IGF 2024 Open Forum #39 Multistakeholder approach to platform regulation in Brazil

    Roundtable
    Duration (minutes): 90
    Format description: The round table format allows an informal debate on the presentation of the digital platform regulation public consultation systematization and the pressing topics divided into three main issues raised in the consultation: digital sovereignty, content moderation and power asymmetries. The 90 minutes duration open space for participation in the debate of the results, raising multiple views, stimulation audience questions & answers.

    Description

    In 2023, the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br) held an open consultation on Digital Platforms Regulation, which received more than 1,300 contributions. The results of this wide-ranging consultation were analyzed, generating an important subsidy from a local and bottom-up perspective for the regulation of digital platforms.

    The document details definitions and criteria for classifications of digital platforms, maps out risks offered by the activities they carry out, presents measures suggested as potentially capable of mitigating the risks and discusses governance models and actors involved needed to implement regulation initiatives.

    This is an important contribution to future discussions on the governance of digital markets and services. Also, results provide general guidelines to the development of consistent regulatory frameworks, capable of maintaining an adequate balance between opportunities and risks associated with the digital transformation process. The consultation produced a map of perspectives on digital platforms regulation that encourages multistakeholder agreements . Thanks to the massive participation, it was possible to systematize different positions and disputes between the private sector, civil society, the scientific and technological community and government.

    The open forum aims at presenting and debating the Consultation carried out by CGI.br and its systematization, both a qualified and in-depth subsidy for regulating digital platforms. The results bring in a perspective of the global south on platform regulation and can also ilustrates a policy initiative structured in a bottom-up, participatory and multistakeholder process.


    To ensure proper interaction between the online and onsite audience, the session will count with onsite and online moderators. During the session, the onsite moderator will be responsible to oversee the interventions and interacting with the speakers, to ensure that the session’s goals will be sought appropriately. Also, the moderator will care for safeguarding the due balance to meet diversity expectations within the interventions, either by the speakers or the audience. The online moderator will take care of the flow of questions within all the online tools involved in the session. He/she will read, select and guarantee that the onsite moderator will be aware of questions and comments from the remote audience (Zoom Chat and Q&A). Finally, the rapporteur will ensure to capture all the highlights and critical information of the session to list key takeaways for the short report and consolidate a further final report to be delivered to the IGF Secretariat. The organization team will also be alert to help participants with any technical issues and delays they may have to avoid negatively impacting the session dynamics.

    Organizers

    CGI.br
    Juliano Cappi, NIC.br, Technical Community, GRULAC
    Juliana Oms, NIC.br, Technical Community, GRULAC
    Henrique Faulhaber, CGI.br, Private Sector, GRULAC

    Speakers

    Renata Mielli - Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), Government, GRULAC
    Cristiano Flores - Brazilian Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters (Abert), Private, Sector, GRULAC
    Rafael Evangelista - Campinas State University (UNICAMP), Technical Community, GRULAC
    Bia Barbosa - Right to Communication and Democracy (Diracom), Civil Society, GRULAC
    Raul Echeberria, Latin-American Internet Association (ALAI), Private Sector, GRULAC

    Onsite Moderator
    Online Moderator
    Rapporteur
    SDGs

    8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
    9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure


    Targets: While digital platforms have undeniably made significant contributions to the Millennium Development Goals, their impact is not without its challenges and limitations. The proliferation of misinformation and harmful content on social media platforms has undermined efforts to promote education, awareness on critical issues, and to protect democracy. Additionally, their dominance in the digital space raises concerns about data privacy, monopolistic practices, and their overall influence on global development agendas. Furthermore, while digital platforms have the potential to empower grassroots movements and amplify marginalized voices, they can also exacerbate existing power dynamics, inequalities and promote radicalism. Therefore, while acknowledging their contributions, it's imperative to address these challenges and ensure that digital platforms serve as genuine enablers of sustainable development and social justice.