The Free and Open Web Is Under Attack at the IETF
Summary
The article discusses how publishers and Big Tech companies are attempting to restrict automated access to public web content, such as crawling and scraping, through changes to Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) technical standards. These efforts are driven by concerns over lost revenue from AI training data and the potential impact of AI on existing business models.
IFF Assessment
The article highlights a trend towards restricting access to public web data, which can hinder security research, journalism, and other beneficial uses of automated tools.
Defender Context
Defenders should be aware of potential shifts in internet standards that could impact their ability to gather threat intelligence or research vulnerabilities through automated means. Monitoring proposed changes in technical standards bodies like the IETF is crucial, as these can shape the landscape of accessible information for security professionals.