Latest news with #DLC
IOL News
2 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
High Court's urgent order to Meta: Shut down child pornography accounts
Meta was ordered by the court to shut down child pornographic accounts. Image: Supplied While the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, on Monday evening ordered Meta to shut down several anonymous Instagram accounts and WhatsApp channels which are distributing explicit child pornography depicting South African school children, this had not yet been done by Tuesday afternoon. Judge Mudunwazi Makamu also ruled that Meta had to, before noon Tuesday, furnish The Digital Law Company (DLC) with all information in its possession pertaining to the creator(s) of the WhatsApp channels and Instagram profiles listed in the urgent application. Rorke Wilson of the DLC on Tuesday said as the matter was heard on Monday evening, the deadline for Meta to shut down the accounts and channels was set to be midnight on Monday. 'However, Meta has not complied with any of the demands and all the deadlines have passed,' Wilson said, adding that they are now contemplating next steps. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The DLC turned to court on an extremely urgent basis, which was not opposed, when it became aware of the explicit content involving children on Instagram and WhatsApp. Emma Sadleir Berkowitz, social media law expert and the founder of DLC, said in an affidavit that DLC was made aware of some social media accounts depicting shocking material relating to children on Friday. Wilson, meanwhile, had already been dealing with complaints from victims depicted on three other platforms the day before, which related to pupils of schools in Pretoria and Centurion. Upon investigation, the shocking nature of these posts became clear, as they involve the mass distribution of unlawful material involving children to large unidentified audiences who are members of so-called WhatsApp 'community channels', as well as Instagram profiles, Sadleir said. 'The content consists of explicit pornographic images and videos depicting children. The images and videos are often accompanied by other information relating to the individual child depicted, including their name, grade, school, as well as lewd or otherwise offensive descriptions relating to the individual's purported behaviour,' she stated in her affidavit. The material is sourced from the community by sharing links to an anonymous uploading service. Sadleir said that the creator and operator of the Instagram profiles and WhatsApp channels appears to be the same person, using many aliases. From time to time, it appears that Meta administrators will delete or block some of the pages and channels. However, not long after, the same page or channel becomes active again, or another channel crops up replicating the previous one, she explained. These disturbing postings include graphic child pornography and allegations of children being HIV positive – all while identifying children and schools. DLC, however, rushed to court late on Monday when a live WhatsApp channel with more than 11 000 followers threatened to publish pornographic material as well as the private information of children at 8pm on Monday. Sadleir said a letter of demand was sent to Meta and its officials, requiring that they delete the channels and profiles, and provide DLC with information that will assist in identifying the perpetrator. 'Receipt has been acknowledged, but no meaningful action has been taken,' she said. 'At this stage, it is impossible to identify exactly which children will be affected by the anticipated upload at 8pm, but given the tenor of the message shared by the anonymous user – the harmful effects will be widespread and irreparable,' she told the court. She also told the court that DLC has received reports that girls are being placed on suicide watch after being featured on the channels. 'If we are furnished with the information of the user behind these Instagram and WhatsApp accounts, it will enable us to take appropriate legal steps, such as obtaining a protection order or interdict against this individual,' Sadleir said. Cape Times
IOL News
19 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
Gauteng High Court orders Meta to shut down child pornographic accounts on Instagram and WhatsApp
Meta was ordered by the court to shut down child pornographic accounts. Image: File While the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, on Monday evening ordered Meta to shut down several anonymous Instagram accounts and WhatsApp channels, which are distributing explicit child pornography depicting South African school children, this has not yet been done by early Tuesday afternoon. Judge Mudunwazi Makamu also ruled that Meta had to, before noon on Tuesday, furnish The Digital Law Company (DLC) with all information in its possession pertaining to the creator(s) of the WhatsApp channels and Instagram profiles listed in the urgent application. Rorke Wilson of The Digital Law Company on Tuesday said as the matter was heard on Monday evening, the deadline for Meta to shut down the accounts and channels was set to be midnight on Monday. 'However, Meta has not complied with any of the demands and all the deadlines have passed,' Wilson said, adding that they are now contemplating next steps. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The Digital Law Company turned to court on an extremely urgent basis, which was not opposed, when it became aware of the explicit content involving children on Instagram and WhatsApp. Emma Sadleir Berkowitz, social media law expert and the founder of The Digital Law Company , said in an affidavit that DLC was made aware of some social media accounts depicting shocking material relating to children on Friday. Wilson, meanwhile, had already been dealing with complaints from victims depicted on three other platforms the day before, which related to pupils of schools in Pretoria and Centurion. Upon investigation, the shocking nature of these posts became clear, as they involve the mass distribution of unlawful material involving children to large unidentified audiences who are members of so-called WhatsApp 'community channels', as well as Instagram profiles, Sadleir said. 'The content consists of explicit pornographic images and videos depicting children. The images and videos are often accompanied by other information relating to the individual child depicted, including their name, grade, school, as well as lewd or otherwise offensive descriptions relating to the individual's purported behaviour,' she stated in her affidavit. The material is sourced from the community by sharing links to an anonymous uploading service. Sadleir said that the creator and operator of the Instagram profiles and WhatsApp channels appears to be the same person, using many aliases. From time to time, it appears that Meta administrators will delete or block some of the pages and channels. However, not long after, the same page or channel becomes active again, or another channel crops up replicating the previous one, she explained. These disturbing postings include graphic child pornography and allegations of children being HIV positive – all while identifying children and schools. DLC, however, rushed to court late on Monday when a live WhatsApp channel with more than 11,000 followers threatened to publish pornographic material as well as the private information of children at 8pm on Monday (July 14). Sadleir said a letter of demand was sent to Meta and its officials, requiring that they delete the channels and profiles, and provide DLC with information that will assist in identifying the perpetrator. 'Receipt has been acknowledged, but no meaningful action has been taken,' she said. 'At this stage, it is impossible to identify exactly which children will be affected by the anticipated upload at 20h00, but given the tenor of the message shared by the anonymous user – the harmful effects will be widespread and irreparable,' she told the court. She also told the court that DLC has received reports that girls are being placed on suicide watch after being featured on the channels. 'If we are furnished with the information of the user behind these Instagram and WhatsApp accounts, it will enable us to take appropriate legal steps, such as obtaining a protection order or interdict against this individual,' Sadleir said. As the matter was unopposed, Meta did not file any opposing papers.
1News
07-07-2025
- Business
- 1News
South Auckland grocery store loses right to sell alcohol
A store in south Auckland has lost its right to sell alcohol after their efforts to pass itself off as a grocery store was rejected, in a precedent-setting case. McLennan Grocery Store, at Swamp Kauri Grove in Papakura, was recently granted an off-licence in March by the Auckland District Licensing Committee (ADLC). However, after an appeal led by Auckland councillor Angela Dalton with the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA), the off-licence was denied. The appeal focused on whether the shop met the statutory definition of a grocery store under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act. According to section 33 of the Act, a grocery shop was defined as a premises that emphasised the sale of food products as the principal business, and characteristics normally associated with grocery shops. ADVERTISEMENT Under the Act, a convenience store wasn't permitted to sell alcohol. Communities Against Alcohol Harm secretary Dr Grant Hewison said ARLA's decision will now set a precedent for future off-license applications on grocery and convenience stores. "This decision will be welcomed by many in the Papakura community," Hewison said. "It's encouraging to see ARLA taking a firm stance on the difference between convenience stores and grocery stores to avoid alcohol being sold from convenience stores," Hewison said. He said convenience stores were often located right in the centre of residential communities and were intended to be convenient. Parliament made it clear in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act that liquor shouldn't be sold from 'convenience' stores, Hewison said. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including deadly Texas floods, Australian woman attacked by a lion, and Elon Musk's new political party. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT The off-licence application Baj Holdings Limited applied for a new off-licence with the DLC, for McLennan Grocery Store September 3, 2024. The shop was formerly known as McLennan Convenience Store. The applicant stated the primary business was food sales and agreed to conditions such as alcohol sales only until 8pm. The medical officer had initially opposed the application but withdrew after viewing photos showing an increase in the range of food and groceries sold, and introduction of shopping baskets, after an earlier visit. With no opposition from key agencies, and six public objectors related to alcohol-related harm, the application was granted on March 11. DLC concluded the application met the object of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, the company was suitable, the application was consistent with the Local Alcohol Policy, and the proposed hours, design, and other goods sold were appropriate. The appeal ADVERTISEMENT In June, councillor Dalton filed an appeal with ARLA, against the District Licensing Committee's decision for McLennan Grocery Store. Her appeal was focused on whether the premises met the statutory definition of a grocery store under the Act, and the object of the Act. In its own inspection, ARLA found the shop was not what people would consider patronising to shop for grocery items, but more to pick up items they were running out of, therefore characterising the shop as a 'convenience store'. The entrance of the shop did not suggest it was a grocery store, other than the amended signage from McLennan Convenience Store to McLennan Grocery Store. There was a large sign outside and inside with prices assigned to various goods. ARLA found none of the items listed suggested the store had as its principal business the sale of food products. They found it concerning there was limited space given on the limited range of food products like bread, fresh fruit, vegetables and fresh meat. However, greater prominence was given to other aspects of the business — drinks and takeaways. ADVERTISEMENT The premises had a vape store, which ARLA said was more easily aligned with a convenience store than a grocery store, and that there were only two baskets available for shoppers to use to load goods, which was also inconsistent with a grocery store. "For these reasons we consider that the appeal must succeed as we do not consider that these premises meet the requirements of a grocery store," ARLA said in its decision. "The shop certainly had aspects that could be attributed to those expected of a grocery store, but those aspects appeared to be secondary to other aspects of the business that appeared to us to be correctly and appropriately those of a convenience store." LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
06-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
South Auckland Grocery Store Loses Right To Sell Alcohol
A store in south Auckland has lost its right to sell alcohol after their efforts to pass itself off as a grocery store was rejected, in a precedent-setting case. McLennan Grocery Store, at Swamp Kauri Grove in Papakura, was recently granted an off-licence in March by the Auckland District Licensing Committee (ADLC). However, after an appeal led by Auckland councillor Angela Dalton with the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA), the off-licence was denied. The appeal focused on whether the shop met the statutory definition of a grocery store under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act. According to section 33 of the Act, a grocery shop was defined as a premises that emphasised the sale of food products as the principal business, and characteristics normally associated with grocery shops. Under the Act, a convenience store wasn't permitted to sell alcohol. Communities Against Alcohol Harm secretary Dr Grant Hewison said ARLA's decision will now set a precedent for future off-license applications on grocery and convenience stores. 'This decision will be welcomed by many in the Papakura community," Hewison said. 'It's encouraging to see ARLA taking a firm stance on the difference between convenience stores and grocery stores to avoid alcohol being sold from convenience stores," Hewison said. He said convenience stores were often located right in the centre of residential communities and were intended to be convenient. Parliament made it clear in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act that liquor shouldn't be sold from 'convenience' stores, Hewison said. The off-licence application Baj Holdings Limited applied for a new off-licence with the DLC, for McLennan Grocery Store September 3, 2024. The shop was formerly known as McLennan Convenience Store. The applicant stated the primary business was food sales, and agreed to conditions such as alcohol sales only until 8pm. The medical officer had initially opposed the application, but withdrew after viewing photos showing an increase in the range of food and groceries sold, and introduction of shopping baskets, after an earlier visit. With no opposition from key agencies, and six public objectors related to alcohol-related harm, the application was granted on March 11. DLC concluded the application met the object of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, the company was suitable, the application was consistent with the Local Alcohol Policy, and the proposed hours, design, and other goods sold were appropriate. The appeal In June, councillor Dalton filed an appeal with ARLA, against the District Licensing Committee's decision for McLennan Grocery Store. Her appeal was focused on whether the premises met the statutory definition of a grocery store under the Act, and the object of the Act. In its own inspection, ARLA found the shop was not what people would consider patronising to shop for grocery items, but more to pick up items they were running out of, therefore characterising the shop as a 'convenience store'. The entrance of the shop did not suggest it was a grocery store, other than the amended signage from McLennan Convenience Store to McLenann Grocery Store. There was a large sign outside and inside with prices assigned to various goods. ARLA found none of the items listed suggested the store had as its principal business the sale of food products. They found it concerning there was limited space given on the limited range of food products like bread, fresh fruit, vegetables and fresh meat. However, greater prominence was given to other aspects of the business - drinks and takeaways. The premises had a vape store, which ARLA said was more easily aligned with a convenience store than a grocery store, and that there were only two baskets available for shoppers to use to load goods, which was also inconsistent with a grocery store. "For these reasons we consider that the appeal must succeed as we do not consider that these premises meet the requirements of a grocery store," ARLA said in its decision. "The shop certainly had aspects that could be attributed to those expected of a grocery store but those aspects appeared to be secondary to other aspects of the business that appeared to us to be correctly and appropriately those of a convenience store." LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Hans India
05-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
Better transport facilities should be provided in forest areas: DC
Khanapur: Nirmal District Collector Abhilasha Abhinav has instructed officials to take steps to further improve transport and infrastructure facilities for the people of remote forest and tribal areas of the district. A District Level Forest Committee (DLC) meeting was held under the chairmanship of the District Collector at the Collectorate on Friday evening. Officers from the Forest, Revenue, R&B and Panchayat Raj departments attended the meeting. A total of 16 road projects were discussed in this meeting, out of which forest permissions were granted for 9 projects. The consideration of the remaining 7 projects was postponed due to the need to complete documentation and reports. Speaking on the occasion, the Collector said that priority should be given to the creation of infrastructure such as road connectivity, electricity and health services between villages while adhering to forest laws. Before undertaking projects, it was suggested that necessary maps and DPRs should be submitted comprehensively. She also said that steps have been taken to develop Maisam Pet village in Kadem mandal as a rehabilitation village. She added that the process of providing pattas for cultivation lands under the Mani Package and Forest Rights Act to each family has been started. The Collector ordered that basic facilities should be established in the rehabilitation village. Additional Collector Kishore Kumar, Forest Officers Nagini Bhanu, Revanth Chandra, RDO Ratna Kalyani, R&B EE Narsayya, Electricity Department SE Saliya Nayak, Tribal Welfare Officer Ambaji, AD SLR Sudarshan, tehsildars, officials, and others attended the meeting.
