The Office for Intellectual Freedom sponsors IFAction, an email list for those who would like updated information on news affecting intellectual freedom, censorship, privacy, access to information, and more. Click here to subscribe to this list. For an archive of all list postings since 1996, visit the IF Action archive. Below is a sample of articles from December 17-December 31, 2012.

We at OIF give a hearty welcome to our new OIF News intern, Bradley Compton, and another round of thanks to outgoing intern Erin Sommerfeld for all her help!

 

Privacy

FTC releases landmark update to child online privacy laws

Senate GOP objects to considering FISA bill, calls for vote on House version

Newspaper sparks outrage for publishing names, addresses of gun permit holders

When the cops subpoena your Facebook information, here’s what Facebook sends the cops

Q&A: Erasing Your Video-Viewing History

Schools help students scrub their digital footprint

 

Free Speech

Pundits And Politicans Very Quick To Blame Video Game & Movie Violence For Newtown

EFF Helps Freedom of the Press Foundation

Anonymous Plans to Form Human Shield to Protect Sandy Hook Funeral Goers From Westboro Baptist Church

North Carolina: Make Fun of a Teacher, Go to Jail

 

… there’s much more past the break!

Cybersecurity

Data breach requirement stays in conference defense authorization bill 

Obama likely to issue executive order on cybersecurity as early as January

 

Censorship

Google Music Self-Censoring Naughty Lyrics for Some Users

What’s ‘Just Right’ for the Young Reader?

University Utilizing Faulty Irony Detector Censors Flyer Protesting Its Censorship Policy

Should Piers Morgan Be Deported?

 

Access

E-book battles: Fighting for public library access to e-books helps publishers

Libraries And E-Lending: The ‘Wild West’ Of Digital Licensing?

Quick List Of Successes In Which Copyright Didn’t Matter

Anti-Piracy Company Seeks Patent On Automated Copyright Trolling

Slight Progress Made On Treaty To Help The Blind Not Get Screwed Over By Copyright

CFP: Libraries as a public good in 21st century multicultural societies: Policy and the politics of literacy, libraries and librarianship

Print Book Reading Wanes as E-reader Usage Surges

Behold: a future of print and digital reading

Copyfraud: Copyright Claims On CDs Say It’s Infringement To Loan Your CD To A Friend