Internet service providers have agreed to remove any offending online content but there is no competent authority to instruct them to do so.
This is a “very strange situation” regarding anti-cyber harassment, Labour MP Deborah Schembri said yesterday.
“Having such an agreement... but no competent authority that would investigate and give them the necessary authorisation is as good as nothing,” Dr Schembri said.
ISPs such as Go and Vodafone have an understanding between themselves to initiate what is known as the “notice and take down” process, where online hosts remove or disable access to the offending content.
We need an effective ruling body to investigate and take quick action
For instance, if someone bullies another person by posting a comment on Facebook, ISPs can ensure that anyone accessing a computer with a Maltese IP address will not be able to view those comments.
“You might tell me that if this person has a friend in England, that friend might be able to view them anyway. That’s true but the important thing is that the immediate situation affecting the victim would be rectified.
“We need an effective ruling body to investigate and take quick action,” Dr Schembri said.
She had just emerged from “a positive” meeting with the Nationalist Party together with fellow Anti-Cyberharassment Alliance Malta (Acha) members Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Joseph Cuschieri.
Dr Schembri said they were not waiting for immediate feedback from the PN because the issue of cyber harassment was very complex but she was glad to observe the willingness to cooperate and promote an improved law.
She added that the alliance and the PN would be exchanging ideas, which will be discussed with the Nationalist parliamentary group.
The PN, together with other stakeholders, will be active participants, with a draft policy being drawn up and discussed at a seminar in December.
Dr Schembri referred to the wide-ranging and damaging effects cyber bullying could have on people, ranging from children and teenagers to adults and workers.
“Cyber bullying is viewed by hundreds and thousands of people. It also takes the harassment from the schoolyard to the victim’s private home.”
She referred to the damaging effects cyber bullying had on third parties, such as children of parents going through a separation who would take it out online.
She urged people to log on to www.achamalta.com and impart their experiences and suggestions related to cyber harassment, defamation and stalking.