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UK Government Seeks New Web Censorship Powers

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the well-that's-not-good dept.

oldandcold writes "Given the recent coverage and controversy over Australia's forthcoming web censorship system, it is somewhat surprising (and worrying) that Clause 11 of the UK's proposed Digital Economy Bill seems to have gone by largely unnoticed. It amends the Communications Act 2003 to insert a new section 124H that could give the Secretary of State powers to order ISPs to block pretty much any website for pretty much any reason. Such orders would not require the scrutiny of parliament, or anyone else for that matter, because the Secretary of State would not be required to publish them."

3 of 187 comments (clear)

  1. Bastards. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Fucking bastards.

  2. You mean like Ireland's blasphemy laws? by Kyrene · · Score: 5, Informative

    Ireland passed laws recently against uttering "blasphemy" and no one batted an eye...except on Twitter. A lot of this is getting swept under the rug, and it both shocks and appalls me.

    --
    Do not disturb. Already disturbed. http://www.teaaddictedgeek.com
  3. Re:What technical obligation to ISPs? by phoenix321 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    We are running out of countries to route our traffic through, quickly.

    Well, lets adapt Niemoller for a second:

    When they came for China, I chose a proxy in Australia to route around.
    When they came for Australia, I chose a proxy in the UK to route around.
    When they came for the UK, I chose a proxy in the USA to route around.
    When they came for the USA, there was no country left to route through and all my complaints were met with 404s.