apple is net neutrality enemy number oneApple might have fun-loving TV commercials and largely successful products, but not all is sweet and peachy for the Cupertino-based company. Tim Wu, the Columbia law professor who originally coined the term “net neutrality”, now fears Apple posses the greatest risk to the freedom of the Internet.

In an interview with the New York Times, Wu went on to say that he believes the danger will continue long after Steve Job’s tenure. So what exactly made Steve Jobs the target for Wu’s criticism? Apparently his “charisma, vision and instincts of every great information emperor. His vision has undeniable appeal, but he wants too much control over it”.

It seems the price for success in the technology space now results in being labeled a tech villain, a title once held by Microsoft CEO Bill Gates during the 90’s. We can only wonder if the next player at the top of Wu’s Anti-Internet freedom march might be Google, set to continue smartphone market share dominance in 2011. As the late Notorious B.I.G. once said, “mo money, mo problems”, it looks like Apple will remain under fire so long as their earnings stay out of the red.

Further details into Wu’s insight can be found in his recently published book The Master Switch: The Rise and Fall of Information Empires, in which he calls companies such as AT&T, NBC, Facebook and Google, “information empires”. Adding insult to injury, when asked about the subject matter for the book Wu said, “It’s largest a story of the American affection for information monopolists and the consequences of that fondness”.

Unfortunately we may have to remove that shiny new MacBook pro I’ve added to Apple shopping cart before I show too much “affection” and “fondness” to Apple. Let us know what you think- has Apple really positioned themselves as the villain preventing Internet freedom?

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  • http://www.webhostinglogic.com/ Ben Stiller

    That depends on what kind of freedom we are talking. For web developers, definitely Apple is a threat to them since Apple products are not supportive of open source software. But for ordinary internet users, it does not matter as long as they can access the internet for their needs.

    • bensillis

      Sure the problem is when Apple only allows for X number of browsers on the iPhone, and then starts charging access to partner sites? Theoretically, of course.

    • Dave

      Suppose that's where the drive for jailbreaking into the future will come from. For every product Apple release, it will get hacked to allow for opensource. Shame is it will only attract the “underground” minority and not your everyday user who will be inder the control of the “EVIL APPLE”

  • http://twitter.com/demon90k Shadie Carrier

    An example I can think of, is what happened with MP3's. Was an open format used across multiple platforms across the internet, opening ways for new businesses. Unfortunately, I don't think this would have been the case if Apple had dominated the music scene sooner, with things like their AAC codec, etc. Ofcourse there is DRM, but my point is, Apple are focused on keeping the content across their own devices to streamline the experience, which is fair enough. But, as a consumer, I feel I have the right to take my media that I've purchased from one place and use it on something else (For example, having an MP4 Quicktime file purchased from iTunes and having to use apple codecs, instead of something more openly formatted and used like H264, owned by many companies including Microsoft). It would be like having a DVD you could only play on a Sony DVD player, just not fair. But, what do I know, I'm just a consumer right?

    If they applied the same tactics they openly use at the moment, and in future dominated the internet (Browsing Technology, Codecs and Social Networking would be the main aspects), we could really see a loss of freedom on the internet. Apple wants to squeeze money from proprietary control in every aspect, and I believe would continue in every aspect of their business including the internet if they had the chance. He said in a keynote some time ago that he believes in the freedom of the internet….. But like any great businessman, if he seen a business model opportunity, he would launch himself at it, and do things the Apple way. I think its a long time off though, Steve Jobs focus's on partners for things he doesn't want to pursue at any given time, then creates a better product to sit on top when he wants to expand a market.

    Ofcourse I'm just speculating, but it does concern me. I'm an IT professional, and what makes me different from a regular consumer is, I want the freedom that multi platforms and open source gives me on the internet. I just don't think this would be the case with Apple. Thinking of it now, the regular Joe would see no concern in this, but, for people like me, I like the ability to feel safe in downloading and using applications how I want without anyone controlling and monitoring me for marketing purposes. I'm not saying Apple would stop open source, or completely control the internet as such, but, I would feel a lot more open and helpless to outside influences without my Microsoft Product (And that's saying something!). No one can deny the proprietary focus and control apple like to have over their products and users. Microsoft isn't perfect, neither is apple, but I'm happier with the internet as it is now, than what it could be……

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