Tech News Sir Tim Berners-Lee: World wide web needs bill of rights

[roachieuk]

The inventor of the world wide web has marked the 25th anniversary of his creation by calling for a 'Magna Carta' bill of rights to protect its users.

Sir Tim Berners-Lee told BBC Breakfast the issue could be compared to the importance of human rights.

He has been an outspoken critic of government surveillance following a series of leaks from ex-US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden.

Sir Tim called on people to take action and protest against surveillance.

'Communal decision'
He told BBC Breakfast the online community has now reached a crossroads.

"It's time for us to make a big communal decision," he said. "In front of us are two roads - which way are we going to go?

"Are we going to continue on the road and just allow the governments to do more and more and more control - more and more surveillance?

"Or are we going to set up a bunch of values? Are we going to set up something like a Magna Carta for the world wide web and say, actually, now it's so important, so much part of our lives, that it becomes on a level with human rights?"

Sir Tim said the internet should be a "neutral" medium that can be used without feeling "somebody's looking over our shoulder".

He called for vigilance against surveillance by its users, adding: "The people of the world have to be constantly aware, constantly looking out for it - constantly making sure through action, protest, that it doesn't happen."

Sir Tim has previously warned that surveillance could threaten the democratic nature of the web.

He has also spoken out in support of Mr Snowden, saying his actions were "in the public interest".

The idea that the world wide web would end up playing such a huge role in people's lives would have seemed "crazy" 25 years ago, said Sir Tim.

He admitted that the web represented "humanity connected", involving both the "wonderful" and the "ghastly".

But he added: "I don't have a lot of sympathy with people who say: 'There's so much rubbish on the web.'

"Well, if there's so much rubbish, if it's rubbish, don't read it. Go read something else."

The web we want campaign has been set up by Sir Tim's World Wide Web Foundation to coincide with the 25th anniversary and aims to protect human rights online.


Source:BBC News - Sir Tim Berners-Lee: World wide web needs bill of rights

What are your views on this?

I think we should have a bit more privacy we arnt all terrorists pedos or on here to do wrong.

 

[Him Her]

While it's a commendable idea, I have a feeling it won't work.

The TPS (Telephone Preference Service) hasn't stopped telesales companies calling and the Data Protection Act hasn't prevented people from getting and using your data.

Electronic Communications legislation hasn't done anything to reduce SPAM, the Electoral Roll has an opt-out but it's not really an opt-out, while the NHS has already given personal information to third-parties.

Everyone else in the public sector loses it or leaves it on trains.

So, IMHO, if you want to protect yourself from the snoopers it will be largely down to you, possibly supported by a thread on DW!

 

[danforth]

It's a bit late now, the battle was lost before most people knew there was one, much less cared about it! We all use it indirectly (like it or not)
because the world as we know it can't function without it. But if you want anything online, your inside leg measurement is becoming "necessary".

A bill of rights may get support, but it's just another placebo to offset concerns from a relatively small minority. Another layer of unenforced
legislation may even further create conflicts and loopholes to be exploited. In any case, many people seem satisfied to give personal information,
irrelevant or not, so he's really chasing a lost cause.

We're more concerned, but when you consider what this forum was (and for some still is) about, you see the irony! Encrypted maybe..but..:Biggrin2:

From a personal viewpoint, the best security is literally within...between your ears...and a minimum elsewhere.That's the best you can do for privacy.
If it's too complex to remember (my problem) store it locally. Storing anything in a "cloud", using commercial encryption formats (and any personal key)
leaves it open to official access at least, with as much time as they want to unlock eventually outdated formats (and probably current ones).

As for Tim Berners-Lee, something to say on TV after 25 years, memoirs in the offing?:Biggrin2: