Do you think America should keep control of the internet?

1. 92

   Hawaiian Scribeposted 10 years ago

   Do you think America should keep control of the internet?
   
   Even former President Bill Clinton is skeptical of the Obama administration plan to give up Internet oversight authority.

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   savvydatingposted 10 years ago

   Yes. The oversight the United States has (right now) does not limit free speech. Supposedly, we will not allow this rule to be changed, but I have my doubts. Once Pandora's box has been opened, things have a way of changing by degrees. Russia and China already suppress the internet in their countries. Given Putin's takeover of Crimea (He isn't finished yet) he would love to get his hands on our current "free" regulations and change them into something else. So would many other repressive counties. I just wish this administration would have left well enough alone. This thing of making all nations equal is foolishness. Many of those other counties do not think like us--at all! The problem with Americans is that we are too trusting. We tend to believe that others will follow the rules of democracy. Nothing could be further from the truth. All one has to do is watch World news to figure this out. Sheesh!

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   1. 92

      Hawaiian Scribeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with much of what you say. Your statement that "making all nations equal is foolishness" is so true.  Many other nations donʻt want democracy and never will. International control? Sounds like a mess.

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   raymondphilippeposted 10 years ago

   Why would you want to control something you do not own and did not invent?

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4. 52

   PerrySparkposted 10 years ago

   This is a very difficult question to answer due to the global efforts of many nations to stifle free speech.
   On the one hand, some believe that the internet should be managed openly by the users with little government control.
   Another stance promotes the control be solely within the U.N.
   While both of these may present viable alternatives, neither actually provides the security required for the individual.
   Additionally, these scenarios open further legal battles considering the location and operation of network hubs under a lack of appropriate individual responsibility.
   Furthermore, courts that are already overburdened, will be hounded by additional burden through global dissent.
   While America has controlled the global digital highway, it has not been perfect. 
   In my opinion, placing a larger or wider group in charge of it will definitely expand the imperfection.

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   1. 92

      Hawaiian Scribeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I agree that making major changes to oversight of the internet is probably asking for trouble.  As one who depends on the internet and accesses it relentlessly, Iʻm concerned about the freedom of speech issue and cost.

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