Global Free Internet Act Introduced In Congress

from the these-things-matter dept

(A) encourage utilization on a global basis of technology standards set by international standards-setting organizations, including industry-led and other voluntary bodies, and selected by the market;

(B) respect the security of information, privacy, and speech of Internet users;

(C) promote investment in Internet-related innovation;

(D) refrain from compelling Internet service providers and other intermediaries to restrict the free flow of information on the Internet; and

(E) allow trade in Internet-related goods, services, information, and content.

(A) mandating unique technology standards favoring domestic producers as a condition of market access or pursuing related policies regarding standard-setting that are discriminatory and subvert the open, global nature of the Internet;

(B) sponsoring or tolerating the use of Internet-related tools to gain unauthorized access to public-sector and private-sector networks in the United States to disrupt their operation;

(C) blocking, filtering, or otherwise restricting Internet communications in a manner that discriminates against Internet-based services and content originating in other countries;

(D) monitoring Internet use and communications in a manner that restricts individual privacy and freedom; and

(E) imposing market access requirements or liabilities that discriminate against or otherwise impede Internet-related goods, services and content from other countries.

Somehow, with little fanfare, last week Rep. Zoe Lofgren (along with Reps. Eshoo, Matsui and Honda) introduced the Global Free Internet Act of 2013 , which appears to be a new version of a similar bill from last year. You should read the full bill yourselves, but it points to the importance of a "single, open, global internet," as well as certain things that might threaten that. Among the things it lists are important, are that we, as a country:And it worries about governments seeking to censor or constrain the internet by doing any of the following:It then goes on to create a task force to take on these issues, and to help the government promote the first list, while avoiding the second. It seems like a perfectly reasonable plan, with little controversial about it, which is why I wouldn't be surprised to see Congress ignore it.

Filed Under: anna eshoo, doris matsui, global internet freedom act, internet freedom, mike honda, zoe lofgren