Senate Unanimously Passes Filtering Bill
for Internet Service Providers
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill May 13 that would require all Internet service providers with more than 50,000 subscribers to supply filters to their customers.
The Senate bill requires Internet companies to provide “filtering technologies that would empower parents to limit or block access of minors to unsuitable material on the Internet,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), who cosponsored the bill with Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.).
The CNet online news service noted that many Internet providers, including America Online, already provide filters to their subscribers. The legislation directs the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to determine how many companies offer filters; if fewer than 75% fail to provide them within one year, all companies that size would be required to do so within three years.
Legislation has been introduced in the House and Senate requiring schools and libraries that receive federal e-rate subsidies for Internet connections to install filters.
Posted May 17, 1999.
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