"Net Neutrality" Myths

[longknife]

Okay, so this is getting old to some. But, our freedom to express ourselves, share information, and yes – slam government agencies and politicians – is at risk here. We cannot close our eyes to it and must be prepared to defend it. Here's an excerpt from the article I find worth sharing:


Be skeptical. The FCC's new rules weaken -- or reverse -- decades of minimal regulation, during which the Internet flourished. As often as not, economic regulation has adverse, unintended side effects. That was true of the railroads, and it may be true of the Internet.


Many shout that this will stop certain big conglomerates from controlling information access. But, once any government agency gets its foot in the door, there no way to close that door once again.


The full article is @ Net Neutrality Myths RealClearPolitics

 

[waltky]

Framework internet agreement would shift oversight to a global body...

Plan Approved to Shift Control of Internet From US
March 11, 2016 | WASHINGTON — Members of ICANN, the U.S.-based non-profit agency that has managed oversight of the international Internet since its creation, agreed upon a final framework agreement that would shift oversight to a global body.

Meeting in Morocco this week, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN, approved a plan to transfer technical oversight of the web to an international team of stakeholders. The plan now goes before the U.S. Department of Commerce for final approval. The controversial plan has been a priority for the Obama Administration, and has earned support from a number of high-tech firms, such as Google, Facebook, Verizon and others. Critics worry that ceding control of the Internet to an international group that could include nations such as China, Russia, Iran and others would lead to less freedom and more surveillance online.

Internet cables are seen in a server room.​

Non-profit

Under the proposal, ICANN would remain a private, not-for-profit firm that would remain involved in Internet governance. Any proposed major changes would be voted on by an advisory group comprised of representatives from various nations, businesses, and researchers. “The global Internet community has validated the multi-stakeholder model, by coming together to build a comprehensive transition package that we believe meets the requirements set out by the NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration), and we are confident that the United States Government will agree,” said ICANN President and CEO Fadi Chehadé. ICANN was founded in 1998 as an independent agency to maintain the technical foundations and structure of the then-rapidly expanding Internet. It was founded in the U.S. largely because the web was first developed there, and still remains the global leader in Internet development.

Students at a summer reading academy at Buchanan elementary school work in the computer lab in Oklahoma City.​

Snowden revelations

However, the 2013 revelations by Edward Snowden of comprehensive U.S. surveillance of the web created friction in the international community and spurred a more global approach to the web’s governance. The Commerce Department has until later this fall to either agree to the proposal, or submit another plan.

Plan Approved to Shift Control of Internet From US

 

[OohPooPahDoo]

As often as not, economic regulation has adverse, unintended side effects.

This statement is about as useful as one you'd find in a fortune cookie.

If you want to have to pay extra to use USMB instead of your ISP's message board service, just give the money to USMB. Then you'll be short some money, and will still have USMB access - so the affect would be just the same as no net neutrality and you should be fine with that.

 

[NoNukes]

Okay, so this is getting old to some. But, our freedom to express ourselves, share information, and yes – slam government agencies and politicians – is at risk here. We cannot close our eyes to it and must be prepared to defend it. Here's an excerpt from the article I find worth sharing:


Be skeptical. The FCC's new rules weaken -- or reverse -- decades of minimal regulation, during which the Internet flourished. As often as not, economic regulation has adverse, unintended side effects. That was true of the railroads, and it may be true of the Internet.


Many shout that this will stop certain big conglomerates from controlling information access. But, once any government agency gets its foot in the door, there no way to close that door once again.


The full article is @ Net Neutrality Myths RealClearPolitics

I once worked for a large railroad, the Penn Central, and it appeared that their downfall was of their own doing.