Similarly, there are no established mechanisms that can evaluate the effects of various regulatory approaches on investments, innovations, diversity, and online freedoms. Some submissions to the WGEC/Correspondence Group indicated a lack of a global forum where net neutrality issues can be addressed. 2.8 Cloud computing Cloud computing has emerged with the major shift of data from personal computers and local servers to servers in the clouds (i.e., huge server farms). The first wave of cloud computing started with the use of online mail servers (Gmail, Yahoo!), social media applications (Facebook, Twitter), and online applications (Wikis, blogs, Google docs). Apart from everyday applications, cloud computing is extensively used for business software. Cloud services can be divided in the following main groups: Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). The main players in cloud computing are Google, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook, who either already have or plan to develop big server farms. Status of governance mechanisms for cloud computing The governance framework for cloud computing can be divided into two parts. On the one hand, laws and regulations adopted by governments, public administrations, and independent regulatory authorities; on the other hand, the contractual agreements entered into between the various providers of the cloud ecosystem and the end users of their services.10 There are a number of working groups on cloud computing, such as The Open Group Cloud Computing Work Group, which includes some of the industry’s leading cloud providers and end-user organisations; and the Cloud Computing Strategy Working Group by The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). Cloud computing is addressed from various policy perspectives: critical information infrastructure (availability of cloud services), data protection (securing data stored in the cloud), encryption (protection of data in communication among cloud servers), and consumer protection in providing services from cloud servers. Possible gaps in dealing with cloud computing The analysis of mechanisms shows a knowledge gap related to the lack of data and awareness of the impact of cloud computing on Internet public policy issues. On the policy level there is insufficient intersectoral analysis of the interplay between cloud computing and other related 10 UNCTAD Information Economy Report 2013, The cloud economy and developing countries, p. 68. 14