This open-access book is one of the first academic works to comprehensively analyze the dilemma concerning global content governance on social media. To date, no single human rights standard exists across all social media platforms, allowing private companies to set their own rules, values, and parameters. On the one hand, this normative autonomy raises serious concerns, primarily around whether companies should be permitted to establish the rules governing free speech online. On the other hand, if social media platforms simply adopted international law standards, they would be compelled to make a choice on which model to follow, and put in place mechanisms to uphold these general standards. This book examines this topic from a multidisciplinary perspective, drawing from the expertise of the authors in law, political science, and communication studies. It provides a carefully reconstructed theory of the content governance dilemma, as well as pragmatic solutions for companies and policymakers. In this way, the book not only benefits academics by advancing the debate on content moderation issues but also informs new policies and regulatory strategies by offering an up-to-date overview of rules and tools for content moderation, as well as an evaluation of their current level of compliance with standards emerged in international human rights law and digital constitutionalism initiatives. 

The Internet Governance Project engages in joint policy analysis, collaborating with individuals on specific outputs including guest commentaries and jointly authorized publications. 

Image: Courtesy of Georgia Tech - School of Public Policy

Read the complete article at - https://circleid.com/posts/20230410-icann-governance-authority

This article compiles the insights shared by the panelists during the "New Technology and Inclusion" discussion at the "VARIOUS INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGICAL EXPERIENCES (VITE I)" conference. This event was centered on the use of Virtual and Augmented Reality as tools for promoting science, exploring new boundaries, and overcoming challenges. The article covers a diverse range of topics, including the participation of individuals with disabilities in creating devices for better access to scientific knowledge, the state of Virtual and Augmented Reality experiences with respect to equality and inclusion, the role and accountability of these emerging technologies in contemporary scientific discourse, and several instances of utilizing inclusive AR/VR technologies for scientific investigation and public involvement.

EU policy considers disinformation to be harmful content, rather than illegal content. However, EU member states have recently been making disinformation illegal. This article discusses the definitions that form the basis of EU disinformation policy and analyses national legislation in EU member states applicable to the definitions of disinformation, in light of freedom of expression and the proposed Digital Services Act. The article discusses the perils of defining disinformation in EU legislation. It includes provisions on online platforms being required to remove illegal content, which may end up applying to overbroad national laws criminalizing false news and false information.  [Ó Fathaigh, R. & Helberger, N. & Appelman, N. (2021). The perils of legally defining disinformation. Internet Policy Review, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.14763/2021.4.1584

Educational institutions, such as colleges and universities, are increasingly adopting data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and other advanced technologies to enhance student success and optimize their operational efficiency. This progressive shift involves the substantial utilization of various data types, including financial records, demographic details of students and staff, personally identifiable information (PII), and data about student engagement derived from institutional services and programs. These technological advancements are transforming the landscape of higher education. However, the expanded reliance on digital services and the extensive use of data also render these institutions highly susceptible to cyberattacks. Source: Government Technology

Providing a much-needed study on cybersecurity regime building, this comprehensive book is a detailed analysis of cybersecurity norm-making processes and country positions, through the lens of multi-stakeholder diplomacy. Multidisciplinary and multinational scholars and practitioners use insights drawn from high-level discussion groups to provide a rigorous analysis of how major cyber powers view multi-stakeholder diplomacy.

Downloaded from https://www.elgaronline.com/ at 12/22/2023 01:38:18PM via Open Access. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons, Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Ensuring your organization is implementing, promoting, and monitoring good cyber hygiene practices is a critical component of your cyber security posture. The following table provides a list of actions your organization can take to strengthen your cyber security foundation with enhanced protective measures for your networks, systems, and data. Although your organization may not be able to implement all the actions provided below, you should implement the actions that are obtainable and sustainable to better enhance you cyber security posture. From: Canadian Centre for Cyber Security

Cyber diplomacy is critical in dealing with the digital era’s evolving cybersecurity dangers and possibilities. This article investigates the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchains, and Quantum Computing on cyber diplomacy. AI holds the potential for proactive threat identification and response, while IoT enables international information sharing. Blockchains enable secure data sharing and document verification, but they also pose new threats, such as AI-driven cyber-attacks, IoT privacy breaches, blockchain vulnerabilities, and the potential for quantum computing to break encryption. This article conducts case study reviews in combination with secondary data analysis and emphasises the value of international cooperation in developing global norms and frameworks to control responsible technology adoption. Cyber diplomacy can promote cybersecurity, protect national interests, and foster mutual trust among nations in the digital sphere by capitalising on possibilities and reducing threats. [Retrieved: 11 February 2024. Petar Radanliev (2024) Cyber diplomacy: defining the opportunities for cybersecurity and risks from Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Blockchains, and Quantum Computing, Journal of Cyber Security Technology, DOI: 10.1080/23742917.2024.2312671] 

The document "Internet Fragmentation: An Overview" by the World Economic Forum (Edited by: Drake, William J ; Vinton, Cerf G ; Kleinwächter, W., 2016) provides a comprehensive analysis of the various aspects and causes of Internet fragmentation. It delves into technical, governmental, and commercial fragmentation, highlighting how each contributes to the broader issue. Technical fragmentation involves conditions in the infrastructure that impede system interoperability and consistent internet functionality. Governmental fragmentation refers to policies and actions by governments that restrict or prevent certain internet uses, often for controlling information distribution or access. Commercial fragmentation is about business practices that similarly restrict or prevent certain internet uses, particularly in content creation, distribution, or access. 

The report also discusses the role of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) in developing standards and mechanisms to resist fragmentation, such as DNSSECs for securing domain name-to-IP address mappings. It examines the complex system of private peering and transit contracts among ISPs, which historically ensured a stable, integrated global public internet. The document touches upon various other aspects, including network neutrality, walled gardens, geo-localization, geo-blocking, and infrastructure-related intellectual property protection. 

Furthermore, the document provides insights into the historical context and evolution of Internet governance and policies, including the distinction between governance 'of' the Internet and governance 'on' the Internet. It also mentions the role of various organizations and agreements in shaping internet policies and standards globally. 

Overall, the report offers a detailed overview of the multifaceted nature of internet fragmentation, its causes, and the efforts being made to address these challenges. It underscores the importance of maintaining an open, interoperable, and unified global internet in the face of various fragmenting forces.

The (Geoff Huston) text explores the nuanced aspects of Internet fragmentation, considering its historical roots, current manifestations, and the delicate balance between openness, security, and centralization. The discussion underscores the complexity of managing a global, interoperable Internet in the face of diverse technological, political, and economic pressures.

It delves into the historical background of computing and the Internet, the evolution of open standards, and the current state of Internet fragmentation, addressing both its causes and implications.

Key points include:

1. Historical Context: In the 1980s, computing was dominated by mainframes and peripherals from specific vendors, leading to customer lock-in and a lack of interoperability. This situation prompted a push for open standards, allowing for multi-vendor environments and interoperability.

2. Internet Development: The Internet emerged from this movement towards open standards. It operates without strict rules or enforcement mechanisms, driven by market discipline and consumer preferences, aiming for universal access.

3. Fragmentation Issues: Internet fragmentation refers to scenarios where access to services is inconsistent or blocked. This can be due to intentional disruptions, regulatory blocks by national regimes, or cybersecurity measures. Fragmentation can be disruptive and is often linked to geopolitical tensions and national strategic concerns.

4. DNS and Cybersecurity: The text discusses the role of DNS resolvers like QUAD9 in selectively blocking harmful websites, raising questions about the balance between protection and universal access.

5. Geopolitical Considerations: The debate over Internet fragmentation also includes geopolitical aspects, such as nation-states' control over their digital spaces and the influence of large tech companies.

6. IPv4 and IPv6 Fragmentation: The limited IPv4 address space has led to a fragmented environment, somewhat mitigated by IPv6. However, IPv6 itself is not fully coherent due to issues like privacy addresses and incomplete adoption.

7. Namespace Fragmentation: The Internet relies on a common namespace (DNS), which is essential for universal communication. While alternative namespaces exist, they face challenges in adoption and utility. Efforts to integrate Unicode into DNS to support non-Latin scripts highlight the challenges in maintaining a cohesive, unfragmented namespace.

8. Centralization vs. Fragmentation: The resistance to fragmentation has led to a centralized DNS infrastructure, dominated by a few large entities. This centralization poses its own challenges, including resistance to change and increased dominance by incumbents.

"Framing Conversation: What Would Internet Fragmentation Mean for the Digital Economy?" by William J. Drake, prepared for the 2017 Global Digital Futures Forum, delves into the concept of Internet fragmentation and its potential impact on the digital economy. The paper discusses the idea of the Internet as a free and open system, and how actions or conditions that impede its seamless functioning can lead to fragmentation. Drake uses the analogy of an international telephone network to illustrate how fragmentation might occur in different countries, highlighting that Internet fragmentation is not a singular phenomenon but varies in its sources and manifestations. 

The paper identifies three types of fragmentation: technical, governmental, and commercial. Technical fragmentation involves issues that engineers can often address with fixes, whereas governmental and commercial fragmentation are more challenging to navigate and can have lasting effects. For instance, governmental actions like censorship can lead to the use of virtual private networks, which governments then attempt to block, creating a cycle of evasion and countermeasures. 

Drake's paper emphasizes the importance of understanding the different forms of Internet fragmentation, their sources, and their potential long-term impacts on the digital economy. The document underscores the complexity of the issue and the need for ongoing attention to the evolving nature of Internet fragmentation.

In today's interconnected world, where our lives are significantly shaped by all things digital, it's crucial to understand the various threats lurking in cyberspace. In GoDaddy’s September 2023 blog post on the roles of registrars and hosting providers, we defined the Domain Name System (DNS) and DNS abuse, and how the latter can disrupt the very foundation that all internet users rely upon daily.  

The study on Domain Name System (DNS) abuse conducted by the European Union provides a comprehensive assessment of the scope, magnitude, and impact of DNS abuse, crucial for shaping future policy measures. The DNS, a key part of the Internet's core as highlighted in the EU’s Cybersecurity Strategy and the Proposal for NIS 2 Directive, translates domain names into IP addresses, essential for internet traffic routing. The study addresses the persistent issue of DNS abuse, which encompasses a range of malicious activities including cybersecurity threats and the distribution of illegal content. Despite various responses ranging from technical measures to regulatory actions, there's a lack of consensus on defining DNS abuse and effective collective measures to combat it. The study's findings reveal that EU country code TLDs are the least abused, while newer generic TLDs are more frequently targeted. Based on these insights, the study proposes a set of recommendations aimed at different internet stakeholders, focusing on aspects like DNS metadata, WHOIS information, and abuse reporting. These recommendations are intended to enhance prevention, detection, and mitigation of DNS abuse. The study also raises questions about the sufficiency of voluntary measures in addressing DNS abuse, suggesting a need for a new blend of policies and practices. This research offers valuable insights for shaping EU policies regarding the DNS, underlining its significance in maintaining the integrity of the Internet. 

Corporate author(s): Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (European Commission) , Fasano Paulovics Società tra Avvocati , Grenoble INP-UGA Institute of Engineering 

Encryption involves converting data into a coded form that can only be deciphered and returned to its original state by those who have the necessary means. This process is essential for maintaining a secure and reliable Internet. It plays a key role in safeguarding sensitive information by ensuring data security.

Widely utilized for securing data stored on computer systems and transmitted across computer networks, including the Internet, encryption is a critical tool. It is especially prevalent in securing financial transactions and private messaging, enhancing their security. Encryption's significance extends to verifying the integrity of data, ensuring that it hasn't been altered (data integrity). It also boosts confidence in the authenticity of communication partners (authentication) and confirms the sending and receipt of messages (non-repudiation). More details at - ISOC.org

Purpose

International organizations are working on an unprecedented number of development initiatives relevant to people with disabilities. This makes it essential for the global disability community to be able to participate effectively in the decision-making processes associated with these programs. In light of this, this study aims to explore whether information technologies can help create a more inclusive global governance, forming the basis for equitable development for people with disabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The results of a global survey of disabled people’s organizations (DPOs) leaders are discussed. This asked disability rights advocates about their experiences with accessibility and barriers to effective participation, low-cost accessible technological solutions for remote participation, and freely available “off-the-shelf” online technologies – in particular social media platforms – to bridge the gap between the disability community and global governance processes.

Findings

Although only a small number of international conferences offer accessible virtual participation through web conferencing and other tools, responses from DPO advocates suggest that there is a strong demand for this technology and provide evidence of its potential for improving accessibility in global governance. Furthermore, disability organizations all over the world have embraced social media platforms to liaise with their grassroots and enable them to partake in policy-making processes.

Originality/value

This study highlights community-backed technological solutions to persisting barriers that systematically exclude people with disabilities from fundamental global governance processes, illuminating the nexus of disability, accessibility, and participation.

Note: This review should be read alongside the UNICEF child-centred digital equality framework, which outlines the elements and stakeholders necessary for achieving digital equality for children.

Highlights

Around the world, policies on digital inclusion have achieved results: Many more children are connected and have digital skills than in the past. 

However, vast inequalities still exist in levels of internet access, digital skills, and patterns of use – particularly for girls from disadvantaged communities. To rectify these inequities, a holistic approach to digital policies is essential. 

Using the UNICEF Child-centred Digital Equality Framework, A Global Review of Selected Digital Inclusion Policies reviewed 126 digital inclusion policies and related public communiqués. The goal was to assess whether these policies aimed to increase digital inclusion for children, dealt with inequalities in children’s lives, and showed readiness for emerging technologies and how they might impact children. 

While we found room for improvement, the analysis revealed many promising – and sometimes unique – practices. In the review, we highlight these and identify policy gaps that need to be addressed to achieve greater digital equality for children. This global review outlines key requirements for holistic policy approaches to digital inclusion including:

1. Focus on children as a key user group 

2. Apply digital inclusion and think of equality holistically

3. Address inequalities by focusing on specific needs

4. Follow an intersectional approach to supporting girls’ digital inclusion and equality

5. Drive broad-based digital literacy

6. Focus on outcomes, not only inputs

7. Aim to be future-ready

8. Embody a coordinated approach

9. Be based on true multi-stakeholderism

The political declaration was adopted on the occasion of the United Nations’ 75th anniversary in September 2020, and the Secretary-General in September 2021 released his report Our Common Agenda PDF. The Common Agenda proposes a Global Digital Compact to be agreed at the Summit of the Future in September 2024 through a technology track involving all stakeholders: governments, the United Nations system, the private sector (including tech companies), civil society, grass-roots organizations, academia, and individuals, including youth. 

The Global Digital Compact is expected to “outline shared principles for an open, free, and secure digital future for all”. The Common Agenda report suggests issues that it might cover, including digital connectivity, avoiding Internet fragmentation, providing people with options as to how their data is used, application of human rights online, and promoting a trustworthy Internet by introducing accountability criteria for discrimination and misleading content. Find out more here.

The 18th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF), held in Kyoto from October 8-12, 2023, centered on the theme "The Internet We Want – Empowering All People." This event, convened by the UN Secretary-General and hosted by the Government of Japan, delved into the rapid advancements in digital technology, focusing on critical issues like data governance, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and the environmental impacts of technology. A significant concern highlighted was the uneven distribution of digitalization's benefits, with about 2.6 billion people, mostly in the Global South and vulnerable communities, still offline. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need to harness digital technologies for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting three key action areas: closing the connectivity and governance gaps, and reinforcing a human rights-centered approach to digital cooperation. The IGF Leadership Panel issued a vision paper advocating for a comprehensive, inclusive, and secure Internet. Guterres also announced the formation of a High-Level Advisory Body on AI to propose governance solutions. The forum, which saw participation from diverse sectors, hosted over 300 sessions across various sub-themes. The outcomes of IGF 2023, including the ongoing public consultations on the Kyoto IGF Messages, are set to provide a framework for the Global Digital Compact at the 2024 Summit of the Future. This pivot marks a significant step towards addressing the digital age's challenges and opportunities, focusing on inclusivity, governance, and a human-centric approach. Additionally, the UN General Assembly will review the IGF’s mandate in 2025 as part of the 20-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20).

A project by: International Institute for Sustainable Development

By Wolfgang Kleinwächter Professor Emeritus at the University of Aarhus

Available at CircleID (Feb. 14) or click image (right)

The document delves into the complex interplay between transborder data flows (TDF), national sovereignty, and international trade, particularly in the context of the digital era. It highlights the efforts of organizations like the OECD and the Intergovernmental Bureau of Informatics (IBI) in understanding the impact of corporate TDF on the economic, legal, social, and political independence of nation-states, often framed as challenges to national sovereignty. The document also touches on the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and its implications for cross-border service supply, emphasizing the principle of 'technological neutrality'.

The discussion extends to the socio-political aspects of trade and the internet, acknowledging the challenges in making progress and providing relief to affected companies and stakeholders. The potential contribution of such policies to internet fragmentation is a concern. The document suggests exploring parallel opportunities to promote internet openness alongside trade processes. 

A controversial topic addressed is the definition of data localization and barriers, particularly concerning data protection and personal privacy. The debate includes different perspectives, such as viewing European data protection measures as economic protectionism or political control. 

The document proposes the idea of a multistakeholder approach to complement intergovernmental efforts, drawing lessons from the experiences of the Internet community in managing critical resources through institutions like ICANN, the IETF, and the RIRs. It also considers the possibility of informal issue networks or dialogues. 

Lastly, it references a 2016 non-paper released by the United States, which emphasizes the importance of enabling cross-border data flows and combating discriminatory barriers that hinder the free flow of information. The paper advocates for trade rules that protect data movement, subject to reasonable safeguards, and highlights the contribution of such measures to enhancing consumer confidence in electronic commerce. It calls for each party to adopt a legal framework for the protection of personal information in electronic commerce, considering international guidelines and adopting non-discriminatory practices.