[governance] From the Google Policy Blog

Sat Nov 5 19:24:48 EDT 2011

On Sat, Nov 5, 2011 at 7:04 PM, Nick Ashton-Hart <nashton at consensus.pro>wrote:

> Dear Matthias and Mawaki:
>
> I think we all recognise that the Internet as we know it is under threat
> from many quarters; those of us who want to keep it open and free need to
> focus on what we have in common rather than on differences in how the
> message is put by different stakeholders.
>

I think the truth for all humans is that we must address the audience in
the language and style that is most persuasive and relevant for them.  If a
teenager has a holiday in a foreign country, and is called upon to explain
it, they will use different details and emphases in talking of the same
event with their best friend, a stranger, a sibling, their parents and
their grandparents.  Often the entire package (and more) constitutes the
whole truth, but the point is that we choose different arguments and facts
to emphasize with different parties.

So yes, economic arguments may be the only ones that certain parties find
most persuasive, but most wise companies will give human rights at least
some weight even if it is clearly not very important to them.  I'm not sure
Nick is saying what I'm about to criticize: but a one size fits all
approach,  using only the "common arguments" so we can all be on message is
not particularly effective, nor human.  Sometimes we are forced to do that,
but only if a group of humans are so closely identified with each other
that it is fair to attribute the comments of person A to the comments of
person B.  In such cases, the persons in that kind of group will need to be
"on message" saying about the same things all the time.

But the whole reason for secret diplomacy and off-record discussions when
they are *occasionally* appropriate (and often abused) is for the very
reason that it is so hard to say the same thing all the time and convince
enough partners to join a majority, or a super-majority, or a consensus.
(Whichever applies)

Paul Lehto, J.D.

>
> Regards, Nick
>
> PS: anything I ever say here is entirely personal and unrelated to my
> professional life.
>
> On 5 Nov 2011, at 15:23, Mawaki Chango wrote:
>
> > I do not see Facebook among the endorsers! Talking about cross-border
> > data flows in this day and age, and the nb. 1 online social networking
> > company is missing? Perhaps if you throw in there a single positive
> > mention of human rights you may end up with even less endorsers. Is
> > this (intended to be) anything more than a coalition of companies
> > petitioning their government to secure predictable --and friendly,
> > while at it-- environment for their business to thrive worldwide?
> > Best,
> >
> > Mawaki
> >
> > On Sat, Nov 5, 2011 at 5:51 PM, Matthias C. Kettemann
> > <matthias.kettemann at uni-graz.at> wrote:
> >> It's actually quite disappointing that the six-page principles outlining
> >> "priorities for the business community" do not contain a single
> reference to
> >> "human rights".
> >>
> >> When the document refers to the need of establishing "international
> >> commitments" on, inter alia, "expressly prohibit[ing] restrictions on
> >> legitimate cross‐border information flows", the narrow focus becomes
> very
> >> much apparent. These commitments already largely exist: they are called
> >> human rights.
> >>
> >> Clearly, a business case can be (also) made for human rights diplomacy.
> >> Relying on existing human rights law and calling states to account for
> >> violations of information and communication freedoms is the shared
> >> responsiblity of all stakeholders, including companies.
> >>
> >> The business community has shown that it is sometimes not afraid to call
> >> human rights by their name, as does for example the Global Network
> >> Initiative.
> >>
> >> Kind regards
> >>
> >> Matthias
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Am 05.11.2011 13:56, schrieb McTim:
> >>
> >> Advancing the free flow of information
> >>
> >> Friday, November 4, 2011 at 12:28 PM ET
> >>
> >> Posted by Winter Casey, Senior Policy Analyst, Google
> >>
> >> The global economy relies on the free flow of information more than ever
> >> before. Companies large and small can use the Internet to reach new
> markets,
> >> which contributes to economic growth, job creation, and increased trade
> >> around the world.
> >>
> >> But as companies and individuals are transmitting more information
> online,
> >> some governments are seeking to impose limits on the free flow of
> >> information. More than 40 governments now block or restrict information
> and
> >> data available on the Internet.
> >>
> >> Last year, we released a white paper demonstrating that governments
> which
> >> block the free flow of information on the Internet are also blocking
> trade
> >> and economic growth. For example, when companies can’t confidentially
> and
> >> confidently transmit the files and information that are necessary to
> keep
> >> their business running, their ability to export goods and services is
> hurt.
> >> The thesis is simple: when countries support the free flow of
> information,
> >> they will see more economic growth.
> >>
> >> That’s why we joined companies like Citi, Microsoft, IBM, GE and others
> to
> >> endorse a new set of principles endorsing the free flow of information
> >> across borders. The principles, written under the leadership of the
> National
> >> Foreign Trade Council, outline several priorities for the U.S. business
> >> community which will promote transparent, fair, and secure cross-border
> data
> >> flows.
> >>
> >> Individuals and businesses will benefit from a more consistent and
> >> transparent framework for the treatment of cross-border flows of goods,
> >> services and information. We look forward to continued work with
> governments
> >> and industry to advance the free flow of information online.
> >>
> >> ------------------
> >> Principles are here:
> >>
> http://www.nftc.org/default/Innovation/PromotingCrossBorderDataFlowsNFTC.pdf
> >>
> >> --
> >> Cheers,
> >>
> >> McTim
> >> "A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A
> route
> >> indicates how we get there."  Jon Postel
> >>
> >>
> >>
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-- 
Paul R Lehto, J.D.
P.O. Box 1
Ishpeming, MI  49849
lehto.paul at gmail.com
906-204-4026 (cell)
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