UN seeks to control Internet
The United Nations and the European Union are pushing for international management of the Internet because critics are uncomfortable with -- and jealous of -- what is viewed as an American monopoly, when in fact, the U.S. does not control the Internet. It simply oversees it, but with very little input. And for good reason: the Department of Defense (not Al Gore) invented the Internet, and the Commerce Department assigned the nonprofit Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to serve as the Web's technical coordinator.
ICANN is on course to expire in 2006, which could present an opportunity to transfer control to the private sector.
Some third-world countries, notably Cuba and Syria, are seeking the ability to restrict the free flow of information to their citizens.
In the meantime, the Bush administration has promised not to make ICANN the "I-CAN'T" organization by ceding Internet management to foreign authorities.
