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The revolutionary internet has been changing everything, affecting everywhere. Unprecedented issues and problems always arise, some parts of the world dominate the online space, and there are still countries where the government controls the internet and censor contents. Under such changes, together with 60 partner countries including all member states of the EU, the US recently announced a declaration.
The declaration is called “Declaration for the Future of the Internet(https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Declaration-for-the-Future-for-the-Internet_Launch-Event-Signing-Version_FINAL.pdf)”. It highlights human rights, freedom, democracy, and the rule of law in the digital world. It says that this declaration is not targeting any specific countries.
For your reference, this was not the first case some countries tried to address this matter. To protect privacy and safety, the EU has had the General Data Protection Regulation and Digital Services Acts, which pose more obligations for web services to remove illegal contents or contents that might harm users.
Then, let’s take look details of this declaration. The declaration prioritizes open, free, global, interoperable, reliable, and secure internet. Generally, it aims decentralized and interconnected internet with security. Its goal is to attain neutrality and affordability of the internet and remove illegal content without curtailing people’s right to express opinions freely. At the same time, with the trend of cryptocurrency that is energy-intensive, they aim to reduce an environmental footprint as much as possible.
With these goals and its priorities, the potential of digital technologies will be to promote connectivity among people no matter where they are, promote democracy and peace, and seek sustainable ways of development. While doing so, people can be able to enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Though there are still some obstacles they need to overcome. To begin with, online platforms and digital tools are often used to repress freedom of expression and deny other human rights and fundamental freedoms, whether it’s conveying misinformation or expressing hatred towards other people. Furthermore, some countries ban some parts of the internet by blocking services and stopping the mass to get access to foreign websites and apps. For example, China uses the internet and technologies for surveilling. The same goes for Russia. Splinternet!
Nevertheless, with this declaration which more countries are expected to join; they said the invitation for joining remains open to all other countries, the world will discuss this matter and address this together. We can also expect the digital world to be more structured, decentralized, and secure. I look forward to the positive changes that it will bring and hope they can promote this vision and principles globally. Also, let’s hope the internet will be run for the benefit of all!
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