Internet access in Italy

[beowulff]

I just got back from a trip to Italy. The internet access their was uneven at best. Two of our hotels had "free" access, but they required our room number and logged us in and out. Even then, their PC would prevent the creation of a new email from Hotmail, so it was pretty useless. At a another cafe, they wanted our passport before they would provide the SSID of the WiFi. At the News cafe in Rome, their WiFi was open and unblocked.

So, what's the deal - why the differences in security? Are they really worried about "terrorists"?

[Spezza]

Italy has a law that requires they know how the identity of anybody accessing the internet. Any cafe, resturant, hotel, etc, is required to write down one person's information if they access the internet through their services.

You'll notice that at the airport, if you go to one of those instant kiosks, it will demand you allow it to take a photography of your passport before you're allowed to access any online material.

I suspect the News cafe in Rome, that you mention, was breaking the law.

Somebody will come along and post a link to the relevant Italian law.