Who should govern the internet?

Question

I am doing an essay for University which is dealing with the international jurisdiction issues of the internet. The paper is already written, I am looking at the fine tuning, so I am not looking for help with my coursework. I want a view from people as to what they view the future of the internet is. I feel that it is too large now to be goverened by one jurisdiction and is instead self regulated by the wider community who use it. I also think that it will eventually form an important check and balance on international law making by providing a voice for the citizens of the world on an international level. I have taken into account the free access in the western world against the limited access for third world countries (i.e. expense of computers and internet access via telephone lines). I have also looked at issues in China and the Yahoo France case.

Thanks in anticipation any help is much appreciated.
p.s. if you are an expert will you give a refernce so I can quote you :-)

Answer 1

The interner should be self governing.
There are movements like Electronic Frontier which produces software to prevent spying, and all the controlling activities which the control freaks are trying to apply.
I am in China, and am able to easily bypass The Great Firewall of China using Tor, although it is very slow, Otherwise access in China is of a very high standard, with DCSL available everywhere.

With the increasing activity of free source products like Linux, Mozillas and Tor, then there is every chance that control by any one, or just a few authorities will be impossible.

Answer 2

I don't think a Free country would try to control the internet, and even a country that feels the need will ultimately fail to control it anyway.

This isn't like regular borders and human beings or physical items. You can define the border, and theoretically search everything that crosses the border that's large enough to hold the items you want to stop.

This is a matter of tiny little electrons. They can pass through radio waves, telephone lines, be encrypted so that inspectors don't have any idea what they are looking at, and enter at any point via satellite.

There are no borders. No one, no country, is ever going to control the internet. All they could do is forbid possession of components that give connective capability, but that would require abandoning all contact with the outside world.

It's just not going to be controlled.

Answer 3

In answer to your original query "Does the Governing Body fear the Internet"... while I'm not a member of said group, I wouldn't imagine so, any more than most people fear cars, TV, puppies, etc. As for the rest of your "rant" no I wouldn't say that's "true". I've read several claims on here that Witnesses don't even Go online. Which of course is just laughable. Is it true that Witnesses, as Christians, and for that matter, people of *at the least* SOME intelligence, are careful online??? You bet. Is deciding to be careful online a "Witness" thing??? NOPE. Read most/ANY tech magazines or books dealing with the Internet, and you will find Repeated warnings about being careful online. As for the increasingly laughable "rev"s comment about Witnesses often going online in pairs ... oy ... I think there comes a point where IDs stop bothering to Try to make their accusations seem real. Not long ago, that SAME ID both mentioned hoping Witnesses would soon commit suicide, and then more recently mentioned the Earthquake as being more/less a Good thing as it likely killed many of faith(s) other than his. How sad.

Answer 4

I dont think there is a way to have a governing body over the internet, it is basically each persons responsibility. It should be goverened for children by the people allowing the use, be it schools or their parents, other than that ....

Answer 5

Personally I think anarchy -- libertarianism under another name -- is best.

But that won't stop countries from trying to impose their perceived national interests:

Britain with respect to libel actions;

the USA with respect to online gambling (that competes with its own licensed and taxed enterprise); taxation authorities generally (Huckaby case: http://www.courts.state.ny.us/reporter/3dseries/2005/2005_02413.htm )

France with respect to its ban on Nazi paraphernalia

China and Saudi Arabia with respect to censorship

This does not mean that there should be no controls: spam and viruses/worms are costly vandalism; and Nigerian 419 fraud is a clear criminal problem. But as with maritime piracy or even extradition cases, such crimes need to be recognized as such multilaterally.

Answer 6

Net-people. Those of us who use the Net.

One of the most wonderful things about the Internet used to be that it was not all commercialized, and we policed ourselves!

As long as one leaves children and animals out of it, I say, "Let 'er rip!"

The Internet needs LESS government and regulation, NOT more, in my opinion!

Freedom of speech! If you don't like it, or don't agree - MOVE ON! If you don't want your kids to see this or that - YOU set the limits. PARENT your children! Monitor and limit their Internet use. Leave the rest of us out of it!

That is my opinion, for what it is worth!

Answer 7

Many angles many answers all to one specific question there

Answer 8

the chuckle brothers ,those whizzkids of the web

Answer 9

Everyone should contribute their bits

Answer 10

Bill Gates. Make him clean it up.