Now who’s going to control the net?

from JoeUser Forums

 

On March 14th, a disturbing news item slipped by unnoticed. We were all entranced by the Malaysian Triangle. I don’t think JFK’s and RFK’s assassinations together with the late President Reagan’s attempted assassination garnered so many news hours…

So what’s the big deal? Supposedly American stewardship of the Internet was always supposed to be temporary (really?). The U.S. government announced plans to relinquish Federal control over ICANN. This would end the long-running contract between the Commerce Department and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a California-based nonprofit group. That contract is set to expire next year but could be extended if the transition plan is not complete.

So? Well, who will pick up the ball? One possibility is the U.N. Would ICANN end up as a U.N agency? I wonder what that would do for free speech and Internet content, considering the current majority in the U.N. I wonder what that might do for the security of the Internet (anyone remember the gas lines of 1973?). Also, our Commerce Department has an agency called NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) which has contracted IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) out (since 2000), to ICANN to run. That’ll become part of whoever controls ICANN, too. NTIA Administrator Larry Strickland says no such thing will happen. So what will? Here it is: Strickland has asked ICANN to begin the process for making a formal transition that must be “consistent with other efforts the U.S. and our allies are making to promote a free and open Internet, and to preserve and advance the current multi-stakeholder model of global Internet governance.” – Sen. J.D. Rockefeller (Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee). Right.

Also, would we end up paying taxes to the U.N. for usage of the Internet, for domain registration? Whoever’s at the bottom of the hill. Us.

So, The EU wants to acquire ICANN for lots of reasons, (fees for domain names, etc. being just some) which wants away from the USA because of all the NSA secrets Snowden revealed. More than that, the unified Internet as of two years ago generated 1.5 trillion dollars of commerce. What happens if the net gets splintered? The EU isn’t the only group looking to acquire ICANN.

ICANN says security, etc. fears are nonsense. Especially if China or Russia get control of ICANN, right? I mean, we all know how open and free they are with speech and information. Since when has the EU encouraged free speech? I suppose certain Middle Eastern organizations will actively suppress terrorism and jihad as well in the kumbaya immediate future.

I’m sure the architecture of the Internet will be well preserved when America washes its hands of it.

 

Sources:

http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/61868

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/us-to-relinquish-remaining-control-over-the-internet/2014/03/14/0c7472d0-abb5-11e3-adbc-888c8010c799_print.html

41,441 views 15 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

This is scary stuff.  We can trust the UN ..... right.

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Can we trust anyone?  I favor the EU above any others.  The UN?  Well, eventually, it will be the world government.  But lest hope Shira types (Chrstian-shira, islam-shira, Jewish-shira) are reduced to a small minority before that happens.  Until then, I trust the EU more than any other body with trying to keep a free/open web. 

Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Myself, I don't really care who runs it.  I know, I should probably care but I'm on the downward slope, so to say, and I try my best to just get through the day.  All you younger folks can pay attention to all of this.  I'm sure you all will work something out that is fair and equitable to everyone.   :-"

 

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

I'm over 60 (never tell my exact age!).  SO calling me young, etc.  very nice...   :)  I'm tempted to give you karma for that!

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting ElanaAhova, reply 2
The UN?  Well, eventually, it will be the world government.
End of ElanaAhova's quote

That has a slim to none chance of ever happening.

This whole thing is disturbing, but not surprising.

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Island, reply 5
This whole thing is disturbing, but not surprising.
End of Island's quote

When Hank sent me this today, my eyes popped open. Without coffee (although he makes great coffee, the Canuck never sent me any).

My reaction was "WAAAT?!".

 

This has to be one of the greatest retreats in history.

Does anyone doubt the future of info/commerce is the net?

How can we let this happen?

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I vote for Canada to take it over.  Atleast they never seem to go out of their way to piss folks off.  :-"

Oh, and I'm half way to 70 so most of my day is taken up with naps which do have a purpose, I take naps in hopes that the rest of you will fix the problems.  :rofl:

Reply #8 from Elemental Forums Top

The US has been doing a fine job of running it so far. I have no complaints. The US isn't going to stop spying on everything on the net just because "control" is transferred to UN or EU. Shouldn't give up control just because another part of the government is abusing their influence.

 

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Philly0381, reply 7
Oh, and I'm half way to 70 so most of my day is taken up with naps
End of Philly0381's quote

35 isn't all that old, Philly. ;)

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 9

Quoting Philly0381, reply 7Oh, and I'm half way to 70 so most of my day is taken up with naps

35 isn't all that old, Philly.
End of DrJBHL's quote

See, even old folks make mistakes, damn, what I was trying to say, so very unsuccessfully, was that I'm 65.  :rofl:

Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top

The internet is and will be controlled by a bunch of bastards who don't give a shit about us.

At least if the US retains control of ICANN, they'll continue to be our bastards.

And I'm an optimist.

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Daiwa, reply 11

The internet is and will be controlled by a bunch of bastards who don't give a shit about us.

At least if the US retains control of ICANN, they'll continue to be our bastards.

And I'm an optimist.
End of Daiwa's quote

I think it's inappropriate that you're calling these hard working and honest folk bastards. I mean, what if the bastards take offense and cut yours off... the internet, that is?  And what if the bastards spy on your past and present usage and decide you're a bastard as well?

As for being an optimist, I think you're more likely to be a poptomist.  Now I'm not trying to say that you fart any more than anyone else, but rather that you still have a healthy amount of pessimism for when optimism fails... like a fail-safe to avoid disappointment, so to speak.

Me, I'm a coptomist... I keep believing that I'm gonna get laid sooner rather than later, which is somewhat disappointing.  The only thing getting laid around here is the tablecloth... is laid 3 times a day and pulled off every night.

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting starkers, reply 12
I mean, what if the bastards take offense and cut yours off... the internet, that is?
End of starkers's quote

You sure it's the net you're surfing, mate?

Recent episode at the starkers abode...

 

As for the coptomist part...the inflatable's on the second shelf in the hall closet. ;)

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 13
Quoting starkers,
reply 12
I mean, what if the bastards take offense and cut yours off... the internet, that is?

You sure it's the net you're surfing on, mate?

Recent episode at the starkers abode...
End of DrJBHL's quote

Hehe, that's about the strength of it these days.  Only the other day I mistook the washing machine for the cake mixer.  It tasted a bit soapy from the suds but I must say it was the lightest cake I'd ever made.

Another time I was pointing the TV remote at the microwave to change channels and I got Hell's Kitchen with that Gordon Ramsay effing and blinding.

:-"

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 13
As for the coptomist part...the inflatable's on the second shelf in the hall closet
End of DrJBHL's quote

No it's not!  It was shifted after I saw on the NASA forums that I was seen on satellite putting it away. ;)

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Well I'am also an old fart(67) so If the U.S. gives control of the internet, I'll probably quit using it especially if I have to pay.   Also most of the active users on the WC forums is probably 60+ or damn close.  Amd if I misspell anything, I'am still on my first cup of coffee and Jafo will fix it.