Privacy must be factored into the introduction and development of new technology and laws, rather than be left as an afterthought.
This was the message from Wendy Seltzer, staff attorney of the US civil liberties group the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), at the inaugural meeting of the Cape Town branch of the SA Chapter of the Internet Society last night. The launch was attended by about 80 people and chaired by African Internet activist Alan Levin.
Seltzer said the concept of freedom had to be preserved as one of the principle tenets of the Internet society so that it could develop equitably and fairly for all countries and nations.
Her comments come as the country prepares for the introduction of a convergence law that proposes to license content providers and a privacy law that could be placed before Parliament within the next year or so.
Seltzer said she hoped SA would learn from some of the mistakes the US had made in passing laws that inhibited the progress of the Internet, and avoid the excessive protection that is often attributed to copyright laws.
"For instance, watching a DVD using Linux software is technically a violation of US law, as the recording companies have stated on their copyright that only drivers for Windows may be used. This is not useful to society," Seltzer said.
She added that the EFF was also watching with concern the rising number of patents being filed in the US, as many were not useful to society, or even unique ideas. Seltzer said the EFF in particular did not like software patents.
"A patent should apply to something that benefits society and is a unique idea. Patenting one-click transactions process for Internet shopping is not unique and simply is another way of completing a transaction."
The EFF was founded 12 years ago as an advocacy group devoted to anti-censorship efforts, cyber-rights and encryption issues. A founding member was former Grateful Dead composer John Perry Barlow, who was also instrumental in setting up Cape-based Bridges.org - an organisation dedicated to bridging the digital divide.
At the close of last night`s meeting, a motion was adopted that the Cape Town branch of the Internet Society would focus on outreach programmes for the benefit of society.
Members of the steering committee are: Naresh Dajee, Alan Levin, Daniel Chalef, Wido Schnabel, Eug`ene du Plooy, Jenni Husler, Don Gray, Saul Stein, Matsebe Phasha, Howard Klevansky, John Golden, Mike Kawitzky and Schwann Cybershaman.
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