Tech Blog — John Keyes

IRMA’s recent action, demanding that Eircom block access to The Pirate Bay, has been well documented around the blogosphere. I sent the following to Minister Eamon Ryan tonight:

Dear Minister, I write with regards to a very important issue that threatens Irish internet users, and the Irish internet industry. IRMA (Irish Recorded Music Association) have demanded that Eircom block internet access to a file-sharing website called The Pirate Bay. This is not a request, it’s been backed with the threat of legal action against Eircom (and other Irish ISPs). Not to put too fine a point on it, this is censorship. As a society we condemn Chinese censorship of “western” news stories, yet it appears that it is okay to censor Irish internet access, for a group with deep pockets. The question I have is “Where will the line be drawn?” Will any group or individual with enough financial clout be able to threaten our ISPs and have more of the internet censored? If this request is acted upon by the ISPs, we are sending a message to the international community, that you should not run an internet business from Ireland, as the risk is too high to having your content blocked by ISPs. It will also act as encouragement for young Irish internet entrepreneurs to move abroad to bring their vision to life. If possible we need to block IRMAs actions and set the precedent that there will be no censorship of any form in Ireland. Yours sincerely, John Keyes

Keep up-to-date with the latest on this very important issue for Irish internet users at Blackout Ireland.