Week in Review

The internet can be an invaluable work tool, providing ready access to information and resources essential to getting a job done. The internet can, however, also be a huge distraction, cutting into productivity both at and away from work. For instance, this week a study showed that “[f]or every minute that [we] spend lazing on the computer, Americans spend approximately 16 fewer seconds working, seven fewer seconds sleeping, six fewer seconds traveling, four fewer seconds doing household chores, and three fewer seconds educating themselves.” Spending time on the computer also means less time spent socializing offline. Nevertheless, due to the continued professional benefits of the internet, professional websites like LinkedIn continue to focus on expanding and building mobile access. Elsewhere this week, the European Union considered new data-protection laws and U.S. courts continued to consider the rights of employees who posts comments on Facebook.

Technology and the Workplace
Study: What You Would Be Doing If You Spent Less Time Online (Atlantic)
11th Cir. Upholds Facebook Discipline of Police Officer (Delaware Employment Blog)
Nearly half of employers investigate job applicants online (Employer Handbook)
LinkedIn tool shares user info on iPhone email (CBS)
No, artificial intelligence isn’t going to take all of our jobs (WashPost)

Technology and the Law
Critics condemn new EU data-protection legislation (BBC)
Law firm sued over claimed use of competitor’s name as Google AdWords (ABA)
U.S. proposes minimal corporate cybersecurity standards (Reuters)
Privacy Concerns Nix Sale of Online Dating Site (WSJ)
Senator Raises Questions About Protecting Student Data (NYTimes)

There's an App for That
LinkedIn: Our Future Is Mobile (Mashable)
Pinterest pins down $225 million in funding, valued at $3.8 billion (LATimes)
Microsoft Exec Calls Apple Apps 'Struggling' and 'Lightweight' (Mashable)
Google adds handwriting feature to Gmail, Docs (LATimes)
Facebook launches first video ads within its mobile apps (Guardian)