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Internet Threats Policy matters

Policy matters

Policy does matter. We may think that the Internet is a free digital environment, where no laws apply but there are many cases which contradict this notion.

In this section of Iptegrity.com, I  report on EU policy related to the Internet and online content, in particular, where policy intiatives affect   access to film, music and television, and I highlight issues for the  policy debate in relation to the Internet.  For 2008-2009, copyright enforcement has been the hot topic, with net neutrality emerging as well, in 2009.   My focus is on the European Union and  its member states - for example,  I am currently covering Internet  policy - specifically copyright enforcement intiatives - in France and the UK.

I am most interested in the citizen's perspective. However, the issues I cover will affect the Internet and telecoms industries, as well as the media and entertainment industries.  

Iptegrity.com offers  original reporting from the EU, as well as comment and opinion on issues raised in other media, including non-English language media in Europe. Iptegrity.com is the main English-language news source for the Telecoms Package review of EU telecoms law.

Digital rights - why they matter in a time of coronavirus

Monica Horten
Published on 21 July 2020
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In the face of over 50,000*coronavirus-related deaths in the UK alone - potentially as high as 60,000* - why should we care about digital rights?

Beside the grave risks to life posed by Covid-19, your rights in using Internet services may seem like a lower priority. However, as lockdown measures make entire societies digitally-dependent, it has never been more important to safeguard people's activities online.

The coronavirus public health emergency - and specifically the lockdown measures - changed the 'normal' way of life overnight as entire societies were obliged to stay at home. These measures created an environment where digital systems became the arteries of social and economic life for entire populations. The situation created a universal dependence on digital communications that has arguably not been the case previously. While lockdown is easing, the digital dependence is likely to remain high.

Read more: Digital rights - why they matter in a time of coronavirus

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

More Articles...

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  2. EU lawmakers seek to protect free speech in online content rules
  3. How Brexit rips up business models Part 2: visas for money and music
  4. How Brexit rips up business models Part 1: putting back barriers
  5. Norwegian Blue or Super-Canada - is there any life in this parrot?
  6. EU Copyright Directive - who pays the bill for the upload filter?
  7. Brexit White Paper - a common rulebook for 21st century business?
  8. Galileo: EU blasts off to space future but holds UK on red signal
  9. Galileo satellites illuminate EU-UK divorce tensions

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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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Iptegrity.com is made available free of charge for non-commercial use. Please link back and attribute Dr Monica Horten.  Contact me to use any of my content for commercial purposes.