Millions of Music, Movie Downloading Teenagers to Face Mandelson Rage
An estimated seven million internet users – a good number of which are teenaged children – are facing the wrath of the business secretary of the United Kingdom, Lord Mandelson, for downloading movies and music illicitly over the internet. This targeted lot amounts to one in twelve of the UK population. More tragedy impends, as even a large number of parents could also get thrown off the net if their young ones are found to be illegally downloading the forbidden files.
According to the Digital Britain (now Mandelson’s priority) plans, the internet accounts of those flouted the fresh laws could be suspended, and more they could also face penalties of up to GBP 50,000. The fresh move from the government’s part is widely perceived as the pet priority of the business secretary. Speculations, such as Mandelson was sucessfully lobbied by the film and music industry to press for the changes, are also very much flying.
The Digital Britain report published in June by Lord Carter who was the communications secretary then, seemed to hint that regarding the approach towards illegal downloading, ministers were found taking it a bit easy. However, Lord Mandelson who currently seems to have taken digital poilcy as his cup of tea, is seen advocating the need for tougher measures, reportedly to appease the resenting film and recording companies.
It is also understood that the Queen’s Speech will include a consultation document that would recommend an array of stringent sanctions for serial downloaders of the internet. The document has been commissioned for accompanying Digital Britain that would form the platform of the Digital Economy Bill. Under the consulation paper’s proposals, the communications watchdog of the UK, Ofcom would ask the broadband providers to keep a record of the illegal downloaders’ computer who did it on a regular basis.
