Starting Points for ICT Regulation: Deconstructing Prevalent Policy One-liners (Information Technology and Law Series) (v. 9)

What does the term 'on-line' mean? When do we actually enter the on-line environment and leave the 'off-line' world? Is it different, separate, or even unique compared to the off-line world? In what cases do we need to regulate it, and how? These have become important, but complex questions for law-makers, policy-makers, regulators, and politicians who design regulatory frameworks to address societal changes related to fast-moving technological developments. In order to more consistently and effectively deal with ICT and Internet regulation, governments and international organizations have developed regulatory 'starting points', such as 'what holds off-line, must hold on-line' and 'regulation should be technology-neutral'. This book questions these regulatory starting points in detail and systematically explores their application, meaning and value for international e-regulation.