The End Of Internet Freedom? U.N. Opens Ten-Day Talks On Internet Regulation

The International Telecommunications Union sees the Internet as a domain of the rich: Google says that its demands could bring the end of the free Web. A hitherto quasi-anonymous part of the U.N. (that is, nevertheless, almost 150 years old) is attempting to redraw a quarter century-old communications treaty that opponents say will mark the end of the free Internet. The two-week conference in Dubai is led by the I.T.U., and will see telco regulators representing 193 different countries sit down and discuss the thorny subject of Internet regulation. Google has already nailed its colors to the mast with a Free Internet blogpost and petition, with its chief internet evangelist Vint Cerf adding to the clamor. Both the U.S. and EU are against the ITU's proposals, with EU digital commissioner Neelie Kroes tweeting "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."Read Full Story