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[To Eurosmart members only]
EU, US and international partners sign the Declaration for the Future of the Internet
On 28 April, the EU, the US and 32 other countries signed the Declaration for the Future of the Internet.
The signatories actively support “a future for the Internet that is open, free, global, interoperable, reliable and secure”.
The Declaration states the importance of the multistakeholder approach to avoid Internet fragmentation. The Declaration is an answer to some actors that question this approach. “Access to the open Internet is limited by some authoritarian governments and online platforms and digital tools are increasingly used to repress freedom of expression and deny other human rights and fundamental freedoms”. In addition, some countries have erected firewalls and taken technical measures to restrict access to journalism, information and services. The Declaration also notes that the Internet economy has become highly concentrated, raising concerns about privacy and the spread of illegal content.
By contrast, the signatories of the Declaration want to defend human rights and foster equitable economic prosperity. They want to protect and fortify the multistakeholder system of Internet governance and maintain a high level of security and privacy protection.
By signing the Declaration, the signatories commit to:
-refrain from misusing or abusing the Internet or algorithmic tools for unlawful surveillance, oppression, and repression that do not align with international human rights principles, including developing social score cards or other mechanisms of domestic social control.
-refrain from government-imposed internet shutdowns or degrading domestic Internet access.
-refrain from blocking or degrading access to lawful content.
-promote their work to realize the benefits of data free flows with trust based on our shared values as like-minded, democratic, open and outward looking partners.
-promote information sharing regarding security threats through relevant international fora and reaffirm their commitment to the framework of responsible state behavior in cyberspace.
-work together to combat cybercrime, including cyber-enabled crime, and deter malicious activity.
-protect individuals’ privacy, consistent with the protection of public safety.
-promote and use trustworthy network infrastructure and services suppliers, relying on risk-based assessments that include technical and non-technical factors for network security.
-protect and strengthen the multistakeholder system of Internet governance, including the development, deployment and management of its main technical protocols and other related standards and protocols.
-refrain from undermining the technical infrastructure essential to the general availability and integrity of the Internet.
“These principles are not legally binding but should rather be used as a reference for public policymakers, as well as citizens, businesses, and civil society organizations”.
Next steps:
Other partners are welcome to join the Declaration.
Please find the complete Declaration below.
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