There are times in this world where I would like to read an article and say, “Yes, the Onion totally nailed it” and not discover afterwards that it in fact was a legitimate news piece. While a pair of Llamas had the world sitting on the edge of their seats yesterday as they ran to avoid being recaptured, content executives were attending the Content Industry Connect conference in Toronto.
One panel at the conference had a gent by the name of David Purdy as a participant. He apparently took the step of calling on the Canadian government to outright ban the use of virtual private networks, better known as VPNs.
Let that sink in for a moment.
The success of web delivered content cannot be disputed. I myself got rid of my cable subscription over three years ago. The product was no longer of value to me. Too many commercials and content selection that did little to capture my interest. So, off I went in search of better selection online and, yes, I did find it.
I understand that cable companies are annoyed by the success of online media. They missed the boat and are rushing to catch up. Some are doing a better job than others.
When I worked for a record company over two decades ago, I was asked a simple question. “Where do you see the music industry moving to in the next five years?” I paused for just a moment and I said, “online”. Little did I appreciate how right I would prove to be. Record companies flailed against the new dynamic. Now, they’re working to adjust.
Here we find ourselves again in a similar situation with the cable companies and similar content providers.
From Michael Geist:
The frustration over the popularity of Netflix (including Canadians accessing U.S. Netflix) is unsurprising. If Rogers is upset over VPN use to access U.S. Netflix, it should take it up with Netflix. Instead, focusing on consumer VPN use by suggesting that the solution lies in blocking legal technologies in order to stop consumer access is a dangerous one. Countries like China have tried to regulate VPNs, while Iran and Oman have tried to ban them.
Does Canada really want to find themselves lumped in with the likes of Iran and Oman in this case? Banning VPN is an ill-advised knee jerk reaction to an industry fighting to catch up. When in doubt, hobble the leader? Sure, why not?
VPNs are used pervasively by not only industry but, activists, journalists, home users and so on. You get the picture. In certain cases the idea of eliminating or even criminalizing the use of VPNs is foolish and impractical. Many businesses rely on the use of this technology. The courts would be overrun with legal action would this ever to take seed as a cogent thought process in the halls of Parliament.
It is a dangerous precedent to issue a challenge like this without thinking beyond the loss of revenue. Without hyperbole, people’s lives could be put in harms way. I hope that sober reflection will take hold and this will pass. The irony is not lost on me that the very company that David Purdy works for has their own VPN offering for sale.
There are a lot of bad ideas in the world. Hopefully it will never come to this but, if it did, you can have my VPN when you pry it from my cold dead hands.
(Image used under CC from pasukaru76)
