China Establishes New Internet Regulator

In China, a new agency will police that nation’s internet, punish abusers and oversee telecommunication firms that provide online access. “The mushrooming growth of China’s Internet business has spawned a sort of land rush for regulatory turf by government agencies that see in it a chance to gain more authority or more money, or both,” reports Michael Wines for the New York Times. China already has significant internet controls, aimed at preventing political opposition or social problems like gambling. Regulations can be volatile, shifting quickly in response to emerging crises or authorities’ sensitivities. It’s unclear whether the agency will coordinate with other regulators or take complete control, Wines notes. Some users may take risks while others will surf with stealth. If regulation is effective, China’s internet commerce could evolve with patterns of interests separate from those in nations with fewer controls. Analysts will monitor enforcement to detect Chinese trends or infighting. – YaleGlobal