'Yahoo! For Good' and the Right to Privacy of Internet Users: A Critique

Journal of Internet Law, Vol. 11, No. 9, pp. 3-10, 2008

15 Pages Posted: 22 Jul 2008 Last revised: 24 Jun 2009

Date Written: July 21, 2008

Abstract

Against the backdrop of internet censorship in China and the disclosure of e-mail users' personal information by Yahoo! to the Chinese authorities, this article assesses the efficacy of privacy data laws in protecting the right to privacy of internet users. The assessment is made with reference to how the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance of Hong Kong fared in making Yahoo! accountable for alleged privacy breaches of its customers. The article critically examines the report of the Hong Kong Privacy Commissioner which exonerated Yahoo! and its subsidiaries from the charge of disclosing personal data in breach of the Privacy Ordinance. It also explores various steps that Yahoo! could have taken to fulfill its social responsibilities in China.

Keywords: Internet Censorship, Right to Privacy, Data Privacy Laws, Hong Kong Privacy Commissioner, Corporate Social Responsibility, Yahoo!

Suggested Citation

Deva, Surya, 'Yahoo! For Good' and the Right to Privacy of Internet Users: A Critique (July 21, 2008). Journal of Internet Law, Vol. 11, No. 9, pp. 3-10, 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1165483

Surya Deva (Contact Author)

Macquarie University ( email )

Macquarie Law School
6 First Walk
Sydney, NSW 2109
Australia

HOME PAGE: http://https://researchers.mq.edu.au/en/persons/surya-deva

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