Stories by Loek Essers

German privacy regulator orders Facebook to end its real name policy

A German privacy regulator ordered Facebook to stop enforcing its real name policy because it violates a German law that gives users the right to use nicknames online.

Google Maps for iPhone violates European data protection law, German watchdog says

When users install Google Maps on their iPhone, the option to share location data with Google is switched on by default. By doing this, Google violates European data protection law, according to a German data protection watchdog.

Mobile payments startup iZettle expands to Spain

Swedish mobile payments startup iZettle has expanded its territory to Spain, and is now available in seven European markets.

Belgian news publishers settle copyright dispute with Google

Belgian French-language news publishers settled a copyright dispute with Google, agreeing to promote each others services while Google will pay all legal fees.

Computer technology tops list of worldwide patent applications

Computer technology accounted for more patent applications in recent years than any other industry sector tracked by the World Intellectual Property Organization, although the number of digital communication patent applications grew faster. Industrial design registrations are also growing -- and while Apple aggressively asserts its design rights in courtrooms, it does not file the most applications for such rights.

New EU-wide patent system approved by the European Parliament

The European Parliament has voted to create a pan-European patent system with the goal of making it cheaper and simpler to obtain patents.

Pirate Bay co-founder's detention restrictions eased

Pirate Bay co-founder Gottfrid Svartholm Warg's remains in a Swedish jail but is no longer detained with restrictions and can communicate with others without the consent of a prosecutor.

Facebook sued over App Center data sharing in Germany

German consumer organizations are suing Facebook because the social network keeps sharing personal data with third-party app makers without getting explicit consent from users.

US Congress passes another resolution opposing UN Internet takeover

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution urging the U.S. government not to give the United Nations' International Telecommunication Union (ITU) control over the Internet.

Irish data protection watchdog faces legal challenge over Facebook privacy audit

Privacy campaign group Europe vs. Facebook has threatened to take the Irish Data Protection Commissioner to court if it is not satisfied with the DPC's final responses to its 22 complaints about Facebook's privacy policies, and appealed for donations to cover the costs of such an action.

Ericsson wants US import ban on Samsung products

Just a few days after Ericsson filed several patent-infringement lawsuits against Samsung in the U.S., the Swedish mobile phone company also filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), asking for an import ban of a wide range of Samsung products, including the Galaxy S III and the Galaxy Note.

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