Aardvark Daily

Please visit the sponsor!

Rules, regulations, bans

I'm afraid it's getting worse.

Every time I go online to check out the latest news I see more talk of bans, restrictions, surveillance and control of the internet being mooted or implemented by "the powers that be" (TPTB).

Let's look at today's newswires for an example of this...

First-up I see that the Dutch government is now getting into the information suppression game by banning the Pirate Party from publishing information on how to sidestep the blocks which prevent access to the PirateBay website.

You know things are bad when governments start banning the free flow of information.

Remember, this information doesn't encourage terrorism, nor does it show how to make bombs or anything else that might place life or limb in danger.

What's next -- will they start burning e-books?

Then, closer to home, there are moves afoot to reign in bloggers by offering them membership of the Press Council (PC).

The concept here is that if bloggers sign up to the PC then they will enjoy some of the protections afforded to "real journalists" -- albeit at the cost of submitting to the rules, regulations and sanctions enforced by the Council.

Hmmm... I've been blogging for 17 years and I don't feel that I need the protections offered by PC membership, nor do I need their censure if I decide to make a point which may be at odds with their own views or rules.

Next, there's this silly issue regarding prospective employers demanding a candidate's Facebook login details.

I really find it hard to believe that this has happened here in NZ. I would find it harder to believe that anyone looking for work would even remotely consider working for any company that made such demands.

If a prospective employer asked me for such information I'd probably respond by saying something wildly inappropriate like: "only if I can sleep with your wife" -- it's that ludicrous.

Of course I would never have to consider whether to exchange my Facebook login for employment -- I don't use Facebook -- but hundreds of millions of people do and they ought to give short shrift to anyone who asks for the keys to their account.

Meanwhile, back in the UK, it seems that the coalition government is moving forwards with plans to create what's been labeled the "snooper charter" -- an system that would force ISPs and telcos to keep records of all emails, SMS messages and other customer activity.

Where's my Raspberry Pi -- the need for a physically separate and totally independent alternet grows every day!

Please visit the sponsor!

Have your say on this...

PERMALINK to this column

Oh, and don't forget today's sci/tech news headlines

Rank This Aardvark Page

Change Font