The United States and the European Union signed on Thursday, April 28, 2022 a Declaration for the Future of the Internet.
In total 60 states (including all EU Member States) have signed this declaration.
This statement comes as Russia seeks to control digital spaces and exchanges.
"Today, the European Union, the United States and several international partners proposed a Declaration for the Future of the Internet, which sets out a vision and principles for a trustworthy Internet. The partners support an open, free, global, interoperable, reliable and secure Internet for the future and are committed to ensuring the protection and respect of human rights online and in the digital world. To date, 60 partners have endorsed the declaration, including all EU Member States, and more countries are expected to follow in the coming weeks. The Declaration on the Future of the Internet is in line with the rights and principles firmly anchored in the EU and builds on the Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles that the Commission proposed to co-sign with the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.According to the partners of the declaration, the Internet must reinforce the essential democratic principles, fundamental freedoms and human rights set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The partners share the conviction that the Internet should function as a single, decentralized "network of networks", where digital technologies are used in a trustworthy manner, avoiding unfair discrimination between individuals and allowing contestability of online platforms and fair competition between companies.In presenting this declaration, the partners also express their deep concern about the repression of internet freedoms by some authoritarian governments, the use of digital tools to violate human rights, the growing impact of cyber-attacks, the dissemination of illegal content and misinformation and the excessive concentration of economic power. They commit themselves to cooperate to face these developments and risks. They also adhere to the vision that digital technologies can promote connectivity, democracy, peace, rule of law and sustainable development.The current situation in Ukraine is a dramatic example of the potential for serious disruption of the Internet, including full or partial shutdowns. The internet is also at risk of fragmentation, with the Russian government threatening partial or total disconnection from the global internet, as well as at risk of misuse, illustrated by the current upsurge in cyberattacks, censorship and online disinformation. This underscores, once again, the importance of stepping up our actions to defend the global open Internet as a driver for economies and societies around the world.Partners will work together to continue to fulfill the promise of connecting humanity and will translate the principles of the declaration into concrete policies and actions, while respecting their regulatory autonomy. Other stakeholders, including from civil society and the business community, will be invited to support the declaration and facilitate its implementation. Partners will promote these principles globally, within the multilateral system.Références :
