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Latest NewsHR practiceComputer misuse

Illegal download ban could hit employers’ Internet access

by Personnel Today 19 Feb 2008
by Personnel Today 19 Feb 2008

Government plans to deny internet access to users found illegally downloading music and videos could eventually apply to employers.

A Green Paper will be published this week outlining a ‘three strikes and you’re out’ rule to combat illegal downloads.

First-time offenders would be warned via e-mail to stop downloading copyrighted content. A second warning could see a temporary suspension of internet services, with final action leading to a total block of online access.

A Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (DBERR) spokesman refused to rule out extending planned legislation to employers.

“We intend to issue a consultation outlining possible options, but no decisions have been made,” he said.

A voluntary deal between internet service providers and rights holders remains the preferred option to tackle piracy. But the DBERR spokesman said: “There should be no doubt that the government will legislate if necessary.”

Simon Wilson, a partner in the technology risk division of professional services firm Deloitte, said the three-strikes rule could easily apply to employers.

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“If a company blatantly ignores government orders regarding downloads, then there could be a case to shut them down,” he said.

However, technology to measure internet use had become more effective, he said. “If an organisation can demonstrate a clear internet policy, it would be a harsh call to ban its usage.”

Personnel Today

Personnel Today articles are written by an expert team of award-winning journalists who have been covering HR and L&D for many years. Some of our content is attributed to "Personnel Today" for a number of reasons, including: when numerous authors are associated with writing or editing a piece; or when the author is unknown (particularly for older articles).

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