A court in Germany recently ruled that Internet access is a basic human right and people can sue their Internet provider for damages if Internet connection is lost. This ruling emphasizes the importance of electronic access in today’s society.
The lawsuit stemmed from a man who lost his Internet connection for two months when his Internet service provider was taken over by another company. He was also disconnected from his telephone service during this time period. He sued, and the German court found in his favor.
The court held that since the majority of German residents use Internet on a daily basis, it plays a “vital role” in the lives of most people and loss of access has a significant impact on daily life. The claimant was entitled to monetary damages against the provider. The court found that Internet access is “essential” and likened the loss of Internet access to the loss of a car in its ability to disrupt life.
While the ruling has no impact on claims in the U.S., it is interesting for both individuals and businesses alike. Businesses, when negotiating contracts or choosing Internet service providers, should take into account the reliability of the provider and how potential “down time” has an impact throughout the business organization.
