IGF 2024 Networking Session #129 Undesirable governance for the Internet we do not want

    Free Moscow University
    Dr. Andrey Shcherbovich, [email protected], Professor, Free Moscow University, Academia, Eastern European Group
    Alexander Isavnin, [email protected], Professor, Free Moscow University, Academia, Eastern European Group
    Dr. Ksenia Ermoshina, [email protected], Research Professor, Center for Internet and Society, Academia, WEOG

    Speakers

    Dr. Andrey Shcherbovich, [email protected], Professor, Free Moscow University, Academia, Eastern European Group
    Alexander Isavnin, [email protected], Professor, Free Moscow University, Academia, Eastern European Group
    Dr. Ksenia Ermoshina, [email protected], Research Professor, Center for Internet and Society, Academia, WEOG
    Dr. Keith Goldstein, PhD, [email protected], Post-Doctoral Researcher, School of Education, Faculty of Humanities, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Academia, Asia Pacific

    Onsite Moderator

    Alexander Isavnin

    Online Moderator

    Dr. Andrey Shcherbovich

    Rapporteur

    Dr. Andrey Shcherbovich

    SDGs

    16.3
    16.7
    17.6
    17.9


    Targets: Only open discussions on policy and legislation topics allows succesful implementation of selected targets.
    During session we will try to find ways to shape local discussions toward reaching the selected targets.

    Format

    Roundtable

    Roundtable for short scene setup, then a "fish bowl", allowing everyone in the audience to share views, answer questions and suggest questions for the further discussion.

    Duration (minutes)
    45
    Description

    Usually, censorship is prohibited by the constitutions of many countries, so only a few kinds of information could initially be restricted. This included information deemed “harmful for children”. So, the first regulations were made in the name of “protecting children,” and content blocking was implemented. Over time, other kinds of restricted information were added: i.e., copyright violations, terrorism propaganda, and so on, up to poaching. Information about something illegal or illicit could also be considered illegal, such as Wikipedia pages about narcotic drugs.
    It was at this time that officials started to realize the power of the Internet, as well as the potential dangers. Ideas about controlling the information spread via the Internet became a reality soon after. This realization of the old goal of the non-democratic regimes to control the Internet.

    The Internet allows for fast information creation and distribution. New, previously unseen possibilities open for the legal spread of data and knowledge. Some of such new possibilities are not welcome by old style regimes and corporations. Because of the right to express opinions and search for information clearly stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, new generations of censors are looking for new possibilities to restrict access to unwanted information. All such restrictive activities are hidden in foggy technical regulations and motivated by good ideas like “protecting youth” or “decreasing violence”. Different countries are in different stages of implementing lawful, but unfair restrictions on information. In this session we will listen to evidence from different countries, compare developments and possible ways to fight implementation of the Digital Censorship.

    Participants and attendees will learn the worst practices of modern digital implementation of censorship, will exchange their community experiences, and will understand how to detect upcoming digital information restrictions.
    Attendees will discuss how free information restrictions could affect Sustainable Development Goals implementation. How it possible to promote peace

    How "censorship de-facto" can be hidden in technical regulations?
    How are vendors of filtering and surveillance equipment operating across borders (real economy of censorship)?
    What could be the signs of upcoming censorship implementation in proposed laws?
    How attempts to restrict information erode infrastructure?
    How Global Digital Compact may be misused by repressive regimes?

    More intersessional events could follow, discussing worst technological practices and proposals, another possible outcome could be the series of articles revealing digital censorship means and their negative impact to SDG all around the world.

    As every state may have its own experience, questionnaires will be prepared and all participants will be able to prepare and report on the basic questions, develop additional questions for attendees and discuss further developments.
    Real Time polling tools like mentimeter will be possible.


    Strong participation from the audience is expected. Nearly all countries have now Internet restrictions of some kind. Exchange of experiencies, setting up contacts is the important part of this session.