Technology
Cyberwars: Forces at work to infringe on your privacy
Business Standard
The debate over net neutrality, identity theft and exposure of classified information on the web could determine the way cyberspace functions.
There are a few forces that could reshape the way cyberspace functions. The tug of war on the Wikileaks issue, handling of net neutrality, and the increasing concern over online privacy are pointers in this direction.
Take the most-discussed threat in cyberspace this year: Transparency. It may sound a bit naive to hail the internet as one of the most powerful forces that can bring transparency in governments the world over. But, consider the way governments have reacted to Julian Assange, the face of Wikileaks, putting up “very sensitive” documents on the internet.
F.C.C. Is Set to Regulate Net Access
New York Times
The Federal Communications Commission appears poised to pass a controversial set of rules that broadly create two classes of Internet access, one for fixed-line providers and the other for the wireless Net.
The proposed rules of the online road would prevent fixed-line broadband providers like Comcast and Qwest from blocking access to sites and applications. The rules, however, would allow wireless companies more latitude in putting limits on access to services and applications.
Net Neutrality Is Theft
American Spectator
The Internet is not a natural resource. It does not grow on trees, or appear on the ground like dew on a spring morning. Nor does it operate by magic. The Internet exists only to the extent it is built, and then maintained and operated.
That requires big bucks, especially for broadband access. Broadband requires hundreds of billions if not trillions in investment to lay cables under streets, or to build and then launch satellites into orbit.
Where does that money come from? It comes from private investors. And when they put their money into the ground, or in orbit, to deliver to the people the new world of Cyberspace, those delivery vehicles are their property, just like the FedEx delivery trucks and planes that deliver your packages overnight are the property of FedEx.
FCC's Clyburn Optimistic About Net Neutrality Agreement
InformationWeek
With the FCC's important net neutrality vote on Dec. 21 rapidly approaching, Democratic commissioner Mignon L. Clyburn said Thursday that the once-deeply divided Republican and Democratic commissioners are moving toward a consensus. She said both sides are working "day and night in the hope of achieving" consensus. While she noted that all five commissioners support the concept of an "open Internet," she indicated that there is still some hesitancy over the status of the wireless portion of net neutrality. Indicating she favors the FCC ruling on the entire net neutrality issue, Clyburn added that Congressional solutions could be slow.
"This is about consumers," she said in a speech delivered at a telecom conference in Washington… I am not opposed to Congress acting, but if it takes a number of years before effective policy takes shape and gets implemented, that potential lag time could actually do more harm by perpetuating uncertainty in the marketplace. Investors, innovators and consumers deserve and demand certainty." Many members of Congress have argued that net neutrality rules should be established by Congress and not by the FCC.
Green Float: The futuristic concept
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by Niall Firth