No Space for MySpace?

Business Week reports that U.S. House of Representatives lawmakers proposed a bill on May 9 that would block access to social networks and Internet chat rooms in most federally funded schools and libraries. Proponents say the legislation is aimed at "protecting children from terrible individuals who would aim to use Facebook and MySpace to harm young children." Opponents say it's too general and could rule out content from any number of Internet companies, including Yahoo! and Google.

ICANN rejects .xxx domain

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, the group that sets domain name regulation, has voted down a proposal to create a domain for adult Web sites.

The plan has drawn considerable controversy over recent months, with conservative groups campaigning against the domain due to concerns that it would legitimize pornography. Advocates of the plan have denied this, claiming that it would make it easier for Web users to avoid porn.

Net censorship spreads worldwide

The BBC News service is reporting on a 153-page study by Reporters Without Borders that highlights the ways repressive regimes are taking full advantage of the net's ability to censor and stifle reform and debate. While blogs, chat forums and social networking sites can turn passive citizens into active critics, some of the world's dictators are also taking advantage of the Internet's technological power to spy on citizens and censor debate.