RES: [governance] From the Google Policy Blog
Vanda UOL
vanda at uol.com.br
Wed Nov 9 11:28:55 EST 2011
Nick
Totally agree. The reasons to convince countries to keep internet open can be many and all are perfectly valid. This is one rare case where the say "the ends justify the means" has a reason to exist.
Best,
-----Mensagem original-----
De: governance at lists.cpsr.org [mailto:governance at lists.cpsr.org] Em nome de Nick Ashton-Hart
Enviada em: sábado, 5 de novembro de 2011 21:05
Para: governance at lists.cpsr.org; Mawaki Chango
Assunto: Re: [governance] From the Google Policy Blog
Dear Matthias and Mawaki:
I think you can either see the glass as half full or half empty.
Companies are declaring that they have a stake in the Internet being open, and not closed. Given that there are many voices who want the internet to be the opposite, it seems to me that you have more in common with these companies on this issue than you do differences.
Being completely frank, there are many countries that aren't interested in human rights at all - but they are interested in economic arguments. If an economic argument for the open Internet helps countries with weak human rights records to see that they have an interest in keeping the Internet open for economic reasons, that's helpful to the overall goal, it seems to me. Do you really care if the open Internet facilitates commerce as well as free speech?
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.
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/PromotingCrossBorderDataFlowsN
>> FTC.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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