way off

Anonymous-0 · Jan 10, 2013

I consider myself kinda of average in knowledge but who in the heck owns and controls the internet? Who has power to decide what goes on it as a whole? ( not the individual websites) This is no joke I have asked several users and none seem to know the answer.

in-too-deep · Jan 10, 2013

Federal Communications Commission

Switchflicker · Jan 10, 2013

(quoted from post at 19:11:11 01/10/13) Federal Communications Commission

The Internet is much more than the US of A. so the FCC may have a limited contol of some stuff, a lot of the sites originate from overseas.

Sw

donjr · Jan 10, 2013

Probly Al Gore. He say's he invented it.....

rrlund · Jan 10, 2013

Don't know,but I was watching some show a few weeks ago about the guys who really invented it. They were college computer guys who were trying to pass information from one college to another through their computers,but there was no compatibility between them,so they came up with the program that let them all connect. They had quite a time convincing all users at the time to convert to it,but it finally got off the ground.

As far as who owns or controls it,I think it's just an entity that's out there. Yes,there are obsenity laws,stalking and harassment laws that say to a point what you can and can't do with it on your own computer,but that's about the extent of it.

Patrick Klise · Jan 10, 2013

No one "owns" the internet. It is a worldwide sort of network of networks. Started originally for scientist to communicate with one another and for the U.S.military to have a secure real-time way to communicate. The only thing that is centralized is the domain name system...such as
dot-com, dot-org, dot-edu etc. Lots more information at wikipedia.org

dhermesc · Jan 10, 2013

The Chinese have figured out how to control it within their borders (and probably outside too) and external_link (Actually Homeland Security) now has a legal "kill switch" to shut it down during a national emergancy.

Wile E · Jan 10, 2013

Is that true? Can Barry really shut it down in an emergency?
Where did you hear this factoid?

Wile E · Jan 10, 2013

I think that there are a few very large mainframes that keep the internet working.

504 · Jan 10, 2013

Congress was trying, but I don t think they ever got it passed.

dhermesc · Jan 10, 2013

The bill never passed but Homeland Security has the power.

They do it all the time with individual websites.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/11/26/homeland-security-shuts-dozens-sites/

Chip812 · Jan 10, 2013

The UN is trying to get control of the internet, but right now it is "usually" controlled by the country it is running in. I.E. The U.S. controls the internet inside the U.S. and China controls the internet inside China, etc, etc...

Brad Buchanan · Jan 10, 2013

Originally conceived as a millitary communications vehicle that was robust and redundant in that if one circuit was destroyed data was routed around the damaged part. Arapnet was the original name if memory serves me correctly.

The "internet" runs on fiber-optic and just plain copper. It is most definately able to be disrupted or denied just like they can turn your phone (or internet) off with a remote cumputer command.

The naming protocol is international in nature but like most things is subject to political foibles.

If you consider the rush to get every patch of dirt in the US wired for broadband the question might be asked "Is it being done for the good of the peeps or perhaps to get more and more users dependant on a service that can be rationed at political will?".

'stepping off soapbox'

Brad

TomH in PA · Jan 10, 2013

There are a few companies that keep track of domain names - Registrars. Basically all they do is keep track of who can use what IP address. Anybody can get an IP address and a domain name. Once you have an IP address (and maybe a domain name associated with it like www.ytmag.com) you can put almost anything you want on the web site - assuming it doesn't get you tossed in jail.

GeneMO · Jan 10, 2013

Yep, invented by Al Gore.

But nnalert Clinton is still the smartest woman in the world.

According to them.

Gene

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