In-flight Internet access is finally starting to be rolled out by some carriers, and as they do so the inevitable question of what to do about objectionable material is already being debated. Surprisingly, many airlines have decided to not filter in-flight Internet access but instead rely on “peer pressure and the presence of flight attendants,” according to Tim Maxwell, Vice President of Marketing for Aircell, the company providing American’s broadband service.
But others are wondering if that’ll be enough. I share that concern. I can only imagine how ugly things will get on a flight once somebody starts streaming porn from their aisle seat. Flight attendants are going to become “fight” attendants once that happens. And you better believe that somebody in Congress is already cooking up legislation with some snappy title like “The Family Friendly Flights Act” to impose a regulatory solution. (Oh wait, a bill with that title was already introduced last year!! I wrote about it here. But that bill was just for violent movies, not Net access. So expect another measure soon mandating in-flight Net censorship).
Before things get ugly and bills start flying up on the Hill, the airlines need to think about crafting some constructive solutions to this problem. Here are three possibilities:
(1) Offer privacy screens: Airlines could allow unfettered in-flight Net access but also offer those surfing the Net complementary screen privacy filters. If needed, flight attendants could require those screens be used if a certain surfer is prompting complaints from other passengers because of what they are viewing on their laptops.
(2) Seating stipulations: Airlines could offer the back third of planes be “Net-free” and encourage parents with kids to sit back there, or vice-versa (Net surfers sit in back, kids further up).
(3) “Family-friendly” flights: Airlines could stipulate that Net access will be prohibited or tightly filtered during certain flights. That way parents with kids or other sensitive travelers could make sure to book those flights. (I made a similar proposal for cell phones on planes before.)
If airlines don’t adopt plans like this now, they will be in for some serious grief later on. All it is going to take a handful of disrespectful jerks loading up their favorite porn sites in the cabin of plane to set off a firestorm of controversy from travelers, flight attendants, and then lawmakers.
The Technology Liberation Front is the tech policy blog dedicated to keeping politicians' hands off the 'net and everything else related to technology.