[Fsuk-manchester] New and emerging laws affecting computer freedom life - Post Brexit (RE: [ORG Manchester] Reminder: MFS Meeting. (at PLANT NOMA) Tue, 19 June. "New and emerging laws affecting computer freedom")

[Gary Peart]

Hi Everyone,

I'm just following up on the MFS meeting on last week (Yes, I know the response 
is rather late, but I’ve been rather busy since the meeting!).

It was certainly an interesting meeting with good discussion on some of the 
issues emerging with new laws that could affect digital rights.  Obviously, the 
recent vote by the EU Legislative committee in favour of updating EU Copyright 
law to cover the digital single market was discussed, given this legislation 
could have serious implications for the way the internet functions.  
Unfortunately, digital rights and civil liberties groups etc. have been 
ineffective in getting changes to the proposed directive and as someone who has 
dealt in chemical regulation field for many years and perhaps has a more 
detailed knowledge than many people of how decision making in the EU functions, 
I am not surprised at the lack of any progress.

Whatever the reasons for our lack of impact on the EU Copyright Directive I 
can’t help thinking we are missing a key point which is that we will soon be 
leaving the EU and therefore what actually happens in the EU is of limited 
importance to us.  We need to start focusing on a “Digital Freedoms Brexit 
Dividend” and aim to influence more in the UK so that issues such as the 
copyright directive are projected higher up the political priorities list and 
are dealt with by the UK parliament. 

Of course the UK government itself does not have a good record with regard to 
digital freedoms or protecting citizens for mass surveillance and on this basis 
we could be in a worse position post-Brexit; however, we are also in a position 
to have more influence on the processes that lead to legislation.    For 
example UK MPs may have limited powers but they are considerably more powerful 
than EU MEPs so writing to our MPs has real influencing value.   Also it is 
easier to be heard in the political system versus the EU megalith so our 
limited resources can go further.

I hope you appreciate my thoughts.

Cheers

Gary




-----Original Message-----
From: org-manchester [mailto:address@hidden On Behalf Of Michael Dorrington
Sent: 18 June 2018 18:18
To: Manchester Free Software; Open Rights Group (ORG) Manchester
Cc: Free Software and the United Kingdom
Subject: [ORG Manchester] Reminder: MFS Meeting. (at PLANT NOMA) Tue, 19 June. 
"New and emerging laws affecting computer freedom"

Location: PLANT NOMA
Reminder that the meeting is tomorrow (Tuesday) 7pm at PLANT NOMA.

On 13/06/18 08:55, Michael Dorrington wrote:
> Note the new location of PLANT NOMA on Dantzic Street, not the old 
> location of the original Madlab.  Future meetings are also at PLANT NOMA.
> 
> Please feel free to forward this to those that would welcome it.
> 
> You can subscribe to the Manchester Free Software mailing list at:
> https://lists.nongnu.org/mailman/listinfo/fsuk-manchester
> 
> * Event: Manchester Free Software's June Meeting
> 
> * Talk: New and emerging laws affecting computer freedom
> * Speaker: John Rooke, Michael Dorrington and others
> 
> * Date: Tuesday, 19th June 2018 (3rd Tuesday of the month)
> * Start time: 19:00
> * Finish time: 20:30 (social in PLANT NOMA until 21:00)
> 
> * Location: PLANT NOMA
>   -
> https://madlab.org.uk/2018/04/madlab-and-plant-noma-announce-new-collaboration/
>   - https://www.plantnoma.com/
> * Address: Redfern, Dantzic Street, NOMA, M60 0AE.
>   - Near Shudehill Interchange and not far from original Madlab.
>   - https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=19/53.48668/-2.23934
> 
> 
> == Details ==
> 
> The purpose of Manchester Free Software is to promote the Free 
> Software philosophy.
> 
> Every meeting we start with an opportunity for informal key signing.
> For an explanation of what this is about see:
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_signing_party
> 
> 
> === Talk ===
> 
> The main part of the meeting will be a mixture of talks and 
> discussions on the topic.  The conclusions will be written up and 
> submitted to the Open Rights Group (ORG) and others.
> 
> The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has recently come into 
> force and there are other developing laws affecting computer freedom.
> Given this we are bringing people together in order to inform and to 
> explore the issues.
> 
> The talks and discussions will cover:
> 
> * General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
> * Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018)
> * Digital Single Market including copyright reform
> * Data slurping and data analytics
> * Affect on small businesses, small groups and individuals
> 
> More information:
> 
> * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Data_Protection_Regulation
> * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_Protection_Act_2018
> * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Single_Market
> 
> If you have experience of laws affecting computer freedom such as GDPR 
> then please consider giving a lightning talk at the meeting.
> 
> There will also be a small update on Michael Dorrington's experience 
> with GNU Guix (pronounced "geeks"); following on from last month's MFS 
> meeting.
> 
> 
> == Event Planning ==
> 
> Software Freedom Day in Manchester 2018 is on Saturday, 15th September.
> 
> * https://www.softwarefreedomday.org/
> 
> 
> == After-meeting ==
> 
> The formal meeting will be followed by informal discussion and 
> socialising in PLANT NOMA.
> 
> 
> == Location ==
> 
> The meeting will take place at PLANT NOMA, details above.
> 
> 
> == Transport ==
> 
> 
> === Parking ===
> 
> Around the venue there are parking meter bays that become zero cost 
> after 8pm on Tuesday so you will have to pay up until then and the 
> maximum stay is 2 hours BUT MAKE SURE YOU VERIFY ALL THIS on parking.
> 
> There are paid parking lots around the venue, they are marked by a 
> blue P in this OpenStreetMap centred on PLANT NOMA 
> <https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=15/53.48668/-2.23934>.  Most of 
> those parking lots are owned by NCP <http://www.ncp.co.uk/>.
> 
> If you can't decide otherwise then park in Manchester Arndale 
> <https://www.manchesterarndale.com/visiting/directions>.
> 
> 
> === Public Transport ===
> 
> Manchester Victoria (MCV) train station, Shudehill tram and bus 
> station, and Manchester Piccadilly bus station are all fairly close to 
> PLANT NOMA, see OpenStreetMap centred on PLANT NOMA 
> <https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=15/53.48668/-2.23934>.
> 
> Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) train station and Manchester Central Coach 
> Station are not too far away either.
> 
> 
> == More Information ==
> 
> Information about Manchester Free Software can be found on the 
> Manchester Free Software pages on LibrePlanet 
> <https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Manchester>.
> 
> Regards,
> Mike.
> MFS Chair.
> 


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