While governments claim to have their citizens’ best interests at heart, they often use Internet regulations as a tool to monitor and control their citizens. These regulations can range from tracking their location to censoring media and information they share. This allows the government to control its citizens and limit their freedom of expression.

Regulations have the potential to increase the credibility of e-commerce, reduce spam, and to some extent guarantee users their money refunds if an online site turns out to be fraudulent. The emergence of information company monopolies and their manipulation of consumers can also be prevented by proper internet regulations. Additionally, treating the Internet as a utility and providing universal access could lower digital divides by giving everyone access to high-speed internet just like electricity and water.

The Internet is global and many of the rules that govern it have extra-territorial effects. Regulatory bodies and courts need to be mindful of these issues when enacting laws and decisions that affect the Internet, so they don’t cause unnecessary harm in other parts of the world. It’s also important to design laws and regulations that focus on the activity or behavior itself, rather than the medium it occurs in.

As the Internet continues to become an essential part of life, it’s time for governments and the private sector to create rules and standards that will ensure its safety and security. The Internet can be a powerful force for good if people and companies come together to build the future we all want.