Technology and Privacy Update

Today, a coalition of more than 140 technology companies and other experts and organizations--including Google and Apple--sent a letter to President Obama urging him to protect privacy rights by not undermining strong encryption technologies as the government considers law enforcement's need to access increasingly encrypted data.  The background of the letter and related issues are discussed in a Washington Post article by national security reporter Ellen Nakashima, available here. 

Looking at technology and privacy from from another angle, focusing on surveillance and data use by vendor-produced machines and apps, is a recent Guardian article by Bruce Schneier, a security technologist, author, and fellow at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School.  Together, the letter and the two articles shed light on some of the competing and coalescing interests shaping our developing privacy policy.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Cybersecurity Law: An Emerging Field

With the news full of hackers invading corporate networks and massive breaches of consumer financial and other information, it is no surprise that cybersecurity law is coming into its own as a legal field at the juncture of law and technology. If you want to know more about the roles lawyers play in helping corporations secure data and deal with breaches and other cybersecurity issues, and more about what kind of knowledge lawyers need to do this work, start with "The Emergence of Cybersecurity Law," a new paper published by the Maurer School of Law at Indiana University Bloomington.  More reports, cybersecurity-related news, and current developments in this field are available from the American Bar Association's Cybersecurity Legal Task Force.  Finally, check out Crossroads Blog: Cyber Security Law & Policy, which supports two courses at Syracuse University College of Law and features law student, law faculty and expert authors.

Hat tip: beSpacific.com

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Online Resources: Privacy & Data Security Law Resource Center (BNA)

If you are interested in a multi-source library that provides privacy and data security laws, developments, news, expert analysis, case law, practice tools, and more, then take a look at BNA's Privacy & Data Security Law Resource Center.  Dates of coverage vary according to the contents of the individual database.

To access Privacy & Data Security Law Resource Center (BNA):

• Go to the Library's home page, click "Online Resources"
• Click the "Consumer Law" link
• Scroll down to "Privacy & Data Security Law Resource Center (BNA)"

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat