This past January in the news: the EU wants to take the helm when it comes to internet governance and safeguard open Internet, while Turkey passes legislation allowing authorities to block access to web pages for violations of privacy. Oh, and 94% of Europeans limit their use of social media abroad because of roaming charges.
In what is being labelled a major setback for free speech and open internet, a Washington DC appeals court has ruled that the country’s telecoms regulator cannot force internet service providers to treat the traffic on their network as equal, regardless of the source, platform or content.
This month in the news: the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reached a new record high in 2012, net neutrality plans breach privacy rights, and the EU audiovisual sector attempts easier cross-border copyright.
The European Commission has adopted what it is calling its “most ambitious plan in 26 years of telecoms market reform”. The proposed revamp should see a reduction in consumer charges, and will simplify red tape faced by companies, bringing a range of new rights for both users and service providers. For more, see Aphaia's White
The European Commission has launched a new public consultation on net neutrality with a view to its commitment to preserve the open and neutral character of the Internet.