I dint do nuffink guv'nor.
I found an extremely worrying article today from the New York Times regarding ‘redesigning’ the internet.
The content of the article revolves around the flaws (in their eyes) of the existing Internet; security and anonymity.
While I’m sure there are many technical faults with the Internet itself, it was founded on altruism and a libertarian ethos which has directly contributed to its growth and popularity. This is what makes the Internet one of the most dynamic, and progressive things mankind collaboratively created for many years.
Some people feel differently however, and when comments like this appear-
“What a new Internet might look like is still widely debated, but one alternative would, in effect, create a “gated community” where users would give up their anonymity and certain freedoms in return for safety.”
-we should all be worried.
I’m sorry to say it but a large amount of this noise is emanating from the US, the base of many corporations who lose money on the Internet, and feel they are being robbed by its users. They still struggle to walk the line between remembering internet users are their customers, and treating them like career criminals (see the Pirate Bay trial which commenced today for more).
There is a fierce debate raging over the potential introduction of tiered services (vs neutrality – more from Google here) which would allows ISPs to restrict access to free content, and force users to pay for it. A move like this will only increase the level of piracy, as it completely contradicts the community spirit of the online community.
In the UK people are very reluctant to sacrifice their civil liberties for so called ’safety’ measures. Such a move is seen as a slippery slope toward an Orwellian future where content is controlled and we are constantly presumed guilty until proven innocent.
Tracking internet criminals is a problem, but it is not going to be resolved by asking for proof of ID before signing on, or digital monitoring. Identity theft will still be rife, and could easily be exploited to mask your true identity online, just as it is in real life now. In my opinion proposals of this nature are a knee jerk reaction from companies who see control of their marketplace slipping from their grasp, and who don’t like it. Rather than attempting to move with the times however and compete with online businesses fairly, they are seeking to regain control by restricting not only people’s freedom, but also the internet as a whole.
