From net neutrality to net feudality

Abstract

The Internet is a quasi-feudal environment. In order to access the Internet you have to accept the contractual provisions unilaterally defined by your telecom operator. In order to use online applications and services, you have to accept the term of service unilaterally defined by the service providers. Besides unilaterally defining the rules that govern their cyberspaces, telecom operators and services providers have also the possibility to inforce them through technical measures.