[governance] Internet as a commons/ public good

[Mawaki Chango]

Thanks, Jeremy. That's the kind of phenomena I had in mind, some of which I
believed were discussed on this list some time ago. Before FB, there was
some concern that Google search engine was predominantly becoming the sole
entry point to the Web (I'm not making any assertion as to whether that
fear was grounded), and there will probably be other apps or Web services
after FB that will be pointed to for the same problem. So FB was just an
example (as was asked for) of a broader tendency which so far has most of
the time been potential but which may be more qnd more actual.

So Milton, is there a problem for which you think it'd be worthwhile to
make a statement that strikes the balance you're looking for between
private and public aspects of the internet? I'm asking because I think it'd
be good if you can put forward an alternate statement (but I guess you will
only do it if you think it's worth making such statement, that is, if it
serves to address some problem). Also I have been thinking of something to
replace the public good and commons language while still making the point
for the need to keep the plain IP capabilities in sight and as open as they
were initially designed to be while discussing and making policy for IG,
but of course it is not worth my time either if the opposition is total to
the very notion of such statement.

Thanks,

Mawaki


On Mon, Apr 29, 2013 at 2:48 AM, Jeremy Malcolm <jeremy at ciroap.org> wrote:

>  On 29/04/13 10:37, Milton L Mueller wrote:
>
> *[Milton L Mueller] If most people agree, they should be able to provide
> examples. Yet, I am still waiting for specific examples. Examples of both
> what specifically is meant by “reduction to closed or proprietary online
> spaces”, and evidence of the “growth” of this problem.**
>
> So far, the only concrete reference I have seen comes from Mawaki, and it
> is a good example of why I am resisting this statement. Mawaki claimed
> “that the internet experience of more and more users --maybe the younger
> ones-- is becoming limited to particular apps, notably those of social
> media such as Facebook (FB).” Now, I am not a Facebook member and do not
> particularly like that type of online community. But I would quibble with
> the definition of Facebook as “closed,” in that joining is free and pretty
> much open to anyone, and using it does not prevent anyone from accessing
> anything else on the internet. FB does not alter or in any way enclose the
> Internet protocols or standards.*
>
>
> I can't say if this is what Mawaki meant, but there are many mobile
> Internet services around the world (including mine, Maxis here in Malaysia)
> that give you free or cheaper access to Facebook than to other social
> networking websites.  Also, devices such as phones and game consoles
> typically allow a gatekeeper to approve what apps you can use to access the
> Internet.  For example I have an iPhone, and I want to use a Bitcoin client
> on it - but I can't, because Apple decided I can't; and I want to install a
> Bittorrent app on my PS3, but I can't, because Sony decided I can't.  I
> presume that you have read Zittrain's "The Future of the Internet", which
> although becoming dated now gives many other examples.
>
>
> --
>
> *Dr Jeremy Malcolm
> Senior Policy Officer
> Consumers International | the global campaigning voice for consumers*
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