Internet Groups Progressing On Code Of Conduct

Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) Monday asked three prominent Internet companies for an update on a voluntary code of conduct being written by the industry, academics and human rights groups to regulate businesses' activities in countries that restrict Internet use and content. Colin Maclay, managing director of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society, which is helping stakeholders reach a consensus, said "it's beyond unrealistic to think that the deadline [of September] could move up" because the behind-the-scenes work represents significant commitments by a multitude of Internet players. Even if companies, including European partners that went unaddressed, did speed things up, non-corporate entities would not be able to (nor have any incentive to do so), he said.