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The Closing of the Net
A must-read for all students and followers of cyber-policy, this inspirational book discusses the back-story to current attempts by States and corporations to control the Internet. It discusses the back story to todays political manoeuverings over issues like privacy, net neutrality and copyright in a way that is accessible to non-experts, and it provides a clear, authoritative context for academic study.
The Closing of the Net
· why apps are not 'free' and how data profiling got into politics
· why we got the GDPR and why Europe has stronger privacy laws than the US (despite secret lobbying by corporations and other governments)
· how cloud service Megaupload was brought down
· how the entertainment industries went head-to-head with Internet companies over online copyright
· why net neutrality matters
Plus post-Snowden surveillance politics and the deepback-story of data retention.
Taking all of this together and synthesising some key conclusions, the book does an excellent job of explaining the risks we face in the future if monitoring andblocking of the Internet becomes the norm. It is recommended reading on courses addressing digital media andsociety, communications policy, Internet and copyright law, and is ideal for the professional reader who wants to know more.
The Closing of the Net
· why apps are not 'free' and how data profiling got into politics
· why we got the GDPR and why Europe has stronger privacy laws than the US (despite secret lobbying by corporations and other governments)
· how cloud service Megaupload was brought down
· how the entertainment industries went head-to-head with Internet companies over online copyright
· why net neutrality matters
Plus post-Snowden surveillance politics and the deepback-story of data retention.
Taking all of this together and synthesising some key conclusions, the book does an excellent job of explaining the risks we face in the future if monitoring andblocking of the Internet becomes the norm. It is recommended reading on courses addressing digital media andsociety, communications policy, Internet and copyright law, and is ideal for the professional reader who wants to know more.
- GenresTechnologyNonfiction
200 pages, Hardcover
First published April 11, 2016
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 6, 2016
I found this a well researched and well written book, looking at access to data on the internet and who provides, controls and legislates with regard to access. From deep content searches - to stop unacceptable content popping up on your child's screen or political messages from showing on screens in less democratic nations - to lobbying and personal attacks on European commissioners, there is something to interest all of us.
For instance, if you click to like a brand, your details are sold to the competitors of that brand. Now you are targeted for their advertisements.
Some platforms make content visible that others would prefer not to see, like hunters posing with trophies, but platforms all do restrict content in some way, be it the number of characters that can be posted, the content being visual only or having a short viewing life. The author contends that restrictions exist which people are not aware of and these are going to become more constricting in the future. Privacy and data security will be eroded as the power to crunch big data is gained, making data mining irresistible to more firms.
Read this and make yourself aware; some countries have shut down telecommunications during times of public turmoil, and other countries are limiting what can legally be done, or selling citizens' data wholesale to giant platforms, at the same time as states and firms roll out broadband. Who will guard the guards?
Today I have just been reading online that sites can interrogate phones accessing the sites as to their remaining battery life and how long the phone will take to recharge. This identifying detail can be used to follow a phone around from site to site, tracking the user's viewing. I've also read today that bloggers can ask for and be paid tens or hundreds of dollars, pounds, euros etc. for just mentioning a product or showing a photo of themselves eating an ice-cream, say. They might add the words 'ad' or 'spon' for sponsored, or they might not, on the basis that everyone 'should know' they get paid for what they post. Clarity would be very useful.
I downloaded a copy from Net Galley for unbiased review.
For instance, if you click to like a brand, your details are sold to the competitors of that brand. Now you are targeted for their advertisements.
Some platforms make content visible that others would prefer not to see, like hunters posing with trophies, but platforms all do restrict content in some way, be it the number of characters that can be posted, the content being visual only or having a short viewing life. The author contends that restrictions exist which people are not aware of and these are going to become more constricting in the future. Privacy and data security will be eroded as the power to crunch big data is gained, making data mining irresistible to more firms.
Read this and make yourself aware; some countries have shut down telecommunications during times of public turmoil, and other countries are limiting what can legally be done, or selling citizens' data wholesale to giant platforms, at the same time as states and firms roll out broadband. Who will guard the guards?
Today I have just been reading online that sites can interrogate phones accessing the sites as to their remaining battery life and how long the phone will take to recharge. This identifying detail can be used to follow a phone around from site to site, tracking the user's viewing. I've also read today that bloggers can ask for and be paid tens or hundreds of dollars, pounds, euros etc. for just mentioning a product or showing a photo of themselves eating an ice-cream, say. They might add the words 'ad' or 'spon' for sponsored, or they might not, on the basis that everyone 'should know' they get paid for what they post. Clarity would be very useful.
I downloaded a copy from Net Galley for unbiased review.
May 5, 2016
Very informative and very well researched book about politics and the internet. It discuses the free and open internet that we are so used to and asks if it’s actually going to stay that way.
Internet is a huge part of our lives and it’s easy to take it for granted. There are so many battles fought over the internet that many internet users aren’t aware of. This book forces you to think about everything that happens ‘behind the scenes’: who makes the decisions and why? How do those decisions affect regular users? Who has more control: governments or tech companies? The author talks about privacy, net neutrality, piracy and other issues. There are plenty of examples too. Still, maybe it’s my wishful thinking but I don’t believe the internet will lose all freedom.
The book is focused on issues in United States and Europe, so now I would like to learn more about similar issues in the rest of the world. I recommend this book to anybody who’s interested in the future of the internet.
Internet is a huge part of our lives and it’s easy to take it for granted. There are so many battles fought over the internet that many internet users aren’t aware of. This book forces you to think about everything that happens ‘behind the scenes’: who makes the decisions and why? How do those decisions affect regular users? Who has more control: governments or tech companies? The author talks about privacy, net neutrality, piracy and other issues. There are plenty of examples too. Still, maybe it’s my wishful thinking but I don’t believe the internet will lose all freedom.
The book is focused on issues in United States and Europe, so now I would like to learn more about similar issues in the rest of the world. I recommend this book to anybody who’s interested in the future of the internet.
July 5, 2016
The Internet is free, free-ish and will always be, err, let’s start again, shall we? The Internet, once promoted as the freewheeling, open information resource that links the world is losing its freedom daily. This has nothing to do with countries such as China and North Korea restricting access to its citizens either. Some of the more insidious, concerning self-censorship and control is coming from major businesses, extending their tentacles around the world and seeking to protect their interests from mere upstarts who possibly dare to think or act different.
This book is not requiring a tinfoil hat whilst reading. Sadly. Instead the author takes a sensible, considered look at the growing cooperation or collusion between larger companies and state entities around the world. Some of the larger Internet-enabled companies are gathering and retaining personal information, others are controlling what information may be available and there is a fear that this is leading to privacy issues, neutrality concerns and even undesired “cooperation” with the governments to protect their business interests.
Is it too late to change? Hopefully not. So far alternatives can exist and there is some diversity out there, especially if you step away from the “corporate media” and the big providers. Although the risk exists that a popular Internet property starts to own other elements in the chain, such as for example an operating system, a mobile phone brand and ecosystem, an internet service provider and maybe even some news services. Then you have the potential for end-to-end “control”, add a bit of “friendly” government collusion or less-friendly Dane geld-type arrangements to protect a given market and you can have a problem. Especially if this company has a de-facto monopoly or near-monopoly. Add their number two and three competitors to the mix, where they adopt similar behaviours, and you can be in a bit of a bind.
This was an enjoyable, informative read. The subject itself was deeply unpleasant and concerning, yet will the majority of the public care or understand? Oh look, a reality TV show or orchestrated “row” over something. Yes, look over there…
For those who care about individuality, freedom and democracy – for all – this book may not necessarily be entirely new news. Yet it is a worthy read and if you had not been on the same wavelength as the author, boy are you in for a reading treat. Look out for your blood pressure though!
This book is not requiring a tinfoil hat whilst reading. Sadly. Instead the author takes a sensible, considered look at the growing cooperation or collusion between larger companies and state entities around the world. Some of the larger Internet-enabled companies are gathering and retaining personal information, others are controlling what information may be available and there is a fear that this is leading to privacy issues, neutrality concerns and even undesired “cooperation” with the governments to protect their business interests.
Is it too late to change? Hopefully not. So far alternatives can exist and there is some diversity out there, especially if you step away from the “corporate media” and the big providers. Although the risk exists that a popular Internet property starts to own other elements in the chain, such as for example an operating system, a mobile phone brand and ecosystem, an internet service provider and maybe even some news services. Then you have the potential for end-to-end “control”, add a bit of “friendly” government collusion or less-friendly Dane geld-type arrangements to protect a given market and you can have a problem. Especially if this company has a de-facto monopoly or near-monopoly. Add their number two and three competitors to the mix, where they adopt similar behaviours, and you can be in a bit of a bind.
This was an enjoyable, informative read. The subject itself was deeply unpleasant and concerning, yet will the majority of the public care or understand? Oh look, a reality TV show or orchestrated “row” over something. Yes, look over there…
For those who care about individuality, freedom and democracy – for all – this book may not necessarily be entirely new news. Yet it is a worthy read and if you had not been on the same wavelength as the author, boy are you in for a reading treat. Look out for your blood pressure though!
May 3, 2016
Review originally posted at Book of Bogan
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
I realised in reading this book that I have been ‘on’ the internet for over 20 years, and in that time I have seen quite an evolution in the way that society views, uses, and seeks to control the internet. The internet used to be something of a wild west, a place which existed outside the borders of any particular country, and there was something liberating, and free about that. As the internet exploded with Web 2.0 and the rise of social media, it was suddenly more than just the nerds who were online, and suddenly there was need for regulation and control.
This book examines the actors – both state, and corporate – who are influencing, and regulating the very nature of the internet. And I really came away with the sense that the regular users of the internet lack adequate, and strong representation and advocacy in these arguments. There’s an old saying from way back when which goes something like “Don’t try to regulate what you don’t understand.” specifically in relation to the internet, many people in power just don’t understand deeply enough, or see it as not important.
The Closing of the Net is a mildly terrifying book for anyone with a serious interest in the future of the internet, and what happens to your personal rights and data.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
I realised in reading this book that I have been ‘on’ the internet for over 20 years, and in that time I have seen quite an evolution in the way that society views, uses, and seeks to control the internet. The internet used to be something of a wild west, a place which existed outside the borders of any particular country, and there was something liberating, and free about that. As the internet exploded with Web 2.0 and the rise of social media, it was suddenly more than just the nerds who were online, and suddenly there was need for regulation and control.
This book examines the actors – both state, and corporate – who are influencing, and regulating the very nature of the internet. And I really came away with the sense that the regular users of the internet lack adequate, and strong representation and advocacy in these arguments. There’s an old saying from way back when which goes something like “Don’t try to regulate what you don’t understand.” specifically in relation to the internet, many people in power just don’t understand deeply enough, or see it as not important.
The Closing of the Net is a mildly terrifying book for anyone with a serious interest in the future of the internet, and what happens to your personal rights and data.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews