The fantastic folks from DerechoALeer.org designed this wonderful mash-up between two videos from La Quadrature: “RoboCopyright ACTA” (for the graphics) and “NO to ACTA” (for the text)! Thanks so much Juan! ♡

Paris, June 22, 2011 – Today's vote in the Dutch parliament of a law protecting the freedom of the Internet 1 is excellent news and an example for all of Europe and France. The adopted text bans operators from discriminating their users' communications, for instance by slowing or blocking specific content or services.

• 1. See https://www.bof.nl/2011/06/22/netherlands-launches-internet-freedom-legi...

The Special Rapporteur is deeply concerned by discussions regarding a centralized “on/off” control over Internet traffic. In addition, he is alarmed by proposals to disconnect users from Internet access if they violate intellectual property rights. This also includes legislation based on the concept of “graduated response”, which imposes a series of penalties on copyright infringers that could lead to suspension of Internet service, such as the so-called “three-strikes-law” in France and the Digital Economy Act 2010 of the United Kingdom.

Last Spring, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, presented a proposal for a directive to combat child exploitation. Unfortunately, this very important and sensitive matter is used to introduce dangerous provisions regarding Internet blocking, which could pave the way for a wider censorship of the Internet in Europe. The EU Parliament must absolutely reject this Trojan horse and uphold the fundamental rights of EU citizens.

Op'Ed by Jérémie Zimmermann initially published in French in Mediapart

WikiLeaks has become the symbol of disturbing information that can't be stopped. Recent declarations and actions against the organization clearly expose the will of governments to control the Internet. From now on, it seems that both sides are fighting a battle that could be one of the most important that we must wage for the future of our democracies. On one side, those who would like to put the Internet under control, through administrative or privatized censorship, in order to remain in power. On the other, citizens of the word at large ready build networked societies in which the sharing of knowledge, freedom of expression and the increased transparency allowed for by the Internet must be protected and strengthened at all costs.

La Quadrature du Net just sent its response to the EU Commission's consultation on the online services directive, also called the e-Commerce directive.

Download the document in PDF.

Just one day before the final deadline of the e-Commerce (or Internet directive) consultation, La Quadrature du Net publishes the draft of its response.

The European Commission has launched a new public consultation on the future of the 2000 e-Commerce directive, which forms the basis of the Internet regulatory framework across the European Union. The reform of the e-Commerce directive is very important for rights and freedoms on the Internet, and all interested citizens and organizations should take the time to submit a response to the consultation by November 5th. By doing so, they can make sure that the democratizing potential of the Internet as well as the rule of law will be preserved.

On September 29th, 2010, the Committee of Ministers at the Council of Europe (CoE) adopted a declaration on network neutrality1. The declaration is overall a very good news for the protection of freedom of expression and communication in Europe. It is one more indication that governments are finally realizing the importance of the Internet's core architectural principles for the future of rights and freedoms in our democracies.

• 1. Full text of the declaration: https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?id=1678287