What is this world coming to? Internet providers fined for erotic chats in Israel
 

Is this a precursor for more repression in other countries?


Internet Zahav is expected to pay up to NIS 5.2 million (USD 1.1 million) and Bezeq International up to NIS 2.3 million (USD 0.5 million).
Orna Yefet

The Director-General of the Ministry of Communications, Avi Balashnikov, told the Knesset?s Finance Committee on Wednesday that he intends on imposing fines on internet providers Bezeq International and Internet Zahav for allowing surfers access to erotic live chats.

Internet Zahav is expected to pay up to NIS 5.2 million (USD 1.1 million) and Bezeq International up to NIS 2.3 million (USD 0.5 million).

The ministry will make a final decision on the fines early next week.

Half a year ago the ministry revealed plans to fine the companies. The companies appealed the decision to fine them for millions of shekels, which was dealt with by the legal department at the ministry, and there were rumors of pressure being exerted on the ministry to reduce the fines.

Finance Committee Chairman and Shas MK Amnon Cohen asked the Communication Ministry?s director-general not to reduce the fines.

Balashnikov said he will announce the final amounts early next week and that by March 30 mobile phone providers will block access to pornographic and erotic Web sites for under-18 users of third generation phones.

Cohen also demanded that Bezeq be asked to give costumers the option of blocking calls to cellular phones.