[governance] RE: [IP] NEWS RELEASE: Internet Society Statement on the Importance of Open Global Dialogue Regarding Online Privacy

Wed Jun 12 12:28:03 EDT 2013

Good statement!

M

From: David Farber [mailto:farber at gmail.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 12:15 PM
To: ip
Subject: [IP] NEWS RELEASE: Internet Society Statement on the Importance of
Open Global Dialogue Regarding Online Privacy

[Washington, D.C. and Geneva, Switzerland -- 12 June 2013]  The Internet
Society has noted recent revelations regarding the apparent scope of U.S.
government efforts to gather large amounts of end user information from U.S.
Internet and telecom service providers for intelligence purposes. We are
deeply concerned that the unwarranted collection, storage and potential
correlation of user data will undermine many of the key principles and
relationships of trust upon which the global Internet has been built. The
impact of this action is not limited to U.S. users or companies, but has
implications for Internet users around the globe.

While government plays an important role in protecting its citizens and
there is a need for better approaches to address online security, the
Internet Society strongly believes that real security can only be realized
within a broader context of trust and the respect of fundamental rights,
such as privacy. The Internet Society, along with many other organizations
and individuals around the world, expect governments to respect and protect
the basic rights of their citizens - including the right to privacy both
offline and online - as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights.

The U.S. Government has previously taken an active role in championing these
rights in the international sphere. For example, the U.S. played a
leadership role in the adoption of the Human Rights Council Resolution
A/HRC/RES/20/8, which re-affirmed that fundamental rights are applicable to
individuals' activities in the online environment as well, including privacy
and freedom of expression. This means that restrictions of rights should be
exceptional and conform to internationally accepted criteria such as:
provision by law; pursuing a legitimate purpose; proven as necessary and the
least restrictive means required to achieve the purported aim. Users
naturally have higher expectations of governments who have adopted these
international standards.

The Internet must be a channel for secure, reliable, private communication
between entities and individuals. Consensus for internationally recognized
data protection standards has been formed through agreements constituting
key building blocks of online trust, including the OECD Guidelines on the
Protection of Privacy and Transborder Flows of Personal Data, the Council of
Europe Convention for the Protection of Individuals with Regard to Automatic
Processing of Personal Data, the EU Data Protection framework, and the APEC
Privacy Framework and Cross Border Privacy Rules system.

Emerging revelations about alleged U.S. programs to gather information about
Internet users raise clear questions about the extent to which individuals'
expectations of privacy have been compromised. This kind of collection of
user information is at odds with the commitments governments around the
world have made with respect to protection of personal data and other human
rights. We would expect any government signing onto these principles to
fully engage with its citizens in an open dialogue when seeking to achieve
both the protection of individual rights and national security. We also need
to challenge the view that there always has to be a trade-off between
ensuring security and protecting users' rights.

The Internet Society is also deeply concerned that alleged programs and
similar efforts by other governments will have a chilling effect on the
deployment and adoption of technical solutions for establishing trusted
connections online. This kind of trust-enabled infrastructure is needed to
maintain global interoperability and openness.  The Internet is global - the
impact of programs like these is not limited to the specific country in
question but rather reverberates across the globe to users everywhere.

The revelations of recent days underscore the importance of an open global
dialogue regarding online privacy in the realm of national security and the
need for all stakeholders to abide by the norms and principles outlined in
international agreements on data protection and other fundamental rights.
Trusted interactions in cyberspace are critical not only for the future of
the Internet, but also for continued innovation, economic and political
progress and a vibrant global community.  Users need clear and realistic
expectations of online privacy that are respected by governments and
enterprises alike, so that they can continue to use the Internet in ways
that enhance all of society.

About the Internet Society

The Internet Society is the trusted independent source for Internet
information and thought leadership from around the world. With its
principled vision and substantial technological foundation, the Internet
Society promotes open dialogue on Internet policy, technology, and future
development among users, companies, governments, and other organizations.
Working with its members and Chapters around the world, the Internet Society
enables the continued evolution and growth of the Internet for everyone. For
more information, visit <http://www.internetsociety.org/>
www.internetsociety.org

Media Contact: Wende Cover,  <mailto:cover at isoc.org> cover at isoc.org,
+1-703-439-2773

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