Government will try to tame the wild Web

[tickler]

"But most of the big players in Internet technology, including Microsoft, are working on a mechanism that would add an identity requirement to the web. Within five years, Lessig predicted, cyberspace will be divided by virtual borders and Internet users subject to national laws."
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/business/story.html?id=2b351437-ee9e-4a3d-bc12-307aa9ad7841&k=41429

[Papa]

Yeah i read the same thing !
Tabarnake ! Of course it will happen. They will do everything they can to block whatever they want to block.
Internet was created for the army, so that the informations could be sent no matter what. So they are thinking about ways to filter da shit

Strangely, they are after online gambling first ??????????????

[RawAlex]

It is an interesting concept that doesn't for a minute take into account the way the web works. I am here, my host is there, the end users are over there.

The best thing about the internet is that anyone can get on anywhere at any time without having to really identify themselves. The worst thing about the internet is that anyone can get on anywhere at any time without having to really identify themselves.

IP spoofing, proxies, and bullshit mail headers all come together to make life suck.

Alex

[coatsy]

The internet is going to chance so much in the next 5 years, everything we have come to appreciate about the internet is about to change. Global censorship etc

[SirMoby]

The governments know that's $12 Billion taxable dollars they're loosing out on and the big players in gambling want a percentage of that $12 Billion as well. 9 out of 10 of the world's largest hotels were built for the sole purpose of gambling and they have a lot of cash to invest in technology, lobbying and bribes.

When you think about, the Internet is the government's worse nightmare. They can censor images of the war on TV and in print but are having a hard time doing it on the Internet. They can control stories within their own borders but not worldwide.

It's very difficult and those that don't want free speech hate the Internet. Just bring up the Internet on any right wing show and listen.

[karomesis]

|jester| good luck.

The internet as a communication medium is far too powerful to be tamed by any govt in the world. There are many people that will go to great lengths to prevent censorship of the net.

It is rightly feared by govts because their actions are brought before the entire planet in a matter of hours, so traditional propaganda is out the window as well.

Once we move to satelitte based ISP's the fun will really begin. I anticipate at least a few imperial minded govts will attempt to control space as well, to no avail.

[tigermom]

I wonder, won't it be relatively easy to control web publishers within your country (once you have them identified that is), but harder to do anything about your people surfing shit provided by other countries. What I mean is, the gambling sites will just have to move offshores to some nice accommodating island. Most of them are already there, aren't they?

[Quagmire]

I wonder, won't it be relatively easy to control web publishers within your country (once you have them identified that is), but harder to do anything about your people surfing shit provided by other countries. What I mean is, the gambling sites will just have to move offshores to some nice accommodating island. Most of them are already there, aren't they?
The problem is they want to put a system in place that effectively will prevent you from accessing that offshore casino site because your 'passport' will identify you as coming from a region where online gambling is illegal. They want to be able to control what you can and can not access on the net.

[domweb]

If the government can't take Al Qaeda websites down, how do you think they can 'control' the web?

They will make it harder, but angry and motivated young techies will always find hacks and ways around the system. If they put in a passport system, six hackers will have it beat six different ways within six months.

If there is anything I've learned about government in the last few years is the depth of their overall incompetance. And as for getting different world governments to work together...well...I point to the United Nations to make my point.

Remember how Sony was gonna 'fix' their music CD's so you couldn't copy them? Took a hacker two hours to figure out how to beat it with a black Sharpie marker.

Their second attempt (the 'root-kit' hack) caused such an uproar over damaging systems that Sony pulled it within weeks of release.

I count Sony a lot more competent than most goverment computer cops of ANY nation.

Even China, with the largest internet police force in the world, has trouble blocking misspellings of 'tiananmen square' and other forbidden Chinese internet topics. Spend a little time misspelling blocked words and phrases and you'll find what you are looking for in China or anywhere else.