Session
Organizer 1: Aviral Kaintura, National Forensic Sciences University
Organizer 2: Barkha Manral, CIPL
Organizer 3: Ahmad Umair Suhaidi, Netmission.asia | ISOC Malaysia
Organizer 4: Alya Rezal, Netmission.asia | Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 1: Nur Adlin Hanisah Shahul Ikram, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 2: Paola Galvez, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 3: Jean F. Queralt, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 4: Edmon Chung, Technical Community, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 5: Amrita Choudhury, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Phyo Thiri Lwin, Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Barkha Manral, Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Alya Rezal, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: We are dedicated to explaining our topic and its pros and cons in the first half-hour, and the latter half-hour, we will provide the floor to all the respective speakers for an engaging session. The purpose of selecting the roundtable format is to gather the perspectives of multistakeholder groups on the democratization of the Internet, while simultaneously understanding its potential pros and cons. We aim to hear every voice, erasing any kind of demarcation so that the fundamental purpose of providing internet access to every individual can be fulfilled.
A. How can we foster the development of an open digital architecture that supports transparency and accountability, while also preventing (i) the erosion of user privacy; (ii) monopolistic control by tech giants; and (iii) the fragmentation of the internet into isolated ecosystems? B. How can we ensure that user-centric design principles, inherently emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility, are effectively implemented in the development of digital platforms and services without stifling innovation? C. How can open standards be enhanced to better accommodate the pace of technological change and foster agility and responsiveness in addressing emerging challenges and opportunities?
What will participants gain from attending this session? As part of this roundtable discussion, participants will engage in a lively conversation about safeguarding the open nature of the internet in this rapidly evolving technological landscape and an increasing polarization of the closed ecosystem. The session is also expected to focus on enhancing open standards to adapt to rapid technological changes, addressing the digital divide increased by the dominance of proprietary platforms, and exploring user-centric design approaches to improve accessibility. Also, participants, along with experts, will explore regulatory solutions for promoting competitions and ensuring digital access.
Description:
The Internet is the foundation and basis of all emerging technologies; it is open to all and interoperable, relying on open protocols. This workshop focuses on preserving and upholding the foundational principles of the internet by maintaining a user-centric perspective and advocating for the continued development and enforcement of open standards. Our goal is to prevent the transformation of the Internet into a closed and proprietary digital ecosystem. In our workshop, the discussion will rise through a thorough examination of crucial issues that could impact the open nature of the internet. We will begin by addressing the challenges posed by open standards in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Participants will explore the implications of technological advancements on the ability of open standards to keep pace with innovation and discuss strategies to enhance the open standards to make them more adaptable to changes in technologies. After this, we will discuss the impact of proprietary platforms on internet accessibility and inclusivity. This discussion will mainly revolve around how the dominance of these platforms, which are managed by big tech companies, increases the digital divide by creating pay-walls and closed ecosystems, especially affecting marginalized communities who may lack affordable access. We will engage in a dialogue involving potential regulations and policy interventions that could promote competition and remove monopolistic practices to provide equitable access to digital resources for all users. Finally, we will talk about enhancing the user experience through user-centric designs. We will highlight the importance of incorporating accessibility features into digital platforms to make them accessible to individuals with disabilities. This will also touch upon the legal compliance of these platforms with respect to accessibility standards, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States, to ensure that digital environments are accessible to everyone.
The session is envisioned to foster a collaborative and dynamic environment focused on discussing innovative ideas on maintaining the open architecture of the Internet. The discussion is expected to identify methods to enhance the adaptability of open standards, confront challenges posed by the dominance of proprietary platforms, and improve the inclusivity and accessibility of digital interfaces. The result of the discussion will provide critical strategies that reinforce an open and accessible Internet, focusing on user-centric design patterns and addressing the digital divide which often marginalizes underrepresented communities. The result of this session will lead to the creation of a detailed report made collaboratively by co-organizers, speakers, and participants, highlighting key outcomes including a proposed regulatory framework.
Hybrid Format: We will give emphasis on promoting Hybrid participation. We will take these necessary steps to encourage an interactive discussion for online and on-site audiences. a) Moderators both on-site and online will encourage the audience to participate and give their views. b) Questions from both online and on-site participants will be alternated.
Report
(1) Governments and private sectors must urgently invest in and promote open standards to maintain an open internet ecosystem.
(2) There should be focus on privacy by design and implementing systems to give individuals control over their personal data.
(3) Have adaptive regulatory frameworks created through collaboration across sectors to establish flexible laws that protect privacy without hindering innovation.
Governments should collaborate with civil society to identify barriers to accessibility, especially for marginalized communities, and design interventions that foster competition and inclusivity.
The technical community must integrate best practices to ensure open standards adapt to emerging technologies without compromising security or inclusivity.
WS #75: An Open and Democratic Internet in the Digitization Era
Introduction
As society becomes increasingly digitized, the Internet has evolved into a cornerstone of global communication, business, and governance. To ensure it remains open, secure, and democratic, a comprehensive approach is required—one that fosters collaboration among governments, the private sector, civil society, and the technical community. The discussion focused on three critical areas: the significance of open standards in promoting an inclusive Internet, the necessity of adaptive regulatory frameworks, and the critical importance of privacy and data sovereignty in the digital era.
Key Themes Discussed
A dominant theme throughout the session was the crucial role of open standards in ensuring an inclusive and democratic Internet. Mr. Edmon Chung highlighted that open standards are not just a technical necessity but a human rights issue. By prioritizing open standards, the digital ecosystem can ensure that marginalized groups have equal access to the Internet and digital services, fostering greater inclusivity. Ms. Paola Galvez underscored that open standards not only protect privacy but also prevent monopolistic behaviors by large tech companies, thereby countering Internet fragmentation.
The question of how to balance innovation with privacy protection was raised by multiple speakers. Mr. Edmon Chung emphasized that governments should ensure individuals have control over their personal data and that digital sovereignty must be recognized. This includes embedding human rights into Internet protocols and ensuring that privacy is a fundamental design principle in digital technologies. Ms. Amrita and Ms. Adlin discussed the importance of securing personal data through robust standards without compromising the openness and accessibility of the Internet.
There was a strong consensus that regulatory frameworks must evolve to keep pace with technological advancements. Mr. Henri Verdier advocated for a more nuanced approach that integrates the perspectives of various stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and technical experts, without politicizing the process. Furthermore, Ms. Adlin pointed out that regulatory bodies must strike a delicate balance between encouraging innovation and ensuring compliance with privacy standards.
Key Outcomes and Next Steps
Governments should collaborate with civil society to identify barriers to digital accessibility, particularly for marginalized communities. This collaboration should aim to design digital technologies that promote competition, inclusivity, and universal access.
The technical community must ensure that best practices in security and open standards are integrated into emerging technologies. These practices should be flexible enough to adapt to future developments without compromising security, privacy, or inclusivity.
It is essential that the public, including end-users, have a better understanding of policy-making processes. By promoting digital literacy and policy awareness, citizens can be empowered to participate more meaningfully in discussions about the future of the Internet and its governance.
Conclusion
As the digital era progresses, the key challenge will be balancing the drive for innovation with the imperatives of privacy, security, and human rights. The session called on governments, the private sector, civil society, and the technical community to collaborate in creating a digital world that prioritizes inclusivity, security, and accountability.