Governance
16 September 2010
EU's Kroes wants to include developing countries in Internet governance EurActiv
Since emerging economies will soon have more web users than the EU and US combined, Internet governance should also be extended to the developing world, Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes said at the opening session of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Vilnius yesterday (14 September).
Internet must remain neutral, says Sir Tim Berners-Lee The Guardian
Mobile operators and internet service providers must not be allowed to break the principle of "net neutrality" - that there should be no favouritism for connecting to certain sites online - Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the world wide web, warned today.
15 September 2010
ICANN Leader Says Multi-Stakeholder Model of Internet Governance Threatened ICANN
The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) says all Internet stakeholders need to strive to keep Internet governance out of the hands of intergovernmental organizations. And if they fail, he warns, there could be unfortunate consequences.
11 September 2010
Net neutrality: the FCC takes back the ball Future of the Internet
There's some movement in the U.S. network neutrality debates under a rather dry heading: "Further Inquiry Into Two Under-Developed Issues in the Open Internet Proceeding."
06 September 2010
Internet governance issues arise in Pacific Radio Australia
An important workshop on Internet governance and communications technology was held in Fiji last week, but at least one invitee refused to attend due to Fiji's strict media censorship.
The web's new walls: How the threats to the internet’s openness can be averted The Economist
When George W. Bush referred to "rumours on the, uh, internets" during the 2004 presidential campaign, he was derided for his cluelessness -- and "internets" became a shorthand for a lack of understanding of the online world. But what looked like ignorance then looks like prescience now. As divergent forces tug at the internet, it is in danger of losing its universality and splintering into separate digital domains.
03 September 2010
The future of the internet: The internet has been a great unifier of people, companies and online networks. Powerful forces are threatening to balkanise it The Economist
The first internet boom, a decade and a half ago, resembled a religious movement. Omnipresent cyber-gurus, often framed by colourful PowerPoint presentations reminiscent of stained glass, prophesied a digital paradise in which not only would commerce be frictionless and growth exponential, but democracy would be direct and the nation-state would no longer exist. One, John-Perry Barlow, even penned "A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace".
11 August 2010
What Matters in Net Neutrality by Jonathan Zittrain Future of the Internet blog
It's hard to know what to make of the Google/Verizon deal since until earlier today both companies have denied that there is one. And it's hard to argue about net neutrality because it means so many different things to different people. I've got lots of reading to do to catch up on the newly released set of principles from the companies, but in the meantime here are a few thoughts on the topic.
10 August 2010
Google-Verizon Deal: The End of The Internet as We Know It Huffington Post
For years, Internet advocates have warned of the doomsday scenario that will play out on Monday: Google and Verizon will announce a deal that the New York Times reports "could allow Verizon to speed some online content to Internet users more quickly if the content's creators are willing to pay for the privilege."
08 August 2010
Opinion: A Net Game for Google? New York Times
My three young sons never hit each other. They may poke, push, graze, bump or even slap, but they never hit, because Mom says hitting isn't allowed. This same semantic technique fits the mind-set of technology companies like Google. The geekier these companies are, the more tactical is their use of language.
Washington's passion for Google cools Financial Times
If it is true - as many believe - that the political elite in Washington have been engaged in a love affair with Google since Barack Obama's campaign for the White House, then it is also true that the US president is now beginning to notice some wrinkles and warts on his beloved.
U.S. should lead by example in free and open Internet, advocacy group says NextGov
The United States should look at its own policies before criticizing countries such as the United Arab Emirates for banning BlackBerry e-mail, Web and messaging services for security reasons, according to one digital rights advocacy group.
06 August 2010
Has the internet just sold its soul? Google deal threatens to end sacred principle of 'net neutrality' The Independent
Google stood accused last night of betraying the founding principles of the internet, as it readied a deal that will abandon key parts of its support for "net neutrality", which has guaranteed equal access to the worldwide web since its inception.
U.S. Should Lead By Example With Open Internet, Group Says Tech Daily Dose
The United States should look at its own policies before criticizing countries such as the United Arab Emirates for banning BlackBerry e-mail, Web and messaging services for security reasons, according to one digital rights advocacy group, Nextgov.com reported.
FCC ends talks for deal on net neutrality Washington Post
The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday called off its closed-door meetings with big Internet companies aimed at reaching agreement on protecting consumer access to the Web, after drawing criticism for attempting to broker a deal with limited public input.
U.S. doesn't have leadership, strategy to protect cyberspace globally NextGov
Federal auditors issued a report on Monday warning the United States is missing the leadership and strategy needed to protect national interests in governing and securing global cyberspace.
Google and Verizon in Talks on Selling Internet Priority New York Times
Google and Verizon, two leading players in Internet service and content, are nearing an agreement that could allow Verizon to speed some online content to Internet users more quickly if the content's creators are willing to pay for the privilege.
23 July 2010
The U.N. Threat to Internet Freedom: The FCC's move to treat broadband providers like phone company monopolies could spur international efforts to regulate the Web Wall Street Journal
In 1988, delegates from 114 countries gathered in Melbourne, Australia, to negotiate an international treaty for the future of telecommunications regulation. Since then, representatives from nations as diverse as Ghana, China and the U.S. have reunited and agreed that the Internet -- that amazing global network of networks -- was different from traditional phone service, and was best kept free from international phone regulation. That could change soon.
14 July 2010
International anti-counterfeiting talks hit snags says EU Network World
The European Union "will not swallow" U.S. hypocrisy when negotiating an anti-counterfeiting agreement, said the senior E.U. representative involved in the talks.
17 June 2010
The internet of things and internet governance and the European Parliament Europa
The European Parliament gave its backing to the development of an "internet of things", the new information technology combining electronic chips and internet addresses, in a resolution adopted on Tuesday. However, MEPs called for a proper assessment of any consequences regarding health, privacy and personal data protection. In a second resolution, Parliament stressed that the internet is a global public good and should thus be run in the general interest of society.
04 June 2010
Fort Knox is no model for the internet by Jonathan Zittrain Financial Times
A few weeks ago PC security company McAfee released an update to its anti-virus software. For some customers, the update mistakenly destroyed a legitimate and crucial file in the Windows operating system. Hundreds of thousands of personal computers, perhaps millions, were rendered unusable. One university lost the use of 8,000 of its 25,000 PCs, and some affected hospitals turned away non-trauma patients from their emergency rooms. This debacle is an example of a structural failing in security that echoes across the entire internet.
31 May 2010
Calls for internet access to be enshrined as a fundamental right Sydney Morning Herald
Internet use has become so woven into everyday life that some technology experts say online access should be legally protected, even to the point of considering it a human right.
14 May 2010
The Battle for the Internet by Bernard Kouchner, foreign minister of France and founder of Médecins Sans Frontières New York Times
In 2015, 3.5 billion people -- half of mankind -- will have access to the Internet. There has never been such a revolution in freedom of communication and freedom of expression. But how will this new medium be used? What obstacles will the enemies of the Internet come up with?
09 May 2010
CDT Applauds Reports of FCC Action on Net Neutrality Center for Democracy & Technology
The Center for Democracy & Technology issued the following statement in response to reports that the FCC is poised to use its Title II authority to exercise limited jurisdiction over the Internet's "on ramps" -- the physical transmission lines that people use to connect to the Internet:
07 May 2010
ICANN Webinar: Policy Development at ICANN: How You Can Help Shape the Future of the Internet ICANN
On Thursday 20 May at 12.00 UTC and 19.00 UTC, ICANN Policy Staff will host a webinar that introduces newcomers to the world of ICANN and policy development. The webinar will provide an overview of ICANN as an organization, what issues ICANN policy addresses, who develops policy at ICANN (and how), and most importantly, how you can become involved and help ICANN to shape the future of the Internet. This webinar provides useful, actionable information to you if you are wondering whether a role in Internet policy development could benefit your or your organization's long-term goals.
