The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has found itself at the heart of a discussion on what is deemed net neutrality — the principle of treating all Internet traffic the same way.
The US communications regulator is currently thrashing out a new set of net neutrality rules, but the current proposal would allow for telecommunications and broadband providers to charge content providers, such as Netflix, for priority Internet fast-lanes. If content providers refused to pay additional rates, theoretically, this could result in throttled speeds for US subscribers — or ISPs which produce their own content could slow down rivals in a bid to promote their own services.
The proposal drew mass protest and a high volume of comments by the public, which resulted in the US watchdog delaying a change in regulations for now.
FK – Meanwhile on the rest of the net:
The dark side of Internet of Things, FBI and China, and other government disappointments [Government IT Week]
FK – No, I haven’t read all those, just these two:
Fraud possible in Brazil’s e-voting system
Waze unveils government data exchange program
FK – I’ve used Waze. It works well but didn’t know google had bought it.
We must not allow the internet to be an ungoverned space: UK PM
FK – Ultimately the ‘extremists’ are anyone who challenges their power.