The Home Affairs Committee, which is appointed by the UK House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the governments Home Office, has today published the results of its "wide-ranging inquiry" into 'The Roots of Violent Radicalisation' (i.e. Terrorism). The report calls upon ISPs to be "more active" and to develop a Code of Practice for the removal of related material (e.g. websites etc.).The report claims that the internet played a part in most, if not all, cases of violent radicalisation and urges a crackdown.
Home Affairs Committee Statement
Although there are statutory powers under the Terrorism Act 2006 for law enforcement agencies to order unlawful material to be removed from the internet, the Committee recommends that internet service providers themselves should be more active in monitoring the material they host, with appropriate guidance, advice and support from the Government.
The Government should work with internet providers to develop a code of practice for the removal of material which promotes violent extremism.
Although there are statutory powers under the Terrorism Act 2006 for law enforcement agencies to order unlawful material to be removed from the internet, the Committee recommends that internet service providers themselves should be more active in monitoring the material they host, with appropriate guidance, advice and support from the Government.
The Government should work with internet providers to develop a code of practice for the removal of material which promotes violent extremism.
Few would disagree with the core principal of removing violent or extremist websites from the internet at source. Indeed related content is often already against the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) of most ISPs, although there is perhaps a danger from mission creep. It should be said most of the big ISPs usually only provide access to the internet, while separate web hosting firms typically publish the content, although there can be some crossover.
Jim Killock, the Open Rights Group, said:
"Very little can be done to take down websites that are extreme: because they are rarely hosted in the UK. The alternative to takedown is censorship, which is both ineffective and hands a propaganda victory to the targets of that censorship.
Furthermore, the committee should not be advocating "codes of conduct" but examining what the law says. If the UK really wants censorship, the minimum should be that it takes place through the courts."
"Very little can be done to take down websites that are extreme: because they are rarely hosted in the UK. The alternative to takedown is censorship, which is both ineffective and hands a propaganda victory to the targets of that censorship.
Furthermore, the committee should not be advocating "codes of conduct" but examining what the law says. If the UK really wants censorship, the minimum should be that it takes place through the courts."
The report also admits that completely ridding the internet of "violent extremist material" would be an "impossibility", especially when most of it is "hosted abroad". As a result there is a call for the government to "strive towards" greater international cooperation to tackle this issue, which mirrors an earlier EU recommendation.
Home Affairs Committee - Roots of Violent RadicalisationUPDATE 5:24pm
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmhaff/1446/144602.htm
Added a comment from the Open Rights Group (ORG).
UPDATE 7th February 2012
BT has issued a general statement on the subject.
BT's Spokesperson said:
"ISPs are not in a position to make legal judgements on what constitutes terrorism, extremism or radicalisation. It is not for ISPs to proactively monitor material available online.
There are privacy and freedom of expression implications as well as the more practical consideration of the sheer volume of content online. The current approach of notice and takedown, which takes place within the legislative framework (with auditing and oversight), is the most effective and practical solution."
"ISPs are not in a position to make legal judgements on what constitutes terrorism, extremism or radicalisation. It is not for ISPs to proactively monitor material available online.
There are privacy and freedom of expression implications as well as the more practical consideration of the sheer volume of content online. The current approach of notice and takedown, which takes place within the legislative framework (with auditing and oversight), is the most effective and practical solution."
Clearly the government does not agree.
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Comments: 4
Daniel MeahPosted: 6 February, 2012 - 1:56 PM
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So more internet censorship under the excuse of Extremeist/Terrorism. How stupid are we in the UK to let are governemt do this////
Ow and what happened to free speech?
dragoneastPosted: 6 February, 2012 - 4:41 PM
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I think we have a tendency to blame old problems on new technology. Violence, terrorism, pornography and paedophalia have always been with us, although some of the terms are new, and have always found ways to promulgate their evils. Th'internet also makes it easier to spot, and counter.
As with illegal drugs you will never stop the supply, it's the demand you have to work on. And that's much more difficult given the attractiveness some of this stuff seems to have for quite a few members of the establishment.
timelessPosted: 6 February, 2012 - 9:48 PM
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as Daniel said, the UK government has this untapped resource they dont have any control over.. that being the internet, all these recent laws etc (DEA, ACTA and now this) are all ways to get their fingers in everyones lives.
now while politicians will lie till their blue in the face about how it will be only under terrorism laws to catch terrorists.. you put any kind if tool that has the possibility to change how ppl think by blocking content online and you have a tool to not only censor but lm sure there will be backdoors there to allow of snooping as well.
blingkingPosted: 6 February, 2012 - 11:36 PM
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