How does Technology Affect the Law, How does the Law Affect Technology - Research Paper Example

XXXX XXXX XXXX Technology and Law Technological advancements have created and changed life for many decades by providing humanity with efficiency incommunication, transportation and entertainment. The invention of radio and telephone in the early 1900s had ushered a new era of communication. Along with the technological advancements, laws have also been promulgated to control the abuse of technology. From the refrigerator to the internet, technologies have been beneficial to humanity but have also forced governments to change or create new laws.

Cell phones are carried around everywhere by just about everyone today. They have become a staple need in our daily lives and even provide entertainment for a boring day at work. Cell phones, as handy as they may be, can cause distractions which provide the opportunity to end the carrier’s life and even those around them. On July 1st, 2008, California State passed a law banning the use of wireless phones while operating a motorized vehicle. In the United States, cell phones cause about 2,600 deaths and 330,000 mobile phone related injuries per year ( livescience.com. 2005).

With the new law in effect, it will help prevent the use of mobile phones while driving and hopefully cause less deaths and injuries.On the conservationist front, the Californian government is proposing to ban the usage and sales of large screen television sets. In a report by wired.com, by January 1, 2011, California’s television size limit will reduce to 0.156* Screen Area (sq. in.) + 80 and 0.12* Screen Area (sq. in.) + 25 in 2013. This stand is to help reduce energy consumption and promote energy conservation in California and will reduce energy costs by 49%.

Other electrical appliances to have been regulated by the government include air conditioners, and even refrigerators. Facebook, a popular website used by millions world-wide, has caused even the Canadian government to change its plans. On December 7th, 2007, an internet law professor, Micheal Geist created a group in Facebook informing Canadians of their government’s plans of a copy write reformation. BBC news ( 2007) reported that in just two weeks over 30,000 members had joined the group.

In fact, many members contacted the Canadian government on the issue. The Canadian Industry Minister, Jim Prentice, decided to delay the reformation. This was proof to many organizations that technological mediums cannot be ignored. With ever-changing technologies, the law may be too slow to keep it in check. Although decades of law enforcement for technology beginning from the Radio Act of 1912 ( which banned wiretapping) to the recent FISA amendment Act in 2008, still, human behavior is the hardest thing to regulate.

A classic example would be the internet which provides a broad field for both positive and negative environments. The internet can unite people under a common cause and provide needed information. But what happens underground? The internet is filled with scammers, hackers, pirates, and pornography. There are laws that outlaw associated behaviors and acts but ineffective to a certain degree. The First Amendment still protects people’s privacy. As long as technology advances, people would find ways to tamper technology and use it for illicit, subversive or even criminal purposes.

The challenge for the governments of this world would be creating laws that would minimize if not prevent technology in becoming a menace to society.Works Cited PageBritt, R. (Feb. 1, 2005). Drivers On Cell Phones Kill Thousands, Snarl Traffic. Retrieved on 3 Dec 2009 from http://www.livescience.com /technology /050201_ cell_ danger.html Fermoso, J. (March 29, 2009) California Proposes Ban on Energy Hogging TVs Starting in 2011.Retrieved on 5 Dec 2009 from http://www.wired.com /gadgetlab /2009/03/california-tvGeist, Micheal (December 18, 2007) Power of Facebook Affects Law.

Retrieved on 2 Dec 2009 from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/ 7149588.stm