Japanese scholars called for vigilance against the U.S. “network imperialism “
LONDON: Japan’s ” Asahi Shimbun “website on July 13 published an article , entitled ” American vigilance “network imperialism ” , ” following major elements:
Google and other U.S. Internet companies revolutionized the way people on the network to collect , disseminate information and communicate with each other ’s way . These companies manufacture and development of the network ” cloud computing “and other network services and tools such as tablet PCs , customers and business brought great convenience.
Former government officials, Keio University Professor of Media Technology shore Hiroyuki , once keen on promoting Internet applications , today called for people to guard against “American imperialism network . ”
“Cloud computing ” huge security risk
Asahi Shimbun : What does this mean the network of imperialism ?
Coast Hiroyuki : We daily use Google, Yahoo, Amazon , pushing the Principal network services are provided by the United States . These companies established in their respective areas of the world’s monopoly or dominant position , making Internet users around the world to provide services to them has become a serious dependency . The globalization of U.S. companies to establish this system , which absorb a lot of money on the Internet . I say “network imperialism ” refers to a worldwide network of the United States market is the rule .
Asahi Shimbun : But these services make people’s lives more convenient , and it is not? What is wrong with that?
Hiroyuki Coast : From the perspective of national security , for example , some people think that all countries have the stress of food supply security to some extent self-sufficiency rate , to avoid excessive dependence on imports . So the Internet field, the dissemination of information related to critical infrastructure does not have the same token it? This involves national security issues , the key network services rely entirely on foreign companies Do not bring any problem?
Asahi Shimbun : Talking about the national security issue , “cloud computing” is attracting more and more attention in Japan . Some Japanese central and local government agencies and large enterprises have started to provide U.S. companies a ” cloud computing “services. This will bring you any hidden dangers ?
Coast Hiroyuki : I am curious to central and local government agencies , as well as those companies , whether aware of the critical data stored on overseas anonymous server security risk. Whether they fully understand the server host country ’s legislation? Some countries allow people to access confidential information through these servers . A good example of this is that the United States in 2001 , ” Patriot Act “authorized the authorities are free to access server data .
I was seconded to the Government in a period of international organizations , have seen intelligence agencies (through the server) access to a wide variety of information . Many people do not grasp the hacker will be able to do these things. A company or organization , without the know in the premise , the confidential information to the control of “cloud computing “server people are reckless behavior. When you use these services simply can not rule out the possibility of unauthorized access to data . Federal legislation , the federal government to provide ” cloud computing ” services, companies must be server settings in the continental United States , even Hawaii can not avoid risk.
Asahi Shimbun : The U.S. government does not allow “cloud computing” server settings in Hawaii it?
Coast Hiroyuki : Yes. This reflects the United States itself on the sensitivity of information security . I hope that the Japanese central and local government agencies, enterprises can realize that the ” cloud computing ” services, the potential risks . This is the reality of the Internet in the field .
Nevertheless, the ” cloud computing “itself is a very convenient service , with growth potential. I hope that the Japanese company to build data centers in the country , providing safe and convenient to the market , ” cloud computing “services. I think the Government should provide subsidies such as tax cuts or policy support to encourage the domestic development of such services .
The U.S. Internet market distortions
Asahi Shimbun : U.S. Internet companies also profoundly changed the images , music and articles , etc mode of transmission . In this field your role is also critical of it?
Coast Hiroyuki : These companies do not create their own content , but provided free of charge to the market through other people’s content products experience rapid growth. These companies control a large user base by attracting a growing number of Internet advertising and gain huge profits. Currently in the United Kingdom , general business in the Internet advertising spending has exceeded the total amount of television advertising .
Traditional culture and the media content industry business , need to put the high costs of advertising revenue was originally an important source of income. When the user accustomed to the free Web services, no longer willing to pay for content . The content of this business model for global manufacturers and a major blow to traditional media . In the 21st century “network imperialism ” in the formation of a new exploiters and the exploited .
Asahi Shimbun : But this is a free market, free choice made by consumers . Is not economic development will inevitably bring about a reasonable result?
Coast Hiroyuki : the premise of rationality in the market, you can say so, but the Internet market is distorted , it ’s the whole system and rules that are good for U.S. Internet service companies . A typical example is the protection of intellectual property law provides for the United States to ” fair use “content products , U.S. law also provides network operators must set up to provide services at the local server . Google the company without prior authorization , not to pay costs associated with the case of a large number of copies of newspapers and magazines around the world link the content to attract a large number of users . Illegal downloading on the Internet and content sharing common , but in the real world , this is theft . Free competition is very important, but the formation of the current market, competition is distorted .
Government should strengthen the management of the network
Asahi Shimbun : The Internet should be free from government control and intervention of free space . Do you think the government should control the network services market ?
Coast Hiroyuki : Yes. When the market can not guarantee the fairness of competition , can not occur outside the market to provide effective means to solve problems , such as global warming , in which case a market failure , and the need for government intervention . Traditional culture and information industry has demonstrated clearly the decline of market failure .
In this regard, Europe has taken some noteworthy steps . For example, the German government to legislate to prevent Internet service companies free use of the domestic media . France and the United Kingdom to legislate against illegal downloads , to straighten out the domestic Internet market environment.
Asahi Shimbun : why this situation has not been caused by Japan ’s importance?
Coast Hiroyuki : Many of Japan ’s Internet experts are more concerned with technical aspects of the Internet . When the birth of a new network service , they may be generally concerned about the use of its new features and rarely see their economic and social impacts. Journalism from their own point of view , the main concern is how the media should and will change .
Asahi Shimbun : Internet users are also responsible for the rise of the new American imperialism ?
Coast Hiroyuki : No, users have the right to the pursuit of cheap and convenient services , should not “network imperialism ” created for . But at the national level , Japan should treat foreign companies as fully occupied as the automotive market , the company attaches great importance to the foreign network ’s monopoly on the market .
When I was the office , I have been keen to promote the development of the Internet . I have all the energy on how to promote the new network in Japan, service, and do not recognize the existing problems . This is currently the communications industry and industrial sector a common problem .
I now appeal to people to guard against network imperialism , in part because of my past behavior is out of remorse . The current situation will change if they can not quickly get worse