Russia Backs Off Internet Control Proposal

Supported by other nations who perhaps aren't fond of letting people say whatever they'd like to say

A Russian-led proposal by a coalition of countries to place further government regulation over the Internet has been withdrawn.

The plan under consideration by the International Telecommunication Union would have given countries the power to block the Internet from some locations, according to Reuters. Additionally, the plan would have taken control of the allocation of Internet addresses away from ICANN, a U.S.-based organization that is under contract to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Russia's plan was supported by China, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Sudan and the United Arab Emirates. Opposing it were many Western countries, including the United States and Canada.