Google opposes UN regulations on Internet - Business News - SINA ...

2012-11-23 03:49:02 GMT2012-11-23 11:49:02(Beijing Time) ?SINA.com

By Mei Jingya, Sina English

In a posting on its "take action" blog this week, Internet search engine Google calls on netizens to protest against UN regulations on Internet.

AFP reported on Nov.22 that Google is set to block a UN telecom gathering set to review regulations pertinent to the internet. During the gathering, China and Russia will propose putting Internet regulation under the control of UN's International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

In response, Google said the UN meeting is "the wrong place" to make decisions about the future of the Web.

A Russian newspaper said Thursday the ITU World Conference on International Communications, opening in Dubai on December 3, will discuss a set of revised rules and regulations supported by Russia and China, both calling for tighter Internet control and censor content related to terrorism, extremism and secessionism. India and some other countries also voiced support for the proposal.

A Russian Internet expert said Internet control has nothing to do with freedom of speech, and authorities have the right to stop the spread of content related to terrorism. AFP pointed out that some countries see this conference as an opportunity to set up new rules for the internet .

In September 2011, countries including Russia and China submitted a letter at the UN General Assembly outlining a proposal for an International Code of Conduct for Information Security, hoping the international community could reach an early agreement on the issue.

According to the proposal, no countries should use the Internet to make trouble or threat that might undermine international peace and security, and each nation has the responsibility to protect its domestic information network and cyberspace from attack.

It also calls for a multilateral approach within the framework of the United Nations to establish international norms and settle disputes about cyberspace. China and Russia?s proposal was opposed by some countries and companies.

Google, in the name of safeguarding internet freedom and openness, led the criticism of the proposal.

On the ?Take Action? blog, Google said in a statement: ?The Internet has connected more than two billion people around the world. Some governments want to use a closed-door meeting in December to increase censorship and regulate the Internet. Join together to keep the Internet free and open.

Two other companies boycotting the ITU conference, Stop Online Piracy and Fight for the Future and Reality, also warned the UN will close the door to Internet freedom.

Some protesters said if the UN unit takes over internet control, the cyberspace will be under close watch of an organized, old-fashioned and government-centered organization and censorship would be legalized.

Washington refused to hand over Internet control to the UN. Terry Kramer, head of the U.S. delegation to the upcoming UN telecom treaty-writing conference, said the US wants a successful World Conference on International Telecommunications but if other delegates to the conference attempt to expand the U.N. International Telecommunication Union's telecom regulations to the Internet, "we might as well not waste our time."

Talking Points Memo (TPM) said Republican senators demanded the US delegation take a hard line stance on the issue and unite allies to fight for Internet freedom.

At present, several non-profit organizations in charge of Internet norms and domain names are controlled by Washington despite they keep a distance from the US government.

Given the increasingly important role of Internet, more and more countries are questioning US? control of the online sphere. They think international resources should not be monopolized by one country. According to leaded documents, Russia proposes the ITU should participate, at least partially, in the distribution of domain names.

Agenda of the Dubai conference is still kept secret, and it remains a question whether delegates could reach an agreement on updating Internet norms.

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Source: http://english.sina.com/business/2012/1122/529882.html

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