Technology Neutrality in Internet, Telecoms and Data Protection Regulation

The term "technology neutrality" (or "technological neutrality") is a principle of good regulation in Internet, telecoms and data protection regulation. Yet the term has several distinct meanings:• Meaning 1: technology neutrality means that technical standards designed to limit negative externalities (eg. radio interference, pollution, safety) should describe the result to be achieved, but should leave companies free to adopt whatever technology is most appropriate to achieve the result• Meaning 2: technology neutrality means that the same regulatory principles should apply regardless of the technology used. Regulations should not be drafted in technological silos.• Meaning 3: technology neutrality means that regulators should refrain from using regulations as a means to push the market toward a particular structure that the regulators consider optimal. In a highly dynamic market, regulators should not try to pick technological winners.We examine each meaning and its application to cases of electronic communications, Internet and data protection regulation, attempting to draw lessons on when technological neutrality yields efficient results. We also distinguish the term "technological neutrality" from "platform neutrality," and comment on the risks of applying platform neutrality to search engines, in particular because of the risk to innovation.