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Science & Technology
US retains hold of the internet
2005-11-16
The US has won its fight to stay in charge of the internet, despite opposition from many nations. In an eleventh-hour agreement ahead of a UN internet summit in Tunis, Tunisia, negotiators agreed to leave the US in charge of the net's addressing system. Instead an international forum will be set up to discuss net issues, although it will not have any binding authority. The deal clears the way for the summit to focus on how poorer nations can benefit from the digital revolution. The Tunis deal leaves the day-to-day management of the net in the hands of the California-based Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann), which answers to the US government. Icann will keep its current responsibilities for overseeing domain names and addressing systems, such as country domain suffixes, and managing how net browsers and e-mail programs direct traffic. The 170 nations taking part in the negotiations agreed on the creation of an Intergovernmental Forum to go out for lunch in cities with decent restaurants discuss all internet issues, such as spam, viruses and cyber crime.
From the Beeb's 'Have Your Say':
I would like to commend Nigeria for what seems to me a clear leadership in Internet usage in Africa. I am always getting friendly emails from Nigeria from people I don't know, but as I am not interested in getting rich quickly I don't normally reply. However I'm sure that they have transformed the financial circumstances of many other people so good luck to them.

Andrew Tribble, London, United Kingdom

Heh.
Posted by:SwissTex

#12  Let the Wookie win.

LOL! Please allow me to retort:

"Right. Wrong. I'm the guy with the gun."
Posted by: Secret Master   2005-11-16 21:26  

#11  I am glad that things came out this way, for everyone's sake. But, could each country have its own suffix, like .us or .ru whatever, and have their own Icann? That way they can cooperate or build their own firewall on their borders and have the illusion that they are in control. If they become a pain in the ass to everyone else, then they will be shut out, or others will just go around them. In this way each country determines its thing, and there is no Big Bad US™ to blame. And the UN has nothing to do with it. I see the Net becoming a network with nodes and some cooperative agreement like the Intl Telecom Union. If one node breaks or is firewalled, then traffic routes around it. Just some protocols. Sorta decentralized, like 3dc likes his utilities. My ignorant 2 cents.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2005-11-16 20:26  

#10  Internet governance is a serious and important issue. I'm glad that the UN commission was able to carefully evaluate the US position and find a agreement with it. And for thost nations opposing continued US control of the Internet, let me express my carefully considered viewpoint: Neener neener neener!!!
Posted by: DMFD   2005-11-16 19:35  

#9  What's flying under the radar is that numerous countries which before played the 'bash the mole America' game are recognizing that there is but one power, economic and military, on this planet that can make or break their day. And that is certainly not the UN. As the arabs prefer to back the winning horse, many other countries are starting to see cause->effect for their consequences in the future. New strategy - Let the Wookie win.
Posted by: Theregum Phemp7167   2005-11-16 18:15  

#8  Was it ever in doubt?

With congress involved ....... yes.
Posted by: mmurray821   2005-11-16 17:14  

#7  THE TYRANTS LOST. THE US WON.

Was it ever in doubt?
Posted by: Sheasing Cheans6478   2005-11-16 16:35  

#6  if the EU gets control of it all that we will have is kiddie porn
Posted by: Jerelet Thineling2988   2005-11-16 15:44  

#5  People, people, people... look at the substance, not the hyperbole.

THE TYRANTS LOST. THE US WON.

Got it? EVERYONE please STFU now.
Posted by: Edward Yee   2005-11-16 14:37  

#4  LOL!
Posted by: Seafarious   2005-11-16 11:27  

#3  ...I am not interested in getting rich quickly...

Andrew Tribble, London, United Kingdom

That's the trouble with Tribbles. No initiative.
Posted by: Angie Schultz   2005-11-16 11:18  

#2  "The Tunis deal leaves the day-to-day management of the net in the hands of the California-based Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann), which answers to the US government."

Fucking Beeb. It does not answer to the US Govt. Anyone can request that ICANN consider some matter, but it answers to no Govt. That's the fucking point Aunty, you doddering Moonbats.
Posted by: .com   2005-11-16 10:25  

#1  "11th hour breakthrough"

Translation, we have it and you can't do anything about it except cry so what you gonna do? Form a commitee? Good idea. Now sit down and STFU.
Posted by: mmurray821   2005-11-16 09:43  

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