According to PFIR, the threat to the internet results, directly or indirectly from a "lack of responsible and fair planning related to Internet operations and oversight." A general "hands off" attitude with respect to internet governance "has now resulted not only in commercial abuses, and the specter of lawsuits and courts dictating key technical issues relating to the Net, but has also invited unilateral actions by organizations such as the United Nations (UN) and International Telecommunications Union (ITU) that could profoundly affect the Internet and its users in unpredictable ways."
PFIR is holding a conference in Los Angeles in late July for the purpose of establishing "a set of specific actions and contingency plans for the Internet-related problems that could lead to the meltdown." Issues expected to be discussed at the conference include "technical, governance, regulatory, political, and legal actions and plans." Technical issues that the conference debates may include "approaches such as ‘alternate root' domain systems, technologies to bypass unreasonable ISP restrictions, and a wide range of other practical possibilities."
At this point in time, it is not clear whether PFIR's concerns are realistic or exaggerated. However, PFIR's leadership is composed of long-time internet stakeholders including the Chairman of the Association for Computing Machinery's Committee on Computers and Public Policy, the creator and moderator of the PRIVACY Forum, and a Distinguished Career Professor of Computer Science and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science.
What is clear at this time is that deep concerns with the current state and direction of internet governance and regulation go far beyond commercial and political interests. The PFIR conference will provide an important public forum for ventilating an array of issues of interest to all internet stakeholders.
For more information, please see www.ICANNfocus.org"
Editor's note: Here's the initial conference schedule:
PFIR Internet "Meltdown" Conference Schedule
(Subject to elaboration and other changes)
Monday, July 26 AM - Internet Governance, Control, and Coordination, I
Monday, July 26 PM - Technologies and Their Social Implications, I
Tuesday, July 27 AM - Internet Governance, Control, and Coordination, II
Tuesday, July 27 PM - Technologies and Their Social Implications, II
Wednesday, July 28 AM (half-day)
- Final Roundtable Session
- Revisit alternative scenarios, plans, strategies, etc.
for the future of the Internet
- Evaluate pros and cons of various approaches.
- Identify needs for policy initiatives and outreach,
research, development,
efforts
on the part of industry, advocacy groups, nonprofits, etc.
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Will The Internet Melt?