Internet Services Providers’ Association UK (ISPA UK) has named country’s Home Secretary Theresa May as the Internet Villain at its 2015 ISPA awards.
Eighteen awards were given out on the night with dozens of innovative providers and organisations present at the ceremony in the City of London.
David Davis MP and Tom Watson MP were jointly named as Internet Hero for their legal action against DRIPA, seeing off competition from the Interception of Communications Commissioner, Privacy International and GreenNet and Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation.
David Anderson QC. Surveillance has dominated both the Hero and Villain shortlists for number of years, and it was felt Davis and Watson were some of the best informed politicians on the subject.
Home Secretary Rt Hon. Theresa May MP won Internet Villain for forging ahead with communications data legislation without fully consulting industry. With an Investigatory Powers Bill due before parliament in the coming months, it is essential that ISPs are consulted. Privacy International picked up the award on the Home Secretary’s behalf.
A special 20th Anniversary Award was also given to John Souter, CEO of LINX, for his service to the Internet industry. LINX (The London Internet Exchange) is fundamental to the UK Internet industry by allowing providers of all sizes to peer and exchange Internet traffic for the past 21 years, providing a cost effective platform for ISPs.
Fibre broadband ISP Hyperoptic were the biggest winners of the night with three trophies, including winning Best Superfast Broadband for the third year in a row. Hosting provider catalyst2 won two awards, including winning the Customer Choice award for the third year in a row, the only category purely decided by customer ratings.
ISPA Secretary General Nick Lansman said “Congratulations to all the winners. With ISPA celebrating its 20th Anniversary, the ISPAs show the continued strength and diversity of the UK Internet industry as the UK economy moves ever more online. The Hero and Villain Awards also show that industry needs to be included in the surveillance debate”.
