The South American nation of Chile has has become the first country in the world to approve a law guaranteeing net neutrality.

The law states that no ISP can “block, interfere with, discriminate, hinder, nor restrict the right” of any Internet user of using, send, receive or offer any content, application, or legitimate service through the Internet, as well as any activity or legitimate use conducted through the Internet.’

Note the use of the word legitimate. It does mean that it can throttle P2P use if it thinks that that the user is a pirate. This will be difficult to prove of course.

The law also has articles that force ISP to provide parental control tools, clarify contracts, guarantee users’ privacy and safety when surfing, but forbids them to restrict any liberty whatsoever.

It is a big change for Chile. Last year it seemed that almost anything that was performed online was considered illegal.