23. April 2002
European Parliament rejects Net blocking
European politicians have voted against blocking access to websites as an
effective way to regulate Internet content.
Earlier this month, the European Parliament approved a resolution (460 to 0,
with 3 abstentions) stating that parents and legal guardians should be
primarily responsible for protecting children online. The governing body
also expressed concern over efforts to block user access to various
questionable sites, saying that such moves could fragment cyberspace and
prevent people from being able to view non-controversial online content.
The decision has been met with applause from cyberliberties groups and
industry leaders. Louisa Gosling, president of the European Internet Service
Providers Association, said that her group was "very pleased that the
Parliament has come out strongly against blocking, which is not only a
technically disastrous solution, but also raises significant free speech and
democratic concerns."
Indeed, the EP vote came soon after attempts in several European states to
block offensive Internet content were met with scorn and derision. In
Switzerland, several of the country's biggest Internet service providers
(ISPs) accidentally denied access to websites hosted by a foreign
competitor; ironically, the intended target, a neo-Nazi portal, had already
disappeared from the World Wide Web. Many individuals and organizations,
including the Swiss Internet User Group (SIUG-a GILC member), contended that
the incident was further evidence of how Internet blocking could cause
serious "collateral damage" to freedom of expression online. Meanwhile, in
Germany, the local government of Dusseldorf is trying force ISPs to prevent
users from reaching selected foreign sites. In protest, a coalition of
groups and politicians, including the Chaos Computer Club (CCC-a GILC
member), launched street demonstrations and a petition drive to defend free
speech along the Information Superhighway.
An SIUG press release regarding blocking attempts by Swiss Internet service
providers is posted under
http://www.siug.ch/presse/Presse.20020405.html.en
Additional information regarding the EP resolution is available via
http://www.euractiv.com/cgi-bin/cgint.exe/565619-364?targ=1&204&OIDN=1503278
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