Net power struggle nears climax

[demobrit]

The US has got an image problem when it comes to the internet.
It is seen as arrogant and determined to remain the sheriff of the world wide web, regardless of whatever the rest of the world may think.
It has even lost the support of the European Union. It stands alone as the divisive battle over who runs the internet heads for a showdown at a key UN summit in Tunisia next month
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4327928.stm

[McKenzie]

1. this is a very important debate

the internet is the only real means for instant free exchange of information and ideas around. It has the potential to liberate and the net, together with Usenet, has caused serious embarrassment to those who don't want awkward questions being asked in a very public way. So the EU Commisioner's comment about not wanting to regulate is damned welcome.

I'm going to watch this debate real close.

ps it's pissing with rain in northern Scotland right now...sigh.

[demobrit]

2. Future of the internet

THis emerging news has been largely ignored by the media but should become one of the most important news stories on the web and elsewhere.
I am sure that some people want to control the internet more closely and this will be at the back of everyones minds at the negotiations
later this month .
PS Indian Summer down in Middle England

[Solo_in_MD]

4. And you believe them?

Read further back over the last couple of years, the real goal is to take control of it as a medium of information exchange, like the Chinese and some Islamic nations are trying to do.

IMO, any bureaucrat who says they are not trying to regulate the Internet is lying. They all fear the power of unregulated exchange of ideas amongst people without the filters and spin they want to impose.

[Solo_in_MD]

3. This story has been making the rounds for a few weeks, and is nonsense

If the reporters and pols had any idea of how the root server and the rest of the addressing really works, this would not be an issue. However they don't and given their jingoistic national pride coupled with broad anti American feelings they pursue this potential dangerous and overall foolish idea. To start with, the US Gov has little or no direct control of the infrastructure via ICANN. ICANN allocates addresses to regions and little else. They do not control RFCs and the like, the true rules of the net, (unless of course your are Microsoft).

While I don't like some of the stuff ICANN has done, it has not tried some of the crap France and others have done, let alone the Chinese or some of the Islamic nations. I think it net governance should be more industry and user based with even less US Government influence, let alone UN or EU

Most people are truly unaware of how the Internet really works. Its a cooperative effort of a large number of private networks that agree to work together unless you are in a nation where most of the telecommunication infrastructure is own/controlled by the government. The current root server is only relevant because the other nodes agree that it is root. There are other "root" servers out there that support some of the non ICANN top level domains. Considered rogue by many, if other nodes accepted them, they would be no less valid.

Right now the net is working pretty damn well without nationalizing it, which some want to do. Placing a dynamic and growing set of services under any governmental, EU or UN style bureaucracy would be a major mistake and stifle innovation.

The article is also wrong on several counts, prior conferences have stated they want the root services and the Internet in general to be under the control of the ITU, which is a rule making body. I don't think that is where any thinking user wants to go. Any change to the current system is only acceptable if it makes it more, not less free and less wide open. The ITU is not the place to go for that kind of leadership.

Let me offer an example. Today, some networks refuse to exchange
packets with other networks and have for some time. Perfectly legal under the current regulatory construct and a good idea IMO. Its how spammers get isolated. Remember Cyberpromotions? There are no laws that say that the email must go through. Its the financial pressure from customers that helps to keep most ISPs in line. That works fairly well unless its Wandoo or equivalent (Government run service provider). If we were to go to Government or International agencies setting the rules, you have nations blocking other nations, nations supporting other nations in censoring access, and mandatory acceptance of packets. Not a good thing

No nation has its act together when it comes to the Internet. Add to that the UN and the EU are total regulatory goat ropes. France, China, and others have already asserted territoriality over the Internet. I'll take the Freebooters of the current system over the Jackboots of the national governments any day.

I'll get off my soap box now...this is an issue that grates me immensely.

[demobrit]

5. You are right on several counts,but

I broadly agree with you , I basically want the status quo with the Internet , to be left as it is , but I do fear that there will be some element of control introduced .
We already see the spin merchants at work on the left and right wing
of politics .
There are reputable and non reputable news sources but that is the beauty of the internet where the browser has to make his own mind up.
That is the freedom that we all enjoy at the moment, how long it will continue is anyones guess but the very fact that it is under discussion is cause for concern.
It is a pity that we can`t have debate unless the spectre of anti this and anti that clouds the issue of real debate , we must really get above that .

[Solo_in_MD]

6. The Internet evolved on its own and is much more than its creators

envisioned. If anyone in the US Government had seen it coming, it would have been controlled and limited.

I fear retroactive regulation is coming and as shown in this article its being sold as "fairness". If ICANN was truly independent, other complaints would be found/manufactured to drive this. The issue here is not just China or Islamic states. France is no better. Add to that the cluelessness of the media and most users, and its a case of enjoy it while you can.

[bemildred]

7. Well said. nt