October 2015 – Duane Morris TechLaw

October 28, 2015 by Eric J. Sinrod

Government Censorship of Internet Speech

Here in the United States, we like to think that we can speak openly and freely on practically any subject while on the Internet. But is that universally true across the globe? Not necessarily!

Indeed, headlines have made clear that certain governments are intent on blocking Internet speech when it is in the interest of those who are in power but not necessarily when it is in the interest of some members of the citizens in those countries.
Continue reading “Government Censorship of Internet Speech”

October 21, 2015January 12, 2016 by Eric J. Sinrod

Hawking: Artificial Intelligence a Threat to Humans

Homo Sapiens are the most successful human species, so far. Homo Sapiens have thrived in the wake of the disappearance of prior human species like Neanderthals (although we do have some trace Neanderthal DNA from prior inter-breeding). And Homo Sapiens, of course, have greatly surpassed the abilities of other ape species. Need an example? Just take a look at all the recent tech trends for law firms of the future.

But are Homo Sapiens threatened to be left in the dust by another form of being here on Planet Earth? The answer is “yes,” according to none other than Stephen Hawking. And what’s more, Hawking says that we are threatened by our own creation — Artificial Intelligence (AI).

In his recent Reddit AMA, as reported by Tech Insider, Hawking has explained that Artificial Intelligence ultimately will become smarter than and a threat to Homo Sapiens, the current human race.
Continue reading “Hawking: Artificial Intelligence a Threat to Humans”

October 7, 2015 by Eric J. Sinrod

Rating People 1 to 5 Stars on Peeple App — Yikes!

By now, most of us have grown accustomed to rating products on Amazon or services on Yelp, one to five stars. You might like knowing that the book you are thinking of buying on Amazon has been overwhelming rated five stars with many positive substantive reviews. And it might be helpful to learn that you probably should avoid a restaurant you were considering when most Yelp postings give only one or two stars with comments that tell you explicitly why you should go elsewhere. BUT . . .

How about websites that seek to review human beings in the same fashion as sites that address products and services???

Well, go no further. Coming this fall is an app called Peeple. The mission of Peeple, as stated on its site, is to provide “an app that allows you to rate and comment about the people you interact with in your daily lives on the following three categories: personal, professional, and dating.” The purpose of such ratings and comments supposedly is to “enhance your online reputation for access to better quality networks, top job opportunities, and promote more informed decision making about people.”

Continue reading “Rating People 1 to 5 Stars on Peeple App — Yikes!”