Vodafone chief demands tighter internet controls

Vittorio Colao argues that internet firms must comply with national regulations on privacy and copyright

Vodafone has stated that internet firms should be bound by national regulations on privacy, intellectual property and copyright.

Writing an article for the Financial Times, Vodafone chief executive Vittorio Colao argued in favour of new laws to block access to sites that invade privacy, or disrupt security.

"In areas such as piracy of music and video content, new copyright laws require public authorities to direct network operators such as Vodafone to block access to illegal services or platforms.

"Extending this to areas such as privacy, citizens' security and consumer protection would offer a powerful incentive for all companies to comply with national laws, and so provide a basis for consumers to seek the protection of their law when they feel the need for it."

This argument is in direct contrast to that advanced by Google and Facebook, who champion a more free internet.

At the G8 Summit 2011 earlier this year, Google's Eric Schmidt and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg backed a more laissez-faire approach, claiming that tight controls would stymie free speech and innovation.

However, at the same event, France president Nicolas Sarkozy said that the internet is not a place where the "principles that govern society in democratic countries do not apply".

In his article, Colao also stated that tighter controls would encourage further investment in the infrastructure enabling internet access.

"Laws and regulations that promote the safe use of the internet will encourage more investment in broadband networks, which politicians rightly seek."