UK voted internet villain 2006

Zen Internet scoops three awards...

Anti-terror moves that would force ISPs to retain data for longer in Europe got the thumbs down last night, as the UK was crowned internet villain of the year.

Judges at the Internet Service Provider Awards said the UK's presidency of the European Union garnered the award for villainy because it failed to assess the impact of the data retention laws before seeking to enforce them.

Sony BMG, European commissioner Viviane Reding, the EC and Russia were also nominated as villains of the web.

The All Party Internet Group was given the title of internet hero for trying to update the Computer Misuse Act.

Despite heckling the compere, Zen Internet managed to scoop three awards. Iain Johnstone, the company's sales manger, picked up gongs for best uncontended service, best heavy business broadband and best business ISP.

Exa Networks won best light business broadband service.

The Virtual Global Taskforce – a consortium of international online police forces – won the Internet Watch Foundation's award for developments in online safety.

BISCit Internet was deemed best dial-up service, UKFast was best hosting provider, best portal went to Tiscali and best streaming service was given to Groovy Gecko.

The best sumo (mega-broadband) consumer broadband was Be Unlimited. UK Online and Madasafish won awards for light and heavy consumer broadband, respectively. And best sumo business broadband went to Telewest Business Essentials.