‘Myths and Truths on the Internet and its Regulation’: A Report on Dr Paul Bernal's Seminar, ‘The Internet, Warts and All: Free Speech, Privacy and Truth’ by Ninso, Northumbria Internet & Society Research Group

Abstract

Dr Paul Bernal’s seminar presenting his book, ‘the Internet, Warts and All: Free Speech, Privacy and Truth’ offers an insightful quest into the meaning of ‘truth’, with its unappealing features including myths surrounding the regulation of the internet, taking a holistic approach of digital policies, surveillance laws and practical perceptions on the Internet. The author engages into a lively discussion in how to understand the internet ‘with its warts and all’, arguing that in order to develop sensible laws, we need to understand the internet as a ‘creative and contradictory mess’. The conclusion is based on a series of observations, suggesting that a regulatory approach of the internet needs to be ‘subtler and nuanced’, considering the political, technological and societal implications in tackling various aspects of the internet. His book consists of an interesting collection of perspectives from various academic disciplines, as well as the author’s own opinions, to form a view on the nature of the internet that serves as one possible starting point to develop an effective regulatory approach of the internet. The book’s broad-brush approach in outlining the myths of the internet, with a focus on surveillance, privacy and freedom of speech, suggests that there is no universal formula to address the complexities of the internet while maintaining ‘freedom of speech, privacy, and truth’.

The present contribution is prepared by the Northumbria Internet & Society Research Interest Group (NINSO). The NINSO group is a multidisciplinary research group that shares research interests on technology and its significance for law, computer-science, social sciences, and engineering. Being interested in a holistic outlook of technological developments, it frequently organises seminars that aim to provide opportunities for collaborations and strengthen the quality of academic research in this area.

Keywords: internet regulation, privacy, free speech