Although the government abandoned the idea of blocking web sites with dangerous content, it is still determined to crackdown on the web.

Deputy Finance Minister Jacek Kapica has come up with an alternative solution to the online betting problem, which would enable him to exercise absolute control over the web, say critics. Kapica’s idea is to create a special unit within the customs service, which would control the web and block sites if a court decided that they contained dangerous content or would enable internet users to gamble online, according to the Dziennik Gazeta Prawna daily..

The unit members would be appointed by the Finance, Justice and Infrastructure Ministries.

The minister’s idea is, in fact, a return to the previous government’s proposal to create a “black list” of web sites with dangerous content which should be blocked. The proposal was severely criticized by internet users who claimed that the draft bill would violate the freedom of expression on internet. After the protest PM Donald Tusk assured internet users that the government would abandon the idea and in the future consult them on legislation concerning internet.

“I hope that Kapica’s initiative comes from a lack of communication in the government and not the lack of government’s understanding of what the internet is,” said Jaroslaw Lipszyc, head of the foundation which organized previous protests and is planning to hold a conference “Democracy in times of internet”, to which PM will be invited. (mg)