A tense dispute over the control of the World Wide Internet was developing this week at the U.N.'s World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). This could have resulted in the eventually break-up of the global network and hamper seamless browsing, officials warned. Some officials were arguing that regimes that do not value freedom of speech might exploit weaknesses in a UN-supervised system.
The internet was developed in the late 1960's by the United States Department of Defense.
Today, the internet is overseen by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) a California-based independent body which is awarded the task by the US government on a renewable tender. It is run by a group of free-spirited enthusiasts who were anxious to avoid regulation of the Internet. About 30 governments have a purely advisory role.
The outcome of the summit meetings will keep the global network controls in the Untied States and out of the hands of the U.N. This is a victory to those living in countries with oppressive regimes who do not value freedom of speech.
Posted by Walt as General Commentary, Internet at 8:11 AM EST