British Library announces favourites for digital "Magna Carta" clauses

The top clauses that could be included in a "Magna Carta for the digital age", as voted for by visitors to its website, have been revealed by the British Library, on the day of the official commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the original Magna Carta.

Over 30,000 voters have chosen their favourites from over 500 clauses published on the site on 8 June – though the "top 10" announced by the Library includes three entries for freedom from any kind of government censorship, and two for allowing freedom of speech.

Top of the list is "The Web we want will not let companies pay to control it, and not let governments restrict our right to information"; and there are also entries for availability for all those who wish to use it; freedom from mass surveillance; equal access to knowledge, information and current news worldwide; and no selling of personal information and preferences, and more clarity if this is intended.

School students aged 10-18 from around the world were invited to submit clauses for the vote.

“It has been fascinating to see how the public’s top clauses have compared to those of the thousands of students who have co-created this ‘Magna Carta for the digital age’,” Sarah Shaw, project manager of Magna Carta: My Digital Rights commented.

“The project was conceived to encourage young people to think about issues of privacy, access and freedom raised by Magna Carta in the digital age. These ‘Top 10’ clauses we have revealed today show a snapshot of how the public feel at this 800th anniversary moment about our rights and responsibilities on the web.”

There is still time to take part in the vote – click here to find the "My Digital Rights" page. The "Top 10" clauses will remain online as "an ever-evolving ‘Magna Carta for the digital age".