Tuesday, October 24, 2006
The Downfall of Cybercafes in Italy
The article entitled, Italian Law Hits Cybercafés, describes how Cybercafés in Italy are suffering because of the new Italian law that was issued. This law mandates the owners of Internet cafes to ask clients for their identification before accessing the Internet. These business owners are required to record their client’s personal information and document the web sites they accessed on the Internet. This law was issued as a safety precaution against terrorist attacks since London was a subject to terrorist bombings in July.
According to one Internet Café owner, "fifty percent of the people who come for Internet don't want to show their document.'' His registry books listed the names of a few clients who used the computers. However, their passport numbers were not written down because of their refusal to comply with the law. Supposedly, Italy is the only European country to issue this law which seems completely pointless especially if people can hide their true identity by not writing down their passport numbers, issuing false passports or by simply avoiding this hassle by not going to cybercafés.
Because of this law Cybercafés have become unpopular among citizens that Internet cafes are no longer a thriving business. It is known that “seven Internet parlors in Florence were temporarily closed last month for not complying with the law.” This quote reveals the importance of privacy. People want to maintain their rights of privacy and will therefore refuse to comply with the law or avoid this infringement of their rights by not going to cybercafés. Unfortunately, Internet café owners are at a loss since the Italian governments issued this law.
According to one Internet Café owner, "fifty percent of the people who come for Internet don't want to show their document.'' His registry books listed the names of a few clients who used the computers. However, their passport numbers were not written down because of their refusal to comply with the law. Supposedly, Italy is the only European country to issue this law which seems completely pointless especially if people can hide their true identity by not writing down their passport numbers, issuing false passports or by simply avoiding this hassle by not going to cybercafés.
Because of this law Cybercafés have become unpopular among citizens that Internet cafes are no longer a thriving business. It is known that “seven Internet parlors in Florence were temporarily closed last month for not complying with the law.” This quote reveals the importance of privacy. People want to maintain their rights of privacy and will therefore refuse to comply with the law or avoid this infringement of their rights by not going to cybercafés. Unfortunately, Internet café owners are at a loss since the Italian governments issued this law.
