News: Telecoms Package Approved

MEPs voted to approve proposals aimed at reforming Europe's telecoms market. Among the measures approved was the controversial amendment on illegal file sharing and copyright infringement. Originally, the package included provisions to cut of a users internet connection without recourse to an appeals process. However, MEPs ensured that individuals should expect to have the presumption of innocence and the right to some kind of hearing before their connection could be cut off. Originally, MEPs had wanted this to be a full court order but a compromise measure was agreed that would mean other avenues of appeal can be considered. It is now down to member states whether they will choose to use these powers. Already, France, the UK and Spain have expressed an interest in using the measures to try to stop illegal filesharing.

The Telecoms Package contained many other important measures aimed at improving the European telecoms markets such as ensuring common technical standards on mobile broadband and measures to increase privacy protections including the facility for individuals to opt-out on the use of internet cookies. Labour MEPs felt that the package as a whole had sufficient safeguards within it and contained many good measures that will improve the market and consumer protections and voted in favour of the whole package.