Starting Points for ICT Regulation : Deconstructing Prevalent Policy One-liners

What does the term 'on-line' mean? When do we actually enter the on-line environment and leave the 'off-line' world?

Is it different, separate, or even unique compared to the off-line world?

In what cases do we need to regulate it, and how? These have become important, but complex questions for law-makers, policy-makers, regulators, and politicians who design regulatory frameworks to address societal changes related to fast-moving technological developments.

In order to more consistently and effectively deal with ICT and Internet regulation, governments and international organizations have developed regulatory 'starting points', such as 'what holds off-line, must hold on-line' and 'regulation should be technology-neutral'.

This book questions these regulatory starting points in detail and systematically explores their application, meaning and value for international e-regulation.