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Deutsch: Niederländische Internetprovider verzichten auf "unwirksame"...
In 2010, the largest Dutch internet providers were taking steps to implement the blocking of blacklists provided by the Dutch Child Abuse hotline. EDRi has always insisted that the blocking of websites with images of sexual child abuse is a counterproductive measure. The Dutch internet providers, together with the Dutch hotline, now share the views of EDRi in this regard, that web-blocking is not an effective measure.
The letter was sent to the Dutch Minister of Justice on 10 November 2010, but was officially released only at the beginning of March 2011 (i.e. after the publication of the report of the European Parliament which also touched on web blocking). The providers conclude (unofficial translation):
"Based on the reports of the Child Abuse Hotline we have come to the preliminary conclusion that (...) blocking websites containing child pornography by means of a blacklist can no longer serve as a reliable and effective way to contribute to fighting child pornography on the internet."
This is an important step in opening up the debate for concrete, effective measures against the distribution of sexual child abuse images: taking down the websites and prosecuting the criminals behind these websites, instead of hiding these websites behind internet filters.
The original file can be found here (only in Dutch, 18.11.2010)
https://www.bof.nl/live/wp-content/uploads/brief-meldpunt.pdf
An unofficial translation of the letter can be found on the website of
Bits of Freedom (7.03.2011)
https://www.bof.nl/2011/03/07/dutch-providers-abandon-ineffective-web-...
(contribution by Ot van Daalen - EDRi-member Bits of Freedom, Netherlands)