Today, the US government announced plans to give up a major portion of its control over the day-to-day functions of the internet, as the US Department of Commerce prepared to step away from a key oversight role over ICANN, the standards group responsible for maintaining unique IP addresses, domain names and other basic functions of web governance. ICANN was founded in 1998 as a government contractor, responsible for maintaining a fair and orderly web, but it has taken several steps away from government control in recent years. Prior to the latest changes, the Department of Commerce served on the group's Government Advisory Board, but it now appears the group will break away from oversight by any one particular country, functioning instead as an independent non-profit organization.

The move comes as particularly urgent in the wake of recent NSA revelations, which have seen the surveillance agency weaken encryption standards and attack many of the fundamental protocols for web security. As a result, countries have called on the US to relinquish its role in web governance entirely. The change likely won't have any tangible, immediate effects for webgoers, but will give government officials significantly less power to weigh in on the web's structure. Other nations have voiced concerns that the US might use its power over ICANN to block sites linked to terrorism or copyright infringement, but in practice, the interference has typically been an exercise in soft power. Earlier this week, Senator Jay Rockefeller called on ICANN to ban the ".sucks" domain name, a proposal that may prove toothless once ICANN ceases to be a government contractor.

http://www.theverge.com/2014/3/14/5509856/us-government-loosens-its-control-over-the-web

 

Ahmen

 

that's definitely good to know.

 

Geez. WTF does ".sucks" domain have to do with anything?
These guys insatiable appetite for power and control is what's perverse and disgusting.
Does anyone even recognize "freedom" anymore?

 

Thanks Diabulus In Musica I read this a day ago I believe from another source and I had it earmarked for posting but didn't have the time. Greatly appreciated my friend.

The first thing I heard after this event was an internet tax. Right out the gate the first thing the world does is scheme a way to rape more people for cash. This fucking planet makes me sick.

 

In conclusion: internet as itself will become a private business???
If so, this is not such a good news.

 

Did anyone pick up on the "Senator Jay Rockefeller" bit in the original post?

Come on guys, anything these Rockefella mother fuckers are involved in, you just know it's not gonna benefit the people don't ya?

I've no idea what they're up to, but i'll bet my last $ it will be for the benefit of THEM and not US

 

NewsFlash : US Government had no business being anywhere near the internet in the first place...
fuck off US government.

 

do my decreased abilities to recollect somehow show false memories when me seem to remember that the very origin of the internet had its ties, to understate it mildly, with the military complex, then, at its second shot, with scientific circles, somehow yet again eking out their living quite near to, depending on, government backed sponsors?