Tomorrow, the House Energy and Commerce Committee will be holding a hearing on international proposals to regulate the Internet.  The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the specialized agency for information and communication technologies at the United Nations.  In December of 2012, the ITU will hold a conference in Dubai to renegotiate a 1988 treaty known as the International Telecommunication Regulations.

During the renegotiation process, the jurisdiction and legal authority of the ITU could be expanded, resulting in greater influence over the Internet, specifically in the areas of data privacy and cyber security. Currently a nonprofit organization, ICANN oversees a number of internet related responsibilities, including assigning domains, the stability of the internet and the security of the internet.

Question of the Week:  Do you believe the United Nations should be given expanded authority to regulate the internet?

(  ) Yes, an international organization such as the UN is the best place to regulate the World Wide Web.

(  ) No, additional international regulation of the Internet would be detrimental.

( ) Not Sure

( ) Other

Take the poll here.

Find the results of last week’s instaPoll here.