International Law

Law students at the University of Ottawa have filed a complaint with the Canadian federal privacy commissioner against Facebook:

The students, including several dedicated Facebook users, allege the popular social networking website has committed 22 violations of Canadian privacy law.

They allege Facebook fails to inform members about how their personal information is disclosed to third parties for advertising and other profit-making activities, and also that it doesn't get permission from users to do so.

The students drew up the complaint after analyzing the company's policies and practices as part of a clinic course during the winter term.

Clinic director Philippa Lawson said the group focused on Facebook ? which boasts more than seven million Canadian members ? because it appeals to young teens who may not realize the risks of exposing personal information online.

Under law, the privacy commissioner has up to one year to investigate the complaint and present findings.

Read more here (from CBC News).  Although I wouldn't know the first thing about Canadian privacy law, my feeling Facebook's terms of service would not violate Australian law, but it did remind me of part an internet class I taught with John Swinson on the law of Google. Given that experience the more interesting point from my perspective is that this lawsuit was driven by a clinic at the University of Ottawa.  And although the merits may ultimately fail it highlights what an effective teaching tool it is to use clinics.  Although common in the US and Canada, there a very few clinics in Australia's law schools, which I think is a pity.  QUT has recently introduced a work integrated learning program, which includes plans for a legal clinic and I hope that this a form of learning that becomes more dominant in Australian law schools.