Variety is the spice of life, even when it comes to the legal implications of technology. This week offers a good illustration of the many different areas of the law that technology can impact. Here are some current examples:
Employment Law: A New Mexico judge who violated the court’s computer and Internet use policy with his “excessive and improper” instant messaging during court proceedings was forced to resign. A Penn admissions officer who shared on Facebook snippets of admissions essays has sparked debates about online sharing of employment information.
Securities Law: The rise in hacking of corporate websites and databases has caused some to question the related risk to overall corporate security and profitability, and the responsibility hacked companies have to report hacks to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Family Law: A recent survey finds that dating websites are key sources of evidence in divorce cases.
Constitutional Law: The U.S. House of Representatives is considering a bill that would require the police to obtain a search warrant before searching or tracking email and mobile phones. In a civil case, the court’s order to remove a Facebook posting involving McDonald’s advertising practices has created push-back from free speech advocates.
Technology and the Workplace
Penn Admissions Officer Too Funny for Facebook (DE Employment Law Blog) (Inside Higher Ed)
Your Company Got Hacked, Must You Disclose to the SEC? (IT-Lex) (CNBC)
Tracking Sensors Invade the Workplace (All Things Digital)
Judge Resigns After Admitting Improper IMs With Wife During Court, But Denies Steamy Content (ABA Journal) (Albuquerque Journal)
Technology and the Law
Police Would Need Warrants for Email, Phone Tracking, Federal Bill Says (CNET) (ARS Technica)
Copyright Alerts Won’t Go to Coffee Shop Connections (NBC)
Clampdown on Man’s Facebook Page Raises Free-Speech Worries in McDonald’s Halal Case (Detroit Free Press)
Dating Websites Providing More Divorce Evidence Says Survey: Nation’s Top Matrimonial Lawyers Cite Match.com as Most Common Source (AAML)
Woman Who Sued Google Over “Levitra” Link to Her Name Loses in 7th Circuit (ABA Journal) (Reuters)
There’s an App for That
Free App Magically Turns Your Pics Into Videos (Mashable)
Apple is Looking to Introduce iWatch This Year, Report Says (LA Times)
Houzz Will Save Your Home (and Perhaps Your Marriage) (Mashable)
These 11 Apps Will Supercharge Your Personal Life (Mashable)