Netherlands becomes first EU nation to enshrine Net Neutrality in law

[Palinurus]

Only the second nation in the world - after Chile.

By Cory Doctorow at 5:30 am Wednesday, May 9
Ot from the Dutch technology activist group Bits of Freedom writes, "Good news from The Netherlands: on 8 May 2012 The Netherlands adopted crucial legislation to safeguard an open and secure internet. It is the first country in Europe to implement net neutrality in the law. In addition, it adopted provisions protecting users against disconnection and wiretapping by providers. Digital rights movement Bits of Freedom calls on other countries to follow the Dutch example." (Thanks Ot!)

Source: http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/netherlands-becomes-first-eu-n.html

Netherlands first country in Europe with net neutrality
8 mei / 11:25 pm
Door Ot van Daalen

On 8 May 2012 The Netherlands adopted crucial legislation to safeguard an open and secure internet in The Netherlands. It is the first country in Europe to implement net neutrality in the law. In addition, it adopted provisions protecting users against disconnection and wiretapping by providers. Digital rights movement Bits of Freedom calls upon other countries to follow the Dutch example.

The net neutrality law prohibits internet providers from interfering with the traffic of their users. The law allows for traffic management in case of congestion and for network security, as long as these measures serve the interests of the internet user. A technical error in the law might still be corrected in a vote on 15 May.

In addition, the law includes an anti-wiretapping provision, restricting internetproviders from using invasive wiretapping technologies, such as deep packet inspection (DPI). They may only do so under limited circumstances, or with explicit consent of the user, which the user may withdraw at any time. The use of DPI gained much attention when KPN admitted that it analysed the traffic of its users to gather information on the use of certain apps. The law allows for wiretapping with a warrant.

Moreover, the law includes a provision ensuring that internet providers can only disconnect their users in a very limited set of circumstances. Internet access is very important for functioning in an information society, and providers currently could on the basis of their terms and conditions disconnect their users for numerous reasons. The provision allows for the disconnection in the case of fraud or when a user doesn’t pay his bills.

Source: https://www.bof.nl/2012/05/08/netherlands-first-country-in-europe-with-net-neutrality/
Additional info (law translations): https://www.bof.nl/2011/06/27/translations-of-key-dutch-internet-freedom-provisions/

Net neutrality, anti-cookie legislation approved by senate
Wednesday 09 May 2012

New legislation guaranteeing unhindered access to the internet and banning the unauthorised use of cookies was approved by the upper house of parliament on Wednesday.

This means the Netherlands is only the second country in the world, after Chile, to enshrine net neutrality in law, the Financieele Dagblad said.

The legislation was introduced after telecom firms said they would bring in new subscriptions for clients who use certain mobile phone applications. The law means telecom companies will not be able to charge more money for services offered by competitors, such as WhatsApp or Skype.

Cookies

The legislation also sets limits to the use of tracking text files known as cookies.
Cookies allow publishers to track the behaviour of internet users so they can monitor browsing behaviour and, for example, better target advertising or automatically fill in forms.

Under the new legislation, cookies can only be placed if the user gives express permission to do so. In addition, whoever collects the information must be able to prove they have the user’s permission.

The legislation was passed by the lower house of parliament last summer and has been heavily criticised by publishers and some internet users groups.

The government has now agreed not to implement this aspect of the new legislation until the EU has completed its investigation into alternatives for the cookie ban.

According to the Volkskrant, the legislation also breaks open the Dutch cable market, forcing cable firms to allow their competitors to use their networks.
© DutchNews.nl

Source: http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2012/05/net_neutrality_anticookie_legi.php