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Simon Phipps's personal commentary

3 little strikes, one disproportionate response

I just sent this to my MEPs - I suggest you consider doing the same if you live in Europe. The Open Rights Group has the details and you can write instantly.

Dear Sharon Bowles, Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, Caroline Lucas, Ashley Mote, Peter Skinner, Nirj Deva and Nigel Farage,

I was very concerned indeed to read in the news that some last-minute
"Telecoms Package" amendments could bring the so-called “3 strikes”
approach in by the back door. I understand that a possible
implementation of these amendments could result in any citizen losing
their right to connect to the Internet as a result of three
unsubstantiated accusations of downloading music or video or software
without permission.

The Internet is increasingly the channel through which citizens gain
access to government, to employment, to telephony and to much more in
addition to entertainment. It is as inappropriate for any law to
withhold this connection as it would be to ban citizens from walking on
public highways. To withhold basic access in this way should be a
sanction only used in the most extreme circumstances, ones where basic
liberty of other forms would also be withheld.

As my representative in the European Parliament, I ask you to vote
against any amendment that would result in arbitrary and
disproportionate sanctions such as this "three strikes" approach.

Yours sincerely,

Simon Phipps, FBCS

Feel free to plagiarize my letter. And let me know if you get a reply.

posted at 6:19 PM (UK) | |