Godaddy Issues Statement In Support Of US Opposition To ITU Treaty

GoDaddy.com which found it on the wrong side  last year in its initial support of SOPA issued a statement today in its “steadfast support of the U.S. government’s position opposing the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) treaty and a last-minute resolution aimed at relinquishing control of the Internet to the United Nations”.

Godaddy went on to say:

“The U.S. government, along with several Internet companies including Google and Go Daddy, has adamantly opposed new government controls outlined in the proposed telecommunications treaty debated this week at the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) in Dubai”.

“We stand with the Internet community-at-large in rejecting any plans that would allow this treaty to regulate the Web,” said newly-appointed Go Daddy General Counsel Nima Kelly. “It is clear to us that some have a keen interest in censorship, but we believe organic expression … freedom of speech … is what makes the Internet such an empowering force in our society.”

“The debate over giving control of digital communications to the U.N. took place over the last two weeks in the United Arab Emirates, whose government was among those calling for further Internet restrictions”.

“Go Daddy was a member of the U.S. delegation attending the WCIT and has always supported the principles cited by the U.S., Canada and several European countries in their refusal to support the proposed resolution. The U.S. contends the Internet should not have been referenced from the start and argues the resolution diminishes free speech because it would replace the more open form of Internet oversight, with a government-led model.  Currently, multi-stakeholder organizations, such as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names Numbers (ICANN) manage key functions of the Internet.”

“Blake Irving, who officially takes the reins as Go Daddy CEO next month, echoed concerns over the proposed changes to regulate the Internet. “The global nature of the Internet, as we know it, has been, and is, vitally important to freedom of speech. The Internet is the ‘voice’ for societal needs and consumer demands.”

“The goal of the conference, which failed, was to review and revise the 1988 treaty for all members.  ”

“The conference, some say, uncovered a deep philosophical divide between world governments and vastly different visions about the future of the Internet. As for what happens next with the resolution, there will be no immediate impact on the Internet, though it is certainly not the end of the discussion”

To read what Assistant Secretary of Commerce Larry Strickling had to say about the conference and his take on where we do from here in the regulation of the Internet including the naming system Click Here