Who Wants to Control the Internet, and How?

Michael R. Nelson Technology Policy Analyst, Bloomberg Government; Member, AAAS

Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy (COSEPP)   

MNELSON67@BLOOMBERG.NETMNELSON67@BLOOMBERG.NET

A Primer: Layers of the Internet EcosystemA Primer: Layers of the Internet Ecosystem

Telecommunications networks (cables +wireless)

Internet Service Providers

Domain Name System (DNS)

Identity

Applications and Content

Users, Businesses, Intermediaries

Why this is a critical timeWhy this is a critical time

• National policy decisionsNational policy decisions

– Convergence of telephone, data, broadcastingConvergence of telephone, data, broadcasting

– Cybersecurity legislation, regulations, initiativesCybersecurity legislation, regulations, initiatives

• UN World Conference on International UN World Conference on International

Telecommunications (WCIT)Telecommunications (WCIT)

– In Dubai, last DecemberIn Dubai, last December

• Internet Governance Forum, ITU PlenipotInternet Governance Forum, ITU Plenipot

• Various European Union directivesVarious European Union directives

Who’s deciding?Who’s deciding?

• US AdministrationUS Administration

• US CongressUS Congress

• European CommissionEuropean Commission

• ICANNICANN

• Standards body (e.g. IETF)Standards body (e.g. IETF)

• Industry consortiaIndustry consortia

• Individual companies (e.g. Facebook, Microsoft)Individual companies (e.g. Facebook, Microsoft)

• CourtsCourts

• FCCFCC

• United NationsUnited Nations

Four Horsemen of the InfocalypseFour Horsemen of the Infocalypse

• TerroristsTerrorists

• Drug dealersDrug dealers

• PedophilesPedophiles

• Organized crimeOrganized crime

(Timothy May, 1988)(Timothy May, 1988)

Eight(?) Horsemen of the InfocalypseEight(?) Horsemen of the Infocalypse

• TerroristsTerrorists

• Drug dealersDrug dealers

• PedophilesPedophiles

• Organized crimeOrganized crime

ANDAND

• Online piracyOnline piracy

• Malware and SpamMalware and Spam

• Hate speechHate speech

• Cyberespionage/CyberwarCyberespionage/Cyberwar

““Phone governance” (1970): Who made choices Phone governance” (1970): Who made choices about phone service?about phone service?

Hundreds of governments

Hundreds of government-run telephone companies

International Telecommunication Union

(“subscribers”)

Who makes choices about the Net?Who makes choices about the Net?

Dozens of intergovernmental organizations, standards bodies, and international NGOs

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Our PanelOur Panel

Leslie Harris, President & CEO, Center for Democracy and Technology

Stewart Abercrombie Baker, Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Center for Strategic

and International Studies; and Partner, Steptoe and Johnson; former General

Counsel, National Security Agency; former Assistant Secretary of Homeland

Security for Policy

Gigi B. Sohn, President & CEO, Public Knowledge