A Norwegian Consumer Protection Agency has just won a three year legal battle with Apple.  Flush with success the Agency are now targeting Facebook, followed by Twitter, followed by LinkedIn, followed by …

The Agencies battle was specifically against Apples iTune, the online music store.  Following the intervention of the European Commission, Apple are required to change their DRM (Digital Rights Management) terms of reference.  The Agencies contention was that iTunes terms of reference were rarely read, rarely understood, and were not in line with even the most basic off-line contractual and privacy laws.  Essentially, Apple has no unilateral right to change the terms of reference at any time, and no unilaterally right to terminate a contract at any time.  Similarly, users had no right to know what information is stored about them, where it’s stored, and no right to correct wrongful on-line information stored about them on iTunes (e.g Data Protection Act)

The Agency, in preparing their case, conducted a year of research of the use of Social Media networks in Norway.  They found that some 96% of 15-30 year old are members of at least one Social Media network.  The also observed a 20% increase in the membership of Social Media networks by over 51 year olds.

Source:  Matthew Magee, Out-Law Radio (the podcast can be downloaded here).  Out-Law Radio is part of the International law firm, Pinsent Masons LLP.