Net Neutrality in Mexico Still Has a Long Way to Go Patricia Rey - BNAmericas
go to original March 1, 2015

Critics say the telecomunications law passed last June in Mexico is an attack on independent media. Clayton Conn has more on this story from Mexico. (teleSUR English)

Mexico's telecom reform, which introduced changes to regulations ranging from free competition to government programs, also included new rules on public access to the internet, which were viewed by the public and activists as a threat to freedom of speech and the right to information.

The law was too vague and open to interpretation, activists argued, which could lead to ISPs taking the matter into their own hands. According to InternetLibre.org, the law stated that ISPs could be considered responsible for the content uploaded to the net by their subscribers, which would lead to providers controlling what users do.

The regulation goes as far as to allowing providers to "block access to certain content, applications or services, when authorities have a warrant or they violate the law." However, there are no guidelines on what would constitute a breach of regulations or in which instances an authorized warrant could be granted.

The law also establishes that any website or content could be taken down by the government itself if it poses a threat to national security, but again, there is no specification as to what would constitute a threat. Therefore, as argued by activists, the interpretation of the law lies with the authorities, including regulator IFT, and not the users.

Read the rest at BNAmericas

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