JPN DAILY NEWSPAPER Internet tipoffs help prevent 43 suicide
TekkenDR_admin@c0.jp
The Yomiuri Shimbun
After being alerted to 75 potential suicide cases last year, in which 79 people posted messages online suggesting they intended to take their own lives, the police managed to intervene and save 43 lives, according to the National Police Agency.
The police reportedly acted on information provided by Internet service providers offered under guidelines on information disclosure introduced in the autumn of 2005. However, as some service providers do not accept requests or inquiries from the police at night or during holidays, the NPA is asking relevant associations to consider further improving access.
Prior to the guidelines being introduced, police investigating potential suicides would have to obtain a court order to gather personal informa tion from service providers.
However, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry, the NPA, and four Internet firm associations, including the Telecommunications Carriers Association, drew up guidelines in August 2005.
(Mar. 25, 2007)
Ito_^
prevent suicide is good but they can also be abused to obtain information about certain individuals.