THE QUAGMIRES OF THE AMOEBIC INTERNET: LAW AND TECHNOLOGY TO THE RESCUE

Abstract

The word, quagmires in the topic of this paper opens up the floor as to the dangerous situation into which the emergence of this phenomenon called, the Internet, has launched the society. Ever since the Internet came into operation, the entire world has been reduced to the same close proximity, and online freedom of expression has become virtually unlimited. On the Internet, anyone anywhere can express himself or herself, no matter how singular, without fear of being coerced into silence or compromise. The Internet is open, global, user-controlled, decentralized, inexpensive, abundant, and makes use of independent infrastructure. The Internet is amoebic because it is not stereotyped, as a result of which it can easily be manipulated. All these features, among others, have combined to convey the quagmires brought about by the Internet technology. Adopting the doctrinal method of research, this paper therefore discusses the various circumstances or situations evidencing the quagmires of the amoebic Internet. It equally identified the roles of law and technology in arresting these quagmires, pointing out that there must be a globally galvanized effort in order to achieve success. The paper concludes that since the Internet itself is a technological phenomenon, the best way to handle the quagmires is through a technological approach backed by law.