Regarding your recent criticism of the FIPR (here), I would just like to add the following:
- Regardless of what the agenda of the FIPR is, they do have a point that the Home Office advice does not prove the legality of the system. Evasiveness in answering to legality concerns is doing more damage than the FIPR can ever do on its own.
- The fact that an organisation is legit, does not imply that all its activities are legal. The question whether something should be legal, is a separate question which is for the law makers to decide on.
- The way in which internet users are better served is not determined by you, the ISPs, or any commercial party. This is determined by the users themselves. These users have a right to be informed about matters that concern decisions in this regard. Independent foundations such as FIPR serve a crucial role to provide balanced information on such matters and, even more so, on the consequences of such matters. Furthermore, relevant information is currently not being provided in an adequate manner by you (and BT for that matter), supporting the need for an organisation that does not have a commercial goal driving their agenda.
- The FIPR does not wish to block technological process, it wishes to block technological process that has negative consequences or that has not sufficiently been tested. In the natural sciences and especially in the medical sciences there are many ethics and safety commissions that safeguard against implementation of technological processes that may be harmful or potentially unsafe. Though these consequences are often physical damage, damage to social values and structures, including privacy, are arguably of equal severity. In this regard the FIPR is not abusing its influence, it's merely doing what it should be doing.
- I have taken notice of your arguments for using your services and even without the FIPR's standpoint I am not convinced of why such services are desirable for me. I do find that many of my concerns are not addressed in your information, making it impossible to reach a valid informed choice about the service based on your information. In this regard the FIPR is doing just that which you claim it is standing in the way of doing: allowing me to reach a valid and informed choice.
