ORG parliamentary and policy update/2014-w39

Official Meetings

Jim Killock attended meetings with Article 19 and Wordpress. Last Sunday he spoke at a Labour Party conference debate, in Manchester organised by Don't Spy on Us. It was attended by Yvette Cooper MP; Carly Nyst, the Legal Director of Privacy International; Claude Moraes MEP Chair of Justice and Home Affairs Committee, European Parliament; Tom Watson MP and Ewen MacAskill the Guardian journalist who broke the story of the Edward Snowden revelations.

Javier Ruiz attended a seminar on Wednesday titled "The fabulous world of EU copyright: what's (just) happened and what will be next", hosted by Eleonora Rosati from IPKat.

Elizabeth Knight attended a seminar on litigation regarding privacy and surveillance. On Tuesday she gave a talk at ORG's local group in Cardiff's to discuss ORG's progress on DRIP.

NSA and GCHQ updates

See our full list of the Guardian and Snowden’s revelations.

NSA programme seeks to identify and locate every device "anywhere, all the time"

Through a campaign called Treasure Map, the NSA is seeking to locate every device connected to the internet. Treasure Map's goal is to create an "interactive map of the global internet” in “almost real time.” The programme is available to members of the Five Eyes intelligence network. (The Intercept)

Consultations and departments

A full list of open consultations and Parliamentary events can be found on our Events

Prime Minister appoints former diplomat as Special Envoy on law enforcement data sharing

Sir Nigel Sheinwald, who used to be the UK's ambassador to the US, has been appointed by the Prime Minister as the Special Envoy on intelligence and law enforcement data sharing.

The role was created when David Cameron MP announced government plans to introduce DRIP.

The purpose of the envoy is to lead discussions between governments, international partners and communication service providers "on ways to improve access to and sharing of law enforcement and intelligence data in different jurisdictions". In other words, one of the envoy's main focus will be to try and resolve international conflicts of jurisdiction. (Gov.uk)

Surveillance Camera Standards group release terms of reference, define their remit and membership

The surveillance camera standards group have released their terms of reference, setting out the standards of how the group will be governed, what its membership will look like and its remit.

The group will advise the Surveillance Camera Commissioner and Advisory Council on the preparation, implementation and monitoring of surveillance camera standards.

They will also be responsible for

Advising the Commissioner and Council on the standards to be applied to manufacture, design, installation, testing, management and use of surveillance cameras

Analyse the current and recommended set of standards in order to inform the development of new standards

Comment on standards developed elsewhere in Britain, Europe and internationally and advise the Commissioner on his comments and feedback

The members of the group will be nominated from a number of organisations (including the British Security Industry Association and the British Standards Institution).

The terms of reference are available in PDF online(Gov.uk)

New Cyber Security standards for suppliers, come into implementation on 1st October 2014

Francis Maude MP has published the new set of cyber security standards for suppliers. Suppliers hoping to make bids for government contracts must implement the new standards by 1st October 2014. (Gov.uk)

International Developments

New amendments in Turkish law, allows Telecommunications Directorate to block websites without a court order

Amendments to the 'Internet law' in Turkey, grants the country's Telecommunications Directorate powers to block access to websites without a court order. Under the amendment's, within four hours of sending a request Turkish ISPs will be required to block a designated website (TodayZaman).

Law and Legal Cases

ORG launches intervention in which could set precedent for website blocking

See our website for an official press release.

On Thursday, ORG intervened in a court case where the outcome could allow the owner of a trade mark to seek an injunction against Internet Service Providers (rather than a counterfeiter or the website platforms used by the alleged counterfeiter) so that websites alleged to be infringing the trade mark can be blocked.

ORG believes the outcome of the case will have implications for future trade mark blocking applications, which could potentially threaten the legitimate interests of third parties.

Our Legal Director said "As the court is being asked to extend the circumstances in which blocking orders are granted, it's vital that the wider public interest is taken into account. We hope that our intervention will help ensure that future claimants cannot use blocking orders to restrict legitimate activity or free speech."

Lawyer and journalist David Allen Green is acting for ORG on a pro bono basis, you can view a blog post by him, explaining the significance of the intervention and of the court case.

Political Parties

Labour's digital grassroot's network makes calls for online voting and participation in House of Lords votes

Labour Digital, a grassroots network of more than 300 digital professionals, created by shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna MP, advises the Labour party on technological policy.

They've released a report, "Number One in Digital", including 82 recommendations. The report calls for the creation of a national programme that will be led by a "Digital Board of Britain's digital leaders".

The key recommendations of the programme are to expand internet access and increase connectivity for all. They also make calls for a digital Magna Carta, online voting in general elections, local meetings and House of Lords votes.

The full report is available at the source (Labour Digital).

ORG Media coverage

See ORG Press Coverage for full details.

2014-09-25 - The Guardian Cartier launches legal attempt to block websites selling counterfeit goods: Author: Owen Bowcott; Summary: Article discussing ORG's legal intervention in the trade mark case, with a quote from our Legal Director Elizabeth Knight and lawyer and journalist working for us Davin Allen Green

2014-09-22 - BBC Discovering the limits of surveillance: Author: Brian Wheeler; Summary: Article covering the Labour conference debate in Manchester organised by our Don't Spy on Us campaign

2014-09-21 - VPN Compare ORG Manchester surveillance debate 21-Sep-14 report: Author: Christopher Seward; Summary: Article covering the Labour conference debate in Manchester organised by our Don't Spy on Us campaign

2014-09-19 - The Inquirer Open Rights Group wants EE to open the book on its recent content lock-alypse: Author: Dave Neal; Summary: Article talking about ORG's reaction to EE's filtering mishap.

ORG contact details

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