Proposed law contrary to Internet spirit

Dear Editor:

I am responding to your editorial of December 26, 1997

As a charter member of the Internet Society, I was amazed to learn that the local chapter is behind a push for a draconian Internet Law, one which would impose a standard of government control unequaled in the world

Please be assured that most members of the Internet Society would find this whole issue particularly distasteful. The Internet was built as a place for open communication and sharing, and this proposed law is very much contrary to that spirit

This law, if passed, would have only one effect:hinder Thailand's ability to become a vital part of the global information economy. On-line publishers would go to other countries, and businesses would hesitate to launch a presence on the globa linternet for fear of violating a vague, unenforcable law

The Internet Society was founded to promote the internet, not to kill it. Your editorial was timely and necessary, and I hope your readers understand that not all members of the Internet Society would agree with the puzzling stand taken by the local chapter

Carl Malamud
Visiting Professor, MIT Media Lab

Internet law not compatible with Internet Society Principles

Dear Editor:

The Bangkok Post Dec 26 editorial was brought to my attention

The proposal, as you describe it, does not seem compatible with Internet Society Principles asset forth below. I hope that further dialog will result in proposals that are consistent with Internet Society principles

Vint Cerf
Vice President, Chapters
Internet Society

Internet Society Principles

1. Open, unencumbered, beneficial use of the Internet

2. Self-regulated content providers; no prior censorship of on-line communications

3. On-line free expression is not restricted by other indirect means such as excessively restrictive governmental or private controls over computer hardware or software, telecommunications infrastructure, or other essential components of the Internet

4. Open forum for the development of standards and Internet technology

5. No discrimination in use of the Internet on the basis of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status

6. Personal information generated on the Internet is neither misused nor used by another without informed consent of the principal

7. Internet users may encrypt their communication and information without restriction

8. Encouragement of cooperation among networks: Connectivity is its own reward, therefore network providers are rewarded by cooperation with each other

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