Tokyo, Nov. 10 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s communications ministry said Tuesday that it will establish an expert panel to discuss the legal issues surrounding website blocking by telecommunications carriers as a measure to prevent the misuse of personal information exposed in cyberattacks. The panel will meet once or twice a month starting in late November. It is expected to compile an interim report early next year. Website blocking involves telecommunications carriers forcibly cutting off access to certain websites. In an emergency cybersecurity package compiled Friday, the Japanese government included a proposal to consider allowing telecommunications carriers to block access to websites where stolen personal information is posted. The planned panel will be established in response to the package and will consist mainly of experts in constitutional and criminal law. Following an unauthorized access incident involving GMO Internet Group Inc., leaked personal information was posted on a website believed to be operated by the attacker. This prompted the ministry to ask telecommunications carriers to block access to the website. Website blocking requires carriers to identify the websites users are attempting to access and therefore may conflict with the constitutional guarantee of the secrecy of communications. The legal basis for such blocking also remains unclear. “Drawing up guidelines for website blocking and ultimately enacting legislation is important,” NTT Inc. President and CEO Akira Shimada said last week. “Careful consideration is needed in light of the secrecy of communications,” communications minister Hisayuki Fujii said Tuesday. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
