expVC

Just recently, Freedom House, an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom and democracy around the world, released their report 'Freedom on the Net 2015' in which China was ranked last in the world for Internet freedom. Not only has China used the Internet as means of surveillance within its borders, but some believe... that Chinese hackers may be responsible for a breach of U.S. Government databases at the Office of Personnel Management, which resulted in the theft of personal information of more the 22 million Americans." Read the full Cruz-Lankford-Lee letter here and below: February 4, 2016 Mr. Fadi Chehade Chief Executive Officer Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers 12025 Waterfront Drive, Suite 300 Los Angeles, CA 90094-2536 Dear Mr. Chehade: On March 14, 2014, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration ("NTIA") announced its intent to relinquish oversight of Internet domain name functions to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the "global stakeholder community." When testifying before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, you stated that "NTIA's announcement preserves and prolongs the free and open Internet that has brought so much economic growth and social and cultural development. Given your assurance to preserve and prolong the free and open Internet, we were surprised and dismayed to learn that you have agreed to co-chair a high-level advisory committee for the World Internet Conference, which is organized by the Chinese government, while you serve as the Chief Executive Officer of ICANN under contract with the United States Government. As you must know, the World Internet Conference is not a beacon of free speech. It has been heavily criticized by members of the press for refusing to allow China-based reporters for the New York Times and Washington Post to cover the conference. Reporters Without Borders demanded an international boycott of the conference, calling China the "enemy of the Internet. In ...Read More