Data Protection and Apps: Article 29 Working Group Opinion

The European data protection authorities of the Article 29 Working Party have adopted an opinion addressing the key data protection risks of mobile apps. The  opinion details the specific obligations of app developers and all other parties involved in the development and distribution of apps under European data protection law. Other parties include app stores, advertising providers and Operating System and device manufacturers. Special attention is paid to apps targeting children. Free and informed consent of end users is essential for compliance with European data protection law.

The full opinion including obligations and recommendations can be found here.

Open Data Comes to Market

This report by Kieron O’Hara sumarises the discussion at the seminar 'Open Data Comes to Market: the Mysterious Case of the Disappearing Apps', which brought together developers, small businesses, government and other public sector officials to try to develop an understanding of what the ideal open data market would look like in the crime and criminal justice sector, in terms of the balances between public and private, small developers and large systems, and different ways of presenting data as accessible information.

Click here to read the report

Securing the Cloud

(Amcham China) By Michael Mudd

Michael Mudd (OCA Asia-Pacific Representative) sets out the benefits and uses of Cloud Computing in the April issue of China Amcham Magazine.

Click here to read the article.

UK G-Cloud v1 and the Impact on Cloud Contracts

This paper by Kuan Hon, Prof Christopher Millard and Prof Ian Walden, Queen Mary University of London, School of Law, describes and assesses the UK government's 2011-2012 pilot cloud computing framework, G-Cloud v1, including lessons learned, particularly contractual and other legal issues.

Click here to download the paper. 

Spotlight on IT: Going green with ICT

(Eco-Business) By Jenny Marusiak

Michael Mudd, the Hong Kong-based Asia Pacific representative for an industry association called the Open Computing Alliance, comments on the work that has been invested into turning data centres greener.

Click here to read the article.

G-Cloud programme to reveal 250 successful suppliers

(Business Cloud News)

The UK Government is expected to announce around 250 successful suppliers for its cloud computing procurement initiative, G-Cloud, a source close to the process has told Business Cloud News. An official announcement on winning bids is expected to be provided by Minister for the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude, on 13th February, next Monday.

Click here to read the article.

SOPA threatening to derail Irish cloud vision

(Business Cloud News) blog post by Ian Bergin, Cloud Evangelist

While SOPA has created plenty of exposure and led to much positive action in the US of late, Ireland still awaits a governmental ruling that could yet have a detrimental effect on the country’s bid to become a centre of cloud computing excellence (and a whole lot more). One of our guest bloggers, Ian Bergin, has been at the centre of the ‘Stop SOPA Ireland’ campaign, and explains why he thinks the potential ruling could prove so disastrous for his country's future online economy.

Click here to read the blog post.

Digital Commissioner announces ‘G-Cloud’ for Europe

(Business Cloud News)

The Digital Agenda Commissioner for Europe, Neelie Kroes, has announced that the European Commission will give €10m towards a new Cloud Computing Partnership, to try and help aid “flagging economies” on the continent.

Click here to read the article.

Andy Nelson appointed new UK Government CIO

(Business Cloud News)

Andy Nelson has been appointed the new CIO for UK Government, replacing Joe Harley who announced his retirement late last year. Nelson will retain his position as CIO for the Ministry of Justice alongside the new role, and will be closely involved with the current procurement process for the Government’s G-Cloud initiative.

Click here to read the article.