Web Creator Praises Brazil for Project That Will Regulate the Internet

05/17/2013 - 08h35

"Brazil is leading the world with its Internet Civil Mark, so for me it is an honor to be here at this historic moment, supporting those who are doing it."

That was how the Englishman Tim Berners-Lee, 57, the creator of the World Wide Web, expressed his support for the Brazilian law that aims to be the "Constitution of the internet."

The project provides for net neutrality (equal service packs for all customers, and the same speed of access to all sites), the privacy to its users and freedom of expression online.

Berners-Lee spoke to the Brazilian media at the international WWW conference in 2013, one of the biggest technology events in the world, which takes place for the first time in Brazil, in Rio, this week.

Apu Gomes - 20.jan.2009/Folhapress

Tim Berners-Lee in the opening ceremony of Campus Party 2009

"Many countries are making efforts in favor of net neutrality, but Brazil leads with the Civil Mark, because it looks at the issue from the correct angle, which is the civil rights," said the British physicist, who gave an interview next to the congressman Alessandro Molon (PT-RJ), sponsor of the bill.

The proposal was put forth for public consultation and received more than 2,300 contributions. Now it is awaiting a vote in Congress.

The Civil Mark has the support of the government and of several business sectors, but faces resistance from telecom companies.

The telcos oppose net neutrality, which prevents charging a different rate depending on the package offered or speed of data transmission - which can facilitate access to certain sites.

"The project is ready to be voted on, but is seeing resistance from the sectors that do not feel included. Either one decides in favor of the Internet user, his privacy and net neutrality, or in favor of those providing the connections," said the representative.

Translated by DAVE WOLIN

Read the article in the original language