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VOA慢速英语--日益高涨的“数字民族主义”可能会创造新的互联网边界

时间:2020-08-23 22:27:46

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Rising ‘Digital Nationalism’ Could Create New Internet Borders

Increasing government attempts to censor1 or regulate the internet may result in new digital borders that could change the ways we currently experience the World Wide Web.

Authoritarian2 governments have long operated digital borders to restrict the flow of information and censor material it does not want its citizens to receive. But there have also been attempts by countries to create digital borders by enacting3 rules that limit how the internet and technology companies can operate in those areas. The justification4 for such rules in democratic systems usually centers on protecting the individual privacy and national security.

Increased EU privacy, antitrust regulations

The European Union, EU, has been one of the most active legislators in this area. About two years ago, the EU approved a massive privacy measure known as the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR. It aims to protect the personal data of citizens and requires companies to follow rules relating to how they collect, process and store such information.

The regulations cover not only all EU nations, but also American-based technology companies doing business there, including Google, Facebook, Amazon and Apple.

In recent years, the EU has launched numerous investigations5 into U.S. technology companies for violating rules related to privacy protection or antitrust laws.

The European Commission (EC), for example, fined Google $2.7 billion in 2017 for unfairly influencing online search results for its own businesses. Then, in 2018, Google was hit with a record $5 billion antitrust fine related to its business operations.

Several additional investigations involving technology companies are ongoing6 in the EU into possible violations7 of user privacy or antitrust regulations.

Justin Sherman is an expert on internet technology and cybersecurity at the Atlantic Council, a research group in Washington. He told VOA that EU regulatory efforts over the years have resulted in changes that have reshaped the internet experience in Europe in some ways compared to the U.S.

"Now there's increasing divergence8 a little bit in how the regulations shape that space."

Sherman added that there are also increasing attempts – many by authoritarian governments - to use technology to block data from getting in.

"States are limiting just how easy it is for information to flow across borders."

James Lewis is a senior vice9 president and director of the Technology Policy Program at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. He told VOA that even though increasing efforts to regulate or block parts of the internet exist, he still sees the internet as the worldwide network it was first set up to be.

"The basic information superhighway was based on protocols10 that still work, and they still connect everyone. But a lot of countries have put speed bumps in the highway."

Lewis said that in the beginning, internet regulation was considered unnecessary. But today, there are a lot more public concerns about how people and organizations can misuse12 it.

"It's privacy and security more than anything else that drives a lot of these speed bumps."

Even the man credited with inventing the World Wide Web, Tim Berners-Lee, has called for major changes to make the internet better for humanity. Last year, he released a "Contract for the Web," designed as a guide for governments, companies and citizens to take actions in an effort to improve the web.

Lewis noted13 a recent ruling by the EU's top court that found that an existing agreement on transatlantic data flows is no longer acceptable and must be recreated. The agreement, known as the Privacy Shield framework, covers large data flows between Europe and the U.S. Companies including Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Amazon are affected14 by the agreement.

Lewis predicted it will not be easy for EU and U.S. negotiators to create replacement15 rules, mainly because of longstanding differences over privacy regulation.

"I think 2021 will be the year of internet regulation, we can look forward to more of this. It won't break the internet, it will just make it a lot more complicated to use."

US-China relationships

In the U.S., recent threats have come from the Trump16 administration to ban Chinese apps such as TikTok and WeChat. U.S. officials say the apps could misuse private data and represent a risk to national security.

But both Lewis and Sherman say they see such threats as politically driven in a complex U.S.-China relationship. Such bans would be nearly impossible to enforce, they noted.

Sherman says it would be more useful for the government to set up better "trust-vetting" processes to identify which apps and technologies present specific privacy and security risks.

He also called for the development of "strong democratic coalitions18" to create better internet freedom policies. In the U.S., building more political will can also better equip officials to create stronger digital policies at home, Sherman added.

"It is possible – and we should want this – it's possible to both uphold those democratic regulations at home, and contest this technological19 authoritarianism20 abroad - we can do both."

I'm Bryan Lynn.

Words in This Story

regulate – v. to make rules or laws that control something

digital – adj. relating to computer technology and the internet

authoritarian – adj. enforcing or pushing for strict obedience21 to authority at the expense of personal freedom

divergence – n. going in different directions

protocol11 – n. rules for the way a system operates

bump – n. a raised, round area on a surface

complicated – adj. involving a lot of different parts in a way that is difficult to understand

app – n. a program for a smartphone or other device that performs a special function

vet17 – v. examine details about something in order to make a decision

contest – v. to say formally that something is wrong or unfair and try to get it changed


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1 censor GrDz7     
n./vt.审查,审查员;删改
参考例句:
  • The film has not been viewed by the censor.这部影片还未经审查人员审查。
  • The play was banned by the censor.该剧本被查禁了。
2 authoritarian Kulzq     
n./adj.专制(的),专制主义者,独裁主义者
参考例句:
  • Foreign diplomats suspect him of authoritarian tendencies.各国外交官怀疑他有着独裁主义倾向。
  • The authoritarian policy wasn't proved to be a success.独裁主义的政策证明并不成功。
3 enacting 0485a44fcd2183e9aa15d495a9b31147     
制定(法律),通过(法案)( enact的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • Generally these statutes apply only to wastes from reactors outside the enacting state. 总之,这些法令只适宜用在对付那些来自外州的核废料。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法
  • In addition, the complexion of enacting standards for live working is described. 另外,介绍了带电作业标准的制订情况。
4 justification x32xQ     
n.正当的理由;辩解的理由
参考例句:
  • There's no justification for dividing the company into smaller units. 没有理由把公司划分成小单位。
  • In the young there is a justification for this feeling. 在年轻人中有这种感觉是有理由的。
5 investigations 02de25420938593f7db7bd4052010b32     
(正式的)调查( investigation的名词复数 ); 侦查; 科学研究; 学术研究
参考例句:
  • His investigations were intensive and thorough but revealed nothing. 他进行了深入彻底的调查,但没有发现什么。
  • He often sent them out to make investigations. 他常常派他们出去作调查。
6 ongoing 6RvzT     
adj.进行中的,前进的
参考例句:
  • The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
  • The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。
7 violations 403b65677d39097086593415b650ca21     
违反( violation的名词复数 ); 冒犯; 违反(行为、事例); 强奸
参考例句:
  • This is one of the commonest traffic violations. 这是常见的违反交通规则之例。
  • These violations of the code must cease forthwith. 这些违犯法规的行为必须立即停止。
8 divergence kkazz     
n.分歧,岔开
参考例句:
  • There is no sure cure for this transatlantic divergence.没有什么灵丹妙药可以消除大西洋两岸的分歧。
  • In short,it was an age full of conflicts and divergence of values.总之,这一时期是矛盾与价值观分歧的时期。
9 vice NU0zQ     
n.坏事;恶习;[pl.]台钳,老虎钳;adj.副的
参考例句:
  • He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
  • They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。
10 protocols 66203c461b36a2af573149f0aa6164ff     
n.礼仪( protocol的名词复数 );(外交条约的)草案;(数据传递的)协议;科学实验报告(或计划)
参考例句:
  • There are also protocols on the testing of nuclear weapons. 也有关于核武器试验的协议。 来自辞典例句
  • Hardware components and software design of network transport protocols are separately introduced. 介绍系统硬件组成及网络传输协议的软件设计。 来自互联网
11 protocol nRQxG     
n.议定书,草约,会谈记录,外交礼节
参考例句:
  • We must observe the correct protocol.我们必须遵守应有的礼仪。
  • The statesmen signed a protocol.那些政治家签了议定书。
12 misuse XEfxx     
n.误用,滥用;vt.误用,滥用
参考例句:
  • It disturbs me profoundly that you so misuse your talents.你如此滥用自己的才能,使我深感不安。
  • He was sacked for computer misuse.他因滥用计算机而被解雇了。
13 noted 5n4zXc     
adj.著名的,知名的
参考例句:
  • The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
  • Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。
14 affected TzUzg0     
adj.不自然的,假装的
参考例句:
  • She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
  • His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。
15 replacement UVxxM     
n.取代,替换,交换;替代品,代用品
参考例句:
  • We are hard put to find a replacement for our assistant.我们很难找到一个人来代替我们的助手。
  • They put all the students through the replacement examination.他们让所有的学生参加分班考试。
16 trump LU1zK     
n.王牌,法宝;v.打出王牌,吹喇叭
参考例句:
  • He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
  • The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手,作为他的王牌。
17 vet 2HfyG     
n.兽医,退役军人;vt.检查
参考例句:
  • I took my dog to the vet.我把狗带到兽医诊所看病。
  • Someone should vet this report before it goes out.这篇报道发表之前应该有人对它进行详查。
18 coalitions d0242280efffddf593dc27d3aa62fa55     
结合体,同盟( coalition的名词复数 ); (两党或多党)联合政府
参考例句:
  • History testifies to the ineptitude of coalitions in waging war. 历史昭示我们,多数国家联合作战,其进行甚为困难。
  • All the coalitions in history have disintegrated sooner or later. 历史上任何联盟迟早都垮台了。
19 technological gqiwY     
adj.技术的;工艺的
参考例句:
  • A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
  • Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今, 随着科技进步,生活节奏不断增快。
20 authoritarianism da881fd02d611bdc61362e53f5fff5e1     
权力主义,独裁主义
参考例句:
  • Modern authoritarianism is a vestige of traditional personal rule. 现代独裁主义则是传统的个人统治的残余。
  • In its latter days it was a byword for authoritarianism, incompetence, and corruption. 在后期,它是独裁、无能和腐化的代号。
21 obedience 8vryb     
n.服从,顺从
参考例句:
  • Society has a right to expect obedience of the law.社会有权要求人人遵守法律。
  • Soldiers act in obedience to the orders of their superior officers.士兵们遵照上级军官的命令行动。

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