901am

New Media News Every Morning

Google To Governments: No Internet “Monopoly” Please

By

The search engine giant is apparently not thrilled over who will control the future outlook of the world wide web.

While Google does not have a problem with a committee or group having a large amount of influence regarding the internet, they are taking issue over the requirements of exactly who will be sitting at the table.

But last week the UN Committee on Science and Technology announced that only governments would be able to sit on a working group set up to examine improvements to the IGF—one of the Internet’s most important discussion forums. This move has been condemned by the Internet Governance Caucus, the Internet Society (ISOC), the International Chamber of Commerce and numerous other organizations—who have published a joint letter (PDF) and launched an online petition to mobilize opposition. Today, I have signed that petition on Google’s behalf because we don’t believe governments should be allowed to grant themselves a monopoly on Internet governance. The current bottoms-up, open approach works—protecting users from vested interests and enabling rapid innovation. (Google Public Policy Blog)

In a post written by Vint Cerf (one of the founding fathers of the Internet), Google seems to be advocating that corporations also have a voice at the table in order to ensure that the internet remains a free place for all.

While it does seem strange for the global governments to lock out corporate entities from joining the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), it could have something to do with Wikileaks whose presence seems to have infuriated the US government (who has been unable to shut them down).

Although having the IGF being composed of just corporations would not be smart (as they would always vote what’s best for their stock holders), one held only by governments could help pave the way towards an Internet with less freedom (especially when it comes to exposing corruption).

Originally posted on December 17, 2010 @ 5:09 pm

FCC Joins Google, Caves In On Net Neutrality

By

For those of you in America hoping that the FCC would defy pressure from Congress and implement net neutrality without Google’s help may need a shoulder to cry upon as it looks like the government is officially giving up.

Mr. Genachowski said Wednesday his proposal would forbid major Internet broadband providers from secretly blocking or interfering with “lawful Internet traffic.”

But in a concession to broadband providers, the chairman’s new proposal, which will go before the rest of the commission on Dec. 21, would allow the industry to continue to charge higher rates for higher levels of access and gives the companies the right to continue to limit access as needed to better manage the demands on their networks.

The proposed new regulations also backed away from earlier plans to extend control over the mobile phone industry. (Washington Times)

Although Genachowski is attempting to spin this as some sort of positive development, truth be told it’s unlikely that event he watered down version of the bill will survive as it pleases no one (and will face attack from conservatives and progressives ensuring its death).

With even the mighty Google giving up on net neutrality, it looks like folks in the US will continue to be at the mercy of their carriers (assuming they have more than two choices available), which may lead to a more costly internet in the future instead of a more affordable one.

Originally posted on December 2, 2010 @ 4:09 pm

FCC Getting Serious About Net Neutrality?

By

After Google stabbed the government in the back by advocating Verizon’s approach to wireless internet, it looks like the FCC is scheduling a meeting to discuss how it will be able to keep the internet free of corporate interference for consumers.

Unfortunately for net neutrality advocates, it looks like the FCC is once again pushing back the meeting which is making some people nervous.

On Wednesday, the Federal Communications Commission pushed back its December meeting by one week — from Dec. 15 to Dec. 21 — which means the agency doesn’t have to publish the meeting agenda until next week. That means the public won’t know if new rules will be taken up or what form they will take until next week. […]
That means more uncertainty for both the public and the broadband industry over the government’s plans to regulate the internet. It’s just the latest delay by the government on the issue of network neutrality, the principle that broadband companies should shouldn’t block or degrade rival web content, services or applications. The delay also pushes the FCC’s meeting to the week of Christmas, typically a slow news week. (Wired.com)

Ironically there are  a few ISP’s (aka Internet Service Providers) who support the idea of net neutrality, although truth be told the FCC will have to convince congress (especially Republicans) on why greater government oversight is good for the internet (lest the party responds by defunding the agency).

Unfortunately for the FCC, they have an uphill battle convincing the public as well, especially in light of their sister agency’s attempt to regulate the political blogosphere (which not surprisingly backfired).

Although America needs to come up with a solution to ensure that everyone is treated equal on the internet without having to pay a premium tier fee, it might be wiser for the FCC to partner with companies instead, lest we hear another outcry of “government takeover” online.

Originally posted on November 24, 2010 @ 4:30 pm

How Do You Google Hypocrisy?

By

After converting the FCC to the faith known as net neutrality, it looks like Google has given up its former faith in order to appease their new best friend Verizon.

It is imperative that we find ways to protect the future openness of the Internet and encourage the rapid deployment of broadband. Verizon and Google are pleased to discuss the principled compromise our companies have developed over the last year concerning the thorny issue of “network neutrality.” […]

[W]e both recognize that wireless broadband is different from the traditional wireline world, in part because the mobile marketplace is more competitive and changing rapidly. In recognition of the still-nascent nature of the wireless broadband marketplace, under this proposal we would not now apply most of the wireline principles to wireless, except for the transparency requirement. (Google Public Policy Blog)

While both Google and Verizon are demanding that net neutrality be enforceable for wired connections, apparently the search engine giant has no plans on encouraging the enforcement of wireless connections. [Read more…]

Originally posted on August 9, 2010 @ 4:29 pm

Everything You Need to Know About Email Spam, Rackspace Infographics Rocks!

By

We are all annoyed by spam, right? I mean, I could not think of anybody who takes pleasure in receiving spam emails. But have you ever wondered how spam invaded our email inbox? Or how much spam is out there in the online world that we all live in? We are those spams coming from really? Is Nigeria the biggest spammer country? – I think it’s time to debunk this myth in fairness to Nigeria.

These and other facts about spam are answered by this cool infographics prepared by the folks at Rackspace, who like everyone of us are annoyed by these persistently and rampantly attacking spam on our email. Learn and enjoy about folks!








Hosted Exchange

Originally posted on March 25, 2010 @ 5:12 pm