MCOM 4003 - Alexis Rowland

The Freedom of Information Act serves as a resource for any individual to request records from any federal agency.  This is quite useful information to know. One does this through a FOIA request. These requests are then submitted into the specific agency's FOIA office. This can be done through fax, printed forms, e-mail, or through a web-form. Even though every citizen has the right to ask and receive information from a federal agency, sometimes Federal Agencies will not follow the law. In these circumstances, legal action will occur. Below are 2 very recent cases of when federal agencies allegedly (2nd case proven to be true, 1st case is still in legislation) did not follow the Freedom of Information Act.  1st Case: On Tuesday, April 26th, there was a lawsuit filed against the Michigan Development Economic Corporation. The law suit was filed because the Mackinac Center Legal foundation believed that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation was violating the Freedom of In...

Spyware  use violates supreme court privacy ruling. In 2021, there were allegations made about the Indian government using advanced spyware include any type of listening/recording devices to target activists or any enemies. The human rights watch later states that the authorities should places laws, regulations, and judicial reforms about international standards on "privacy and other civil liberties." In 2017, there was a digital rights case where the Indian supreme court had ruled that the right to privacy is a fundamental right underneath the Indian Constitution. The arguments that previous court cases had relied upon were arguments about public safety and national security arguments. India's supreme court ordered a panel of experts to investigate the prime minister along with his panel of experts.   The possible violation of  a citizen's right to privacy and free speech compelled the Chief Justice NV Ramana to seek out the truth in whether or not the government wa...

According to Dictionary.com,   misinformation is defined as "false or inaccurate information, especially that which is deliberately intended to deceive."   On Wednesday, April 6th, 2022, Pinterest banned the posting of false information about climate change. They stated that they would remove any posts containing information that denies the impacts/existence of climate change. Pinterest also stated that any posts about false solutions to climate change will be banned as well.  Pinterest also mentioned that they would remove any ads containing false information as well. If a person or ad continues to post false information about climate change, further punishment will be given depending on the case. Potential removal of their Pinterest accounts may occur. Pinterest in 2017 had already banned anti-vaccine and any conspiracy theories about political matters.  "We see so much misinformation because the platforms have no real interest in deterring it," explained the tech...