IP Updates – Facebook/MySpace Messages, Yahoo!’s Social Media, and Google Wi-Fi

Messages on Facebook & MySpace are Protected Information

A Judge ruled that Facebook wall postings and MySpace comments may not be subpoenaed based on the 1986 Stored Communications Act which is the same statute before the US Supreme Court in Quon v. Arch Wireless. US District Judge Margaret Morrow's May 26, 2010 37 page Order in Buckley H. Crispin v. Christian Audigier, Inc. et al reversed a ruling from an US Magistrate Judge that defendants in a copyright infringement case could not subpoena private message on Facebook MySpace. This ruling is particularly interesting since the April 7, 2010 White House Order that all postings on blogs and social media sites are public meetings under federal law. Clearly courts will be vexed by these complex issues as social media continues to grow and change communications. It is any wonder that the 1986 Stored Communications Act may need to be updated or totally replaced since clearly the courts and the White are not in synch?

Yahoo! Plans its Social Media

With 280 million email users it's no wonder that Yahoo! will launch its social media services to allow exchange of comments, pictures, and the like. Given all the current issues with Facebook privacy and Google's Buzz it's no wonder that Yahoo! head of privacy claimed that " We've been watching and trying to be thoughtful about our approach." Clearly we will all be watching to see the impact of Yahoo! entry into social media, particularly as Yahoo! search engine decline in popularity in the US. Will email traffic overcome the lack of search engine traffic?

More Google Wi-Fi Woes - Now Canada

Recent reports now indicate that the Privacy Commissioner of Canada started an investigation about Google collection of Wi-Fi network data. Since Germany, France, Italy, and the Czech Republic are investigating Canada's entry into the fray is no surprise. Google's defense that other companies including Skyhook and organizations like the German Fraunhofer Institute does not seem to be much help at this juncture. The outcome of the Wi-Fi privacy issues may also impact Google maps which are tied together.

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