Peter Clarke, JD

Involuntary Technological Encroachment

FindLaw columnist Eric Sinrod writes regularly in this section on legal developments surrounding technology and the internet. Once upon a time, the advent of the radio was considered a major advancement, and families in the evenings would huddle together and listen to favorite radio shows. Not that much later, television became the big thing. And with TV, it was easy to sit passively by as a couch potato watching one show after another.

New Law Could Allow for Phone Searches After Car Crashes

FindLaw columnist Eric Sinrod writes regularly in this section on legal developments surrounding technology and the internet. For many decades, Americans have taken to the roads to get from one place to another. And, in more recent times, Americans have become addicted to their smartphones -- texting, posting, online searching, making purchases, among many other uses of their devices. Put the two together, driving and smartphone use, and there is a clear recipe for potential disaster.

Will California Consumers Share in Wealth From Their Online Data?

FindLaw columnist Eric Sinrod writes regularly in this section on legal developments surrounding technology and the internet.Technology companies collect all sorts of data on their users. The terms of service located on their web sites spell out for users the types of data collected and how that data will be used. The data collected from users is extremely useful for tech companies in terms of how to market to them further, and accordingly, that data has tremendous economic value.

Internet Companies Must Take Down Anti-Government Content in Vietnam

FindLaw columnist Eric Sinrod writes regularly in this section on legal developments surrounding technology and the internet. Question: How free is the internet? Answer: Less than free in certain countries. Further answer: And becoming even less free in other countries -- witness Vietnam, discussed briefly below. At the start of this month, a law went into effect in Vietnam that mandates removal of online content considered offensive to the Vietnamese government. According to SoyaCincau.

Online Gambling Potentially Impacted by New Justice Department Opinion

FindLaw columnist Eric Sinrod writes regularly in this section on legal developments surrounding technology and the internet. The Wire Act was enacted in 1961. That statute makes it a criminal offense to transmit information that seeks to promote interstate or foreign wagering. Fast-forward to September, 2011: the Obama-era Justice Department rendered an opinion that only sports betting came with the ambit of the Wire Act.

Amazon Sales Through The Roof This Holiday Season

FindLaw columnist Eric Sinrod writes regularly in this section on legal developments surrounding technology and the internet. Once upon a time less than 20 years ago, there was concern that people would not trust providing their credit card information to make online purchases. Indeed, there was a question as to whether people would take the plunge and order holiday presents online. My, how times have changed! Amazon started out by selling books online.

Emailgate -- Here We Go Again!

FindLaw columnist Eric Sinrod writes regularly in this section on legal developments surrounding technology and the internet. Long before votes were cast for the 2016 Presidential election, this blogger discussed how Hillary Clinton's government-related emails that were sent and received on private servers could become a thorn in her political side. Why?

The Danger of Manipulated Videos

FindLaw columnist Eric Sinrod writes regularly in this section on legal developments surrounding technology and the internet. Technology has advanced to the point that videos can be doctored in terms of words spoken or physical actions taken to the point that those videos can look quite authentic. Why is this problematical? One can easily think of many problematical scenarios resulting from manipulated videos. Let's first take one extreme, hypothetical example.

California Net Neutrality Law Put On Hold Pending Federal Litigation

FindLaw columnist Eric Sinrod writes regularly in this section on legal developments surrounding technology and the internet. California recently passed what some argue to be the most robust net neutrality state law in the United States. That law has not yet gone into effect. The very same day that California Governor Jerry Brown signed the net neutrality bill into law, the US Department of Justice was quick to filed a federal lawsuit, among other goals, to block implementation of the law.

Politicians Seek Greater Online Consumer Privacy Protections

FindLaw columnist Eric Sinrod writes regularly in this section on legal developments surrounding technology and the internet. The Congressional mid-term elections are coming up. There is ample current discussion about whether the Republicans can hold onto majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.