It’s official. In California, you may now eat, read, or even sleep while driving to work. That is, if you are riding in a self-driving car. On Tuesday, the California governor signed a law that permits and regulates the driving of autonomous cars on California roads. While some may be skeptical, Google co-founder Sergey Brin touts these cars as improving transportation safety, increasing mobility of persons with disabilities, and making commutes more productive. He expressed hopes that these cars will be on the roads in less than five years.
On the other side of the country, states are attempting to regulate the more problematic uses of technology. In New Jersey, the Senate committee released its version of a Facebook-privacy law, which would prohibit employers from asking employees for their social media login information. Additionally, South Carolina has passed the School Violence Protection Law of 2012, which criminalizes student cyberbullying of teachers. While other states may have criminal laws that protect students from cyberbullying, South Carolina is the first state to extend that protection to teachers.
Technology and the Workplace
NJ Facebook Privacy Law Moves Ahead (DE Employment Law Blog) (NJ Biz)
State Tort and CFAA Claims Survive Motion to Dismiss OH Employee Cyberhacking Case (Employer Law Report)
NLRB Judge Shoots Down “Chilling” Social Media Policy (Law 360)
Find My iPad App Finds Thieving Flight Attendant (NBC)
140 Characters of Risk: Some CEOs Fear Twitter (WSJ)
Technology and the Law
Rent-to-Own Laptops Used to Spy on People Having Sex, FTC Says (FOX) (ABA Journal)
Driverless Cars Get Green Light in CA (San Francisco Chronicle) (CNN)
Cyberbulling Law Protects Teachers from Students (NBC)
There’s an App for That
How Smartphones are the New Wingman (CNN)
Need a Ride? Find One With Your Smartphone (WSJ)
MN Uses iPad Gambling to Help Fund New NFL Stadium (NPR)
Thanks to the Cool New Crowd-Sourcing Website, Now You Can Help Prevent Bogus Patents (Above the Law)