Safe Internet Alliance

Safe Internet Alliance Files Comments in FCC’s Open Internet Proceedings

An Open Internet Must Be a Safe Internet
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WASHINGTON – The Safe Internet Alliance filed a statement as part of the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on net neutrality, which proposes to create two new principles on Internet openness in addition to the existing four principles approved by the FCC in 2005.  In the statement, the Safe Internet recommended that the FCC focus on addressing Internet safety and security, where much work remains to be done, so that the priority is creating a safe Internet.

“The unfortunate reality is that Internet safety and security problems and threats are getting worse,” said Linda Criddle, president of Safe Internet. “Cyber-security and cyber-crime issues like espionage, hacking, spam, malware, phishing, and viruses along with invasion of privacy issues such as spyware and cyber-stalking are increasing at an alarming rate and they affect everyone.”

“The FCC’s desired benefits of an open Internet – free speech, innovation, economic prosperity, democratic participation, e-learning, and tele-medicine – cannot be realized if the Internet is not safe and secure,” Criddle said. 

In its comments, Safe Internet pointed out that the FCC’s proposed preemptive regulations only state that they are not intended to adversely affect law enforcement, public safety, and national and homeland security.  Safe Internet’s concern is that the sweeping and ambiguous nature of the proposed regulations creates the potential for serious unintended consequences that could undermine Internet safety and security, law enforcement, public safety, and national and homeland security.

Based in Arlington, Va., the Safe Internet Alliance is a nonprofit, 501(c)(4) corporation. Contributions are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes and are not deductible as business expenses. For more information, please visit us at www.safeinternet.org.

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