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Internet Threats

Content Matters

In 2022, the open and neutral Internet is under threat more than ever as policy-makers seek to rein in the bit tech global platforms, some of which did not exist when I set up this website in 2007.

We have seen several different groups of stakeholders lobbying for blocks to be placed on websites, user access to be suspended or content filtering. It all started with copyright, but now many other lobbying interests are leading the charge. Many are non-governmental organisations representing vulnerable people or children, others are big industrial corporations whose motives are less likely to represent a public interest. A worrying development is how law enforcement have themselves become a stakeholder in this debate, seeking to get the private corporations to carry out enforcement on their behalf.

The issues also have moved on. Over the time that I've been writing on this field, we've seen calls for Internet blocking arising in respect to libel and defamation, and now there is very long list. One of the more worrying developments, especially in the UK since Brexit, is the matter of abuse of individuals. Those who oppose government policy tend to experience high volumes of very unpleasant abuse, and in some cases violent threats. This is not acceptable. It does raise a very difficult question, from a policy and human rights perspective. How to balance the need to protect free speech against malicious or arbitrary restrictions against the need to tackle the those who engage in this unpleasant and anti-social activity.

This section address a range of threats to the Internet from 2008 to the present day.

If you like the articles in this section and you are interested in Internet policy-making in the EU, especially with regard to copyright policy, you may like my books A Copyright Masquerade: How Corporate Lobbying Threatens Online Freedoms and The Copyright Enforcement Enigma - Internet Politics and the 'Telecoms Package'

If you are following discussions around telecoms and technology policy and content blocking , you may like my book The Closing of the Net which covers the British copyright blocking orders, as well as the Megaupload case.


EU upload filter - Germany's crucial deciding vote

Monica Horten
Published on 14 April 2019
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Will Germany save us from the upload filter?

Tomorrow - Monday 15th April - the EU Copyright Directive goes to the Council of Ministers. It has been anticipated that this would be the final stage of its legislative journey and that it would be rubber-stamped into law. However, the controversy over the upload filter (Article 17 - ex-13) has not abated and six countries have already announced that they cannot vote in favour. That means there is a blocking minority, but it is not quite sufficient yet to stop the Directive from getting into law. Crucially, the position of the German government hangs in the balance.

Read more: EU upload filter - Germany's crucial deciding vote

Copyright Directive upload filter - why EU Council should block it

Monica Horten
Published on 02 April 2019
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The Copyright Directive was passed in the European Parliament butthere is still one final hurdle before it becomes law. It must be adopted by the Council of Ministers. This article issues a reminder to Member State governments of the reasons why it is problematic.

A controversial provision being inserted into EU copyright law is causing consternation after the European Parliament voted last week to accept it. This is the so-called upload filter - a proposal to check all content uploaded by users for copyright compliance. However, it's not yet final and there is a small group of Member States who have said they will withold their consent when the law goes to the Council of Ministers. They may not yet have the numbers, but it's an interesting move.

Read more: Copyright Directive upload filter - why EU Council should block it

EU Copyright Directive - who pays the bill for the upload filter?

Monica Horten
Published on 31 July 2018
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Social media companies and content sharing apps could have to foot the bill for a vast automated copyright protection scheme under the most recent EU proposal to update copyright law. For those who remember, this is Hadopi on steroids. It's a proposal that, history tells us, is unlikely to be workable.

The battle over social media content sharing is moving up a gear as the the European Parliament goes for a major vote on new copyright legislation this September. A single, controversial provision in the propoosed EU Copyright Directive has brought the matter to a head in this latest round of the Hollywood vs Silicon Valley conflict. As currently drafted, it could mean that social media platforms and apps would have to restrict content via an automated copyright protection system - dubbed the "upload filter" - and they could be asked to fund the entire system.

Read more: EU Copyright Directive - who pays the bill for the upload filter?

More Articles...

  1. New EU proposal writes Internet hosts into copyright law
  2. Social media, video & clouds in firing line as EU sparks Internet content battle
  3. Netzpolitik.org: treason inquiry over German blog and leaked spy plans
  4. Online Safety Bill 2015- a back-door to Internet filtering?
  5. Why Magna Carta matters to technology policy
  6. Adult content takedowns need judicial ruling, says former public prosecutor
  7. London police domain seizures under scrutiny after arbitration decision
  8. Defamation on the Net: can an aging Lord show the way?
  9. EU-Canada Trade Agreement - copyright enforcement via the cat-flap?

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About Iptegrity

Iptegrity.com is the website of Dr Monica Horten. I am an  independent policy advisor, with expertise in online safety, technology and human rights. I am a published author, and post-doctoral scholar. I hold a PhD from the University of Westminster, and a DipM from the Chartered Institute of Marketing. I cover the UK and EU. I'm a former tech journalist, and an experienced panelist and Chair. My media credits include the BBC, iNews, Times, Guardian and Politico.

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