Web Content, Personal Data Handling, Free Speech, Providers’ Liability In The Internet Environment

Article by Avv. Felix Hofer¹

1.

In recent years Internet Provider’s liability has more and more shifted to the centre of an intense debate involving exponents of conflicting interests.: Pressure Groups are active lobbying for industry’s or businesses’ (economic) interests or advocating in favour of widely recognized principles (freedom of speech, no barriers to information, pluralism, cultural exchange, etc.). Politicians, Regulators, Public Authorities and Watchdogs usually tend to focus on providing some kind of viable legal framework for international relations as well as on trying to meet needs of common/general interest (safety, crime prevention, intelligence, preventive control, etc) or on granting adequate protection to sector groups/interests (consumers, children and minors, etc.). Providers struggle with: (a) delivering services characterized by sophisticated (and rapidly evolving) technology, (b) moving into areas where traditional "rules" and existing legal framework often