The internet has become an integral part of modern society, allowing people to connect, learn, and work from anywhere in the world. However, as the internet has grown in popularity, so have concerns over its safety and security. Governments and private actors alike have sought to abuse the openness of the internet for their own gain, leading to the restriction of access to open internet and suppression of freedom of expression.
In response to these concerns, over 60 countries have signed the "Declaration for the Future of the Internet," a declaration of intent to secure the future of the internet. The declaration calls for the maintenance of an open, free, global, shared, reliable, and secure internet that will strengthen democratic principles, human rights, and fundamental freedoms, and offer opportunities for collaborative research and commerce.
The declaration outlines several key actions that will be taken to achieve these goals. Firstly, it seeks to foster fair competition and encourage innovation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the well-being of all internet users. The declaration also seeks to enable every person to connect to the internet, regardless of their location, at a reasonable cost while acquiring digital skills.
To ensure that the benefits of the internet are available to all, the declaration seeks to avoid government-imposed internet shutdowns or local internet access restrictions, in whole or in part. It also seeks to avoid blocking access to content, services, and applications, in accordance with the principles of net neutrality subject to the law, including international human rights law.
The declaration calls for the promotion of free data flow based on shared values, ,for cooperation in research and innovation and for setting standards. It also calls for knowledge sharing regarding security threats and reaffirms a commitment to a framework of responsible behavior in cyberspace.
The declaration recognizes the importance of internet access for all and seeks to support digital literacy, skills acquisition, and development so that people can overcome the digital divide. It also seeks to foster greater exposure to multicultural and multilingual online content, information, and news, while strengthening resilience to false information and misinformation and increasing participation in democratic processes.
The declaration also seeks to work together to fight cybercrime, and to ensure that access of the relevant governments and authorities to personal data is based on the law and adheres to international human rights. It seeks to protect the privacy of people, their personal data, the confidentiality of electronic communications, and the information on the end users' electronic devices, in accordance with local and international law.
Finally, the declaration seeks to promote the protection of consumers from online fraud and other unfair practices and from dangerous and unsafe products sold on the internet. It encourages the use of reliable infrastructure providers and network services, relying on risk-based assessments.
With this declaration, the signatory countries aim to promote a future for the internet that is free, secure, and accessible to all.
As the internet continues to play an increasingly important role in our daily lives, it is important that we work together to ensure that it remains a force for good in the world.
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