---
title: "U.S. Giving up its Internet ‘Bodyguard’ Role"
summary: |-
  Decision could have far reaching negative implications for the future of the Internet.
date: "2014-03-17"
issues: ["Internet"]
authors: ["Robert D. Atkinson"]
content_type: "Op-Eds & Contributed Articles"
canonical_url: "https://itif.org/publications/2014/03/17/us-giving-its-internet-bodyguard-role/"
---

# U.S. Giving up its Internet ‘Bodyguard’ Role

Following up on Daniel Castro's piece on March 14, Atkinson argues that the U.S. government's decision to relinquish control of Internet governance will hamper the development of the digital economy and reduce the power and effectiveness of the Internet as a whole.

---
*Source: Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF)*
*URL: https://itif.org/publications/2014/03/17/us-giving-its-internet-bodyguard-role/*