Computer crime law changes could violate freedom of expression: experts

[webfact]

Computer crime law changes could violate freedom of expression: experts

JUTHATHIP LUCKSANAWONG
THE NATION 

 

 

BANGKOK: -- HUMAN RIGHTS and international legal organisations yesterday voiced concerns over the new amendment to the Computer Crime Act, saying it could violate international standards, infringe on the right to expression and hamper digital economic growth.

 

The amendment, pending deliberation by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), will deter people's freedom of expression as it will be used to criminalise offences deemed to affect national security, Kanathip Thongraweewong, a data privacy and social media law specialist from St John University, said.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Computer-crime-law-changes-could-violate-freedom-o-30297559.html

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2016-10-13

[trogers]

When would personal liberty affects national security? Look into the content and intent...?

[tbthailand]

This is a horrible law in the first place (and from the 2006 Junta, btw) ... it is getting worse under this set of cronies... 

 

The amended Article 14 will criminalise people who post "false messages", a stipulation that Kanathip said was far too vague and could allow for broad interpretation. 

Bingo!

"The law's key objective is to suppress cybercrime such as computer fraud and phishing. Instead, it is being applied in defamation offences," the specialist said.
That was certainly the original intent...

He contended that the law focuses on content that might be deemed offensive, rather than action that is directly related to cybercrime and can be harmful to the Internet and computer systems. 

it is the same as with LM. The law is not about what you did and whether that was legal or not. The law is about how someone else feels about what you did/said... That is what makes it so useful for these clowns who created it.

The bill is also not in line with human rights instruments, which Thailand is obliged to follow as a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees people's right to expression,

of course it's not. No matter how often the junta pretends to "respect human rights", they don't ... 

He said the bill is among the "multiple examples" demonstrating that legal tools are being used to limit people's freedom of speech.
no surprise, ...

 

Also at the forum, some activists charged with breaking the Computer Crime Act, spoke of their plight, saying they had been treated unfairly due to the authorities' broad interpretation of the law. 

The accused included British migrant worker specialist Andy Hall, who is charged with defamation and violating the Act through allegedly offensive reports on migrant workers in the country.

 

Good luck, Andy... 

 

 

[jamesbrock]

2 minutes ago, tbthailand said:

This is a horrible law in the first place (and from the 2006 Junta, btw) ... it is getting worse under this set of cronies... 

 

The amended Article 14 will criminalise people who post "false messages", a stipulation that Kanathip said was far too vague and could allow for broad interpretation. 

Bingo!

"The law's key objective is to suppress cybercrime such as computer fraud and phishing. Instead, it is being applied in defamation offences," the specialist said.
That was certainly the original intent...

He contended that the law focuses on content that might be deemed offensive, rather than action that is directly related to cybercrime and can be harmful to the Internet and computer systems. 

it is the same as with LM. The law is not about what you did and whether that was legal or not. The law is about how someone else feels about what you did/said... That is what makes it so useful for these clowns who created it.

The bill is also not in line with human rights instruments, which Thailand is obliged to follow as a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees people's right to expression,

of course it's not. No matter how often the junta pretends to "respect human rights", they don't ... 

He said the bill is among the "multiple examples" demonstrating that legal tools are being used to limit people's freedom of speech.
no surprise, ...

 

Also at the forum, some activists charged with breaking the Computer Crime Act, spoke of their plight, saying they had been treated unfairly due to the authorities' broad interpretation of the law. 

The accused included British migrant worker specialist Andy Hall, who is charged with defamation and violating the Act through allegedly offensive reports on migrant workers in the country.

 

Good luck, Andy... 

 

Thanks! A very thorough review - saved me doing it myself as it's pretty much exactly what I would've written! 

[metisdead]

Please use discretion in your references to the government. Phrases which can be considered as anti-coup will be removed. Referring to Thailand or the government as a dictatorship, military dictatorship or other such terms will be removed. 

[Squeegee]

Well it's nice somebody noticed

 

but the junta are beyond caring about stuff like this.

[maoro2013]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

deemed to affect national security,

Who does the 'deeming' and is there any judicial oversight of this?

[yellowboat]

It is completely amazing that big strong men with guns are so a afraid of words, or of a three finger salute or the reading of 1984 in public.    The coup seems to have brought on all kinds of problems.  Perhaps is should not have happened. 

[Lupatria]

I especially like the word "could" in the headline. 

[elgordo38]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

HUMAN RIGHTS and international legal organisations yesterday voiced concerns over the new amendment to the Computer Crime Act, saying it could violate international standards, infringe on the right to expression and hamper digital economic growth.

Dah really. We are following in China's footsteps here if an international ruling or opinion does not agree with ours we just tell them to bugger off. I watched some of the follow the Silk Road shows on Channel Asia and its amazing the terrible things China is doing in these countries to give the a "hand up" Its strictly a hands in project Chinese hands in their pockets. 

[elgordo38]

4 hours ago, Squeegee said:

Well it's nice somebody noticed

 

but the junta are beyond caring about stuff like this.

Every country is being ruled by Junta's some just have more finesse than others. Like the Packman game your rights are being gobbled up nano by nano to be replaced by laws to "protect you" like "electronic currency is to protect you and cut down on illegal practices" BS. They want to control and take your money at the push of a button if their financial Pyramid schemes start to crumble. 

[TKDfella]

4 hours ago, yellowboat said:

It is completely amazing that big strong men with guns are so a afraid of words, or of a three finger salute or the reading of 1984 in public.    The coup seems to have brought on all kinds of problems.  Perhaps is should not have happened. 

The word is mightier than the 'sword'?

[jerojero]

Ah yes..... Suppress opinions and comments about government citing National Security. Soon everything becomes national security issue. Smoke screen for authoritarianism, plain and simple.

[jaltsc]

“…will deter people's freedom of expression…”

What freedom of expression? There appears to exist only the freedom to repeat government approved views. Absolutely true statements can be considered slander if they are critical of those in power.

[chrisinth]

IMO, suppression is the only word that describes what is happening here by its very definition:

'Forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority'

 

I am all for any computer crime act that will protect the general public against cyber crimes (in whatever form) and also protect the national interests of the country.

 

But instead of gagging the public viewpoint, listen to it and learn from it. Suppression will only lead to revolt given time.

[anon4637435435]

8 hours ago, metisdead said:

Please use discretion in your references to the government. Phrases which can be considered as anti-coup will be removed. Referring to Thailand or the government as a dictatorship, military dictatorship or other such terms will be removed. 

That says it all really....its already happened!.

Theres no hope unless the thai people soon realise it. The people couldnt careless it seems though.

Caring for countries regardless of how hard they make it for some farang is a trait of a farang. Thais live in a fairytale and have too. The reality is too disturbing. 

[ScotBkk]

“…will deter people's freedom of expression…”

What freedom of expression? There appears to exist only the freedom to repeat government approved views. Absolutely true statements can be considered slander if they are critical of those in power.

Freedom of expression is a myth
I'm surprised thaivisa is still running to be perfectly honest awaiting the day we're all thrown out the country for voicing our opinions


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[lvr181]

2 hours ago, ScotBkk said:

Freedom of expression is a myth
I'm surprised thaivisa is still running to be perfectly honest awaiting the day we're all thrown out the country for voicing our opinions


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And that would be  proof of another nail in the coffin of "freedom of expression", that will not be tolerated by the privileged who do not want to lose their grip on power. And democracy will come in a poor second place, unfortunately.

 

And where there is "war" (in this case, internally between political factions and the military) the first casualty is always the truth. 

[ScotBkk]

 
And that would be  proof of another nail in the coffin of "freedom of expression", that will not be tolerated by the privileged who do not want to lose their grip on power. And democracy will come in a poor second place, unfortunately.
 
And where there is "war" (in this case, internally between political factions and the military) the first casualty is always the truth. 

As it's been expressed many times. Democracy has been bestowed on its people by the Junta. As long as you do what your told - or else !!!


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