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The Closing of the Net

Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Closing of the Net offers an accessible and authoritative exploration of the political battles shaping the Internet today. Monica Horten explains complex issues such as privacy, net neutrality, copyright, and surveillance in clear terms for non-experts. The book covers why apps are never truly free, the politics behind data profiling, the clash between entertainment industries and Internet companies over copyright, the origins of GDPR, and the post-Snowden data retention laws. It also reveals the implications of significant events like the takedown of Megaupload and highlights the chilling risks if Internet monitoring and blocking become widespread.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$3799
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is essential reading for students and professionals in cyber-policy, digital media studies, communications policy, Internet governance, and copyright law. It is ideal for those seeking a clear and comprehensive introduction to the political and social contexts affecting the Internet's future.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

How are political decisions influencing the future direction of Internet communication? As the interests of powerful businesses become more embedded in the online world, so these corporations seek greater exemption from liability.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This inspirational book provides the backstory to current attempts by states and corporations to control the Internet. It explains key issues such as privacy, net neutrality and copyright in a way that is accessible to non-experts, as well as providing a clear, authoritative context for academic study.

The Closing of the Net explains:

  • Why apps are never 'free', and how data profiling got into politics
  • How the entertainment industries went head-to-head with Internet companies over online copyright
  • Why we got the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and why Europe has stronger privacy laws than the US
  • How post-Snowden surveillance politics is embedded in data retention law
  • Why net neutrality matters
  • How cloud service Megaupload was brought down

Monica Horten's compelling account of these issues concludes with an outline of the risks we face in the future if monitoring and blocking of the Internet becomes the norm. And the results are chilling. This book is a must-read for all followers of cyber-policy, and is suitable for courses addressing digital media and society, communications policy, Internet and copyright law.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Renowned experts praise The Closing of the Net for its incisive analysis and compelling narrative. Nick Couldry of the London School of Economics calls it a sharply written confrontation of democracy’s challenges posed by corporate power online. Marvin Ammori of Stanford Law School commends its unified portrayal of political forces around net neutrality, privacy, and surveillance, stressing that politics will shape the Internet's future. Times Higher Education describes the book as "original and valuable," highlighting its importance for understanding modern information technology.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781509506897

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 March 2016

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Polity Press

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 18.0mm

Width: 147.0mm

Height: 211.0mm

Weight: 299g

Pages: 200

About the Author

Monica Horten is a Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She served as an independent expert on the Council of Europe's committee of experts on cross-border flow of Internet traffic and Internet freedom.

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