NYTimes Columnist Proves That Among Billions Of Tweets Some People Say Stuff You Don't Care About

Who Signed The ITU WCIT Treaty... And Who Didn't

from the the-full-list dept

Fri, Dec 14th 2012 5:27pm — Mike Masnick

We already noted this morning that the US, a bunch of European countries, and a sprinkling of other nations around the globe have refused to sign the new ITR agreement put together at the ITU's World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT), even as ITU officials congratulate themselves on a job well done. Many people have asked who signed and who didn't. The ITU has an official list of signatures, which seems to slightly conflict with some earlier reports. Here's their graphic:

Perhaps more useful is this map, in which the signing countries are in black and the non-signing are in red. You might notice a few patterns.

Also, reporter Dave Burstein kindly sent along the full list (embedded below), with signatories in green, non-signatories in red and everyone else in white. The "everyone else" apparently includes countries who haven't paid up their dues and thus can't technically sign on yet, or who don't "have their credentials in order." In other words: bureaucratic blah blah blah. Europe, of course, dominates the non-signing countries. It's somewhat meaningless, but if you tally up population, the signatories cover 3.8 billion people, while the non-signatories cover 2.6 billion. And there are another ~600 million in play in those other countries.

So, what does it all mean? Very little right now. Even those countries that signed on still need to go through a ratification process -- and one hopes that people in some of those countries will realize that it's bad to be supporting a regime that wants political bureaucrats having anything to do with the internet, even if it's dipping a toe in the water. However, many of the countries don't much care about that, and simply want the new rules so they can try to control parts of the internet (and/or profit from it). The rules won't actually go into effect for a while. While they aren't binding, it is pretty customary for signatories to eventually adopt such rules locally.

The real story here is a world in which there are two competing visions for the future of the internet -- one driven by countries who believe the internet should be more open and free... and one driven by the opposite. Whether or not the ITU treaty is ever meaningful or effective, these two visions of the internet are unlikely to go away any time soon. The next decade is going to be filled with similar clashes as certain countries seek to limit what the internet can do, for their own political needs and desires. Seeing the initial breakdown of who's in which camp is useful, but this isn't over yet.

Copy of Wcitsignatories DataExtract (PDF)Copy of Wcitsignatories DataExtract (Text)

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Filed Under: countries, itu, signing, wcit

45 Comments

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out_of_the_blue, 14 Dec 2012 @ 5:50pm

"So, what does it all mean? Very little right now."
And THERE we agree at last! Geez, will you QUIT Masnicking this NON-story?

I'm giving up on you again until at least Monday morning.

Every click for Mike "Streisand Effect" Masnick is a click for him!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streisand_effect
His fame now depends totally on you! He's done all he can!
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Wally (profile), 14 Dec 2012 @ 5:51pm

What saddens me most...
What saddens me most is that the nearly unanimous majority of those countries who signed to the treaty is that the people in those countries have no choice due to the current regime in place...,except New Zealand. New Zealand is just mad and butthurt they got caught spying on Kim Dotcom illegally.
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Wally (profile), 14 Dec 2012 @ 5:53pm

Re: "So, what does it all mean? Very little right now."
Blue, it's very clear you don't agree with Mike by your bottom statement there about the Streisand Affect. Just give up the god forsaken goat and move on.
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ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 14 Dec 2012 @ 5:55pm

Matter of time
The next decade is going to be filled with similar clashes as certain countries seek to limit what the internet can do, for their own political needs and desires

ALL countries will seek (and have) to limit what the internet can do. Eventually, a "common ground" will be found.
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Shadow Dragon (profile), 14 Dec 2012 @ 6:04pm

Re: Re: "So, what does it all mean? Very little right now."
Ditto
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Chris Maresca, 14 Dec 2012 @ 6:18pm

I don't know where the chart comes from but it's wrong
I just heard both representatives from Egypt & Tunisia on the BBC World Service explain that the internet before their revolutions was controlled and it's now free and they would never support anything that attempted to control it, thus refused to sign...

So someone is lying, my guess it's the ITU who is 'wishful thinking' a positive result.
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silverscarcat (profile), 14 Dec 2012 @ 6:42pm

So...
What do YOU consider to be a story?

It seems to me, ootb, you consider EVERYTHING a non-story.

If that's the case, go outside and stick your head in the sand/snowbank (depending on where you are) and stay ignorant.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Dec 2012 @ 6:43pm

Re: What saddens me most...
New Zealand voted no? Are you calling New Zealand a "no choice"-state?

More worrying would be South Korea and Singapore voting yes. I would expect both to be more inclined to follow the western world where nobody voted yes!
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Dec 2012 @ 6:59pm

Re: "So, what does it all mean? Very little right now."
I'm giving up on you again until at least Monday morning.

No need to rush back on our account. Take some time off. Get away and go see the sights...for, like, the next century.

We insist.
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Wally (profile), 14 Dec 2012 @ 7:45pm

Re: Re: What saddens me most...
With all due respect...."except New Zealand". The people may have a voice there, but given how the Kiwi Government handled the shutdown Megaupload....I'm not surprised they would want that type of embarrassment censored ;-)
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Dec 2012 @ 7:49pm

Re: Re: "So, what does it all mean? Very little right now."
He can't give up the goat, that would require him having a goat. And then enacting god-forsaking acts of terribleness upon it. And then having his goat stolen by software pirates from a distant country.
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Wally (profile), 14 Dec 2012 @ 8:05pm

Re: Re: What saddens me most...
On a more serious thought to South Korea. Every telecom there is completely monopolized. They hold a bidding war every few years to see which telecom gets the "government contract", in which total control of the state media goes under control to the highest bid...I mean bribe.

Now what's interesting this is that the citizens in South Korea (especially in Seol....I had an aunt in Army Intelligence stationed there) always find a way around this. The South Korean Government probably knows of that fact and of course I was not surprised of their vote to yes.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Dec 2012 @ 8:10pm

That first box of green and not green is in frog I do not do frog.
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Wally (profile), 14 Dec 2012 @ 8:49pm

Re: I don't know where the chart comes from but it's wrong
I won't question this, but I would like to see the report.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Dec 2012 @ 9:32pm

Proud, and completely amazed, to see Australia on the right side of the line for once.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Dec 2012 @ 9:57pm

Re: "So, what does it all mean? Very little right now."
"I'm giving up on you again until at least Monday morning."

Cross your heart and hope to die, boy?
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Dec 2012 @ 12:35am

Re:
don't you mean Australie ..... ???? where is that place ??

where is USA ?
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Dec 2012 @ 12:35am

Re:
don't you mean Australie ..... ???? where is that place ??

where is USA ?
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Dec 2012 @ 2:47am

Re: Re: "So, what does it all mean? Very little right now."
Well techdirt is pretty much closed over the weekend, a bit like the MPAA where OOTB works, so its no surprise he wont be here.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Dec 2012 @ 2:51am

Re: I don't know where the chart comes from but it's wrong
Actually Eqypt and Tunisia got a piece entered into the agreement about protecting freedom of expression. That is why they signed.
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Not an Electronic Rodent (profile), 15 Dec 2012 @ 3:21am

Alternatively...
one driven by countries who believe the internet should be more open and free... and one driven by the opposite.
Or that could be read as "One driven by countries who like the control where it is and want to expand it in their own way for their own ends and one by those that want to get their noses in the trough....."
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Wally (profile), 15 Dec 2012 @ 10:24am

Re: Re:
You see big glob red left picture?? Canada, US where.

If you're going to troll use proper English and don't look stupid.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Dec 2012 @ 10:57am

We need a PIL (Political Innovation Lab).
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Dec 2012 @ 11:42am

Re: Matter of time
ALL countries will do what is in their best interest. The UN is a farce...

Funny how the argument is "limit the Internet", but Not limit the Govt. Limiting the Internet is in No one's best interest.
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That One Guy (profile), 15 Dec 2012 @ 1:38pm

Re: Re: Re: "So, what does it all mean? Very little right now."
Ah, but the goat has already been stolen, that's why he's so bitter!
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vic, 15 Dec 2012 @ 3:10pm

Re: What saddens me most...
Ummm... New Zealand did not sign...
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Wally (profile), 15 Dec 2012 @ 4:51pm

Re: Re: What saddens me most...
I stand corrected....I was looking at the wrong island.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Dec 2012 @ 5:33pm

This reminds me of Yin and Yang. Even our own world is divided into two equally opposing forces. I bet the entire Universe is like this too.
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Kevin (profile), 15 Dec 2012 @ 11:32pm

No surpise
The countries that produce 90% of the world's music haven't signed.
Now if the whole thing was based on the number of votes allowed was based on the actual contribution each county makes to the world's music it would be a grand slam decision to bury the idea.
Like the UN 80% of the vote represents counties on the take side and 20% on those who give. Warped.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Dec 2012 @ 5:47am

The real story here is a world in which there are two competing visions for the future of the internet -- one driven by countries who believe the internet should be more open and free... and one driven by the opposite.

If you take this story alone, you could come to that conclusion. But when you look at things like SOPA/PIPA, TPP, ACTA (and to some extent bills like FISA, CISPA, and the Patriot Act), I see a government (and her allies) working very strategically to control the internet. All I see with this initiative is the rest of the world trying to force their hands into that systematic control.
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timmaguire42 (profile), 16 Dec 2012 @ 6:47am

I can't help but notice the every country that contributed to the creation of the internet is red. If the black countries wish to censor and/or tax an internet, I fully support their right to create one and do whatever they wish with it.
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timmaguire42 (profile), 16 Dec 2012 @ 6:48am

I can't help but notice the every country that contributed to the creation of the internet is red. If the black countries wish to censor and/or tax an internet, I fully support their right to create one and do whatever they wish with it.
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timmaguire42 (profile), 16 Dec 2012 @ 6:48am

I can't help but notice the every country that contributed to the creation of the internet is red. If the black countries wish to censor and/or tax an internet, I fully support their right to create one and do whatever they wish with it.
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timmaguire42 (profile), 16 Dec 2012 @ 6:48am

I can't help but notice the every country that contributed to the creation of the internet is red. If the black countries wish to censor and/or tax an internet, I fully support their right to create one and do whatever they wish with it.
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timmaguire42 (profile), 16 Dec 2012 @ 6:56am

Re:
Sorry for the repeats, I'd delete hem if I could. And this follow up as well.
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Alffi, 16 Dec 2012 @ 6:56am

Re: I don't know where the chart comes from but it's wrong
Yes, the map is wrong. Bulgaria didn't sign it
but is black on the map. Please correct the map or remove it from the site.
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Gregg, 17 Dec 2012 @ 7:25am

Clever...
What a clever way to separate the Democratic countries from the Fascist states.
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Matt, 17 Dec 2012 @ 10:39am

TechPresident posted an excellent piece (http://techpresident.com/news/23263/internet-freedom-activists-dubai-warning-finally-live-inclusive -label-or-else) on why some developing countries, even those with democratically elected governments, might support ITU oversight of the Internet.

Essentially, the piece's thesis is that the organizations which currently administer the Internet are dominated by western Europeans and North Americans speaking English. Developing countries don't understand how these organizations work or how to get their voice heard there.

In contrast, UN-affiliated organizations like the ITU are "a known table that every country knows they have a seat at".

I don't think the ITU should be running things either. But it's probably too simplistic to say any country that supported ITU oversight of the Internet did so because they want to limit freedoms.
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ASDFGHJKL, 9 Mar 2013 @ 7:56am

Thank you
I'm agree with the Anonymous We need a PIL (Political Innovation Lab).
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Mothers day 2013, 14 Mar 2013 @ 6:26am

Re: A little Query
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JEE MAIN Results 2013, 6 May 2013 @ 9:09am

This is nice
We too need a PIL (Political Innovation Lab).
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Best Out Of Waste, 2 Aug 2013 @ 4:59am

Re:
This reminds me of Yin and Yang. Even our own world is divided into two equally opposing forces. I bet the entire Universe is like this too.
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Government Jobs, 5 Sep 2013 @ 1:41am

I also agree that, We must need a PIL (Political Innovation Lab).
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SCRA, 29 Jan 2014 @ 7:38pm

Re: Re: Re: "So, what does it all mean? Very little right now."
Same and same :P
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jobsbus, 28 May 2014 @ 8:16am

informative information.....
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