UK to host inter-governmental debate on Net development

A conference which will bring together global governments to discuss Internet development in the public sector has received the official backing of UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The World Internet Forum, to be held in London this November, will be the world's first ever summit to link international governments on the issue of the Internet.

Blair said that such initiatives would help the UK rise to the challenge of ecommerce.

Speaking to silicon.com, Derek Wyatt MP, the founder of the forum, said he hoped it would lead to the establishment of an international Internet secretariat and a government portal focusing on information in the areas of social security, education and health.

Wyatt stressed the need for an international information service for these sectors - particularly for poorer nations.

The forum has the backing of many high profile Internet names, including the founders of Yahoo and WorldPay, while representatives from 11 international governments, including Australia, EU member states and the US have expressed interest.

However, Ian Angell, Professor of Information Systems at the London School of Economics criticised the move. He told silicon.com that a global governmental Internet link would take privacy away from the individual.

Angell said: "I can't believe it will be beneficial. It will be like having big brother watching. It's based on a wishy-washy mix of sentimentalism and power, it's another forum, it's not going to change the way we use the Internet."