In light of the leaks over the past year that have made governments surveillance programs public, Sir Tim Berners-Lee is advocating for a Bill of Rights for the Internet. As BBC News reports, Sir Tim, widely recognized as the creator of the world wide web, compares the importance of protecting people’s rights online to human rights, and notes that society at a “crossroads.”
Are we going to continue on the road and just allow the governments to do more and more and more control–more and more surveillance? Or are we going to set up a bunch of values . . . and say, actually, now it’s so important, so much a part of our lives, that it becomes on the level with human rights?
Sir Tim didn’t immediately delve into specifics as to how this Magna Carta for the Internet would operate, but I think the proposal begs the question–is this really a good idea? BBC News reports, “Sir Tim said the Internet should be a ‘neutral’ medium that can be used without feeling ‘somebody’s looking over your shoulder.'” But, consider anonymity. A “neutral medium” such as that for which Sir Tim advocates would treat all communications equally, whether those communications are positive (such as charitable donations) or negative (for example, in furtherance of fraudulent activities or terrorist agendas.)
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