Google claims that Internet censorship is the same as international trade barriers

Disagree

7 of 9

by Randa Morris

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Many of the big corporations which have a vested interest in the Internet have also touted it as a "Whole New World at Your Fingertips." Those who use the Internet regularly could tend to agree, somewhat, with this statement. As the Internet has opened doors that were previously closed, and allowed us to access people, places and things that were never possible before, it has also created new problems, dangers, and moral dilemnas.

Can you imagine a world without laws? One which anything goes, and nothing has limits imposed upon it? There would be some great things, I'm sure, possibly even fun for a while, but the dangers and pitfalls would soon outweigh the benefits for everyone. The "Whole New World" of the Internet is not so different. The creation of this wonderful "New World" has also created a need for a whole new set of laws to protect those who enter it.

While Google and other Internet corporations are arguing against censorship, presenting arguments as though from a philosophical or artistic viewpoint, does anyone really believe these corporations are concerned about freedom of speech, or loss of rights for the general public? These corporations are concerned with loss of revenue, and little else.

In the long-run I believe that if Google and other corporations like this, were to succeed in stopping the Internet from being regulated entirely, they will only be harming themselves. Imagine the loss of revenue when the Internet becomes too hazardous for the average person to use any longer. Already porn sites use false search engine tags, and school children looking for anything from "fruit" to "French Culture" can find themselves bombarded with obscene pictures, and pornographic language. Criminals too, are constantly finding new ways to scam the Internet user. Selling non existent products or services, creating front-companies, and placing ads on web-sites that, once shut down, can never be traced- these fly-by night companies simply take your money and disappear. Identity theft is another major problem which the Internet has helped to create. The spread of viruses and spyware is an even more serious problem, which many computer owners are forced to pay to protect themselves from, not to mention those who are victims of these viruses, who must pay the costs of computer repairs, or, in many cases a whole new computer.

In every society there must be rules, laws, and regulations. In the case of a perfect world, this would not be true; however the Internet is an extension of the world we live in, imperfect as most adults have come to know it is.

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