The Internet industry takes its responsibility seriously, working with Government and the authorities to remove content via CTIRU, enacting terms and conditions and offering tools to customers to help control what content they can view. ISPA is pleased that the Home Office recognises the role industry has played in this area. However, the area of radicalisation is a complex one and industry must not be put in the position of determining the legality of content or what constitutes extremism. It is for Parliament and the courts to determine what is illegal and what action should be taken, not private companies.
Today’s strategy seems to suggest a number of new policy measures to tackle radicalisation online yet little detail is provided. ISPA will be working with members to seek clarification from Government as to what this will mean in practice and the likely effectiveness of these policies.
Responding to the strategy’s publication, ISPA Secretary General Nicholas Lansman said “The Internet industry will continue to work with the Government on online extremism, however it is important to recognise how the Internet can be used to confront extremist ideologies and ISPs also need clarity on the legality of content deemed to be extremist”.
About ISPA
The Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA UK) is the voice of the UK internet industry to Government, parliament, regulators, media and the public. For a list of members or other information about ISPA, please visit www.ISPA.org.uk or the @ISPAUK twitter page.
The views expressed in this release are those of the Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA) and do not necessarily reflect the corporate policies of the individual companies that are members of the Association or other organisations that may be mentioned in the release. For further editorial information please contact the ISPA Press Office (020 3397 3308 or pressoffice@ispa.org.uk).