The Internet, Warts and All

The Internet, Warts and All asks questions. Why are government digital policies so often out of touch and counter-productive? Why is surveillance law problematic and ineffective - and often defeated in court? Do companies like Google and Facebook really care about freedom of speech? Why are neither laws nor technology companies able to get to grips with trolling? Is 'fake news' something that can be 'dealt with'? Can these issues be addressed more effectively, intelligently and appropriately in the future? To answer these questions, The Internet, Warts and All busts a number of myths and illusions about the internet - about the neutrality of algorithms, the permanence of information, the impact of surveillance, the nature of privacy and more. It shows how trolling and 'fake news' arise - and why current moves to deal with them are doomed to failure. It suggests a way forward - by embracing the unruly nature of the internet.

• Looks at how privacy, free speech and truth work on the internet and provides a fresh perspective
• Explores misinformation and misunderstandings about the internet and how they have resulted in ineffective laws and policies which impact particular situations including trolling and fake news
• Focuses specifically on some of the biggest operators on the internet allowing readers to see why business models and practices of these operators have damaging consequences, not just to the internet but to society
• Sets out a series of 'rules of thumb' with issues on the internet that readers will be able to use to assess ideas and resolve problems