Group Opposes Thai Bill

The Internet Society is urging hundreds of its members in Thailand to oppose provisions in the Thai government’s proposed “Internet Promotion Act,” which the group believes would set a dangerous precedent for government censorship of the global computer network in the Asian nation.

The international organization, based in Reston, Va., objects to terms that call for the licensing of Internet content providers and the establishment of an “Internet Promotion Committee” to set guidelines for online etiquette. Such provisions run counter to the Internet Society’s “Guiding Principles,” which include strong support for unrestricted free expression online.

“We see a danger that the law could lead to a government censorship committee that would attempt to exercise broad and heavy-handed control over the Internet,” says a letter signed by three top executives of the Internet Society, including Vint Cerf, one of the architects of the Net.

A public hearing on the bill was to be held Friday. The government is also considering computer-related laws regarding privacy, security, electronic commerce and antitrust issues.