Information Policy

Internet Freedom: Rhetoric Versus Reality

By Vaughan A. Holding

Introduction

In the last few years the Internet has borne witness to and facilitated a great deal of social and societal change. From Hilary Clinton's positive 2010 address; ‘Remarks on Internet Freedom', to the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions that showcased the power of social media, the internet, its use and power, has been at the forefront of recent news.¹ However, equal to, if not overtaking the positive and enabling factors of the Internet in recent years are the many controversies surrounding it. While undoubtedly carrying the potential to do great good, the Internet has been plagued with numerous impediments, setbacks and controls that greatly damage its offered freedoms. ACTA, SOPA, PIPA, Tempora, Prism, DMCA and adult content opt in, are all examples of recent controversies surrounding freedom on the Internet.² What is particularly surprising is that all of these restrictions to freedom stem from the very states that laud Internet freedom so highly.

Net neutrality-lovin' Sweden mulls law to censor the internet

The Swedish government is considering overturning its long-held opposition to internet filtering – so says one of the country's most high-profile ISPs.

According to Bahnhof and its CEO Jon Karlung, the ISP received an email from an investigator who said he had been appointed by the government to look into regulating the Swedish gambling market.

Estonia to support Cyprus' transition to e-government

Cyprus and Estonia have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to support the Cypriot Government’s plans to introduce electronic government.

The purpose of the Memorandum is to provide expertise from Estonia to Cyprus in e- government.

The Cypriot Government has specific priorities in terms of e-government, with electronic signature being on top of its list, as it would like to introduce it within 2016 if possible.

Source: http://famagusta-gazette.com/estonia-to-support-cyprus-transition-to-egovernment-p32202-69.htm

Digital Enablement - Bridging the Digital Divide to Connect People and Society

In the future, more connections, sensors, devices, data, video, analytics will lead to even more productive agriculture, healthier individuals, stronger economies, thriving ecosystems, and efficient transport. A new divide between things will accentuate a deeper divide between the people that use them. Precisely because the digital divide is deepening between the digitally enabled and the digitally excluded, it’s never been more urgent to provide digital enablement. Increasing the value of that connection by providing people and organizations with the relevant skills and services is the second necessary step towards digital enablement. Without this the digital divide will actually deepen.

London explores smart city systems in €25m European tech programme

London has joined forces with other European cities in a €25m programme to trial smart technologies that can improve the lives of citizens.

The Smart Cities and Communities Lighthouse initiative will see London, Milan, Lisbon, Warsaw, Bordeaux and Burgas undertake a variety of projects to create and trial smart city systems that could be adopted by other European cites and help dive technology adoption across Europe.