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INTERNET SERVICES PROVIDERS WELCOME NEW ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS BILL

30 November 1999
 
The Internet Services Providers Association (ISPA) welcomes the new Electronic Communications Bill and the momentum with which the Bill is passing through the legislative process. The changes that have been made to the Bill reflect the results of the Government's consultation, and ISPA welcomes this recognition of Industry's opinions. ISPA shares the Government's hope that the Bill will achieve Royal Assent by next April.
 
"We are pleased that the Government has heard the voice of the Internet Industry in the UK and has chosen to explicitly reject the use of Key Escrow as a legal requirement," said Tim Pearson, ISPA Chairman. The opportunity offered by the Bill for industry to maintain a voluntary accreditation scheme, and for the statutory scheme to be set up only if the voluntary scheme does not take off is welcomed by ISPA. One concern is over the considerable amount of the Bill that relies on secondary legislation, and ISPA appeals to the Government to clarify the process by which such legislation will be introduced.
 
The removal of Part III from the Electronic Communications Bill is a welcome development. However, ISPA is concerned about the future of the proposals for enhancing law enforcement on the Internet that made up this part of the Bill, and is keen to ensure that these most contentious proposals are reconsidered. "We hope there will be a full consultation on the new Home Office Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill", said Tim Pearson.
 
Ends.
 
Note for editors:
 
  1. The UK Internet Services Providers Association (ISPA UK) was set up in 1995 as a trade association to represent UK companies in the Internet sector. For a list of members or other information about ISPA, please consult the website: http://www.ispa.org.uk
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  3. For additional details please contact Secretary General of ISPA, Nicholas Lansman, on 0171 976 0679 or email: secretariat@ispa.org.uk