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Russia, China, and Others Seek Greater Control Over Internet

Posted by Soulskill on from the whoever-controls-the-cat-pictures-controls-the-universe dept.

kodiaktau writes "A proposal put forth by Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Sudan and the United Arab Emirates seeks greater international control and government of internet addressing. 'A leaked draft (PDF) of the Russia-led proposals would give countries "equal rights to manage the Internet including in regard to the allotment, assignment and reclamation of Internet numbering." This could allow governments to render websites within their borders inaccessible, even via proxy servers or other countries. It also could allow for multinational pacts in which countries could terminate access to websites at each others' request.' The move would basically undermine ICANN and decentralize control of internet addressing: 'The revision would give nations the explicit right to "implement policy" on net governance and "regulate the national Internet segment," the draft says.'"

9 of 174 comments (clear)

  1. Oh FFS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Well, I knew it was coming. No "free" source of information can remain free forever. Here's to hoping they fail.

    1. Re:Oh FFS by LateArthurDent · · Score: 5, Insightful

      They likely won't fail completely. They will get some small victory, at least. Next time, they will get a little more. And the time after that. This is too important to governments to ever give up.

      Sometimes I fear that I'll be telling my grand kids about how I remember when the internet was free. Actually, my biggest fear is that they'll be so indoctrinated they'll compare it to the wild west, and tout how all the regulation of the mature internet made it a safer place. I fear they'll just file my complaints about lack of freedom under "old man rambling" category.

    2. Re:Oh FFS by grcumb · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Don't pretend the US administration, donkey or elephant regardless, doesn't want this.

      Okay, I won't pretend. They don't want this.

      The primary reason is that it's simply bad for business. Secondarily, they simply don't want Internet governance to become a matter of political and diplomatic negotiation with countries that don't love them. Tertiarily: There's a reason the EU, Canada, Japan and Australia are all lined up against these proposals: They actually do occasionally give a shit about human rights. I know it's not au fait to think so, but it's true.

      And regarding delegates' stupidity: Judge for yourself whether the US Ambassador to this event sounds stupid or not.

      --
      Crumb's Corollary: Never bring a knife to a bun fight.
  2. Looks perfectly in line with the ITU by Halo1 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    From the official speech delivered by the ITU's secretary-general at the first Plenary of World Conference on International Telecommunications in Dubai last week:

    We have the power to create a brave new world, where social and economic justice prevails – together.

    And no, that quote is not taken out of context.

    --
    Donate free food here
  3. Time for a political solution.... by gadget+junkie · · Score: 5, Funny

    Instead of opposing it and then caving in, The western world could rip a page off the dictatorships' book: "the proposal has merit, but it has to be studied thoroughly: We could form a committee with ,oh, all the countries in the world, chaired by a non aligned country, Tuvalu [internet domain: *.tv], and wait until they come with a legal and technical proposal behind which a qualified majority, for example enough countries representing 95% of world population and internet domains, gathering at least 85% of the number of countries involved, could be found. Do you mind if we of the ole US of A get represented by all the 50 states individually? We know for a fast that Canada wants to do likewise, and to be fair, all the European countries have a vote each, so it would only be fair..... See you in 3.100 AD, ok? Of course, if some technical advance has taken hold in the meantime, the whole process has to be restarted."

    --
    "If a boss demands loyalty, give him integrity. But if he demands integrity, give him loyalty." (John Boyd, 1927-1997)
  4. Serenity's Core Planets by caspy7 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This reminds me of the scene at the beginning of Serenity in which the children question why the Browncoat rebels would reject civilized living.

    1. Re:Serenity's Core Planets by aurispector · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Remember that the next time some idiot starts blathering about the need for gun control. Freedom can be dangerous. The most dangerous thing of all is an idea.

      Take away people's ability to defend themselves, then take away people's ability to educate themselves. The last hurdle is taking away people's ability to think for themselves.

      "1984" was a warning, but a lot of governments seem to be using it as an instruction manual.

      --
      I have mod points. The reign of terror begins now.
  5. end of US hedgemony is a Good Thing(tm) by 1s44c · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The current situation:
    One country can implement rules to abuse the whole world. Each country can implement rules to screw over its own citizens and manipulate traffic routed though that country. Many countries already abuse their own citizens ( China, UK, Netherlands, etc. )

    Without US control:
    Each country can implement rules to screw over its own citizens and manipulate traffic routed though that country. Many countries already abuse their own citizens ( China, UK, Netherlands, etc. )

    How can this not be a Good Thing(tm)?

    Besides the part in the summary about blocking access via proxy servers is bull. Even with the deep packet inspection currently implemented in the UK they can't block VPN links which can be easily hidden in other traffic.

  6. Re:Wild west by Nerdfest · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They wanted laws, not censorship. There is a difference.