American LibrariesSearch American Libraries  |
||
Site Navigation
Left Sidebar ItemsOnline Features
|
||
U.S. Seeks Filter Critics in COPA AppealThe U.S. Department of Justice is apparently gearing up for an expected trial on the constitutionality of the 1998 Child Online Protection Act in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia, according to a report in the online Wired News for April 22. DOJ attorneys have contacted critics of Internet filtering software, among them American Libraries “Internet Librarian” columnist Karen Schneider, asking if they would be willing to serve as expert witnesses. Their argument is that, since software products like CyberPatrol are ineffective, COPA—which requires credit-card or age verification for access to erotic Web sites—is necessary to protect children from harmful material. Schneider told AL that the DOJ had contacted her by phone and sent a packet of material, but failed to pursue the matter further. “I may be critical of filters,” she said, “but I’m even more critical of attempts to tighten a noose around the First Amendment.” The Wired report stated that Christopher Hunter, a doctoral candidate at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication who has written about the flaws in filters, also declined to cooperate with the DOJ. “Our research, meant to defeat mandatory filtering laws, may now be used in support of even more restrictive age-verification regimes,” he said. Posted May 1, 2000. |
Right Sidebar
|
|
