E-Law - July/August 1998 Internet

E-Law - July/August 1998

Internet

Celebrating Australia online

Senator Richard Alston has announced a national day to promote the employment opportunities and social benefits of the information economy. Online Australia Day (previously known as Information Economy Day) will be held on Friday 27 November 1998. For further details see www.dca.gov.au/mediarel/98/122.html

Disability access grants

The Federal government has introduced a new grants program, aimed at making online services more accessible for people with disabilities. Community organisations, State and local government agencies, and private companies are eligible to apply for the $1.5 million which will be available over 1998 - 1999. See www.noie.gov.au/accessibility

Western Australian legislation now online

Government Public Key Authority launched

The Commonwealth government has established the Government Public Key Authority which will oversee the introduction and use of public key technology by government departments. It is expected that some government departments will begin using public key technologies as a means of ensuring security in delivering services online from July of this year. The website for the Authority is www.gpka.gov.au

For a copy of the Authority's GATEKEEPER report, see 'Internet reports - recommended reading'.

VAT may be added to European Internet transactions

ISP wins US defamation suit

The US Supreme Court has approved a ruling that Internet service providers cannot be held liable for defamatory material posted by others on their systems. America Online had been sued after an unknown person posted several messages on one of the ISP's bulletin boards advertising T-shirts with offensive slogans about the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City.

The advertisement told viewers to call Kenneth Zoran who knew nothing of the advertisements and who received abusive calls and death threats. The Court ruled that the Communications Decency Act 1996, a US law which has no equivalent in Australia, gave ISPs immunity for material which originates with third parties.