[jbolte1976]

President Obama wants to name a new "Cyber Czar".

Don't get me wrong I'm all for increasing security, I don't like spam (although it's good fried with eggs, LOL), and I want others to feel comfortable whipping out their credit card to make a purchase online, but what scares me is that new laws and regulations that may have good intentions, many times do not really address the issue and really hurt a lot of people and/or businesses.

I hope that this new cyber czar doesn't hurt us ethical internet marketers by suggesting some "blanket" regulations, etc.

What do you guys think? Do we need a Cyber Czar?

[MikeGriffith]

While I agree that some oversight is needed out here in cyberspace, I'm not sure how much (and what flavor of) government intervention is needed at this time. My fear is that government regulation might be too slanted, and could seriously injury some internet marketers.

[Admin]

Hi JB,

Do you have a link to more information that addresses specific regulations?

[jbolte1976]

Originally Posted by Admin

Hi JB,

Do you have a link to more information that addresses specific regulations?

Yeah that would have bee helpful, lol. Not really any specifics, just talks about the new cyber czar position that is being created. This cyber czar will only answer to the president.

Here's the link:

Obama's new cyber czar may create turf war - Security- msnbc.com

[TomZilla]

I'm not too enthused about this... Although this will increase security and encourage more to shop online, like Mike said, government intervention is needed.

More or less, it's needed on sites targeted to children. Sites such as Whyville and such, are to consider. Myspace, Facebook and all those other popular social networks also may need government moderation.

Not hi-jack your thread, or any thing, but do you really think this czar will be active at many sites?

[jbolte1976]

Originally Posted by TomZilla

Not hi-jack your thread, or any thing, but do you really think this czar will be active at many sites?

I agree 100% about child safety and things like that.

No I don't think the czar will be active on many sites, but I fear new blanket regulations and laws that could potentially make the lives of internet marketers more difficult or make shopping online less advantageous for online shoppers.

For instance getting forced to collect (and charge) sales tax or taxing your internet "real estate" above your normal income tax scares me. Just things like that. Don't get me wrong some regulation is good but there's a fine line.

[TomZilla]

Originally Posted by jbolte1976

I agree 100% about child safety and things like that.

No I don't think the czar will be active on many sites, but I fear new blanket regulations and laws that could potentially make the lives of internet marketers more difficult or make shopping online less advantageous for online shoppers.

For instance getting forced to collect (and charge) sales tax or taxing your internet "real estate" above your normal income tax scares me. Just things like that. Don't get me wrong some regulation is good but there's a fine line.

Great points...

If a czar will be appointed, then he/she WILL be needed to keep track of each and almost every site on the internet. There is no reason to have one unless he/she will be checking out all sites. Especially those, as I said, targeted to children.

And, what you brought up about marketers losing revenue; great point...

Nice post, JB!

[Admin]

Originally Posted by TomZilla

Great points...

If a czar will be appointed, then he/she WILL be needed to keep track of each and almost every site on the internet. There is no reason to have one unless he/she will be checking out all sites. Especially those, as I said, targeted to children.

And, what you brought up about marketers losing revenue; great point...

Nice post, JB!

Hey Tom,

I wouldn't be too sure about him or her having to validate every site personally. It's very easy for the Gov to make it manditory that every browser or search engine give the option to flag a site to all people who use or surf the internet.

Think about it for a minute, IE (MSN) has that option where people can flag a site that does not have a privacy statement up and running, and Google has a set up where surfers can flag a site if they supect the webmaster of paid linking from other sites.

The Government isn't stupid. If any company that has weight can use the public to lessen their workload, so can the US Gov.

In the end, it's about how Online Marketers or Internet Marketers will be helped or hurt by their actions or mandates.

[TomZilla]

Great points, Mary!

While I highly agree with you, I do think that the czar should still validate every site personally.

Or, at least a majority of the social networks.