Fitwatch closure illustrates threat to free speech
The ease with which the police closed down the activist site is worrying, says Val Swain
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Alphabet soup spells “Donald”
Take That star Howard Donald has seen a superinjunction against an ex-girlfriend lifted. Is this another nail in the coffin for these restrictive measures, asks Mark Lewis
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Too rude? Australian product offends Hampshire police
My Australian countrymen are a frank species. Compare and contrast the mealymouthed slogan used in a UK road safety campaign, “never EVER drink and drive” with the robust tagline used in my home state, “If you drink, then drive, you’re a bloody idiot.”
Unusually Hampshire Police have intervened in this cultural divide warning a local mechanic he could face prosecution for advertising an Australian engine starter called Start Ya Bastard — and yes it is a real product.
Nick Palmer, who sells the spray, has a large advert for the product on his van and has been told by police he could face prosecution for a Public Order offence; presumably a section five offence using abusive or insulting words that could cause harassment, alarm or distress. According to Metro, where I spotted the story, Hampshire police said: “If a complaint were to be received it could be regarded as an offence.”
Surely there is an obligation to treat such complaints with a little commonsense? What percentage of the public are alarmed and distressed by the word?
UK: ICO opens consulatation on draft data sharing code
The Information Commissioner’s office in the UK announced on Friday that it was opening a consultation period on the first UK code of practice on data sharing. The 40 page code details good practice for organizations in private, public and third party organisations. There are five main topics, including when to inform an individual that their information is being shared, how to decide when sharing is acceptable, and necessary security measures.
In an ICO press release, Information Commissioner Christopher Graham remarked: ““Under the right circumstances and for the right reasons, data sharing across and between organisations can play a crucial role in providing a better, more efficient service to customers in a range of sectors – both public and private. But citizens’ and consumers’ rights under the Data Protection Act must be respected.” The ICO has invited organizations that handle personal data to offer their commentary.
Any portions of the code which are more demanding than the requirements of the Data Protection Act will not be legally binding.The consultation period will last for 12 weeks, ending on 5 January 2011.