A Primer on the Law of Internet Communication and Content: From the UK and Dutch Perspective

Communication on the internet is unprecedented in its scale, scope, speed, and anonymity. Online words immediately reach the whole globe, can have tremendous impact, and the author is not always known. Our legal system is not naturally fit to deal with these characteristics of the internet. In this paper we address internet communication and content issues from a legal angle. Our discussion reveals the struggle of the law with getting control over what happens on the internet. It is no matter of favouring the law or the internet, the two should act in tandem to realize a safe and just society. The final word on how strict or free legal control should be, has not been said determined. We contribute to this discussion in our paper by discussing UK and Dutch case law and doctrine on threats, defamation, grooming, and ISP blocking.