In fact, in this dotcom era, many activities could be illegal. They include improper hyperlinking, copying contents and framming in website designs; making electronic contracts; collecting and sending information concerning individuals; etc. But how many who are currently or would be involved in them actually know about them?
While the pace of change in information societies are so rapid, and products and services are pushed out so quickly and they are so often consumed in emotional or irrational ways, confusion experiences are being learnt in many countries, including advanced ones.
Whether the law-makers accept it or not, it is clear that laws relevant to information society activities cannot catch up with technological advances. This is indeed a dangerous situation which should be changed as soon as possible. We are talking about laws, not only ethics. We are talking about young people's possibility of getting criminal records and being put behind bars!
I think that at least some (if not all) law-makers need to renew themselves for responding better to technological changes. If even this way is not effective, slowing down technological advances to avoid legal traps should be better than giving opportunities to unethical people to trap and vitimise the general public.
What needs to be done in parallel is offering community education on information society changes and impacts, or called Information Society Education. However, whose responsibility is it, within or outside the Government, to play such role--to increase the community's awareness, to guide them to enter the information society and to reduce the number of victims? I have on different platforms asked this question for a number of years, but still have not got any clear answers. I have also made suggestions waiting for responses.
If you want to have more sharing, or have any
good insights and message to tell, please email me: clam@kamching.com
Charles Lam
August 2000