Current Affairs May 2014
Google agrees to provide ‘Right to be Forgotten’
Google has launched a service to allow Europeans to ask for personal data to be removed from online search results.
It will now be possible for Europeans to request Google for the removal of their personal data from online search results. The move comes after a landmark European Union court judgment in May 2014, which gave people the “Right to be Forgotten“.
What is the ‘Right to be Forgotten’?
Links to “irrelevant” and outdated data should be erased on request. It would assess each request and balance “privacy rights of the individual with the public’s right to know and distribute information“.
It is a latest term which came out of a ruling of a European Court which was adjudicating over a case in which a Spaniard named Mario Costeja Gonzalez had argued that some of his old personal information put up on the internet 16 years back continue to appear in search results even today which, according to him, damages his reputation. Around 16 years ago when he was facing financial difficulties he had put up a property of his for auction – the details of which were covered in a newspaper, which subsequently went online. The auction happened in 1998, and with those troubles now behind him, Mr Gonzalez now wants to move on. But the old details on internet still hound him. Whenever you search for his name, news about the auction still features prominently. He argued that it should be removed from Google’s search results. The Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union agreed with him, and in doing so set a major precedent over what is referred to as the “Right to be Forgotten“.
What next?
Following this ruling Google has made available ‘Right to be Forgotten’ Form which a person in EU can fill to request the search engine to prevent his/her unwanted personal information from appearing in the search results.The EU has been crusading for a new law on data privacy – of which “right to be forgotten” is a key component – since it proposed guidelines in January 2012. It argues that old, inaccurate or even just irrelevant data should be taken out of search results if the person involved requests it.
Does ‘Right to be Forgotten’ allows a person to request any of his information to be removed from the Internet?
No. Decisions on whether information should be removed from search engines depend “on the nature of the information in question and its sensitivity for the data subject’s private life and on the interest of the public in having that information, an interest which may vary, in particular, according to the role played by the data subject in public life”. It means the information would only be removed if the impact on the individual’s privacy is greater than the public’s right to find it.
As per guidelines, removal of information in the current context doesn’t mean deletion of information. They just wouldn’t appear in search results.
“Vitamin E” Beneficial or Harmful depends on its source
According to new research, certain forms of Vitamin A can be harmful for the lungs while certain other can be helpful in normal functioning of lungs. The research has found that a form of Vitamin E found in vegetable oils like Corn and Canola can harm lungs, while another form of the same vitamin found in Olive Oil can aid normal functioning of lungs. The scientists claimed that this could be one of the reasons why studies of the health effects of the vitamin have had given conflicting results so far.
Vitamin E exists in various forms called tocopherols and it is found in fats and oils. Supplements of the vitamin may contain a single type of tocopherol, or a mix. The study found that a form of the vitamin called ‘gamma tocophero’, which is found in corn, canola and soybean oils, are harmful for lungs.
The research suggests that consumers who use the vitamin and doctors who prescribe must be careful towards the source and formulation of the vitamin. It is sometimes mentioned on the labels of supplements, but not always.
Peter Mutharika takes oath as President of Malawi
After being victorious in the recently held presidential polls in Malawi, Peter Mutharika (74) was sworn in as the new President of the southern African country. He will replace outgoing President Joyce Banda.
Malawi (“The Warm Heart of Africa”)
Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It shares its boundaries with Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. Malawi is known as “The Warm Heart of Africa”.
Capital: Lilongwe
President: Joyce Banda
Currency: Malawian kwacha
Official language: English Language
Malawi is amongst the world’s least-developed countries. Malawi’s economy is highly dependent on agriculture, and majority of the population is rural. The government depends heavily on foreign aid to meet its development needs.
Army Chief endorsed as the new leader by Thai king
Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej (86) has backed the army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who captured power in a coup, to run Thailand.
Why is Thailand under military rule?
The political situation in Thailand has been restive for past few months. At present, the country is under junta rule (army rule) after army seized power in a recent coup. According to its Army, the military has taken control of the government and suspended the constitution in order to reinstate order and enact political reforms.
There has been agitation in the country with the opposition accusing the current democratically elected government of corruption and demanding its dissolution. The coup comes after months of surging tensions. The cabinet has been directed to report to the military and gatherings of more than five people have been prohibited.
Have there been coups before in Thialand?
Yes, this is the 12th military coup since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932. The last coup was witnessed in 2006, when then PM Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted by the army after he was accused of corruption. Many accuse the army of being kind to the cause of his opponents in the current anti-government drive.
What are the roots of the Thailand crisis?
The politics in Thailand is polarized with mostly rural, often poor, supporting Mr Thaksin, whereas, the urban middle class is against him.
Ever since Mr Thaksin’s regime was toppled in 2006, there have been regular protests. But in the past few years the focus has been on the current Thaksin-aligned Pheu Thai government.
The protests began to aggravate into violence in November 2013, after the lower house passed a controversial amnesty bill which, as per critics, could make possible Mr Thaksin’s return from exile without serving time in jail.
As per the anti-government camp, at least 28 people have died since then.
The situation exacerbated further in May 2014, after a controversial court judgment removed Mr Thaksin’s sister Yingluck from her position as Prime Minister, saying she had abused her power by illegally transferring the National Security Chief to another position.
