New accord sets democratic norms for internet

WASHINGTON (AN) — A new agreement among 60 governments aims to establish a code of practice for how democratic countries should engage to ensure a free and open internet that upholds human rights and fundamental freedoms.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration on Thursday announced the creation of the Declaration for the Future of the Internet, a three-page non-binding agreement.

The White House says the intent is "to advance a positive vision for the internet and digital technologies" that usher in an era of new opportunities for people to work, connect and express themselves but also contribute to anti-democratic trends such as disinformation, news censorship, election interference and more.

"Globally, we are witnessing a trend of rising digital authoritarianism where some states act to repress freedom of expression, censor independent news sites, interfere with elections, promote disinformation, and deny their citizens other human rights," it says. "At the same time, millions of people still face barriers to access and cybersecurity risks and threats undermine the trust and reliability of networks. Democratic governments and other partners are rising to the challenge."

The agreement won the backing of the entire 27-nation European Union and 32 other democracies. As the E.U.'s executive arm, the European Commission, through its €7.5 billion "Digital Europe" program, praised the agreement as an example of much-needed cooperation between "like-minded tech allies."

“The internet has created unimaginable innovation, human connections and economic growth. However, as our everyday lives increasingly rely on it, it’s vital to ensure that no one is left behind while firmly upholding our fundamental values," said Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl, the program's director-general.

"The war in Ukraine has made it clear that democracies must stand together, and this declaration will strengthen the partnership between like-minded tech allies," she said. "However, this shared vision for a free, open, and global internet can only be achieved by working closely with industry."

Reclaiming the internet's 'promise'

Reflecting the domain name industry, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN, a U.S.-based private organization that manages internet domains, welcomed the agreement. "The authors’ vision of a global interoperable, reliable, and secure Internet aligns with ICANN’s mission," the organization said, "and we welcome its support of the multi-stakeholder model."

The U.S.-led agreement says nations will band together in fighting cybercrime, keeping the internet decentralized, and refraining from using digital tools to conduct illegal surveillance or to erode trust in democratic elections or violate net neutrality principles.

"It reclaims the promise of the internet in the face of the global opportunities and challenges presented by the 21^st century," the White House says. "It also reaffirms and recommits its partners to a single global internet — one that is truly open and fosters competition, privacy, and respect for human rights."

Poland's Ambassador to the U.S. Marek Magierowski called it "an important step aimed at countering attempts to repress freedom of expression and communication."

Along with the U.S. and 27-nation E.U., 32 others joined in the agreement: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Cabo Verde, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kosovo, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, Niger, North Macedonia, Palau, Peru, Serbia, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Uruguay.