Does the government have the right to limit the internet?Discuss

Government and the Internet

Does the government have the right to limit the internet?
The relationship between government regulations and the internet is a contentious issue. There are both negative and positive outcomes when the government controls the internet.
Schifferle, L.W. (2014, Oct 28). FTC sues AT&T for limiting “unlimited data”. Retrieved from http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/ftc-sues-att-limiting-unlimited-data
AT&T, an internet service provider, was sued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) after its customers complained that the unlimited data plan offered had a maximum data limit imposed on it without their knowledge. Additionally, customers who opted out of the company due to the data limitations were charged a termination fee. The FTC claimed that AT&T did not inform its customers on the introduction of a data limit in the unlimited plan and as such, the move to limit the data was unlawful. It also seeks to make sure that AT&T refunds all the money acquired through the termination fees (Schifferle, 2014).
The FTC, a government establishment, steps in and fights for the rights of consumers by identifying and dealing with business malpractices perpetrated by internet service providers. The fact that this matter was taken before a court of law shows that the government has a right to regulate and control internet usage both on the consumers and providers.

Jacobs, B. (2015, Jan 29). China Further Tightens Grip on the Internet. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/30/world/asia/china-clamps-down-still-harder-on-internet-access.html?ref=topics
In recent years, the Chinese government has imposed extreme control measures on internet traffic and email. Chinese people are now forced to use software that generates virtual private networks to circumvent the restrictions put by the government in order to access foreign internet content (Jacobs, 2015). The government claims that the move to restrict internet traffic is aimed at thwarting the efforts of foreign forces that are out to undermine China through the internet.
This move by the Chinese government shows the negative effects of limiting the internet. This is because the restrictions have made international sharing of ideas and information almost impossible. Consequently, this has affected the growth and development of the Chinese economy especially in terms of science and technological advancements. Foreign companies have also been reluctant to invest in China because of its disconnection to the outside world and restrictions that requires them to hand over information about their hardware and software to the government. This is bad for the struggling Chinese economy because growth has been slowed down by the restrictions. It is evident that the form of internet control exercised by the Chinese government has more negative effects than positive outcomes.

Net Neutrality. The White House. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/net-neutrality
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted in favor of introducing strong rules that guaranteed net neutrality across various internet service providers. This was after approximately 4 million citizens complained to the FCC through petitions and public comments.
Net neutrality means every internet service provider having equal treatment for internet traffic. For example, an internet service provider should not block a website because of its less significance compared to other websites. Additionally, the provider should not slow down the speed of a personal website in favor of online advertisements. Achieving net neutrality provides a level playing field for users such as entrepreneurs with start-up companies and those that have well-established corporations. This move by the FCC is a positive intervention by the government on internet control.
Kazakhstan: Freedom of the Press. Freedom House. Retrieved from https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2013/kazakhstan#.VQ54m9KUfoA
In 2012, the government of Kazakhstan increased crackdowns on media houses and journalists through legal restrictions and defamation judgments. The government claimed that the media, especially foreign media houses, were propagating inciting messages against it and the country. As a result, websites were shut down or banned and journalists who posted sensitive information on the internet were arrested and arraigned before the court.
Sometimes the government imposes limits on the internet to protect its own reputation. Consequently, anybody who tries to expose dirty secrets concerning the government is punished. This type of internet control is unfair and infringes on the right to freedom of expression.
Bell, S. (2015, Jan 6). Canadian government pledges $9M in efforts to circumvent other countries Internet censorship. National Post. Retrieved from http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/01/06/canadian-government-pledges-9m-in-efforts-to-circumvent-other-countries-internet-censorship/
According to Bell (2015), the Canadian government, through the Munk School, intends to introduce a digital public square where citizens of countries with severe and oppressive internet restrictions can air their views about issues affecting their countries.
This is a positive intervention by the government in terms of internet control. Instead of limiting the internet like other countries, the Canadian government supports open and accessible internet. This encourages openness and integrity in governance.
In conclusion, it is evident that the government has a right to control the internet. However, this right should not be used to oppress citizens or hide secret information from the public. Instead, it should be used to ensure that people share information and ideas in a controlled and safe environment.