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Comment by _ph_ | Hacker News Reader

Maybe events like this can trigger politics to review the very laws by which they force us to lock down wi-fi networks in the first place.

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I had a more cynical thought: maybe events like this will trigger security-state politicians to require backdoor access put into all wifi routers (which are then open for NSA/FBI/ect).

What do you mean?

In Italy, there are laws making wifi network operators responsible for the actions of people joining their networks. At one point, public network operators (cafes etc) were required by law to record the ID card of anyone requesting access. This provision was eventually dropped, but I think the overall concept of network owners' responsibility is still there.

I think there's EU-wide push for not allowing free public wifi. Heard about it in at least two other countries. Not sure if any law was passed though.

In my city in Germany all newer bus models have WiFi. Just join the network, agree to the terms and conditions (which consist of 5 short paragraphs) and you are set. No need for an ID.

Italy spearheaded this approach because of content piracy, under the pretense of organized-crime prevention. It was eventually seen as holding back tourism and economy, so it was dropped; but by then, the seed was planted (European law-enforcement agencies co-ordinate a lot, in this day and age) and found roots elsewhere in the wake of terrorist events. I don't think there is an explicit EU directive yet, though.

Sad that preventing piracy is considered more important than easy access to free information.

Interesting. Wasn't there an actual EU ruling encouraging nations to create free public Wi-Fi networks?

Whole city of Cardiff has free WiFi coverage in many places. Every bus, every tourist attraction, most bus stops, galleries etc.

Yeah, it's common, I guess open would be a better word than free.

It's open and free. You just need to register your MAC.

Luxembourg has a city-wide free wifi.

Many cities have, but free doesn't mean anonymous. You need to qualify (usually by residing in that city) and apply for an account with a personal username and password.

    > You need to qualify (usually by residing in that city)
    > and apply for an account with a personal username and
    > password.

I've never seen that as a tourist. Accept terms maybe; perhaps even some survey-type details, but never an actual login.

Malta for example has incredible coverage - it's everywhere, even small towns. Just accept terms and give nationality, age, gender.

I think tourists would need WiFi more than residents.

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