Open Rights and digital freedom
Published: 12 Sep 2005 17:20 BST
...to have their expertise behind us. We are particularly interested in finding out what policies exist for releasing information that's already in the public domain.
What are the implications of the digitalisation of information?
This is two-fold. There is a positive aspect and a negative aspect to it. Digitalised information can have a very positive impact, for example we've all experienced situations where we are put through to the wrong department and speak to various customer service staff often futilely. Digitalisation of information can help route information more effectively and provide a better service. However the downside is this can open the gateway for abuse as soon as you start to join up governmental departments you start to get privacy issues that need to be addressed. We have to make sure we have transparency and discussion.
Is there a way we can balance our need for security with our need to protect our freedom?
A balance is achievable, it just takes a bit more imagination, but we have to protect our civil liberties and protect our digital rights
When would Charles Clarke's proposed draft become law? br /> The UK, Ireland, Sweden and France are all proposing a draft framework which will first be looked at buy the Justice Home Affairs Committee, there will then be a formal meeting in October to try and get it adopted. There are a few MEPs who are put out by this move.
What impact will this legislation have if the UK adopts it?
ISPs and telcos will be faced with storage issues and they are going to have a budget to meet, the government might subsidised them but it can be argued that this means less money to spend on schools and health. As a result many ISPs are going to go out of business and will also put up connecting charges.
What is ORG's plan for the next few months?
We are still very much in the pre-acorn stage , but we have some talented individual supporting us. We now need to set ourselves up legally as a company limited by guarantee and which will give us legal status. We currently have 850 subscribers but need 1000 to launch officially.
Visit the ORG Web site to learn more.
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