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The Future of Digital must be human-centred
The 17th Internet Governance Forum in Addis Ababa
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The Internet Governance Forum continues to seek solutions to address the challenges that persist for the billions who are connected. The increase in Internet use—the number of people who have used the Internet—surged to approximately 4.9 billion in 2021, from 4.1 billion in 2019, but has also paved the way for the rampant spread of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech. Globally, the prevalence of online-and technology-facilitated violence against women and girls range from 16% to 58%.
Access must not only be universal but meaningful. It must also drive the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Participants today urged governments and digital companies to accelerate efforts to achieve an open, free, inclusive and secure digital future. Participants stressed the need for a multi-stakeholder approach to tackle the challenges of the Internet, citing the IGF as the best platform for open and inclusive discussions.
Photo: Daniel Getachew/UN ECA
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Main Session – Avoiding Internet Fragmentation
Participants had divergent views about Internet fragmentation, underpinning the complexity of this digital issue. Clearly, an open, freely accessible, interoperable Internet delivers enormous benefits, fostering social development and economic prosperity. However, Internet fragmentation — be it in the form of Internet shutdowns, content blocking or private sector monopoly of Internet traffic — can inflict profound damage to the lives and human rights of people.
Internet shutdowns, for example, can have a negative impact on jobs, education, health and political participation. TheKeepItOn coalition, which monitors Internet shutdown episodes across the world, reported 931 shutdowns between 2016 and 2021 in 74 countries.
Delegates urged major technology companies to assume responsibility for a fragmented Internet and stressed multi-stakeholder collaboration as critical to addressing Internet fragmentation.
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Combatting Disinformation without Resorting to Online Censorship
While the Internet has the potential to transform economies and societies in a meaningful way, it can be a catalyst for spreading disinformation, misinformation and online hate speech. The COVID-19 pandemic starkly demonstrated how digital technology can spread disinformation —the intentional dissemination of false facts — placing public health at risk and fuelling conflicts.
Participants indicated that it was important to focus not only on the content but on the behavior of actors to ensure disinformation is addressed without censorship. Further recommendations included developing fact-checking initiatives and strong regulatory frameworks, investing in digital and media literacy programmes and adopting strong policy measures to combat hate speech. The need for digital platforms to assume responsibility was also highlighted.
In a video message, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming drew attention to the Verified Initiative – a collaboration between the UN and Purpose, a social impact agency, that succeeded in getting accurate lifesaving information to communities and around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo: Daniel Getachew/UN ECA
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Governing Data and Protecting Privacy
Today’s main session on Governing Data and Protecting Privacy identified the linkages between data and privacy protection, access to information and human rights. Data is a valuable commodity in high demand from governments, businesses and other organizations. While data on personal information, preferences and behaviors have been used for good to improve lives and advance economies and societies, its unauthorized collection, tracking, transfer or sale has compromised users’ privacy and security.
According to recent available UNCTAD data, only 72% of countries have legislation on Data Privacy and Protection. In Latin America and the Caribbean, 17 out of 26 countries have existing laws on personal data protection but some were passed in the 1990s and need to be updated. In the European Union, even though the General Data Protection Regulation exists, the interpretation and execution vary from one country to the other.
Panelists also focused on the important role of cross-border data flows in open market economies and societies. While cross-border data transfer is critical for geopolitical issues, scientific research and law enforcement, it should also be seen within the context of human rights. Interventions were made on the need for stakeholders to focus not only on data protection but more importantly on “data justice”. Access to user data should have clear oversight to avoid further fragmentizing the Internet and infringing on human rights and freedoms.
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Open Dialogue with IGF Leadership Panel
In an Open Dialogue today, the Leadership Panel heard from the IGF2022 participants on how the Forum’s work and outputs have had a tremendous impact on improving connectivity and shaping policy in their countries and communities.
Several participants raised the question on how to elevate the status of the Forum to the same prominent level of the UN Climate Change Conference. While IGF is the venue for deliberations and debate on Internet governance issues, there is an urgency to transform and transmit outputs into concrete and actionable policy recommendations.
Participants also reiterated the importance of expertise, transparency and credibility among the members of the Leadership Panel and their work. Lise Fuhr, Director-General of European Telecommunications Network Operators (ETNO), encouraged participants to share best practices with the Panel that give context to problems and solutions. A targeted multi-stakeholder advocacy and communications campaign was recommended for tangible outputs to reach intended audiences.
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Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General-elect of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), talks about the challenges facing women and girls online, and ITU’s initiatives to address this issue.
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Thursday 1 December
- Best Practices Forum: Cybersecurity (9:30 am EAT)
- Main Session: Enabling Safety, Security and Accountability (11:15 am EAT)
- Main Session: Connecting All People and Safeguarding Human Rights (5:00 pm EAT)
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