Experts Flummoxed By Impending Regulations

July 27, 2004

The second day of the Preventing the Internet Meltdown conference focused on a number of wedge issues that could alter the existing architecture of the Internet. Impending regulations about Voice-over IP (VOIP) and the new momentum behind surveillance initiatives related to Homeland security have a number of Internet experts seriously concerned about the net's future. "I have significant nightmares about where this VOIP issue is going to take us," said Lauren Weinstein, co-founder of People For Internet Responsibility. The afternoon's other panelists -- Scott Bradner, Ed Felten, John Morris, and Peter Neumann -- no longer question that regulations will alter and complicate the existing packet-routing procedures of web traffic. The main focus of discussion focused on how serious those complications will be and to what extent they will thwart innovation.

Last updated February 19, 2008