Debunking Rumors of an Internet Takeover
Posted in: Governance at 13/06/2012 14:34
This just in from Geneva: The United Nations has no plans to seize control of the Internet. The Web-snatching black helicopters have not left the hangar.
Internet conspiracy theorists will be disappointed. The latest one, fueled by "open Internet" groups, Internet companies like Google and some U.S. lawmakers, was that mouse-clicking bureaucrats at U.N. headquarters in Geneva, supported by governments suspicious of the United States, were scheming to take over the Internet itself.
To continue reading this New York Times report, go to:
www.nytimes.com/2012/06/11/technology/debunking-rumors-of-an-internet-takeover.html
Also see:
UN Internet takeover rumours mask bigger governance shortcomings by Michael Geist
In recent months the Internet has been buzzing about the prospect of a United Nations "takeover" of the Internet, including responsibility for governance of the domain name system. The concern hit a fever pitch late last month when the U.S. Congress held hearings on the issue. A steady stream of technology companies and consumer groups expressed fears with potential U.N. and foreign government involvement and members of Congress pledged to take a strong stand against the takeover.
While a U.N. takeover would indeed be cause for serious concern, the reality is far more complex and somewhat less ominous. This issue has been festering for over 15 years and is less about whether there will be efforts at governmental control and more about which government controls.
www.thestar.com/business/article/1209040--un-internet-takeover-rumours-mask-bigger-governance-shortcomings
