Governmental control of the internet in addressing law enforcement and national security

Abstract

Some people contended that governmental regulation of the Internet would not be possible due to its inherent characteristics. This paper relates how governments, in addressing law enforcement and national security, have taken control of the Internet by means of legislation. Consideration is given to the influence and impact of powerful governments on the legal regulation of the Internet. It is pointed out that when addressing law enforcement and national security the borderless nature of the Internet is in reality bordered. It is concluded that in striving towards law enforcement and national security, enforcement of governmental control of the Internet is not easily achieved without the assistance of the Internet Service Provider (ISP) as well as international assistance and co-operation. © 2009 Vieweg+Teubner | GWV Fachverlage GmbH, Wiesbaden.