Article: United Nations: Disconnecting File-Sharers Breaches Human Rights

[Cabalo]

You can view the page at https://filesharingtalk.com/content/1...s-Human-Rights

[duke0102]

This is kinda good news

[acooperfan]

Best news I have heard in ages

[teflon05]

In my opinion, I would think the UN would have more important things to worry about than this...And when did internet access become a
"Human Right"??

Being deprived of food, clothing, shelter, or freedom is a breach of human rights. Losing internet access is a fucking inconvenience.

[brilman]

Wouldn't that be "freedom" to learn and grow or is it the inconvenience of not being able to watch that youtube video of the dog licking the screen?
Anyway ya look at it still good news...

[teflon05]

People were learning & growing long before the internet was even a dream...If they hadn't been, there would be no internet.

What I'm saying is, there are a lot more important things that they should be concerned with. Much more important things. The internet is not a necessity, although many people seem to think it is.

[megabyteme]

There is a HUGE disparity created when individuals are "left out" of the internet's wealth of information, and social services. Just think of all of the government services one would lose access to when "cut off".

I agree that there are MANY horrible things taking place in the world. There are those who live in countries where food, water, and even the most basic of human rights are denied. We still have genocide occurring in parts of the world.

Yes, there are unspeakable things going on around us, and internet access may be trivial in comparison, but I do applaud the UN for taking a stand for this basic right. They are ABSOLUTELY right on stating its importance. I wish to see internet access reach people in these "third-world" areas nearly as much as I wish them to have food, water, and peaceful, fair lives.

It is a right, and needs to be fought for as any right that has needed to gain recognition as such.

[mjmacky]

People were learning & growing long before the internet was even a dream...If they hadn't been, there would be no internet.

What I'm saying is, there are a lot more important things that they should be concerned with. Much more important things. The internet is not a necessity, although many people seem to think it is.

Actually the internet has become quite ubiquitous. From email communications to work/school related activities, consumer activities, news gathering, media entertainment, managing finances (banking, bills, and payments), etc. Not being able to speak your opinion on a matter isn't necessary to live, but it's still regarded as a human right. There's also a matter of how far we allow copyright enforcement to go, it's rather absurd that they'd be able to go so far as permanently ban your ability to subscribe to internet service for downloading a few songs/movies. They used to hack the hands off of thieves, do you think we should still be practicing that as well?

In addition to that, the internet is also what's been allowing the Arab Spring revolutions to set foot and gain/keep momentum. Don't underestimate the importance/power of information.

On another note, are you even old enough to remember how some of those things were done before the internet? Well to put it this way, they weren't done as often. I think you've taken it for granted because it's always been present for you.

[teflon05]

Uh, I'm probably one of the older people here. I'll put it this way...I was alive before men walked on the moon, and long before most people ever thought there would be personal computers in peoples homes. That's part of my argument...People were doing most of the things you mention before the internet existed (at least for public use) and there are still some that do so.

Actually the internet has become quite ubiquitous. From email communications to work/school related activities, consumer activities, news gathering, media entertainment, managing finances (banking, bills, and payments), etc. Not being able to speak your opinion on a matter isn't necessary to live, but it's still regarded as a human right.

And here is where I disagree with you. Except for email, ALL of this can be done without internet access. It's what I believe is one of the big problems with the US & a large part of the rest of the world now, & it gets bigger every day. People depend on the internet too much, and if something ever happened (not likely I admit, but in the realm of possibility) there would be people totally lost without it.

Don't get me wrong, though...I don't agree that any government or other entity should be able to remove anyone's access to the internet. Just the opposite, I believe that they shouldn't get involved in it at all.

There is a HUGE disparity created when individuals are "left out" of the internet's wealth of information, and social services. Just think of all of the government services one would lose access to when "cut off".

All these "services" you speak of can be accessed without internet access. It might take longer, but they are still available.

Yes, there are unspeakable things going on around us, and internet access may be trivial in comparison, but I do applaud the UN for taking a stand for this basic right.

And where is it written that Internet access is a basic right ? You won't die if you lose internet access, at least not that I know of.

I wish to see internet access reach people in these "third-world" areas nearly as much as I wish them to have food, water, and peaceful, fair lives.

And no offense, but that is just a ludicrous statement. I think that the food, water, shelter & peace things need to be taken care of before anyone worries about the internet. It would be pretty hard to concentrate on that latest YouTube vid when you are starving or dead

[darkmawl]

There is a HUGE disparity created when individuals are "left out" of the internet's wealth of information, and social services. Just think of all of the government services one would lose access to when "cut off".

Most of these services stil have a paper alternative at the local goverment offices.