I cannot understand why the assurance that “Acta does not oblige ISPs to monitor” what the private individual does on the internet is being constantly misinterpreted.

Most of the provisions of Acta were already part of Maltese laws- Oscar Mifsud, Gżira

It is no use trying to convince us by repeating the above quote. “Does not oblige” means just that. And that means that ISPs can actually interfere, although they are not obliged to do so.

But, for heaven’s sake, who is talking about “being obliged”? What we are saying, by objecting to this sentence, is that, by saying that “ISPs are not obliged to ...” is tantamount to saying that “they are allowed to ...” which is exactly what is objectionable.

I am surprised to note that the phrase is in fact being used by the powers that be to explain that there is actually no danger of such interference and invasion of privacy. Oh! Really? You don’t say!

Lawyer Antonio Ghio, during a debate on Acta at the University, said: “The myth that it will restrict freedom of expression or that Acta will turn internet users into criminals and ISPs into policemen is all rubbish”, adding that most of the provisions of Acta were already part of Maltese laws.

That is not my point. I am all in favour of all the good points in Acta! Like many others I am objecting to just one point in it – that about the excessive liberty it is giving to ISPs, by saying simply that they “are not obliged to ...”, leaving the door open to unlimited abuse. I am not convinced that a law can actually start by the words “ISP’s are not obliged to ...”.

It is crystal clear that if you are not obliged to ..., you are certainly allowed to ...! If the phrase is left as it is, all ISPs will be allowed to delve into people’s private affairs. That says it all!

Finally, I would not say stop Acta but remove the bad points. Where’s the myth; and the rubbish?

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