Yesterday’s vote (460 in favour, 0 against, 3 abstentions) was welcomed by Louisa Gosling, President of the European Internet Services Providers Association (EuroISPA), as a “forward looking and informed decision”.
The report addresses internet usage and the problem of illegal or harmful content and aims to promote the use of effective and constructive tools in pursuit of safer use of the internet.
The Parliament Report follows a European Commission document on the progress of industry self-regulation in this area. The Commission document highlights EuroISPA and its members as being at the forefront of the work on these difficult and sensitive subject areas, whilst encouraging the sector to continue in the fight against illegal content and the development of technological tools to assist them.
Ms. Gosling said:
“Recognition from European Union officials for the work that EuroISPA and its individual members has been doing since its creation is very encouraging. We are also very pleased that the Parliament has come out strongly against blocking, which is not only a technically disastrous solution, but also raises significant free speech and democratic concerns.
“Blocking is damaging to both the internet industry and to consumers Since blocking is technically difficult, democratically questionable and undoubtedly inefficient, we believe that resources being targeted at this issue should be invested into more effective methods of addressing the problems, such as hotlines, rating systems and, above all, the provision to the public of clear and accurate information on how they can effectively control the content they see.
“ISPs are at the forefront of these campaigns and they must not be burdened with impractical measures which inhibit their ability to implement effective initiatives.”
EuroISPA said it remains committed to the types of programme identified under the EU’s Safer Internet Action Plan and those initiatives on the establishment of hotlines, rating systems and awareness campaigns, which have taken and continue to take place at the national level.
Ms. Gosling concluded: “European ISPs have taken, and will continue to take, effective measures to protect consumers on the internet. We welcome this official recognition of our work to date and the EU institutions’ encouragement to all industry players to continue those efforts.”
The text adopted by Parliament in yesterday’s plenary session will not be available for some days yet.