Two years ago, The Netherlands was the first European country to codify full net neutrality, and at the time, I expressed the hope that it would serve as a template for EU-wide net neutrality. Well, good news everyone: the European Parliament just accepted full net neutrality, essentially a copy/paste from the Dutch law.
We did get lucky, though – the original proposal included an exception for undefined “special services”, a potentially massive loophole for ISPs. Thanks to Dutch European parliament member Marietje Schaake, the special services exemption was dropped, so that strong net neutrality has now been codified EU-wide – at least by the EP.
In addition, today’s set of new legislation also includes an end to roaming charges within the EU, which is great news for the travelers among us. All in all, a good day for the web.
let’s wait and see what happens after the elections…
Edited 2014-04-03 14:29 UTC
All of my respects
to the European Parliament
Ensuring a brilliant future
over short term interests.
🙂
I trust the EU government as far as I can throw the entire continent… Not at all that is.
It is totally corrupt and I would prefer to disband the whole union except for the free trade agreement and go back to EFTA. If i ever got a job in the EU government i would work as hard as i possible could to stop anything from ever getting “done” as all they do over there is screw the citizens.
Who knew Nigel Farage was a poster on OSNews? Congrats on your recent debates with Clegg.
Just as well they’d never, ever hire you then.
Hopefully theu will neer hire anyone and disband parliaement.
As an (European) expat living in the Netherlands I must say I do really respect your long tradition of trailblazing legislation for fundamental rights and I’m glad of seeing your efforts succeeded even for the wider European community.
The devil is in the details and unintended or unforeseen consequences.