网络中立与平台中立——中立性视野下的网络架构与平台责任

Network Neutrality and Platform Neutrality:Network Structure and Platform Responsibility Under the Perspective of Neutrality

网络中立与平台中立是网络法的核心议题。网络中立要求位于物理层和逻辑层的网络服务提供商对流量传输持中立立场。网络中立可能具有支持用户权利、促进终端用户创新、构建公平竞争秩序的功能,但是,它也可能存在损害数据的有效传输、阻碍投资、抑制竞争等问题。虽然平台中立面临的问题和网络中立面临的问题类似,但是,平台的基础设施功能更弱,同时,平台涉及消费者保护问题。我国的网络架构监管与平台责任监管应当超越形式性的中立性责任要求,迈向更为实质性的治理型监管。在我国,网络中立原则的实行应当坚持网络服务商的国有性质和网络架构的公共性,监管机构应对网络服务商进行竞争法监管,并保障公民的基础数字服务权利。在遵守竞争秩序与保护消费者的前提下,平台应被允许进行优化性的非中立管理。在涉及公共职能时,监管机构应要求平台承担公共伦理责任,提供公共服务。

Network neutrality and platform neutrality are the core issues of cyber law.Network neutrality requires network service providers in physical layer and logical layer to be neutral in traffic transmission.Network neutrality may have the functions of supporting users’rights,promoting end-user innovation and building a fair competition order,but it may also have problems such as dama-ging the effective transmission of data,harming investment and reducing competition.Platform neu-trality faces similar problems as network neutrality,but the infrastructure function of platform is wea-ker,and it also involves consumer protection.China’s network architecture and platform responsi-bility supervision should go beyond the formal neutral responsibility and move towards more substan-tive governance supervision.In China,network neutrality should adhere to the state-owned nature of network service providers and the publicity of network architecture,supervise network service provid-ers by competition law,and ensure citizens’basic digital service rights.Platform responsibility should allow the platform to carry out optimized non-neutral management on the premise of abiding by the competition order and protecting consumers.When it comes to public functions,the platform should be required to undertake public ethical responsibility and provide public services.