EU might see internet censorship as a trade barrier

Jules Maaten

The European Parliament has accepted a proposal by the Dutch conservative member Jules Maaten a proposal to see internet censorship as a trade barrier. (Here is the news in Dutch.)
The news was reported first on the website of Maaten's political party, the VVD.
The proposal was accepted on Tuesday (571 in favor, 38 against). When the proposal is accepted by the a meeting of the leaders of the 27 member states, the EU has to take measure against countries who deploy internet censorship. That would include China, Cuba and Tunesia.
Maaten says the proposal is unusual, but could be an effective way to protect the freedom of speech on the internet.