Social networking sites, RIPA and criminal investigations

Criminal Law Review

Volumn , Issue 10, 2011, Pages 766-789

  O'Floinn, Micheál ^a   Ormerod, David ^a  

^a QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 80054073474     PISSN: 0011135X     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: None     Document Type: Article

References (153)

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2. McCullough [2011] EWCA Crim 1413.
3. As in Walker [2011] EWCA Crim 1412.
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8. See also Rizwan [2003] EWCA Crim 3067.
9. Holhi [2011] EWCA 1039.
10. E.g. as an admission in Haque and Nuth [2009] EWCA Crim 1453.
11. Southam [2009] EWCA Crim 2335.
12. EU art.29, Data Protection Working Party (DPWP), Published Opinion S/2009 on online social networking (June 12,2009), p.4.
13. LiveUniverse Ine v MySpace Ine, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 43739 (C.D. Cai. June 4, 2007).The European Commission has also defined social networking, and discussed some of the risks involved in using SNSs. Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/information-society/activities/sip/safety-tips/index-en.htm [Accessed August 2,2011].
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28. Scott [2008] EWCA Crim 3201.
29. Breakwell [2009] EWCA Crim 2298.
30. See also http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023j-10459536-93.html [Accessed August 2,2011].
31. I. Walden, "Law Enforcement Access in a Cloud Environment" (London: Queen Mary School of Law, March, 2011), Research Paper No. 74/2011. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1781067 [Accessed August 2,2011].
32. See J. P. Semitsu, "From Facebook to Mug Shot: How the Dearth of Social Networking Privacy Rights Revolutionised Online Government Surveillance" (2011) 31 PACE L.R. 291 at fn. 263.
33. Applause Store Productions Ltd v Raphael [2008] EWHC 1781 (QB).
34. Applause Store Productions Ltd v Raphael [2008] EWHC 1781 (QB) at [11].
35. Directive 2000/31 on electronic commerce [2000] OJ L178/1.
36. Directive 2002/21 on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services (Framework Directive) art.2(c) [2002] IJ L108/33.
37. Data Protection Working Party (DP WP), Published Opinion 5/2009 on online social networking (June 12 2009), p.4.
38. See generally I. Waiden, Telecommunications Law and Regulation, 3rd edn (Oxford: OUP, 2009).
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40. http://www.edps.europa.eu/EDPSWEB/webdav/site/mySite/shared/Documents/ EDPS/PressNews/Press/2011/EDPS-2011-06-Data%20Retention%20Report-EN.pdf [Accessed August 2,2011].
41. Directive 2002/58 on privacy and electronic communications [2002] OJ L201/37.
42. Directive 97/66 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the telecommunications sector [1997] OJ L24/1.
43. SeeR. (on the application of NTL Group Ltd) v Ipswich Crown Court [2002] EWHC 1585 (Admin)
44. See I. Walden, "Law Enforcement Access in a Cloud Environment" (London: Queen Mary School of Law, March 2011), p.12.
45. N. Tilley "Modem Approaches to Policing: Community, Problem Oriented and Intelligence-led" in T. Newburn, Handbook of Policing (Devon: Willan Publishing, 2008).
46. See S. Livingstone, L. Haddon, A. Gorzig, and K. Ólafsson. Risks and safety on the internet: The perspective of European children. Full findings and policy implications from the EU Kids online survey of 9-16 year olds and their parents in 25 countries (London: LSE, 2011), p.38.
47. See stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/research/media-literacy/reportI. pdf {Accessed August 2,2011].
48. D. Kirkpatrick, "Facebook's Founder Goes Public" Iflred Magazine (August 10,2010) p.52. (Extract from Kirkpatrick, The Facebook Effect.)
49. E.g. in Brown [2010] EWCA Crim 1203.
50. [2011] 1 Cr. App. R. (S.) 38 evidence included that from an undercover police officer deployed as a "covert Internet investigator". Posing on Bebo as a 14 year old called "Shelley", showing a photo in school uniform, she was contacted by Brown who asked her to communicate with him on MSN. n http://www.dailyimil.co.uk/news/artkle-l256793/I-posed-girl-14-online- What-followed-sicken-you.html [Accessed August 2,2011]
51. Even before the creation of SNSs, chat rooms presented similar dangers and resulted in similar calls for covert police action. See http://www.childnet- int.org/downloads/onIine-grooming.pdf [Accessed August 2,2011].
52. See N. Haralambous and M. Johnson, "Facebook-Friend or Foe?" (2010) 174(31) C.L. & J. 469 for discussion of potential criminal liability of the poster and host. On the latter,
53. See investigations and arrests of Craig Lynch (http://news.bbc.co.Uk/I/ hi/england/suffoik/8456182.stm)
54. Pasquale Manfredi (http://news.bbc.co.Uk/l/hi/wortd/europe/8570796.stm) [Accessed August 2,2011].
55. "http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/01/l4/nz.facebookarrest/index.html [Accessed August 2,2011].
56. http://www.eff.org/files/fllenode/socialjtetwork/20100303-crim- socialnetworking.pdf at p.32. [Accessed August 2,2011].
57. See http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/security-management/2008/04/21/police- forces-facebook-app-raises-privacy-concerns-39389297/ [Accessed August 2,2011].
58. See Bmwn [2010] EWCA Crim 1203.
59. [2001] 1 Cr. App. R. (S) 38.
60. DPP v Bignell [ 1998] 1 Cr. App.R. 1
61. R. v Bow Street Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrate Ex p. United States (No. 2) [2000] 2 A.C. 216.
62. N. MacEwan, "The Computer Misuse Act 1990: lessons from its past and predictions for its future" [2008] Crim. L.R. 955,959.
63. O. Kerr, "Cybercrime's Scope: Interpreting 'Access' and 'Authorization' in Computer Misuse Statutes" (2003) 78 NYU L.R. 1596, 1643.
64. O. Kerr, "Cybercrime's Scope: Inteipreting 'Access' and 'Authorization' in Computer Misuse Statutes" (2003) 78 NYU L.R. 1596, 1644.
65. O. Kerr, "Cybercrime's Scope: Interpreting 'Access' and 'Authorization' in Computer Misuse Statutes" (2003) 78 NYU L.R. 1596, 1644.
66. US V Drew (2009) U.S. Dist. 259 F.R.D 449
67. See further, O. Kerr, "Vagueness Challenges to the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act" (2010) 94 Minn. L. Rev. 1561.
68. US V Drew (2009) U.S. Dist. 259 F.R.D 449,461.
69. US V Drew (2009) U.S. Dist. 259 F.R.D 449,467.
70. See US V Nosal No: 10-10038 (9th Cir.; April 28,2011).
71. See R. v Bow Street Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrate Ex p. United States (No. 2) [2000] 2 AC. 216.
72. B. Fitzpatrick, "Immunity from the law: Participation in Crime and the Scope of Liability" in R. Billingsley, Covert Human Intelligence Sources: The 'unlovely' Face of Police Work, (Hampshire: Waterside Press, 2009), p.58.
73. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/facebook/4359I51/ Potice-scour-Facebook-and-Bebo-for-criminals.html [Accessed August 2,2011],
74. A. Gillespie, "Regulation of Internet Surveillance" (2009) 4 E.H.R.L.R. 552,555. Emphasis added.
75. A. Gillespie, "Regulation of Internet Surveillance" (2009) 4 E.H.R.L.R. 552,556.
76. Peck V United Kingdom [2003] E.M.L.R. 15.
77. Rotaru v Romania (App. No. 28341/95) (2000) 8 B.H.R.C. at [43],
78. Segerstedt-Wiberg v Sweden (2007) 44 E.H.R.R. 2.
79. Segerstedt-Wiberg v Sweden (2007) 44 E.H.R.R. 2 at [71],
80. Supreme Court dicta support this, stating that although information may have been once public, "[a]s it recedes into the past, it becomes a part of the person's private life which must be respected." R. (on the application of on the application ofL) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2009] UKSC 3.
81. S v United Kingdom (2008) 48 E.H.R.R. 1169 at [67] and [121].
82. see A. Suterwalla, "Collection and Retention of Personal Data" in M. Colvin and J. Cooper, Human Rights in the Investigation and Prosecution of Crime. (Oxford: OUP, 2009), pp. 199-200.
83. See more recently, "Guidance on the Management of Police Information," 2nd edn (National Policing Improvement Agency, 2010) Available at: http://wwwacpo.police.uk/documents/information/2010/ 201004INFMOPI01.pdf[Accessed August 2,2011].
84. see P. Carey, Data Protection, 3rd edn (Oxford: OUP, 2009), pp. 19-21.
85. http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/libraiy/data-protection/ detailed-specialist-guides/personal-data-flowchart-vl-with-preface001.pdf,para. 3.2 [Accessed August 2,2011].
86. B. Emmerson, A. Ashworth and A.Macdonald, Human Rights and Criminal Justice, 2nd edn (London: Sweet and Maxwell, 2007), p.300.
87. The provisions on retention periods proposed in the Protection of Freedoms Bill relate only to biometric data such as DNA and fingerprints. See also R. (on the application of on the application of GC) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2011] UKSC 21.
88. Council of Europe, Discussion Paper "Cybercrime investigation and the protection of personal data and privacy" Prepared by Rob van den Hoven van Genderen, Version March 25,2008 p.33. Note further the EU Justice Commissioner's speech on the "right to be forgotten." Available at: http://europaeu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/lI/I83 [Accessed August 2,2011].
89. HMSO, Revised Code of Practice for Covert Surveillance and Property Interference (London:The Stationery Office, 2010), para.1.14.
90. See S. McKay, Covert Policing, (Oxford: OUP, 2011), para.5.24.
91. HMSO, Revised Code of Practice for Covert Surveillance and Property Interference (London:The Stationery Office, 2010), para. 1.15.
92. HMSO, Revised Code of Practice for Covert Surveillance and Property Interference (London:The Stationery Office, 2010), paras 2.4-2.5.
93. R. (on the application of Wood) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2009] EWCA Civ 414.
94. R. (on the application of Wood) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2009] EWCA Civ 414 at [22].
95. R. (on the application of Wood) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2009] EWCA Civ 414 at [35],
96. Malone v United Kingdom (1985) 7 E.H.R.R. 14 at [67]
97. Romano v Steelcase (2010) WL 3703242 (N.Y.S.2d).
98. Murphy v Perger (2007) WL 5354848 (ON S.C.).
99. Per Lord Hope in Campbell v Mirror Group Newspapers Ltd [2004] UKHL 22 at [ 122].
100. S v United Kingdom (2008) 48 E.H.R.R. 1169 at [67].
101. In R. (on the application of Wood) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2009] EWCA Civ 414.
102. HMSO, Revised Code of Practice for Covert Surveillance and Property Interference (London: The Stationary Office) at para.2.6.
103. C v Police and Secretary of State (2006) IPT/03/32/H at [59].
104. A. Gillespie, "Regulation of Internet Surveillance" (2009) 4 E.H.R.L.R. 552,557.
105. A. Hopkins, "Surveillance and Covert Human Intelligence Sources: The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 PT IF' in M. Colvin and J. Cooper, Human Rights in the Investigation and Prosecution of Crime. (Oxford: OUP, 2009), p.94.
106. A. Gillespie, "Regulation of Internet Surveillance" (2009) 4 E.H.R.L.R. 552,557.
107. Rosenburg [2006] EWCA Crim 6; [2006] Crim. L.R. 540.
108. Rosenburg [2006] EWCA Crim 6 at [19]-[21].
109. See S. McKay, Covert Policing, (Oxford: OUP, 2011), para.5.35.
110. R. (on the application of Wood) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2009] EWCA Civ 414; [2010] 1 W.L.R. 123 at [100].
111. http://www.timesonIine.co.uk/toI/newsAvorld/europe/articie4560908.ece [Accessed August 2,2011].
112. See A. Gillespie, "Cyber-Stings: Policing Sex Offences on the Internet" (2008) 81(3) Police Journal 196.
113. A. Gillespie, "Regulation of Internet Surveillance" (2009) 4 E.H.R.L.R. 552,564.
114. A. Gillespie, "Regulation of Internet Surveillance" (2009) 4 E.H.R.L.R. 552, 563.
115. See S v United Kingdom (2008) 48 E.H.R.R. 1169 at [66].
116. PG v The United Kingdom [2008] 46 E.H.R.R. 51 at [56].
117. Niemietz v Germany (1993) 16 E.H.R.R. 97 [29].
118. A. Gillespie, "Regulation of Internet Surveillance" (2009) 4 E.H.R.L.R. 552,564.
119. http://www.boston.eom/newsAocal/articles/2009/01/U/isJhis-lawman- yourJacebookJriend/?page=1 [Accessed August 2,2011].
120. see J. P. Semitsu, "From Facebook to Mug Shot: How the Dearth of Social Networking Privacy Rights Revolutionised Online Government Surveillance" (2011) 31 PACE L.R. 291,346.
121. http://badgerherald.com/news/2009/11/29/lajrosse-students-c.php? utm-source=feedburner&utm-medium=feed&utm:campaign=Feed: +BadgerHeraldNews+(The+Badger+Herald:+News) [Accessed August 2,2011].
122. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/03/01/darkmarket-founder-iailed/ [Accessed August 2,2011].
123. http://news.bbc.co.Uk/l/hi/uk/85396S0.stm [Accessed August 2,2011].
124. A. Ashworth "Should the Police be Allowed to use Deceptive Practices?" (1998) 114 L.Q.R. 108.
125. A. Gillespie, "Regulation of Internet Surveillance" (2009) 4 E.H.R.L.R. 552,564.
126. A. Gillespie, "Regulation of Internet Surveillance" (2009) 4 E.H.R.L.R. 552,564.
127. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us-and-americas/ article6875339.ece [Accessed August 2,2011].
128. http://www.qwghlm.co.uk/2009/12/14/facebooks-loosening-sense-of-privacy/ [Accessed August 2,2011].
129. HMSO, Covert Human Intelligence Sources, Revised Code of Practice (London: The Stationary Office, 2010) at para.2.19.
130. http://news.bbc.co.Uk/l/hi/england/merseyside/i0319053.stm [Accessed August 2,2011].
131. Pietrylo v Hillstone Restaurant Group, 2009 WL 3128420 (D.N.J. September 25,2009).
132. Pietrylo v Hillstone Restaurant Group, 2008 WL 6085437 (D.N.J. 25 July 2008)
133. See also Greater Manchester Police v Andrews [2011] EWHC 1966.
134. See HMSO, Covert Human Intelligence Sources, Revised Code of Practice (London: The Stationary Office 2010)atpara.5.10.
135. See HMSO, Covert Human Intelligence Sources Revised Code of Practice (London: The Stationary Office 2010) at para.3.8.
136. See HMSO, Covert Human Intelligence Sources, Revised Code of Practice (London: The Stationary Office, 2010)atpara.3.25.
137. R. (on the application ofNTL Group Ltd) v Ipswich Crown Court [20021 EWHC 1585 (Admin): 120031 0 B II at [19].
138. G' Smith In,ernet Law and Regulation, 4th edn (London: Sweet and Maxwell, 2007), p.413.
139. http:/www.out-law.com/default.aspx?page=U382 [Accessed August 2,2011].
140. Hansard HL col. 1422 (June 12,2000).
141. Hansard HL col. 1421 (June 12,2000). See further RIPA Explanatory Notes, para.29.
142. I. Walden and L. Woods, "Broadcasting Privacy" (2011) 3(1) Journal of Media Law 117,135.
143. See further EU art.29 Data Protection Working Party (DP WP), Opinion 15/2011 on the definition of consent(July 13,2011).
144. See A. Levin and P. Abril, "Two Notions of Privacy Online" (2009) 11 Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law 1001,1035.
145. See also http://www.ico.gov.Uk/~/media/documents/pressreleases/2009/SPBP- PRESSRELEASE.ashx [Accessed August 2,2011].
146. See generally C. Walker, Y. Akdeniz, "Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000: Part 1: BigBrother.gov.uk: State Surveillance in the Age of Information and Rights" [2001] Crim. L.R. 73.
147. M. Akehurst, "Jurisdiction in International Law" (1972-3) 46 British Yearbook of International Law 145,146
148. See HMSO, Covert Human Intelligence Sources, Revised Code of Practice (London: The Stationary Office, 2010) at paras 4.26-4.27.
149. Jones [2010] EWCA Crim 925; [2010] 2 Cr. App. R. 10 at [10].
150. See D. Ormerod, "ECHR and the Exclusion of Evidence: Trial Remedies for Article 8 Breaches?'[2003] Crim. L.R.61.
151. P. Bellia, "Chasing Bits across Borders" (2001) University of Chicago Legal Forum 35,78.
152. C. Ryngaert, Jurisdiction in International Law, (Oxford: OUP, 2008) at pp.35 and 34 respectively.
153. See Summary of Responses to the 2009 Consultation Paper: HMSO, Protecting the Public in a Changing Communications Environment, (HMSO, November 2009). Available at: http://www.parliament.uk/deposits/depositedpapers/2009/DEP2009- 2754.pdf (p.23) [Accessed August 2,2011]