Net Neutrality – Ensuring democracy and individual liberties

Many people discovered recently the concept of Net Neutrality, notion at the front of today's developments, subject of arguments between OTT (over the top) and ISP (internet software providers). But what does Net Neutrality mean? In our legal perspective, we propose to explore the notion and the fundamental freedoms associated. We will present last developments, especially in the United-States, showing real threats on individual rights. Finally we will explore legal possibilities to respond to these threats, to preserve Net Neutrality and fundamental freedoms.

Weitere Informationen

Many people discovered recently the concept of Net Neutrality thanks to John Oliver’s show Last Week Tonight (2014, 2017). This is at the front of today’s developments, subject of arguments between OTT (over the top) and ISP (internet software providers). But what does actually mean Net Neutrality? Our presentation deals with its two sides: on the one hand, we are going to talk about network neutrality, technical limitations to certain services allowing the continuity of other services in case of overload; on the other hand, we are going to speak about access to contents, e.g. when providers technically limit access to certain websites for technical protection reasons or problems of intellectual property. When operators or government abuse of blocking, threats to our fundamental freedoms are real, economically (blocking to favor a partner or on the contrary to harm a competitor) as well as at the government level (censorship). Considering this, a legislative framework seems necessary to preserve those fundamental freedoms, and our presentation propose to explore the legal and technical possibilities.

Ablauf der Session

• Hermine Irène Lacour, University of Neuchatel

Zielgruppe

all audiences (IT/ICT professionals, media professionals, academics, legal …)

hermine.lacour@unine.ch