Detain alien without charge for using such technology? (8)

I believe the answer is:

internet

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'without charge for using such technology?' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I cannot judge whether this works.

'detain alien' is the wordplay.
'detain' becomes 'intern' (I've seen this before).
'alien' becomes 'et' (extra terrestrial).
'intern'+'et'='INTERNET'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for internet that I've seen before include "Here, blogs" , "surfing place" , "go surfing here?" , "Worldwide network for data transmission" , "Vast computer network" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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