microrobert
02-03-2014, 11:44 AM
Is anti-racism app violating our privacy?
Kif Kif, a Flemish intercultural organisation fighting inequality and racism, has launched a new app that allows users to make a screenshot of racist language on the internet. Belgium's Privacy Commission has however warned that the application throws up privacy issues.
The app called 'The Wiper' can be added to your favourites.
People who see what they believe is racist language on the internet can with the click of their mouse use the app to send a screenshot to wipe.be.
Kif Kif staff will then examine the reports together with a team of legal experts to see whether any action can be taken in the courts.
Kif Kif hopes to establish a databank to allow further research and help in the fight against racism.
In a press release the organisation says: "We hope that people who use such language will be made conscious of the nature of what they are doing and will stop. Sites too that allow the spreading of hate should realise that they need to update their website."
Kif Kif does not believe that the privacy of internet users is being infringed because all the information is available in public spaces, websites and blogs.
The Privacy Commission notes that if the writer's name is used and the information is published on another website, then personal data is being processed and in principle that isn't allowed unless the writer has given permission.
A spokeswoman for the commission suggests that Belgium's Anti-racism Centre is better placed to receive and process such reports of alleged racism.
http://www.expatica.com/be/news/belgian-news/Is-antiracism-app-violating-our-privacy-_284283.html
Kif Kif, a Flemish intercultural organisation fighting inequality and racism, has launched a new app that allows users to make a screenshot of racist language on the internet. Belgium's Privacy Commission has however warned that the application throws up privacy issues.
The app called 'The Wiper' can be added to your favourites.
People who see what they believe is racist language on the internet can with the click of their mouse use the app to send a screenshot to wipe.be.
Kif Kif staff will then examine the reports together with a team of legal experts to see whether any action can be taken in the courts.
Kif Kif hopes to establish a databank to allow further research and help in the fight against racism.
In a press release the organisation says: "We hope that people who use such language will be made conscious of the nature of what they are doing and will stop. Sites too that allow the spreading of hate should realise that they need to update their website."
Kif Kif does not believe that the privacy of internet users is being infringed because all the information is available in public spaces, websites and blogs.
The Privacy Commission notes that if the writer's name is used and the information is published on another website, then personal data is being processed and in principle that isn't allowed unless the writer has given permission.
A spokeswoman for the commission suggests that Belgium's Anti-racism Centre is better placed to receive and process such reports of alleged racism.
http://www.expatica.com/be/news/belgian-news/Is-antiracism-app-violating-our-privacy-_284283.html