A re-run of revolutionary 1968 it's not. Forty years on and it's state power that's on the rampage this time in Europe as Sweden introduces a new eavesdropping law and the European parliament prepares to sneak through enabling amendments in its telecoms package to end 'mere carriage' for ISPs.
At least the Swedes are revolting. The Swedish eavesdropping law, passed two weeks ago, which will see Swedish officials able to intercept all cross-border email and phone calls is meeting stiff resistance. The angry brigade aren't building barricades exactly, but they are sending lots of emails - 1.1 million according to the latest accounts, sent in protest against the new laws. Those against the law say it will encroach on privacy and civil liberties, the Swedish government says it's required to fight international crime and terrorism - the usual principle v. expediency arguments are raging.
Meanwhile, the European Parliament is continuing down a similar repressive path as it prepares a series of amendments for its Telecoms Package. As yet there seems to be little awareness by Europe's citizens over what is being planned.
Essentially, a legislative path is being plotted which will make ISPs liable for the activities of those using their networks and, having done that, will enable multinational corporations to mount mass law-suits against alleged copyright infringers in Europe.
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