Four Phases of Internet Regulation

Palfrey, John G.

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Four Phases of Internet Regulation

Social Research, Vol. 77, No. 3, Fall 2010

Berkman Center Research Publication No. 2010-9

Harvard Public Law Working Paper No. 10-42

24 Pages Posted: 14 Aug 2010 Last revised: 13 Jul 2014

See all articles by John G. Palfrey

John G. Palfrey

Harvard Law School; Harvard Law School

Abstract

The four phases of Internet regulation are the “open Internet” period, from the network’s birth through about 2000; “access denied,” through about 2005; “access controlled,” through the present day (2010); and “access contested,” the phase into which we are entering.

In this article, I describe the role of technology and its use in limiting access to knowledge during four phases of development of the Internet. The possibilities associated with how people are using technology to strengthen democracies around the world make up an equally important part of the story. The four phases of Internet regulation are the “open Internet” period, from the network’s birth through about 2000; “access denied,” through about 2005; “access controlled,” through the present day (2010); and “access contested,” the phase into which we are entering.

Keywords: cyberlaw, democracy

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Palfrey, John G. and Palfrey, John G., Four Phases of Internet Regulation. Social Research, Vol. 77, No. 3, Fall 2010 , Berkman Center Research Publication No. 2010-9, Harvard Public Law Working Paper No. 10-42, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1658191