This is the fourth instalment in a regular new series from Inforrm highlighting press and case reports of new media and information cases from around the world.  It is intended to complement our United States: Monthly Round Up posts.  Please let us know if there are other cases and jurisdictions which we should be covering.

In the Papers

Australia

The Conversation considers the laws of defamation in Australia following a recent ruling of the Australian Press Council.

Following complaints around twitter comments Tamborine Mountain State High School Principal Tracey Brose has been successful in her claim for defamation against eight parents of the school.

China

Lexology’s monthly China CyberSecurity and Data Protection update can be found here.

China’s development of facial recognition technology has sparked privacy concerns.

Germany

Gabriele Kuby has won a defamation case against a radio station which broadcast content from a play depicting her as a “pro-facist” zombie.

India 

The Straits Times has highlighted experts concerns about India’s draft data protection laws.

Japan

Japan’s Government is progressing a bill which seeks to amend the Act on the Protection of Personal Data.

Russia

A Russian court has ruled that usage of facial recognition software does not infringe privacy rights.

Switzerland

A Swiss Court has ruled that defamatory Facebook likes “can be illegal”.

Thailand

The Data Protection Report has covered Thailand’s Data Protection laws.

In the Courts

Australia

Stoltenberg v Bolton; Loder v Bolton [2020] NSWCA 45, a defamation case concerning posts by the page “Narri Links”.

Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd v Chau [2020] FCAFC 48, a case concerning an alleged defamatory article in a publication owned by Fairfax. An appeal against the award of $280,000 to the claimant.

Hayson v The Age Company Pty Ltd (No 2) [2020] FCA 361, a defamation case concerning allegations of “match-fixing” in the Federal Court of Australia.

Canada

Slater Vecchio LLP v Arvanitis 2020 BCSC 385 a case In the Supreme Court of the British Columbia, where a law firm, who previously represented a defendant, brought a defamation action against her.

Cyprus

O’Dwyer v Karagiannias & Son Ltd No.435/2012, an appeal in the High Court of Cyprus on three errors of made by the lower court. Considers the assessment of witness testimony, applicable of fair comment and failure to provide reasoned comments.

Hong Kong

Yu Sau Ning Homer v. Wong Wan Keung [2020] HKDC 40, a defamation action arising from the contents of two letters. Defences of qualified privilege and fair comment were advanced.

This Round up was complied by Suneet Sharma a junior legal professional with a particular interest and experience in media, information and privacy law.