Internet Rules, Laws and Regulations

Internet Rules, Laws and Regulations
Many of us use the internet on a daily basis and the expectation of using the internet is that our research and information is private. The reasons why we have expectations of privacy are due to the rules, laws and regulations set forth in the past by cases involving the use of the internet. The case of Smyth v. Pillsbury Co., 914 F.Supp 97 is a prime example of internet use at work and the privacy expectations. The Communications Decency Act of 1996 criminalizes sending or displaying offensive messages on the internet less than 18 years of age. The Economic Espionage Act criminalizes the theft of confidential business information.
Internet Rules, Laws and Regulations
The case of Smyth v. Pillsbury Co., 914 F.Supp 97 (E.D. Pa. 1996) is a prime example of internet use and the privacy expectations we assume while at work. When an employee uses email at work that is a company email account, the expectations by the employer is that this email is used for professional use only and the expectations by the employee is that their emails are private and confidential. In the Smyth v. Pillsbury Co., 914 F.Supp 97 (E.D. Pa. 1996), Michael Smyth got fired for sending an email message threatening to harm fellow employees.
“He was terminated for inappropriate and unprofessional comments over defendant’s email system. Courts ruled that Pillsbury had the right to prevent unprofessional and illegal activity out-weighted any privacy interest of its employee in email comments.” (Rustad, 2009, p. 230)
At my work, I have often heard from Directors that the email is for company use only, but this is not a rule that is enforced. It always surprises me when coworkers send silly messages or add their work email for their personal use like shopping or receiving coupons. I believe that with the use of smart phones, it is unnecessary to use work emails and there would be less time wasted at work if the emails were monitored more.
The Communications Decency Act of 1996 criminalizes sending or displaying offensive messages on the internet under the age of eighteen.
Under Agency law, an employer is liable for the torts of its employees and agents if the tort is committed within the scope of their duties. This concept, known as "respondeat superior" or "let the master respond," imposes liability even if the employer is blameless.