The Internet could look very different and become less open and free

A proposal for the International Telecommunications Union, an arm of the United Nations, to take over management of the Internet may be passed in the coming months. The organization may soon become the new manager of global Internet control. The call for changes in the Internet policies is  initiated by  China, Russia and some Arab states. These countries initiatives aiming at handing more control of the Web to the United Nations has U.S. lawmakers and Internet companies warning of censorship, surveillance and taxes.

The ITU and its 93 member states will meet in Dubai in December to reconsider a key 1988 communications treaty. Large number of foreign governments argue it needs to be updated as the influence of Internet communications increases worldwide. Some fear interference, while others seek profits.

Advocates of a free and open Internet say that could create a variety of options for countries where free speech and civil liberties are often harshly suppressed. They may propose to the United Nations to establish a new “information security ” regime to replace ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. This a non-profit U.S. organization that serves as the Internet’s governing body since the late 1990s.

An U.N.-led control of the Internet would affect Internet users around the world.

Such proposals raise the prospect of policies that enable more government controls. It may greatly diminish the ‘permissionless innovation’ that underlies extraordinary Internet-based economic growth.

Users worldwide may be at risk of losing the open and free Internet that has brought so much to so many.