U.K. ISP Adopts Three Strikes Policy

A UK ISP is going for the three strikes policy on illegal file sharers, scaling back from cutting them off completely.

Hull, on the east coast of England, is a little different. It’s the only city in the country that doesn’t use British Telecom, instead having its own, unique telecoms system, and that includes its own ISP, Karoo.

However, Karoo has been somewhat ruthless with illegal file sharers, cutting them off without warning. Now it’s scaling back to adopt a three-strikes-and-you’re-out policy, although even that is more severe than other British ISPs. But as the only game in town, consumers in Hull can’t choose a different ISP.

The company has admitted that its previous policy was “exceeding the expectations of copyright owners.” Under the old rules, those disconnected received one free reconnection, then had to pay around $50 for each subsequent reconnection.

Nick Thompson, director of consumer and publishing services at Karoo said:

"It is evident that we have been exceeding the expectations of copyright owners, the media and internet users. So, we have changed our policy to move in more line with the industry standard approach, whilst still taking the issues of copyright infringement and illegal internet activity seriously."

Jim Killock, executive director of digital rights organization The Open Rights Group, told the Guardian:

"Karoo’s policy still has major concerns around presuming guilt, allowing innocent people to clear their name, and allowing due process to take place. They are still threatening to cut users from the internet without testing the evidence. This is especially concerning given their monopoly position."

"Even prisoners get to use the internet. For many people, web access is not optional in the modern world."