Casting too wide a net? Critics see Internet board overstepping its authority
Article Abstract:
The Commerce Department's Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or Icann is raising controversy in its approach to breaking up the monopoly in Internet name registration. The Clinton administration's plan to privatize the Net has started with a $1 year tax on more than 4 million domain names. But the feud could curb investments in electronic commerce industry and a possible splitting of the Internet network. The current interim group at Icann has become a policy-making body, critics say one unaccountable to no one and influenced by powerful international corporate and government interests. Icann board leader Esther Dyson responds vehemently that she represents the little guy. Meanwhile, Network Solutions enjoys the lucrative government-contract monopoly of assigning Internet addresses.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1999
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Internet makes an easy target for lobbyists and lawmakers
Article Abstract:
There are several pieces of Internet-regulation legislation pending before Congress. However, they are many people in the industry that believe the government's efforts to control the Internet are premature and could have disastrous effects in the future. They maintain that the Internet is just simply too new to have laws applied to it. However, many organizations concerned with consumer privacy are very anxious to have laws applied to keep consumers protected from Web sites that harvest information without telling visitors.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1999
User Contributions:
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