Digital Economy Bill

[Snooze]

Eek! Having been busy this week, I didn't notice that Labour pushed the Digital Economy Bill through in the wash-up and it actually got passed with barely a debate.

 

That's not good!

[Ian W]

It's really not a good sign

[colsoop]

Big business rules the government

[RedM]

I'm no fan of huge companies whinging about loss of earnings due to outdated business models but I do support the idea that thieves get punished.

[GJD]

I'm no fan of huge companies whinging about loss of earnings due to outdated business models but I do support the idea that thieves get punished.

 

I'm no fan of huge companies whingeing about loss of earnings when they aren't losing any earnings. But I don't have a problem with thieves getting punished either.

 

There's seems to be a major incosistency that worries me though. On the one hand there's the idea of cutting people off being an appropriate punishment for certain crimes. On the other hand there's the idea that the internet could become such an important part of an individual's ability to function in society - communication, news, shopping, voting - that it merits government intervention to help to ensure fast broadband is available to everyone, even in the remotest areas.

 

If the internet is potentially that vital, and I think it is, cutting it off should be considered as serious a punishment as cutting off someone's electricity supply.

 

The more the internet becomes a necessary part of life, the more serious the offence needs to be for the punishment to fit the crime. I don't think that point's been acknowledged at all.

[Snooze]

On the one hand there's the idea of cutting people off being an appropriate punishment for certain crimes. On the other hand there's the idea that the internet could become such an important part of an individual's ability to function in society - communication, news, shopping, voting - that it merits government intervention to help to ensure fast broadband is available to everyone, even in the remotest areas.

 

If the internet is potentially that vital, and I think it is, cutting it off should be considered as serious a punishment as cutting off someone's electricity supply.

 

The more the internet becomes a necessary part of life, the more serious the offence needs to be for the punishment to fit the crime. I don't think that point's been acknowledged at all.

 

Problem is that cutting an individual off from the internet is completely impossible. If, for example, they cut off my internet at home, that basically means my family would be stuffed, as it would cut their access, but I'd be fine, 'cos I can access from work anyhow.

 

It just doesn't work as a punishment!

[Smallshinyant]

I think its been a bit of a disgrace so far. If you have a look through some of the transcripts from the talks that went on about this bill, you will see just how clueless they are about this.

 

I believe there should be some form of bill, but the way this one has been worked in and how poor the understanding of those creating the bill is makes me ashamed of my government and shows the signs of big money have a massive influance on its content.