An IT world order

By Mohsen Zahran

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The information technology revolution has proliferated, invading almost all aspects of human activity and the daily life of people everywhere.

Without doubt, the information technology revolution should be fully accredited and acclaimed for great achievements accomplished worldwide during the last three decades.

However, some unlawful practices are a jolting reminder to all that information technology has also facilitated crimes, corruption, larceny, and the narcotics industry, as well as immoral and unethical activities, thus sometimes undermining our safety, security and human values.

Often, governments in both the developed and developing countries can hardly cope with e-crime, e-terrorism, or online financial scams, thus justifying their invasion into public and private online domains, as well as their encroachment on personal freedoms and curtailment of human rights.

Given the at times terrible misuse of information technology and electronic capabilities, will the day come soon when the international community can agree on an appropriate framework for managing, organising, regulating, monitoring and overseeing proper adherence to suitable guidelines aimed to safeguard valid interests and human values of individuals, societies and the world at large?

Any such treaty should not replicate the present Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which has been partly ignored, abused, misused, and even by a few nations refused. The whole issue should be well investigated, properly evaluated and justly managed in order to maximise the great benefits of the brilliant Technotronic Age while containing its dark, negative aspects worldwide.

This week's Soapbox speaker is professor of planning at the University of Alexandria.