Legal Report Resources February 2017
?Cybersecurity. Chinapassed a controversial cybersecurity bill that effectively makes it illegal for users to go online anonymously, among other provisions. The law requires companies to verify users� identities by collecting users� real names and personal information.�
Surveillance. The United Kingdom enacted legislation dubbed the�Snooper�s Charter� that gives the government widespread powers to spy on citizens and limit the use of encryption.
Monitoring. AU.S. appellate court decidedthat a rule requiring electronic logging devices to monitor truck driver compliance doesn�t violate the Fourth Amendment.�
Discrimination. A federal court ruled that sexual orientation discrimination is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by federal law and denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Defamation. Rolling Stone defamed a former University of Virginia administrator in a magazine article about sexual assault on campus, a jury decided.The jury foundthat the article�s author, the magazine, and its parent company acted with actual malice when the magazine published statements about the administrator that were false.
Marijuana. Nevada, California, Massachusetts, and Maine legalized the recreational use of marijuanathrough a series of ballot measures. They now join four states and Washington, D.C, in legalizing the recreational use of the drug, which is still illegal under federal law.
Ammunition. California votersapproved a provision to expand background checks and place restrictions on ammunition magazines. Voters approved Proposition 63 to prohibit possession of ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds and require individuals to pass a background check to buy ammunition.
Extradition. The United Kingdomagreed to extradite a British man�Lauri Love�to the United States to face trial on hacking charges. Love is accused of stealing data from U.S. government agencies in a series of cyberattacks in 2012 and 2013.
Discrimination. Georgia Power Company will pay $1.5 million tosettle a class disability discrimination lawsuitbrought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The company allegedly violated federal law by refusing to hire applicants and firing employees based on their disabilities or perceived disabilities.�