Mobile Internet Policies

Laws written for the wired world also apply to mobile Internet.

Laws and company policies that apply to the wired world also apply to the wireless world. Companies and service providers can require additional policies to mobile Internet access to protect their data or in an attempt to stay within the law.

Security Policies

Internet Service Providers, or ISPs, manage mobile Internet access in addition to broadband wired Internet connections. According to "Mobile Internet" by Apostolis Salkintzis, ISPs apply security policies such as ingress filtering to check whether incoming data packets appear legitimate. This is done to attempt to prevent Wi-Fi spoofing, when a hacker's computer acts as a router for mobile Internet connections. Users can improve their data security by using encryption when connecting to mobile Internet hot spots.

Data Policies

Mobile Internet is subject to the same laws and service policies as computer connections. Sexting -- sending sexually explicit photos through a phone or mobile Internet connection -- is illegal if the person in the picture is a minor. These laws apply whether the data is through a landline or a mobile Internet connection. If an ISP or social networking site prohibits hateful material, these policies are applied to their service regardless of the type of Internet connection. Service providers can intercept and review images regardless of user privacy if there is concern that the law or usage polices are violated.

Corporate Policies

Private businesses can prohibit employees by policy from using mobile Internet connections when connecting to the company's network. Companies can implement policies to limit mobile Internet access by policy to secure Wi-Fi networks. A company can also restrict mobile Internet access to encrypted communication networks.

References

• "E-Business: The Practical Guide to the Laws"; Amanda Brock, Rafi Azim-Khan; 2008
• "Mobile Internet"; Apostolis Salkintzis; 2004
• "Internet Architecture and Innovation"; Barbara van Schewick; 2010
• "AAA and Network Security for Mobile Access"; Madjid Nakhjiri, Mahsa Nakhjiri; 2005
• "Ethics and Technology"; Herman T. Tavani; 2010

Resources

• "Mobile Internet for Dummies"; M. O'Farrell, J Levine, J Algroy, J Pearce, D Appelquist; 2008
• "Mobile Media"; Jo Groebel, Eli Noam, Valerie Feldmann; 2005