further ‘‘safeguards and democratic oversight’’ are needed. 68 On May 21, 2008, The
Guardian warned of the possibility of a database that records every telephone call,
e-mail, and Web site visit made in Britain. 69 On June 9, 2008, the ICO released a statement recognizing the necessity to consider the impact of the development of such
tools on individuals’ privacy and the need to minimize unnecessary intrusion. It further recommends that ‘‘every possible step . . . be taken to ensure public trust in the
way that personal information is collected and stored.’’ 70 Although plans for the database to collect all user information were canceled, the Home Secretary has requested
that communications firms record contact between customers, including e-mails,
phone calls, and Internet use, as well as visits to social networking sites. 71
In a different area, expectations of commercial gain due to online advertising have
led some of the most important operators in the country (BT, Talk Talk, and Virgin)
to use different applications to track the browsing history of their customers. In April
2009, the EU expressed its intent to commence legal actions against the U.K. for allowing this Web-tracking practice, which, according to the EU, would violate privacy laws.
ONI Testing Results
The OpenNet Initiative comprehensively tested three ISPs in the United Kingdom:
Easynet, 72 Be, 73 and BT, 74 and did not find any evidence of filtering; however, the
U.K. openly blocks child pornography Web sites (which ONI does not test) and has
allegedly blocked other sites containing ‘‘illegal material.’’ 75
Conclusion
Protecting freedom of expression and encouraging tolerance to diverse viewpoints, the
U.K. is one of the pioneers in nurturing politically sensitive debates and promoting
the use of new technology. Freedom of expression and protection of privacy over the
Internet is guaranteed in the law. Nevertheless, motivated by national security concerns, the state has provided for vast surveillance measures over online communications. Moreover, certain filtering and tracking practices do take place. Such practices
are sometimes encouraged by the state but most often voluntarily implemented by private operators. The U.K. government, however, has to ensure that blocking practices
do not lead to abuse in the absence of external and independent control.
Notes
1. BBC News, ‘‘Country Profile: United Kingdom,’’ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country
_profiles/1038758.stm.
362
United Kingdom
Guardian warned of the possibility of a database that records every telephone call,
e-mail, and Web site visit made in Britain. 69 On June 9, 2008, the ICO released a statement recognizing the necessity to consider the impact of the development of such
tools on individuals’ privacy and the need to minimize unnecessary intrusion. It further recommends that ‘‘every possible step . . . be taken to ensure public trust in the
way that personal information is collected and stored.’’ 70 Although plans for the database to collect all user information were canceled, the Home Secretary has requested
that communications firms record contact between customers, including e-mails,
phone calls, and Internet use, as well as visits to social networking sites. 71
In a different area, expectations of commercial gain due to online advertising have
led some of the most important operators in the country (BT, Talk Talk, and Virgin)
to use different applications to track the browsing history of their customers. In April
2009, the EU expressed its intent to commence legal actions against the U.K. for allowing this Web-tracking practice, which, according to the EU, would violate privacy laws.
ONI Testing Results
The OpenNet Initiative comprehensively tested three ISPs in the United Kingdom:
Easynet, 72 Be, 73 and BT, 74 and did not find any evidence of filtering; however, the
U.K. openly blocks child pornography Web sites (which ONI does not test) and has
allegedly blocked other sites containing ‘‘illegal material.’’ 75
Conclusion
Protecting freedom of expression and encouraging tolerance to diverse viewpoints, the
U.K. is one of the pioneers in nurturing politically sensitive debates and promoting
the use of new technology. Freedom of expression and protection of privacy over the
Internet is guaranteed in the law. Nevertheless, motivated by national security concerns, the state has provided for vast surveillance measures over online communications. Moreover, certain filtering and tracking practices do take place. Such practices
are sometimes encouraged by the state but most often voluntarily implemented by private operators. The U.K. government, however, has to ensure that blocking practices
do not lead to abuse in the absence of external and independent control.
Notes
1. BBC News, ‘‘Country Profile: United Kingdom,’’ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country
_profiles/1038758.stm.
362
United Kingdom