Government to cut off internet access to thousands of innocent people

8.51.23pm GMT Tue 24th Nov 2009

Innocent people could have their internet access disconnected if proposals in this week's Queen's Speech become law.

Under the proposals in the Queen's Speech Digital Economy Bill, the government would cut off internet access to computers used by those caught illegally downloading copyright files. No court order would be needed and there are no details of any procedures or safeguards for innocent people in the current proposals.

Serena Tierney Mid Sussex parliamentary campaigner said:

"The proposals mean that if one member of a family uses the computer to download files illegally, internet access would be cut off for the rest - even if they knew nothing about the illegal downloads. Illegal filesharers will simply hack into other peoples WiFi networks to do their dirty work. This will result in more innocent people being disconnected from the internet.

"Gordon Brown has said that internet access is as vital today as gas and water.Yet these proposals would remove citizens' access to education, health advice, best consumer prices, and political organization and expression. These are very serious matters. Such a punishment should be dealt with in the proper way, in a court of law. This 'guilty until proven innocent' approach violates basic human rights."

Miss Tierney is urging people to join her in signing the petition against the Number 10 petition against the Digital Economy Bill. See http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/dontdisconnectus/.