Congress passes resolution condemning U.N. Internet "takeover"

[Rick]

In response to a set of Internet eavesdropping standards recently adopted by the International Telecommunications Union, Congress has voted unanimously(!) in favor of a resolution which opposes any sort of U.N. Internet "takeover". Finally, something which American legislators seem to all agree on: opposing International governance of the Internet.

Resolutions are typically more of a "statement" than actual law-producing agreements; however, since the same resolution was passed in September by the Senate, the will of U.S. legislators is clear: the U.S. will oppose U.N. measures to govern the web.

Incidentally, European Parliament members passed their own, similar resolution last month which stated, "the ITU, or any other single, centralised international institution, is not the appropriate body to assert regulatory authority over either internet governance or internet traffic flows".

ITU's adoption of controversial standards for implementing Internet eavesdropping techniques, like Deep Packet Inspection and decryption, alarmed proponents of a free and open Internet. Germany was one such country who opposed the U.N. telecommunications body's proposal, insisting the ITU "not standardize any technical means that would increase the exercise of control over telecommunications content, could be used to empower any censorship of content, or could impede the free flow of information and ideas."

Deep Packet Inspection can be utilized to identify -- although not necessarily reveal -- the contents of encrypted traffic. More disturbingly though, are the ITUs plans to allow ISPs to decrypt traffic. How this would (or could) be done is unknown, but if such ITU standards become widespread enough between private and public organizations, decryption of communications under certain conditions could become possible at the ISP level.

Even though U.S. lawmakers seem overwhelmingly opposed to a U.N-controlled Internet, increased domestic oversight by means of government and private industry appears to be much more favorable. Seemingly, items like empowering sitting Presidents to initiate Internet blackouts, warrantless surveillance, PIPA, SOPA and CISPA hit news headlines every few months.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/51017-congress-passes-resolution-condemning-un-internet-takeover.html

 

[oldikes]

Even though they are only doing this so they can have a shot at governing it, this is still OK. xD

 

[Guest]

Way to go U.S. Congress. Have to say I am surprised, but very, very glad .

 

[Ranger12]

Even though they are only doing this so they can have a shot at governing it, this is still OK. xD

My thoughts exactly. If I had to pick between the two I'd rather have Congress have a go at it than the United Nations. The United Nations is just so....meh, don't want to think about it.

 

[Guest]

This is the best thing they have done in over six years.

 

[PinothyJ]

All of that stuff would just slow down the flow of data as a whole which can only mean bad things...

 

[Guest]

Awwwh shame.

Any why should the rest of the world give a poop ?

 

[cliffordcooley]

Awwwh shame.

Any why should the rest of the world give a poop ?

Because this is the time for every country to stand up for their own Internet liberties and regulations and not be dictated by one single governing body. The only way for the Internet to stand as a single governed body, is for all governments to stay out of it. I personally don't see that happening.

 

[Tanstar]

Awwwh shame.

Any why should the rest of the world give a poop ?

Because if the UN actually tried to enforce this against the US we'd shut it down.

 

[Tygerstrike]

Governments, regardless of whom, will always attempt to control what they can. The US has pretty much given the Internet the space and resources to grow into what it has. Since the internet really is a US creation, The US should have some say in what is done to monitor it. The UN has been and always will be wishy washy. It tries to cater to as many ppl as it can. That being said, we have countries in the UN that supress thier own ppl. How do we know that these countries wont attempt to use the UN to make the Internet a more hostile place for ppl in those countries. The main reason all these uprisings and protests can happen is that the Internet confers a large amount of anonimity. If the UN takes over the Internet, those hostile countries will have access to the ppl who are attempting to effect change.

 

[fteumer]

I am surprised, but wait a bit. Congress will come down the pipe with their own form of governance and it's our job to make sure it gets shot down.

May the internet stay free, friends.

 

[Tedster]

Considering the current administration has already taken over the national internet and current wants to tax online sales, I find it quite hypocritical.
Socialism is for the people, not for the socialist. (and not for other socialists outside your country).

I will never understand why Americans are hell bent on destroying their own nation with these socialists and communists.

 

[spydercanopus]

The powers behind these Internet regulators will never stop. I wish we could get a Constitutional amendment leaving the Internet free and stops regulation of any kind by ISPs or States.

 

[captaincranky]

You all realize of course, that a, "congressional resolution", is the meaningless garbage they spew when there's only a microphone around, and no cameras for the photo op they'd much prefer ....um, don't you...?

 

[Guest]

Dude seriously what world do you live in I mean relly this is the type of crap that I see everyday which just makes me think damm WHEN WE GET IT WE ARE GONNA SO GET IT AND WE WILL DESERVE TO GET IT ....to answer you dumb question cause it will at least show the world that hey look the dumb down amerians arent so dumbasses after all ,but wait when vcongress voted were they on the payroll oh .....thats why probaly they didnt voted against it they werent getting wet I see but rest asure that it'll jsut a short matter of time b4 they withdraw their plea cause after all we have your royalness lord obama and the united states of the U.N. who run us all n any in doubt research the fact that america is done.. ps. im not a rascist,and I dont like romney or any other baffoon that does not do for the people PERIOD.

 

[Guest]

I see this as a good thing for one main reason: Less of a chance of an international effort to control every aspect of the net.

 

[captaincranky]

Dude seriously what world do you live in I mean relly this is the type of crap that I see everyday which just makes me think damm WHEN WE GET IT WE ARE GONNA SO GET IT AND WE WILL DESERVE TO GET IT ....to answer you dumb question cause it will at least show the world that hey look the dumb down amerians arent so dumbasses after all ,but wait when vcongress voted were they on the payroll oh .....thats why probaly they didnt voted against it they werent getting wet I see but rest asure that it'll jsut a short matter of time b4 they withdraw their plea cause after all we have your royalness lord obama and the united states of the U.N. who run us all n any in doubt research the fact that america is done.. ps. im not a rascist,and I dont like romney or any other baffoon that does not do for the people PERIOD.

Uh, oh, I sense a third party bid for public office afoot!

You should have ended this post with, I herewith announce my candidacy for President of the United States, and may God bless America...!

And believe you me, I think it's about time Al Queda had a voice in the American political process! Right on...!