Infinite Path

A new YouGov poll has found that public opinion on plans to force ISPs to disconnect individuals suspected of illegal downloading is firmly against the proposal. Thought to be the first time the public have been asked on a large scale about the plans which could see automatic restrictions placed upon individuals accused of making illegal downloads by copyright holders, the survey has uncovered a growing feeling of unease that the government will want to put a lid on, particularly with the Conservative Party keen to make their stance on the matter heard.

Almost three-quarters of those surveyed revealed that they believe those pulled up on the matter of downloading have a right to a trial in court before being disconnected or restricted in any other way.

It has long been suspected that public opinion on this matter would not weigh down heavily on the side of the ministers proposing it, particularly with the official word from ISPs such as T-Mobile revealing apparent flaws in the plans. They have been quick to point out the fallibility of the proposal, which relies upon individuals using their own IP addresses and being honest enough not to encrypt the traffic.

Although ministers have been keen to point out that disconnection, openly regarded as extremist by Jim Killock, the executive director of the Open Rights Group, is considered a last resort and that any kind of plan would undergo stringent debate prior to being deployed, the government may be worried by the survey’s findings that almost one third of those polled would be less inclined to vote for a party which supports such an idea.

People in the UK, especially those in the younger age groups, are very clear about their views on web access, particularly since it is such an important part of daily life for so many reasons; disconnection, it would seem, is not something that many people would be able to tolerate.