Lawmakers push resolution opposing UN regulation of the Internet

The bill's sponsors warned that China and Russia might seek a U.N. resolution to give authoritarian regimes censorship powers.

Two House lawmakers introduced a resolution on Tuesday urging the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations to oppose any resolution that would regulate the Internet.

The bill's sponsors, Reps. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), warned that China and Russia may seek a U.N. resolution to give authoritarian regimes the license to continue censoring the Internet.

The lawmakers said their resolution is consistent with President Obama's stated policy to "preserve, enhance and increase access to an open, global Internet. "

“Any action taken by the United Nations to attempt to limit Americans’ right to free and open Internet content is unacceptable," McCaul said in a statement. "The Internet’s current multi-stakeholder model has provided an unburdened environment for ideas and inventions to thrive. No single state should have control over content and information must be freely disseminated." 

Langevin said that giving international approval to Internet censorship "would be a significant setback for anyone who believes free expression is a universal right."

"It must be made clear that efforts to secure the Internet against malicious hacking do not need to interfere with this freedom and the United States will oppose any attempt to blur the line between the two,” Langevin said. 

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