fiftieth anniversary of the Theatres Act 1968, the legislation that freed the theatres from the censorious hand of the Lord Chamberlain of Her Majesty’s Household. Thereafter theatres needed to concern themselves only with the general laws governing speech. In addition they were granted a public good defence to obscenity and immunity from common law offences against public morality. Continue reading
The Michaelmas Legal Term began on Monday 1 October and ends on Friday, 21 December 2018. This post deals with media law cases listed for this term and cases in which decisions are awaited. Please let us know if there are any other media law cases which should be added to this post. Continue reading
The first of a number of important media and information law appeals listed this term is before the Court of Appeal this week. The three day appeal in the “data leak” case of Various Claimants v W M Morrisons Supermarkets will begin on 9 October 2018. Continue reading
My new book, the Internet, Warts and All was published in August. The subtitle – Free Speech, Privacy and Truth – gives and indication of its subject matter and scope: this is a wide-ranging, broad-brush book covering a great variety of different subjects, from some of the theoretical background to free speech, privacy and truth to specific subjects – there’s a chapter on surveillance, another on trolling, and one whose main subject is fake news. Continue reading
Being able to speak English is considered by many to be an integral part of “being British”. Officially, it is a requirement for those applying for British citizenship. Yet the link between English and belonging is also clear in more everyday contexts, including, unfortunately, instances in which people are discriminated against – and even assaulted – for not speaking English in public. Continue reading
In a blog last week I talked about the role of Open Media in trying to undermine the democratic process and manipulate political opinion by orchestrating widespread anti-copyright astroturfing campaigns in Canada and elsewhere. Continue reading
In this article we look at how to minimise the visibility of your personal information in online public records, without losing the benefits that online administration brings. Continue reading
Recent Judgments
© 2026 Inforrm's Blog
Theme by Anders Norén — Up ↑