April 21, 2009 at 04:20European Internet Freedom at Risk
- Transfer
Act now!
Internet access without conventions
Everyone who owns the website has an interest in protecting the free use of the Internet ... this also applies to those who use Google or Skype ... everyone who expresses their opinion freely, who conducts research of any kind, be it personal health problems or academic work ... everyone who makes purchases online ... who meets online ... visits social networks ... listens to music ... watches videos ...
The Internet, as we know it, is in danger due to new rules proposed by the EU in late April. Under the new rules, broadband providers will legally be able to limit the number of websites you visit and let you know if access to a particular service is allowed. This will be called “new consumer options,” which users will choose from. People will be offered packages similar to satellite (cable) television - with a limited number of options for change.
It turns out that the Internet will be divided, and your ability to access a certain segment of it can be strictly limited. This solution will create “Internet access packages” that are inconsistent with the ways we use the worldwide network today. This is explained by the fact that the Internet allows you to freely exchange information without intermediaries (state or company), and this increases the capabilities of citizens, but meanwhile, industries lose power and control. That is why they are pushing governments to make such changes.
The excuse is to shield the flow of music, movies, and other entertainment content from alleged pirates downloading it all for free using P2P technology. However, the real victims of this decision are all Internet users with their democratically independent access to information and cultural goods.
Think about how you use the Internet! What would it mean to you if free access to the Internet was abolished?
Nowadays, the Internet is part of life and freedom. This is shopping, theater ticket orders ... vacations, training, job search, banking and trade. It is also entertainment - acquaintances, communication, invitations, music, hobbies, humor, and for some, even Second Life. It is a tool to express oneself, to collaborate, to innovate, to share, to stimulate new business ideas, to reach new market heights - to thrive without intermediaries.
Have you thought about your web address? And if people do not have this address in their "boxed Internet" - they will not be able to find you. This means that they will not be able to buy, read, register, or even review you online on your site. Your business will not be able to grow; you cannot find suppliers of goods and compare prices. If you get any money from advertising on your site, it will decrease. Yes, there is Amazon and the like, they will be all right, they will be included in the "package". But your ad on Google or any other website will be less and less effective. Skype may be blocked. (In Germany, iPhone users no longer have access to it). Small businesses can literally disappear, especially niches of specialists or artisans.
If nothing is done, we may lose the free and open use of the Internet. Our freedom (of choice in information, market, culture, pleasure) will be reduced. EU proposals pose a huge risk to our future. They are going to translate this into laws, and then it will be impossible to reverse everything. People (even members of the European Parliament who vote for it) really do not seem to be aware of all the consequences and legal changes wrapped in something called the “Telecommunications Package”, which is supposedly aimed at the benefit of people, but in reality - of corporations.
However, in reality, they are still hiding from the public eye, amendments about the way the Internet will work in the future! An article that expresses your rights to access and distribute content, services and applications is deleted. And the article that is being introduced says that providers should only inform you of any limits or restrictions on your broadband connection. Alternative versions use the word "conditions" - and it is seriously suggested that you be provided with the terms of use of the Internet Services. At first glance, everything seems to be quite acceptable, except that now providers will have the legal right to restrict your access or impose conditions. If the Telecommunications Package is adopted, something will not be able to change.
UPD : due to the fact that the source site has traffic problems, here are some more links:
UPD2 : A poster with a link to the Swedish version of this document UPD3 : Victory for EU Citizens has been hanging on the main page of The Pirate Bay for 2 days already ! Amendment 138 was voted again.
Strasbourg, April 21, 2009 - Once again, the European Parliament has demonstrated that it can resist pressure and advocated for the rights and freedoms of citizens. Amendment 138 (now renumbered Amendment 46) was adopted today by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy in Strasbourg.
UPD4 : News covered by the media - Reuters
Translation of an article from http://blackouteurope.eu/