mod_wastrel
join:2008-03-28 | Belgium fines Yahoo...
for protecting private Yahoo Mail info kept on its US servers.
Belgian court to Yahoo (and the rest of the world): "All your data are belong to us!" |
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Lazlow
join:2006-08-07
Saint Louis, MO
| Ok, if Yahoo does not have a physical presence in Belgium, what are they going to do if Yahoo just says, "No"? Since they did not use the diplomatic channels (like they agreed to), I do not think any US court would order Yahoo to pay anything. I also think that the EU court would be reluctant to touch this one becuase of the way Belgium pursued this. |
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Wizeguy
join:2008-08-23
Safety Harbor, FL | Lets see thnis for what it is a modern day "let me zee your papers"... |
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sonicmerlin
join:2009-05-24
Cleveland, OH | reply to Lazlow
No one cares about Belgium. They're a worthless country that very few people would be sad to see broken up. |
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Jason Levine
Premium
join:2001-07-13
USA
| reply to Lazlow
Beyond the "no presence in Belgium" issue, there's another issue. The prosecutor requested this data VIA E-MAIL!! If we accept this ruling, then any website available in a country (pretty much any website period) can be sent an e-mail requesting data that can turn into a fine if they ignore it. So I, as a webmaster, would need to field requests for data from China, Russia, France, Italy, etc.
And, of course, if people start abiding by these "give me your data" e-mails, this will be a scammer's dream. "Hi, I'm a Federal Prosecutor in Nigeria. Due to a criminal case in progress, I need all of the data (including passwords, who they e-mailed, etc) for the following users: [list of users]. If you fail to comply within three days, you will be fined $1 million per user."
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-Jason Levine
Support a children's charity. Buy a calendar and/or a photo book. Shooting For A Cause |
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Doctor Four
My other vehicle is a TARDIS
Premium
join:2000-09-05
Dallas, TX
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| reply to mod_wastrel
I am reminded of a bit from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, where Douglas Adams defines Belgium as a swear word:
quote:
Even though words like jujuflop, swut, and turlingdrome are now perfectly acceptable in common usage, there is still one word which is beyond the pale. The concept it embodies is so revolting that the publication or broadcast of the word is forbidden in all parts of the galaxy except one, where they don't know what it means.
That word is 'belgium' and it is only ever used by loose tongued people like Zaphod Beeblebrox in situations of dire provocation.
Seems Adams' making of Belgium into a swear word is most fitting here. Though if I were Yahoo, I would likely respond to that judge's email with some very real swear words. And add, good luck collecting on that fine of yours.
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"The trouble with computers, of course, is that they are very sophisticated idiots." - Doctor Who (from Robot)
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Goober
Premium
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
 ·Comcast
·WOW Internet and C..
| reply to sonicmerlin
said by sonicmerlin  :No one cares about Belgium. They're a worthless country that very few people would be sad to see broken up. True, but I do like their waffles. |
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