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Deutsch: EGMR: Sperre von Google-Seiten in der Türkei verstößt gegen Mensche...

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) decided on 18 December 2012 that the Turkish Court decision to block the entire Google Sites breached the Freedom of Expression as foreseen in Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR).

Turkey has a long history of censorship policy regarding Internet content and blocking of websites.

Sometimes, watching the Commission make up its mind on a controversial topic is like watching a sports match. One of these topics is the question of whether it is legal for governments to encourage internet service providers (ISPs) to restrict fundamental rights “voluntarily” or whether they would need a legal basis. The European Home Affairs Commissioner, Cecilia Malmström is certain... that they do, that they don't and that they might... possibly.

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Deutsch: Dänemark: Opposition will Netzsperren gegen illegalen Medikamentenhan...

A majority outside the Danish government parties proposes to abandon blocking access to websites selling illegal medicine.

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Deutsch: Europäische Domainnamen unter Druck

On 26 November 2012, 132 or 133 domain names were seized by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (ICE) in collaboration with the Europol and national law enforcement authorities.

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Deutsch: Ungarn: Die Freiheit des Internets steht auf dem Spiel

Restrictions on freedom of expression and on access to information would be two repercussions of recently drafted changes to Hungary’s Criminal Code. The law would allow the government to “block” and potentially delete online material if hosting providers fail to respond to notice-and-take-down procedures.

While Internet service providers would not be liable for user content, they would be obliged to “block” websites placed on the National Media and Telecommunication Authority’s blacklist following a court order.

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Deutsch: Irland: Ausländische Wettseiten könnten gesperrt werden

The Irish government plans to block foreign betting websites.

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Deutsch: „The Pirate Bay“ bleibt in Finnland weiterhin gesperrt

The Pirate Bay (TPB) remains blocked in Finland as the Finnish Supreme Court has rejected ISP Elisa’s request to hear its appeal in the case filed by the Copyright Information and Anti-Piracy Center (CIAPC) in May 2011.

In the respective case, in October 2011, the Helsinki District Court ordered Elisa to block the domain names and IP-addresses of TPB, thus forcing the ISP to censor the torrent site, under the threat of 100 000 Euro/day fines for non-compliance.

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Deutsch: EDRi: Schreiben zu Netzsperren & der EU-Charta der Grundrechte

EDRi sent on 2 November 2012 a letter to Commissioner Malmström on a legal contradiction in relation to website blocking that needs to be resolved in order to bring Member States into line with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union:

Dear Commissioner Malmström,

As you know, Member States may decide to "block" access to illegal child abuse websites according to the Directive on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography.

While we obviously su