Legislators Consider Restricting Public Wi-Fi

None by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) Americans now expect the convenience of public wireless internet access, but Wi-Fi comes at a cost, says law professor Cheryl Preston. Namely, she says, unfettered wireless access compromises the safety and innocence of children. Preston's argument is once again grabbing lawmaker's attention on Capitol Hill.

"We've loved the convenience of everywhere we can pull up our e-mail. But there's a social cost to that that we're externalizing," Preston says. "Is it worth it to allow predators unidentified access and cyber criminals. Is it worth it to know that kids can escape whatever filters parents and schools can impose so easily. And the community conscience hasn't really thought about that trade-off."

Preston says other modern conveniences have been abandoned after realizing their detriment to the public's well-being - Styrofoam hamburger containers, for instance. To protect the safety of minors, she says internet service providers should be required to make a reasonable effort to filter their public wireless service for pornography. Furthermore, Preston says access to public wireless should be password protected. Unrestricted access should be granted with proof of age at the business hosting the wireless hot-spot, she says. But Pete Ashdown, president of X-Mission, says these tactics don't work. And, cost of imposing these types of restrictions would force him to abandon X-Mission's free public wireless in downtown Salt Lake City.

"If this passes I will have to shut down free wireless internet. The service that I provide is of minor advertising benefit to X-Mission. I think it's a major benefit to the community," Ashdown says. "But as far as economic benefit to me, it is next to nill. So if I have to put in a lot of economic resources into maintaining it, it becomes a no-win game for me."

The Legislature's Judiciary Interim Committee heard testimony from Preston today about the issue. In the meeting, chairman Senator Greg Bell said there could be legislation mandating these restrictions next legislative session. A bill last session failed to gain lawmaker's support.

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