Scary Thoughts On The Future Of The Internet

Jeff Chester writes in The Nation about the possibility of a different future for the internet. He writes that Verizon, Comcast, Bell South and other communications giants are developing strategies that would track and store information on our every move in cyberspace in a vast data-collection and marketing system, the scope of which could rival the National Security Agency. Referring to white papers now being circulated in the cable, telephone and telecommunications industries, those with the deepest pockets-corporations, special-interest groups and major advertisers-would get preferred treatment. Content from these providers would have first priority on computer and television screens, while information seen as undesirable, such as peer-to-peer communications, could be relegated to a slow lane or simply shut out. Under the plans they are considering, all of us-from content providers to individual users-would pay more to surf online, stream videos or even send e-mail. Industry planners are mulling new subscription plans that would further limit the online experience, establishing "platinum," "gold" and "silver" levels of Internet access that would set limits on the number of downloads, media streams or even e-mail messages that could be sent or received. The future of the online media in the United States will ultimately depend on whether the Bells and cable companies are allowed to determine the country's "digital destiny." The internet is the greatest leveler that technology has provided the society with. Only way is to not even entertain thoughts like that spelt out by Jeff for discussions