7 chapters across the catalog
Open Technology Fund (OTF), Signal App Origins
The Open Technology Fund (OTF) is a US government-funded organization that advocates for internet freedom and funded the technology behind the Signal app. A PBS report detailed how the Trump administration, through Michael Pack, withheld funding from the group. The hosts suggest the OTF may be a "shady operation" or an intelligence front, given its high budget and small staff.
The Decline of Internet Freedom and The Helm Email Server
The hosts lament the end of the "golden age" of the internet as independent email servers are increasingly blocked by Gmail's "trustworthiness" filters. They discuss "The Helm," a hardware appliance designed to help users run private servers by using a paid SMTP relay service. They advocate for a return to "value for value" and open-source models to combat corporate control.
Section 230 and the Open Internet vs. Closed Platforms
The discussion contrasts the U.S. Section 230 protections with the new European regulations. While Section 230 protects platforms from liability for user-generated content, the EU is moving toward a model of platform responsibility. The hosts define the "open internet" as direct server connections, distinct from the "closed walls" of social media giants.
The debate over Net Neutrality has been rebranded as the "Open Internet" initiative. Proposed legislation aims to prohibit blocking and throttling but includes language regarding "lawful content" that could restrict certain types of traffic. Former FCC Chairman Michael Powell noted that reclassifying the internet under Title II could strip the FTC of its authority over data privacy and security.
The FCC's release of new rulemaking regarding the "Open Internet" is dissected. Adam Curry argues that the shift from "Net Neutrality" to "Open Internet" signals a move toward government regulation of the web as a utility. He expresses skepticism toward non-profit groups campaigning for these rules, suggesting they are inadvertently paving the way for metered billing and increased government control.
FCC Open Internet Rules and the Net Neutrality Narrative
Adam Curry breaks down the FCC's new "Open Internet" rulemaking proposal. He criticizes the shift in terminology from "Net Neutrality" to "Open Internet" and argues that the public is being misled by simplistic analogies. He suggests the ultimate goal of these regulations is to enable metered billing for broadband providers.
The hosts discuss the planned January 18th internet blackout by Reddit and other sites to protest SOPA. They characterize the move as a PR stunt by Reddit's parent company, Condé Nast. They also introduce the OPEN Act, sponsored by Representative Darrell Issa, as a potential "double switch" or alternative that may be just as onerous as the bills it seeks to replace.
