EU-US clash over internet governance reform
The US government has rejected as unacceptable plans to shift control of the internet from the US to the United Nations.
As the internet has grown to occupy an ever more important role in the international economy, many countries, particularly from the third world, have agitated for the UN to take over control over governance of the internet.
The issue is due to be addressed at the upcoming World Summit on the Information Society in Tunisia. Delegates are set to discuss proposals from the UN's Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) on reform of the way the net is run that were published last month.
However, in pre-Summit discussions, US representatives have attacked the proposals, while the EU has backed them.
'We will not agree to the UN taking over the management of the internet,' said Ambassador David Gross, the US State Department's coordinator for international communications and information policy.
Under the current governance regime, the US Commerce Department oversees changes to internet addressing systems.
As the internet has grown to occupy an ever more important role in the international economy, many countries, particularly from the third world, have agitated for the UN to take over control over governance of the internet.
The issue is due to be addressed at the upcoming World Summit on the Information Society in Tunisia. Delegates are set to discuss proposals from the UN's Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) on reform of the way the net is run that were published last month.
However, in pre-Summit discussions, US representatives have attacked the proposals, while the EU has backed them.
'We will not agree to the UN taking over the management of the internet,' said Ambassador David Gross, the US State Department's coordinator for international communications and information policy.
Under the current governance regime, the US Commerce Department oversees changes to internet addressing systems.
