[View the story "Should the UN regulate the internet?" on Storify ]Should the UN regulate the internet?
A new treaty could determine the future of the web.
Storified by The Stream · Thu, Nov 29 2012 10:49:56
On December 3-14, the UN agency International Telecommunications Union (ITU) will host the World Conference for International Telecommunication (WCIT-12) in Dubai. The hashtag #WCIT12 is being used on Twitter to highlight news from the conference.
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The ITU says its major commitment is "connecting the world". In the following video, ITU Secretary General Hamadoun Touré (@ITUSecGen ) explains that WCIT will address internet policies such as cybersecurity, online fraud and future revenue streams that could be used to expand global connectivity:
ITU Secretary - General Video Message: Dr Hamadoun I.Touré, SG, ITU on WCIT - 12itutelecommunication
Many digital rights activists and tech companies including Google have criticised the push for a central internet-governing body. Additionally, they say an international treaty that includes influential countries such as China and Russia could lead to greater online censorship. Many have also criticised the ITU for its lack of transparency.
Some of the proposals to the ITU have been leaked by WCITleaks.org . Russia has outlined its intention to create more clearly defined online borders and "manage the Internet within their national territory". Similar proposals by the League of Arab States and China can alsobe found on the site:
wcitleaks.org RussianFederationAJstream
After the documents were leaked, netizens expressed concern about the future implications of full government control over the internet:
For Forbes today, the #ITU 's leaked media playbook on #WCIT anti-Internet treaty reveals desperation and paranoia.
http://fb.me/29sdoDJ0hLarry Downes
Russia, China, #ITU #UN #WCIT are trying to destroy internet freedom thru "Internet regulation" http://reut.rs/Y1Gy7Qjohnmpoole.com
Just wonderful... What will be the next step? Welcome to the bright new world...http://www.digitaltrends.com/web/wcitleaks-org-aims-to-expose-un-takeover-of-the-internet/Alex Valentine
Internet rights groups
Fight For The Future and
Access joined forces to create this video about how the ITU could harm online freedoms:
How the ITU could put the internet behind closed doors.fightforthefutu
One proposal by the
European Telecommunication Network Operators (ETNO) , a group of 38 telecommunications corporations, requests the ITU adopt a "sender pays" policy that would require sites like YouTube and Facebook to pay a fee for sending information internationally:
etno.eu ETNO Sender Pay RationaleAJstream
#WCIT12 is not in any way going to be challenging Article 19, or indeed any other article in the Universal Declaration of Human RightsITU Sec Gen's Office
#WCIT12 is not about who governs or owns the Internet. It is about cooperating to ensure the free flow of information:
http://bit.ly/OcNv1mITU Sec Gen's Office
#WCIT12 to stifle online freedom? ITU Constitution establishes right to communicate & prevails over ITRs-ITRs cannot compromise this freedomSarah Parkes
Working in PR am not surprised how easy it is to mislead the masses-but AM shocked how many media just swallow big corporates' spin #WCIT12Sarah Parkes
WCIT12 will look at ways to finance broadband infrastructure & create the conditions for further ICT growth:
http://bit.ly/Len1aGITU Sec Gen's Office
@RossSchulman @ITUSecGen ETNO is one of our Sector Members + we are happy to participate in other such events with key stakeholders #WCIT12ITU Sec Gen's Office
In response, Google has started its own campaign to promote a #freeandopen internet.
Take Action: Add Your Voice to Keep the Internet #freeandopengoogle
Google
A free and open world depends on a free and open web. And a free and open web depends on me.
http://goo.gl/Hs9l2 #freeandopenDavid Martin
Accessnow
Online, many have spoken out against the
#ETNO :
#telco #fcc Why ETNO's proposals to ITU for Internet regulation & Non-Neutrality are flawed & duplicitous | Dean Bubley http://disruptivewireless.blogspot.com/2012/11/why-etnos-proposals-to-itu-for-internet.htmldotpeople
The Body of European Regulators opposes #ETNO proposal on #ITRs http://berec.europa.eu/files/document_register_store/2012/11/BoR(12)120rev.1_BEREC_Statement_on_ITR_2012.11.14.pdf #WCITBaher Esmat
ETNO defended its "sender pays" proposal, issuing these statements below:
Telecoms: ‘Network Sharing Is the Way Forward’ - The Source - WSJ http://on.wsj.com/T0q20GETNOAssociation
The Stream asked its online community: "Should the internet have a central governing body?"
should the UN reach a decent and reasonable legislation basis and yes, it should regulate the internetCristina Peres
@AJStream @daniahy @kkiang NO WAY!! HAVING A SINGLE AUTHORITY OVER TH INTERNET WILL GROSSLY INTERFERE WITH PERSONAL FREEDOMSOugasam
@AJStream @daniahy @kkiang Such authorities can be manipulated by some powerful states. We want freedomOugasam
@chumaivan @AJStream exactly! Governing it would be taking out the very essence that makes the internet uniqueCharity motaung
