Suspicion is enough
Regarding: Europe votes on anti-piracy laws.
The problem here is that "users [could be] banned from the web if they fail to heed three warnings that they are suspected of putting copyrighted works on file-sharing networks". If I am suspected of a crime they must prove guilt before administering punishment. Here, suspicion is enough. Oh and we assume they mean "the Internet", rather than "the web"...
There is specific mention of encrypted traffic - I wonder how long it will be before transfer of large encrypted files by an individual and refusing to give keys to allow ISPs to inspect the data is all they need to suspect you of file-sharing.
I'm also not keen on the notion that only approved software should be used. This sounds like it was crafted by those who see no reason why an average person should not want to use the software they approve (or by those companies whose software will be getting approval and will be glad of the average person not being able to build software that leverages an Internet connection).
Bring in these laws and I will join the protest marches. Trying to exert such control will destroy the Internet as we know it in Europe.
Tagged anti-piracy, Europe, freedom, Internet and privacy.
ISPs snooping for the record companies
Regarding: Web disconnection threat to downloaders.
One word for these muppets: encryption. If ISPs can't determine what is being transmitted, will it come down to how the data is being transmitted? "BitTorrent traffic Sir - we can't tell what is being transmitted, but we assume it's illegal". Will it simply be a case of banning by protocol? Or transfer amount? Or will encrypted data be assumed to be pirated material? "3MB being transmitted using SSL - that's no payment form with credit card details, it must be piracy!" How long will it be before the likes of SSH are branded tools of "hackers" and pirates because they prevent ISPs from peeking at your data?
I love the notion that if you have nothing to hide, why should you need to encrypt your data; we should all just lay down and allow ISPs to monitor any data we send or receive for the sake of the profits of record companies.