Digital Rights Ireland
Encyclopedia
Digital Rights Ireland is an digital rights
advocacy and lobbying group based in the Republic of Ireland
. The group works for civil liberties in a digital
age.
which is provided for by the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act, 2005.
Digital Rights Ireland argues that the act has led to Gardaí
accessing retained data without having a specific crime to investigate, citing remarks by the Data Protection Commissioner
has sent letters to people it accuses of filesharing
their music demanding damages for financial losses. One issue is how the files belonging to the alleged filesharers were searched. MediaSentry
software was used to search their machines, but as it doesn't limit itself to searching only folders used for filesharing, this led to questions of violation of privacy. MediaSentry itself is based in the United States
, which has less legislation about data protection
than the European Union
. This has been an issue in cases in the Netherlands and France.
Another issue is internet service provider
s being compelled to identify users.
Current action still causes concern to DRI.
Former TD
Dr. Jerry Cowley
has requested that the complaints referee investigate whether his telephone is being tapped
. DRI expressed concern, noting that there is no Irish equivalent of the Wilson Doctrine
in Irish law. Fine Gael
has also shown concern at the number of telephone taps authorised by former Minister for Justice Michael McDowell
. DRI said that the reasons for withholding the information was unacceptable.
Digital rights
The term digital rights describes the permissions of individuals legitimately to perform actions involving the use of a computer, any electronic device, or a communications network...
advocacy and lobbying group based in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. The group works for civil liberties in a digital
Digital
A digital system is a data technology that uses discrete values. By contrast, non-digital systems use a continuous range of values to represent information...
age.
Telecommunications data retention
Currently the group is taking legal action over telecommunications data retentionTelecommunications data retention
In the field of telecommunications, data retention generally refers to the storage of call detail records of telephony and internet traffic and transaction data by governments and commercial organisations...
which is provided for by the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act, 2005.
Digital Rights Ireland argues that the act has led to Gardaí
Garda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
accessing retained data without having a specific crime to investigate, citing remarks by the Data Protection Commissioner
Filesharing
The Irish Recorded Music AssociationIrish Recorded Music Association
Irish Recorded Music Association is the Irish record industry association. IRMA is a non-profit association set up to manage and control the music industry in the Republic of Ireland.-Goals and activities:...
has sent letters to people it accuses of filesharing
File sharing
File sharing is the practice of distributing or providing access to digitally stored information, such as computer programs, multimedia , documents, or electronic books. It may be implemented through a variety of ways...
their music demanding damages for financial losses. One issue is how the files belonging to the alleged filesharers were searched. MediaSentry
MediaSentry
MediaSentry was a United States company that provided services to the music recording, motion picture, television, and software industries for locating and identifying IP addresses that are engaged in the use of online networks to share material in a manner said organizations claim is in violation...
software was used to search their machines, but as it doesn't limit itself to searching only folders used for filesharing, this led to questions of violation of privacy. MediaSentry itself is based in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, which has less legislation about data protection
Data privacy
Information privacy, or data privacy is the relationship between collection and dissemination of data, technology, the public expectation of privacy, and the legal and political issues surrounding them....
than the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
. This has been an issue in cases in the Netherlands and France.
Another issue is internet service provider
Internet service provider
An Internet service provider is a company that provides access to the Internet. Access ISPs directly connect customers to the Internet using copper wires, wireless or fiber-optic connections. Hosting ISPs lease server space for smaller businesses and host other people servers...
s being compelled to identify users.
Current action still causes concern to DRI.
Former TD
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
Dr. Jerry Cowley
Jerry Cowley
Jerry Cowley is an Irish barrister, medical doctor and politician.Originally from Ballina, he is now resident in Mulranny, County Mayo. He was an Independent Teachta Dála for the Mayo constituency after being elected to Dáil Éireann at the 2002 general election...
has requested that the complaints referee investigate whether his telephone is being tapped
Telephone tapping
Telephone tapping is the monitoring of telephone and Internet conversations by a third party, often by covert means. The wire tap received its name because, historically, the monitoring connection was an actual electrical tap on the telephone line...
. DRI expressed concern, noting that there is no Irish equivalent of the Wilson Doctrine
Wilson Doctrine
The Wilson Doctrine is a ban on the tapping of UK MPs' and Peers' telephones introduced in 1966 and named after Harold Wilson, the Labour Prime Minister who established the rule.- Introduction :...
in Irish law. Fine Gael
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
has also shown concern at the number of telephone taps authorised by former Minister for Justice Michael McDowell
Michael McDowell
Michael McDowell is a Senior Counsel in the Bar Council of Ireland and a former politician. A grandson of Irish revolutionary Eoin MacNeill, McDowell was a founding member of the Progressive Democrats political party in the mid-1980s...
. DRI said that the reasons for withholding the information was unacceptable.
Other areas of work
Other issues addressed by the group include:- ID Cards
- Electronic passports
- Online defamation
- Leaking of confidential information by civil servants