by Irma Arkus
Newly proposed rules in EU will enable broadband providers to manipulate users in an unprecedented ways.
Under the suggested Telecoms Package, Internet Service Providers will be able to “limit the number of websites you can look at, and to tell you whether or not you are allowed to use particular services.”
Similarly to Canadian ISPs, the EU ISPs are attempting to package more expensive “consumer options” in order to manipulate use of content at a far greater degree than ever before.
In this case, the ISPs will be able to restrict what users may or may not access. The type of “walled garden” approach will allow access to only certain content, rather than Intenet as we know it.
The Blackout Europe warns of the legislation, and describes in terms of corporations and governments reasserting their control over what citizens can and cannot do:
“It means that the Internet will be packaged up and your ability to access and to put up content could be severely restricted. It almost certainly means an end to free sharing online. It will create boxes of Internet accessibility, which don’t fit with the way we use it today. This is because Internet is now permiting exchanges between persons that cannot be controled or “facilitate” by any middlemen (the state or a corporation) and this improve the citizen life but force the industry to lose power and control. That is why they are forcing government to act those changes.” (Blackout Europe)
What is the reason for this type of legislation?
Why Copyright, of course.
This latest attempt of government interference on behalf of corporate interests is naturally tied to attempts to control piracy. However, issues of free speech, freedom of information, for that matter, consumer or any of civil rights that may be impinged upon, are undermined by the proposed legislation.
Additionally, any imposed limitation to Internet access will ultimately result in that dreaded economic slowdown of new enterpreneurs. But we will end up saving the industry dinosaurs from extinction.
Read more here.
Thanks to Jelle for the tip.
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