The Net industry is Britain has named Home Secretary Mrs Theresa May as Internet Villain of the Year….reports Asian Lite News
The Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA) is the UK’s Trade Association for providers of internet services. She was named for the award for pursuing “snooper’s charter” legislation without fully consulting the sector.
ISPA brings together the UK internet industry to provide essential support through innovation, knowledge and experience in order to benefit the UK economy and society. Promoting collaboration and constructive dialogue between its members and the wider internet community, ISPA is an all important driving force for the industry.
When the Home Secretary was the villain, the Heroes are MPs Tom Watson and David Davis for their role in challenging surveillance inside and outside the Parliament.
The gong, part of the annual ISPA awards, was given for “forging ahead with communications data legislation that would significantly increase capabilities without adequate consultation with industry and civil society”.
“With an investigatory powers bill due before parliament in the coming months, it is essential that ISPs are consulted,” the ISPA added.
The hero MPs were fighting against the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act (DRIPA).
“Surveillance has dominated both the hero and villain shortlists for number of years, and it was felt Davis and Watson were some of the best informed politicians on the subject,” the ISPA said.
Also nominated for the Hero award were the Interception of Communications Commissioner (part of the Home Office), Privacy International, GreenNet and David Anderson QC, an independent reviewer of terrorism legislation. David Anderson QC.
A special 20th anniversary award was given to John Souter, chief executive of Linx (the London Internet Exchange) for his service to the internet industry.