X-Sender: helmberg@mailhost.via.at Date: Mon, 24 Mar 1997 16:07:03 +0100 To: <pgp-users@rivertown.net> From: Florian Helmberger <helmberg@via.at> Subject: [PGP-USERS] JFYI: Austria goes offline

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I thought this might be of interest for some of you guys...

More info about this action is accessable at <http://www.internet.at>.

*** ==================== Austria goes Offline ====================

On Tuesday, 25.3.1997, Austria's ISPs are going to shutdown all their Internet services from 16:00 to 18:00 MET. The reason for this unique action is the recent seize of all computer equipment of a Viennese ISP by the police as pieces of evidence. This official act was triggered by a denunciation versus persons unknown regarding child pornography dating 10.3.1996 (! one year ago !).

Confiscation of equipment after more than one year doesn't seem to be appropriate for securing evidence. The current legal status doesn't clearly define the position of an ISP and doesn't specify general guidelines for the responsibility of content of the Internet. With the general shutdown Austria's ISPs are demonstrating the only mode of operation which is evidently conforming to current law.

Apart from the existing willingness for co-operation Austria's ISPs are, at the same time, offering practical support for the legal authority like free Internet access and training for their staff.

From: "Christian Panigl, ACOnet/UniVie" ***

Best wishes, Florian

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___________________________________________________________________________ Florian Helmberger http://home.pages.de/~helmberg ------------------------------[Quote of the day]--------------------------- "I am a marvellous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man, I keep his house." -- Zsa Zsa Gabor