UN Treaty Now Permits Foreign Governments To Read Your Emails

UN Agency Opens International Internet Traffic To Government Scrutiny -- Aol Defense

The United Nation's International Telecommunications Union sent shock waves across the Internet with an agreement approved last night which would give countries a right to access international telecommunications services including Internet traffic.

While the U.S., Canada, Australia, Norway, Denmark, and other countries refused to go along with the measure, the motion carried in a decision that caught many by surprise and now leaves organizations around the world who provide services that rely on the Internet in a sudden state of limbo.

I was on the phone with a number of businesses that have employees and operations in multiple countries and a satellite communications equipment provider all of whom expressed concern that companies will put projects on hold and take a wait-and-see approach until there are answers to the many questions that the ITU action created!

Read more ....

Update: Opponents say ITU treaty threatens Internet freedom -- PC World

My Comment: Even though some are saying that the treaty has failed (because 20 key nations have said no), the fact is that a majority have voted in favor to give countries a LEGAL right to access international telecommunications services including Internet traffic. I live in Canada .... but because I communicate constantly with people that I know in China, Russia, Ukraine, etc. .... it would not then surprise me that some of this communication will probably be red-flagged by these countries .... especially on the topics that this blog is always chronicling.

Sighhh ... this is not a good day for freedom on the web.