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Monday November 9, 2009 12:27 AM AEST
Skip Navigation LinksPC Authority > News > Is Internet access a basic human right?
Is Internet access a basic human right?
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Is Internet access a basic human right?

by Daniel Long  on Jun 16, 2009
"E=mc2 wrote: Thanks for the quote Slatts Pleasure's mine E. It's not every day I get to rap with the bloke who came up with the concepts of quantum black holes and warping of space-time.o:) ..."
 
A top French court has ruled that the internet should be classified as a basic human right, and denying access to it in the form of deterrents such as outright disconnections, should be deemed unlawful

It's not easy being a President, whether your Obama bailing out the banks and automakers or that guy' married to the former model in France.  'That guy' is actually French President Sarkozy, a conservative keen to be seen amongst the world as a tough piracy reformer, eager to clamp down on a generation of French, weaned off speedy Bittorrent and P2P download access.

So, it comes as something of a relief to read that a one of the top courts in France have decryed recent laws that were designed to disconnect users from the web after a controversial three-stikes proposal. 

The Times Online are reporting that the French Constitutional Council have declared the big WWW to be a basic human right for every human being. That's right: as basic as our access to fresh drinking water.

Although many have long predicted the internet of becoming the next constitutional battleground, this move towards recatogorising internet access as a human necessity, rather than a human luxury is a new turning point in the way we look at our computer screens.

A recent article of frequent flyers in the US, found more travellers would prefer good wireless internet at the airport than actual food.  Although that's hardly surprisingly given the nature of airport travel, the greater issue still divides the haves and the haves not of the web.

The French three-strikes piracy model reminds us of the power governments wield over their voters. If we disconnect citizens from the virtual world, are we disadvantaging them in the real one? As it stands now, the digital realm may be just as important as the one that exists outside of it.

For more information on the three strikes law, the Times have the details.

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Comments: 11
Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.
gnome
Jun 16, 2009 6:04 PM
Could their respective minders tell Kevin, Julia, Stephen and Lindsay about this so that they stop the bullshit they have been spouting about the Great Australian F***wit Filter?


Comment made about the PC Authority article:
Is Internet access a basic human right??
A top French court has ruled that the internet should be classified as a basic human right, and denying access to it in the form of deterrents such as outright disconnections, should be deemed unlawful

What do you think? Join the discussion.
Slatts
Jun 16, 2009 7:48 PM
A basic human right?
That's just weird.
Are parents going to have their children taken away in France if they withhold le internet from their kids?
ENFUSIA
Jun 17, 2009 7:42 AM
Internet is already a basic human right in any educational environment, so why not at the home?
Sure you probably would not take it as far as saying parents have to provide it for their children. Just as you don't have to provide a phone line for your children, but it definately should not be taken away from someone altogether. There are just too many services that many people rely upon in everyday life that are accessed from the net, including such things as web pages people may be running, information they may have stored on the internet, and what about bank accounts that can only be access from online banking?
That's just drop in the ocean of reasons why internet should not just be taken away from people as punishment.
Although it's all relative to what you've done wrong in the first place.
Hobo_Joe
Jun 17, 2009 10:54 AM
How can anyone argue that the internet is a basic human right? It's just like anything else, if you can't use something responsibly, then yes someone should be able to take it away from you.

Parents can't look after children - children get taken away.
Can't drive your car safely - car gets impounded/licence revoked.
Can't use your internet connection within legal confines - it gets disconnected.

Simple as that.
How can it be a right? I understand what you're saying ENFUSIA that there are many services accessed via the internet that people rely on, but if that user isn't capable of using their connection responsibly then they can use the alternative.

The internet hasn't always been around, there are always alternative methods for accessing the services you mentioned. Do your banking over the phone, or go into your local branch. It may be slower but if you've had your internet disconnected, then obviously you've done something wrong and that extra time is your own fault.

Every action has a consequence!
Slatts
Jun 17, 2009 12:42 PM
Couldn't agree more Joe.
I read enfusias post at smoko. I'd planned on writing a reply at lunch but you've taken the wind right out of my sails.
Bricks and mortar banks.
Drivers licence.
Prison.

it seems to me that people can't tell the difference between necessities and luxuries.

Here's a hint.
Air is a necessity
water is a necessity
food is a necessity
shelter is a necessity

The internet just ain't.

E=mc2
Jun 20, 2009 12:21 PM
ENFUSIA wrote:
There are just too many services that many people rely upon in everyday life that are accessed from the net, including such things as web pages people may be running, information they may have stored on the internet, and what about bank accounts that can only be access from online banking?


I remember the days when you had to use one's own feet and actually visit these places.
I admit to using these services,but to say the net is a basic right, that I disagree with.


Edited by E=mc2: 20/6/2009 12:27:35 PM
Slatts
Jun 20, 2009 12:58 PM
E=mc2 wrote:
I remember the days when you had to use one's own feet and actually visit these places.
I admit to using these services,but to say the net is a basic right, that I disagree with.[/i]


it's a quiet day and I'm on call therefore don't have a life.
At times like this I occasionally let the inner pedant loose.;)
You will not use ones' own feet as they are attached to one and not to you. I do not choose to put them at your disposal.:p

People no longer seem to be taught that rights include responsibilities and that the abuse of the attached responsibilities can result in the removal of the rights.

As for the French... what can I say?](*,)
Nat.W¿LL¿
Jun 20, 2009 5:26 PM
Hobo_Joe wrote:

Can't use your internet connection within legal confines - it gets disconnected.

im still yet to see this happen in australia
Slatts
Jun 20, 2009 6:14 PM
Keep an eye on the iinet v afact thing nat.
If the courts have any sense, it'll be thrown out and iinet will be awarded costs.
But I'm not holding my breath.
As for regulation, we're still dealing with that idiot Conroy so anything could happen. "Legal confines" could take on a whole new meaning.
E=mc2
Jun 20, 2009 8:06 PM
Slatts wrote:
[quote=E=mc2]I remember the days when you had to use one's own feet and actually visit these places.
I admit to using these services,but to say the net is a basic right, that I disagree with.[/i]
\
Thanks for the quote Slatts
Just to clarify "to use one's own feet" Meaning your feet ,are not there just to push yourself
around on your chair with wheels....So my wife tells me LMAO:twisted:
As for abuse of this so called "human right" as with all else , "If you abuse this system how is it to be policed.?


Edited by E=mc2: 20/6/2009 08:11:04 PM
Slatts
Jun 20, 2009 8:43 PM
E=mc2 wrote:

Thanks for the quote Slatts


Pleasure's mine E.
It's not every day I get to rap with the bloke who came up with the concepts of quantum black holes and warping of space-time.o:)

E=mc2 wrote:
Just to clarify "to use one's own feet" Meaning your feet ,are not there just to push yourself
around on your chair with wheels....So my wife tells me LMAO:twisted:
As for abuse of this so called "human right" as with all else , "If you abuse this system how is it to be policed.?

Point taken.
Internet piracy is like smoking dope. Just about everyone I grew up with (except me of course) did it and if they got caught there were consequences.

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