Internet regulations are laws that affect how people can use the Net. Censorship is one form of regulation that is becoming more common. Another is the legal responsibility of Internet intermediaries for the content of websites that they host. These responsibilities vary depending on the country in which they operate and the law. For example, some countries have passed laws that make it illegal to use a proxy server to hide one’s identity. Others have taken more radical approaches to regulating the Net, such as shutting down the servers of websites that distribute hate speech.
The ability of Internet intermediaries to censor content has raised questions about the nature of the Net itself: Does it constitute a new medium, like print media or radio and television? Does it deserve the protections of copyright or trademark law? Should it be subject to advertising regulations? Governments have tried to regulate the Net, but they have found it difficult.
In most cases, attempts to regulate the Net have sprung out of studies to rationalize laws that apply to traditional media. Singapore, France and South Korea are examples.
While there are many similarities in regulatory approaches, every country has its own unique concerns. This diversity adds to the richness of the Net. For example, in China, the censors are concerned about political stability and preventing foreign companies from using the Net to disseminate economic news (Reuters and Knight-Ridder, for instance) to Chinese customers.