The Internet is developing widely and rapidly. People receive convenience and benefits from the Internet, yet at the same time, experience crimes such as predators, illegal copying, and privacy invasion.

The Internet is very useful tool. Free communication through the Internet helps the development of culture, industry, and human knowledge. People can get information much easier than five years ago. For example, students can gather literature or history or politics information in their house. Disabled people can purchase a variety of goods through the Internet without going out. It provides disabled people a chance that they can live as normal people.

Unfortunately, the Internet has negative aspects. There are three points. First, a lot of sexual or criminal information is flowing over the Internet. Second, a hacker may invade the privacy by stealing the customer list or looking into other’s computer. Third, illegal copies through the Internet may damage copyright such as movies and music. In these points, there are arguments that the Internet should be regulated by new regulations.

But my opinion opposes it and there are three reasons. First, many laws against sexual exposure, piracy, and privacy invasion have already existed in each country. New Internet law doesn’t need to be made. For these crimes the present laws should be applied.

Next, when we talk about the Internet regulations, both "freedom of expression" and "protection from the Internet" are the keywords. They are connected with each other. It is easy to make new law against the Internet, and we should not forget that we are always confronted with an unrestricted and unreasonable way of information regulation by government. Once we allow regulating the communication include the Internet, authorities easily interfere our communications. In Japan, some companies check their employee’s e-male to keep their company’s secret. It is very uncomfortable for employee to be looked into their own male. Similar things will happen if the Internet regulation is made. They can check our private male address or private data. We have a fundamental human right that is “freedom of expression”.

Finally, offenders sometimes misuse the Internet convenience. The illegal copies tell that the Internet can exchange a lot of information. When someone uses it such a wrong way, it is severe problem, but music industry can sell their music through the Internet. People can buy their favorite music without going a shop. Exchanging data is same kind of technology as the invasion but it shows the possibility that people can register their information without going an officer or a company. The Internet already has been communication which is used by users’ own will. No government and social power can be interfered communication and convenience.

August 2002