The following are the outputs of the captioning taken during an IGF intervention. Although it is largely accurate, in some cases it may be incomplete or inaccurate due to inaudible passages or transcription errors. It is posted as an aid, but should not be treated as an authoritative record.
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>> MODERATOR: I am moderating your last session. My name is Sorina Telanu. The topic for today is something you have discussed over the past two days in the Parliamentary track, it is on building trust and being online. And what has done at Parliamentary and I'm counting on you to contribute and bring good practices and experiences from your own countries.
We have five guests, we are focusing on members of Parliamentary. We will get reactions from them. And we have Anusha Rahman, Franco Metaza, Yogesh Bhattarai, Tsvetelina Penkova, and Ashley Sauls to get your work and experiences as you deal with the issues as Parliaments. It is not easy to define. What are the main forms of harm online content that are affecting citizens in your country or Region if we talk about European Union. Where are the harms coming from? Misinformation, disinformation, logarithmic bias, platform design itself and AI is the talk these days and IGF as well. Are you seeing risks linked to Generative AI with online content?
The second question is what laws, if any has your Parliament done to combat the harmful content and how are they addressing ‑‑ thank you ‑‑ the responsibilities and roles of the Private Sector specifically. Because we are talking about online content and social media platform. How do you as Parliament ensure that measures to address online harms don't undermine human rights like freedom of expression, access to information and privacy and how do you make sure they're in line with the rule of law we're talking about universal human rights and universal and international law? National, Regional law complying. Beyond legislation, if we can go beyond that, what else Parliaments are doing to support more trust online? Think about capacity building, awareness raising, education, are you working with other stakeholders on something that is not only legislation that is at the core of your work.
Maybe on more of a negative side are there things you would like to share in your experiences that have in your work like you saw. I have the questions, I will let you pick what you answer. I ask you to pick as many as possible and build on what your colleagues are saying as well. We will follow the order from the introduction, I will ask Ms. Anusha Rahman to start.
>> Anusha Rahman: It is an honour to be on this platform. The digital revolution that began is a reality that we cannot this is the normal how they live, breathe and sleep. The relationships and identities and economies and even understanding of politics they're all fundamentally shaped we technologies that evolve by the hour. As Parliamentarians there is a demand that is a change of mindset. We need to shift the way how we thought about the evolution that has not come really as an evolution but has been over the last 15 years a huge shift in the way the Gen Z has grown up. We cannot afford to treat them as optional upgrades, you must engage as core realities of Governance and hold the power to uplift or undo and exploit. Digital tools are neutral by design and not by consequence. They can manipulate and divide, the job is not to suppress the force but guide it. Not to overregulate but facilitate wisely in ways that protect the freedoms without leaving citizens defenseless in the face of online harm. When I talk about online harm, we found out in the last 10 years, countries have developed the digital ecosystem and realizing that there are no borders, the Internet does not recognize flags, fences, boundaries, we have tried to legislate in our own countries, expecting the legislations to be the final document of the day. But what did we see? We saw and what happened that online in one part of the world can and does affect lives everywhere. So the content online in Pakistan could hamper somebody living in the West or somebody living in the far East. But the digital policy has to be made as a space for international cooperation and not just a domestic regulation. What do we do? I made the law, the cybercrime law in 2016. With immense opposition coming from the people of interest Groups. I won't say a particular name or person. But a mindset. The mindset was governed by the fear that there is going to be a curve of freedom of expression. This was not the case. We were making an introducing 28 new offenses online giving people those rights which they had offline but they were absent online.
So giving the vulnerable, women and girls, children, the rights introduced in 2016 became the Foundation of the law that came forward eventually in the form of protecting the citizens. But there is the responsibility that goes with the Governments that the digital progress is upholding human dignity, it is upholding democratic freedom and giving access to everybody. We experience that in Pakistan, for example, that even if when we made the law, the social media platforms continue to govern our request as if we were two kilomitres, not move the ground, not impacted by the law.
And they decided to choose what content they were going to remove. There has been and there is an issue in our country that when the regulators send out the request to remove the content, and I will give you by example the content relates to a girl and she's a University student and being harassed by somebody and created a content on AI or any other means that looks real, by the time the content is removed, the life of the girl is gone. I had dozens of examples of girls jumping off the wall, killing themselves, committing suicide and stuff like that. In my country, even an aspersion on a girl is good enough to kill her. Even if they don't die physically, they're dead emotionally. We need to be very careful of the fact that the culture in it which we are living the social media platforms have to be sensitive about that culture. This is the real challenge, how to make the social media platform sensitive to the cultures. For them, it is a revenue. Every single post on the social media platform is a revenue‑generating mechanism. It is not a fight between East and West. It is the fight between revenue‑generating entities versus a revenue curbing request. We need to request that the platform where the UN enters with the IGF we can together use the technology platforms without fearing that these technology platform contents are harmful for our children, our girls, our vulnerable and believes in technology and being a former Minister for technology, we all believe that we have to explore and we have to we promise and we want to ensure that we are going to use the technology for shaping the future of the legislation, transparency and bringing more efficiency and effectiveness in the functioning of the way the par Parliamentarians work. In Pakistan, advancing the vision of technology adaption, the Chairman of the Senate has for the first time taken a concrete step towards developing a staff. And real‑time access procedure guidance and multilanguage services. This is full‑time deployment transforming it from a prototype to the working using technology at the same time my concern and your question would take us back. For the use and absorption of the technology positively when abused on how it takes how long to listen to the Governments and their requests to remove objectionable content and secure the vulnerable Groups and the nonvulnerable Groups equally online. And we are now tired of waiting and I would urge and request all the Parliamentarians come together to make a joint strategy where we can collectively speak to the social media platforms and help our vulnerable citizens in our respective countries to ensure their offline rights are as secure online. This is what my humble request is.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you so much for bringing to the table so many issues. If I may ask a follow‑up question. You worked on a cybercrime law. Was that passed. Ms. Anusha Rahman ‑‑
>> Anusha Rahman: Our voice is echoing.
(Feedback)
>> MODERATOR: You were working on a cybercrime law, was it passed and approved.
>> Anusha Rahman: Yes, made in 2016. I started working in 2014. It took two years to bring in collaborative effort it is to the Civil Society listening to the NGO, listening to the independent Groups, listening to the media. As I said, the Internet is perceived anything that will happen on the Internet is perceived as an activity as if it is going to curb the freedom of expression. It is not the case. It is not about curbing the freedom of expression. We believe in it and uphold it. It is about protecting children, women, girls, and all vulnerable segments in this case men and boys are equally vulnerable. The dignity of a natural person is extremely important to protect.
This is what we made the media to understand. That we're not targeting electronic media, we not targeting print media. We're talking about social media, that is full of misinformation, propaganda, fake news. We need to protect our citizens from this. Because it leads to harassment and leads to other kind of vulnerable situations which need to be looked and criminalized in our laws.
In 2016, we made the cybercrime law called prevention of electronic crimes act. It is a consensus document of the entire 240 million people representation in the Parliament by the MP in National Senate.
>> MODERATOR: I will give the floor back to you later. But let me give the floor to Mr. Franco Metaza to share your experiences.
>> Franco Metaza: Good afternoon. I will speak in Spanish, that is the official language of my Parliament. First of all, I would like to thank the Department of the UN and also the IPU, the Norwegian Government for this parliamentary track during the IGF. I'm from the Parliament. And Bolivia. And they are doing some eternal legislative processes to become a full member and we are now having a very heated debate in our Region when it comes to the specific topics. And about the questions that were stated at the beginning of the session. What we are seeing, we are needing to codify what the issues are about. We are talking about racism and talking about homophobia, xenophobia, and the use of drugs and since we were asked to give examples, I will give an example of a project that I presented in my Parliament about something that maybe we don't have a translation. We are talking about a phobia against fat people. We propose this. It is so harmful in social networks like Instagram and TikTok that makes young girls and in general in the public, and in particular young girls that induce eating disorders in these young girls.
This is something very concerning what is then produced by images.
So if you have ‑‑ if you register in social media and say you are a girl 13 years old, you are bombarded with these kinds of images.
And that can be also ghost accounts and there are thin people, something impossible to achieve and also advertising about surgery. In Brazil, there are 13, 14‑year‑old girls that go to the doctor, on their own to have aesthetic surgery done. This is a very complex situation when it comes to the content that is so very vulnerable. And this dichotomy between regulations and freedom of expression, I don't think that ever one has Parliamentary regulation on all or any expression. There is freedom of expression. It is the for the children, for example. And that is not feasible. And today constantly scrolling online for children is as dangerous as doing everything you can against a red light for example.
Something I heard this morning, which also caused concern, I think here we have many stakeholders, but there was something I listened that is of particular interest of Parliamentaries, there is fake news and disinformation. And impacts democracy and peace. We must protect democracy.
In Argentina, my country, there was systemic spreading of fake news about one of the state leaders. One of the most important position leaders, Christina Kushner. There was hate speech related to this and it was spread all over.
So there was one person who listened to this so much, turned up in her home and shot at her. And luckily, she didn't die from this. That is the extreme is the.
It is complex in the world where we will see a nuclear bomb any moment. To save humanity, the only thing we can and must protect is democracy. Thank you very much.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you for bringing up some of the things you raised. I like the one with having rules for the social media similar to having rules for driving a car on the road. In curiosity, in the Parliament are you having these debates and looking to do something collaboratively in the country, in dealing with the harmful content and making it safe online. It is in terms of legislation and how to build more awareness and capacity and awareness to be better prepared to deal with harmful content. Not all the answers are in passing the law and expecting it to be applied but seeing how to deal with these kind of things. Any reflections?
>> Franco Metaza: Yes, that is an important question. Currently in the Mercosur Parliament. They're not doing enough with the harmful content. So we all agree on that. That is the path to go.
>> MODERATOR: More responsibility for the Private Sector. I know we have Private Sector in the room. We want to hear from them as well. Later for that. Let's continue. Let's hear from Mr. Yogesh Bhattarai, please
>> YOGESH BHATTARAI: It is an honour to be here today presenting the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, I extent my gratitude to the organizer and the United Nations and the Government of Norway. Allowing us to share our experiences and collective wisdom.
The topics before us from this ecosystem is a challenge of you are era. It is a milestone for a democratic journey. Like many of you, we have witnessed the transformative power. We have opened up an avenue for the expenses, connecting our diverse communities. And giving a powerful platform to citizens to engage in the civic life of our nation. It is a remarkable force for democracy. This is accompanied by complex challenges. We are grappling with the harms of disinformation that can tear our social fabric and the online harassment.
The silent, vulnerable voices and it is a concern that every responsibility Government must address.
In Nepal, we are currently in the midst of the National conversation about how to best achieve the Delegate balance between upholding the freedom of experience and protecting our citizens from harm. This is reflected in the legislative proposal currently under discussion including the proposal social media bill and information technology bill.
This proposal is created to create a safe digital environment. As a Parliamentarian committed to the human rights and people based democracy. I believe we must persist with the utmost, in Nepal with the expertise and Article 19 establish the right to information and communication as a fundamental right. Parliament will not accept any law that contradict the provision of constitution. In Nepal we have a National information Commission and the Council in Nepal is an independent oversight Agency.
Myself and other MPs have been participating in the Programme organized by the Civil Society organisation.
Where there are the discussions on the right to information and communication. We are concerned about the negative impact of misinformation and disinformation on society. Everyone should be aware of the possibility that it can divide society by creating confusion about caste, religion, gender. Misinformation and disinformation are having an impact on tension taking place in different part of the world today.
I'm convinced that when human rights, open societies, democratic competition, equal access and the citizen can make the state accountable to its citizens. It is the evolution in the digital Sector to support peace and immunity. For this, digital platform should be regulated not controlled. Solidarity. It is the strengthening of democratic institution. We believe that we can have a highly democratic practice strong and accountable. I believe that the Internet and digital platform will connect the people's heart. It will make life easier. Bring marginalized communities into the ministry. Let us work to reaffirming our commitment to the principle. Let us hear not just our challenges but our highest aspiration. I'm confident that in the human rights, there is a digital future that is not only safe but fundamentally free.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you so much. I took a lot of notes while you are speaking. I would like to get back to points later. I would like to agree we need responsible Governance. States can and should be I think those are good points to keep in mind when you work on legislation. You said social media has to be regulated but not controlled, my questions is how are you interacting with technology platforms as you work on this legislation in the country. Do you have discussions with them? How is the relation?
>> YOGESH BHATTARAI: Recently Government submit the bill about social media and digital platform. And we are discussed with so many stakeholders. And the different part and organisation and Government request from it the different stakeholder. It is ongoing. But not in the conclude. So I hope we make more effective law about social media, Internet access and Cybersecurity.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you. Moving to Ms. Penkova.
>> TSVETELINA PENKOVA: We have the belief that Europe is in the leading role when speaking about the digital legislation. We in the stage of digital legislation. We represent 27 Member States. Allow me to start by emphasizing the key and important legislations. It will surprise many in the room as it was mentioned. Starting with the Digital Services Act, which is the flagship legislation which we speak about the regulation of the digital space. So basically, the DSA is meant to be tackling a lot of the issues and problems that were already mentioned throughout the whole days of discussion at least today. We're speaking about protecting miles per hours and vulnerable Groups. Tackle cyber violence and harmful content and disinformation. So everything is about the content of the key important legislative framework of the EU. It cannot act on its own. We need supportive legislation. We have the Digital Markets Act, which needs to complement the DSA by ensuring a fair competition in the digital economy. We believe this is key. This does promote greater choice for consumers and the interoperability of the digital service providers. Here we host the data Governance and GDPR. Those are key legislations to reinforce the individual's control over their data, where it promotes a trustworthy data sharing. Speaking about protecting human rights in the digital space. When I mention GDPR, it is one of the most controversial one. It needs improvements and updates, additions. Only last week we finished the negotiations of the procedural rules for handling cross‑border cases. When we speak about digital legislation, you have to be very pragmatic, that the problems that we're resolving today would be very different in tomorrow's reality. So we have to be flexible. That has been extremely challenges for the regulators across the world, I would say. That you cannot always foresee the challenges in a fast growing economy in the digital field. I have spoken about the human protection and the framework that is provided. Allow me to mention two other key legislations that we were working. One was a work in progress. They're focusing on the media freedom. So the European democracy Action Plan, it is a plan actually not a legislation, necessarily. It needs to strengthen media freedom but at the same time promoting pluralism. It combats this information in specific cases that we have been observing happening quite a lot. Especially in the context of elections, for instance. And foreign interference. Those are quite significant Global challenges. The media freedom act, which is at the moment under negotiations. Tries to protect the transparency in the media advertisement as well. There are many specific examples which are trying to resolve all the common problems we're facing across the globe. But if you ask me to summarize like the four key priorities, which we have as members of the European Parliament, there are many more than four, I have chosen to focus on four main ones for today's session. The first one, we really tried to keep with the human‑centric, Digital Transformation. So digital transition while protecting citizens' rights. The second combating online hate and disinformation. I mentioned again, the DSA is one that is probably main goal is to ensure that there is stronger enforcement mechanisms against cyber violence. We can get in more details if we need to. Third, it was mentioned many times, digital literacy and resilience. Without resolving and tackling this issue, none of those legislation or enforcements would be perceived, accepted and successful. The EU strategy at the moment is focused significantly on digital education. And last but not least important, of course, is the children online safety. There are many sessions dedicated to this in the IGF. Tomorrow we have one with the Youth IGF and the young generation has a significant role to play in ensuring this protection is targeted to the most vulnerable and minors.
If you allow me the last 30 seconds, because when I speak from the EU perspective, we have to take into account we have 27 Member States. So each one has a different experience in enforcing the legislation. In the last 30 seconds, I share I'm from a small Member States, Bulgaria. We're struggling to enforce what I listed. We have an active Civil Society Sector that at the moment, is launching a lot of campaigns on teaching the youth generation to identify fake news and to be a bit more aware of the critical thinking. What I mean is basically try to allocate or analyze the sources of the information, where the information is coming. We have observed the younger generation lacks that question. They see the information and perceive it. I want to mention that example yes we face challenges and some legislations are complicated. Once you have the state support Regional Governance and active Civil Society nothing is impossible.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you for raising two important points. First of all, being the one on enforcement, it is one thing to have laws in place, but Authorities at the National level empowered to put the law in practice. I'm from your neighbouring country Romania, seeing same challenges, not easy to put in place all of that. Excellent points on literacy and capacity building and critical thinking in young users and all of us benefit from more critical thinking with digital technologies. One more thing to reflect on. How is the AI Act connecting to all of this when it comes to more safe online environments, more transparency from private actors, for instance.
>> TSVETELINA PENKOVA: Some might not agree with me, but the AI Act protects a lot of people. We have seen a lot of criticism, but we want to ensure that there is innovation and growth, but the first thing is protecting citizens, and ensure that there is enough time for the consumers to understand the risks and challenges before we put a technology for very wide use. I think this was a bit of a protection mechanism and working on the European Parliament. It did face criticisms.
>> MODERATOR: Let's hear from the final speaker, Mr. Sauls.
>> Ashley Sauls: Fellow stakeholders, being in a country where our constitution respects religious freedom and I want to greet you in the name of our lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and in my mother tongue at the brink of extinction. (No English translation) thank you. It is with great honour I address you at this pivotal Forum, as we navigate the complexity of our increasingly interconnected world, South Africa stands as a testament to the transformative potential of digital technologies while simultaneously confronting unique challenges that demand thoughtful and inclusive policy framework. The example is the disinformation about white minority genocide in South Africa where an executive decision by the U.S. government was largely made based on online information. The ripple effect was also fueled narrative about my race classified as coloured as a violent and gangster Group. As a result a local school as an example Atlanta secondary school had to host a grammar school from the UK in South Africa for a rugby match in July. It was canceled because parents feared for what was said in the White House about our current. The current Minister said a child in sport is a child out of court. My fellow Parliamentarians maybe you can help us to contribute to a different narrative by ensuring that match takes place. I hope somebody is listening to me about that.
In South Africa, we recognize the profound impact on the landscape of the fabric and 65% of the population accessing the Internet. We see an opportunity to enhance outcome and promote social inclusion. The opportunities are accompanied by significant obstacles the digital divide issues, Cybersecurity threats and need for robust frameworks that protect the rights of all citizens. Thus far we have enacted the personal information act, the cybercrimes act and the publication act that regulations the platforms.
To effective enhance our digital practices, we adopted a multistakeholder approach that engages, Civil Society, and public. This model is essential for fostering digital economy where benefits are distributed and innovation is harnessed to address local challenges. As we advocate for robust Cybersecurity measures we must ensure they don't impede freedom of expression and privacy. We want to promote a balanced approach that safeguards security and fundamental human rights as we say in my mother tongue (No English translation)
By leveraging our position as a member of the African Union we aim to encourage the dialogue that fosters cooperation in the policy. In conclusion, the South African experience explores the need for proactive rather than current reactive approach to Digital Governance. As we gather today, let us reaffirm our commitment to a digital future that is inclusive, secure and respects the rights of all citizens. Together we can craft policies that not only uplift our respective Nations but also contribute to a more equitable Global digital landscape that expresses the heart of politics that prioritizes people above profits. Thank you.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you for highlighting what previous speakers mentioned, the fact that there can be and should be a balance in protecting security and safety and we don't have to give one up to protect the other.
The mentions the African Union, my follow‑up question is are there examples of initiatives or projects implemented or put in place now at the African Union level dealing with issues to share with everyone. Sorry again, I'm doing that. Apologies.
>> Ashley Saul: Not specific Programmes, not as specific as one would like it to be. I would like to address the IGF approach, we have the South African Internet Governance Forum. There is a lot of Programmes and initiatives around that. Which for the first time, I think because of that approach, we now have us as Parliamentarians participating for the first time to join in the Forum. Because of those engagements on that level.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you. Glad to have you on board. We are kind of running out of time. There are interventions that want to be made from the room. So let's see. If you can introduce yourself, please.
>> ATTENDEE: Yeah, thank you, Sorina Telanu. I'm from Nepal, I am an advocate for youth and policy. Thank you to all of the Members of Parliament, senators. It was very enlightening in terms of the work that is going not just across the Region but the continent. Very much different focus areas and different reasons. My question is regarding the involvement of digital policymaking. Each and every process where youth are involved, it emphasize the fact of the policy whether it is the implementation or the policymaking and the initial process. Youth are a positive catalyst of reaching out to the end mile. My question is to all of the Parliament in your reason, how have you within involving the youth in days to come in the policymaking or public outreach, how do you plan to engage the youth in your specific events or policy? Thank you.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you. Take the second question as well.
>> ATTENDEE: Hello, I'm Raoul from the Philippines House of Representatives. I would like to ask for your ideas or concrete experiences about combating cybercrime. In the case of the Philippines we had the cybercrime act 2012 and it had contained a provision that we flagged years ago. We had foreseen it can be used by abusive or repressive leaders. It was actually used. Recent times to go after journalists, even teachers who had opinions that contradict those of the Government of the day. So right now we're discussing possible review and amendments to the cybercrime law that we have is your thoughts on the process.
>> MODERATOR: Should we take the two questions and continue? Anything on the youth and cybercrime law. Anyone share?
>> Franco Metaza: In my country, we have learned to encourage young people to participate. They can vote from the age of 16. We have a lot of young Parliamentarians in our House of and House of senators as well. We understand that it is important to have young people participating. When we try to draft laws we try to listen to different voices. We don't like to guide them too firmly. Can't leave young people to sort it out in a young people manner. No, they're important for the construction of society.
>> Tsvetelina Penkova: I will try to be brief with the time. I shared insights, at the IGF, digital economy will shrink if we don't regulate it. The younger generation understands that. They want to be part of the conversation. Children require protection. They don't see it limit their rights. So something regulators should pay attention. They signaled about that. The younger generation is very much ahead of many of the legislation. They want to be an active stakeholder. So it is not a matter if they want to be involved it is a matter of us asking them. We speak about violence, the legal action to be taken without delay. It has to be taken by the judge not the Government. This is one way to tackle the specific example that was given.
>> YOGESH BHATTARAI: We have 25 languages in Nepal. It is very special for us also. And youth engagement it is important. We have an international Internet Governance Forum. Our Parliament engage with them to make the law and other process. And second thing, which is the cybercrime issues, we have cybercrime law. And there is the brands in the policy there are cybercrime bans. There are issues with the cybercrime. And submit in any case in the Court. And court give about the cybercrime.
>> Ashley Saul: I will be honest that we haven't had that much. But with the shift it is beginning to change. We had a majority one party Government since 1994. Now there is the Government of National unity. It is a Coalition Government. There are different minds, different approaches coming together forming one Government.
And this has assisted to make it practical. We have two leaders of the South African IGF, both the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson are young people. They're here at the Conference. This is now including the voice of young people because of this I'm here today. That is a good step for South Africa.
>> MODERATOR: There are a few more points if you want to get to the mic before we wrap up the session. There is a mic next to you.
>> ATTENDEE: I'm here from the Democratic Republic of Congo. I would like to ask a question in French, if ... I want to ask an intense question. We are all regulators. Not everybody can draft a piece of legislation. It is difficult. Some people don't have the proper tools to do so. I would like to insist on the role that the UN is playing when it comes to human rights. Once you understand the world, in 1945, 1948, we talk about human rights. Then there are rights connected to the economy. To work, and this was the second generation of human rights. Economic and social rights if I may say so. Then came rights when it comes to the environment. Ecology. This is a third generation of rights. Rights that have to be respected collectively when it comes to the environment. But now, the UN hasn't recognized yet digital rights. This would be fourth generation of human rights. Why do I say so? Because when you read the constitutions in our different countries, many different countries have taken over what is written by the UN. As a fundamental right. So when we talk about risk and democratic rights we know what it is all about. With we talk about digital rights, nowadays people don't know what it means. We don't know what digital rights are or that it is a fourth generation of rights. Once the UN has a proper document about it, maybe we will have the possibility to write it in our own constitutions, in our own laws. Because it is nice to want to write a bill to want to draft a bill, you have to have the technical skills to do so. This is our responsibility as MPs, we need to have a common ground. Just like the one we had for the third or three previous generations of rights.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you, we'll get back to that.
>> ATTENDEE: I represent Google here. I want to first of all thank you so much for this insightful conversation. And I wanted to highlight a couple of points and react to some of the points raised during the panel discussion. We at Google work with technologies like AI consider it a once in a generation technology. We recognize such technology should be developed and deployed boldly and responsibly and together with international community with Public Sector, Civil Society and our users. One of the ways of how I believe this technology should be used in the context of content regulation, we manage YouTube platform utilize AI to tackle bad content, I pulled statistics as we talk about content moderation. In first quarter January 2025, January, February, March, this year. We pulled down and took town 8.6 million videos on YouTube that didn't comply either with our policies or respective policies on the markets where we operate. 55% of this 8.6 videos were removed before they were watched. They were uploaded, not published and detected automatically. Further 47% was removed with less than 10 views. That shows the scale of how we can actually use such technology such as AI to tackle bad context on our platforms. However, I wanted to use this opportunity to speak not only about content and how it is in the markets. To highlight what we are doing as a company, next week we're gathering a number of regulators from the Region in our London office to talk for three days about, you know, regulations, challenges around regulations. Including on AI and Cloud and content issues. This is something we have been doing for many years. We have similar Programmes around the world, especially in emerging markets. There is a Programme to highlight for everyone and specifically built for public officials. A Programme called AI campus. This is a Programme built for public officials to upskill them on AI issues. We have already seven courses available on different aspects of AI. And 100,000 have done this. I invite all those present in this room to make use of this content because technology does move quickly. Thank you once again.
>> MODERATOR: One more point, few more points. Be quick. Start here.
>> ATTENDEE: I'm Ann McCormick from EY. It is important not to simplify Private Sector, small and large enterprise but also organisations, we work with clients across different Sectors across almost all the countries in this room. Reliability is transferred to more and more economic actors in the economy, small and big as we adopt, embed and deploy AI. So I would urge policymakers, legislators to look at the health and dynamism of their economy and consider the different aspects of the Private Sector not just large tech companies in the headlines, but the similar and in some cases very different needs and interests of the players and companies adopting and embedding AI that are concerned about AI Governance. And those that are investing how do you know what you are buying, no matter the brand, how do you know the limits, risks and are you potentially liable? How are you going to deploy it with confidence? How will you make sure your employees, clients, reputation as a company, how it is maintained. It is important not to overregulate, but important that there are the right mechanisms to encourage disclosure, encourage transparent, not the black box with independent oversight or assurance or assessment so everybody can use the technology with confidence and we get the best out of it. The Private Sector has many facets.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you. One more point, be very fast, please.
>> ATTENDEE: I will be fast. Amy Mitchell for news technology innovation in the States. I had a quick follow‑up and thought question if you have a second to respond to it. On the digital information space and it was great to hear topics of the freedom of expression, thinking about the balance of safeguarding the freedom of expression in the EU initiative being passed. I am curious to the thoughts that are in place on how one puts definitional language around those things, as we know. The public access to information is vast today. The range of those in different producers including some cases citizens themselves in need of the safeguard and protection of freedom. I would be curious as you are developing the acts the thought around the definitional language and also safeguarding on the enforcement don't hurt later Government structures. We know Governments can change over time inside a country to be sure that they don't end up used in a way that can be used to harm. Thank you.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you. I'm looking at the host. IGF Secretariat. Asking if we can take one more minute per speaker to reflect on points. Thank you so much try to reflect on the issues, please.
>> Franco Metaza: What is your name? Olga. I will speak in Spanish. I think that YouTube kids and the experience there is something that creates a different digital system, the social networks doesn't have this. In the real world we allow for the kids to go to the casino. If they go to Instagram, it is like the kids going to the disco or casino. To create algorithms that fully control a different ecosystem is great. It should be applied elsewhere. Olga, I don't remember if you remember, in Argentina, looking for the name of the it said thief, thief of the Argentinian nation. There was a trial related to this. If this happens to someone, who is the Vice President of the country, and with a company like Google, you can think only what protection would be like in the lower layers. Now the current President has done things in this regard. Thank you.
>> MODERATOR: One minute for reflection.
>> Ashley Sauls: There should be a balance between well‑being of people and profits. My country is known for an apartheidist.
We have noticed in the AI training, that there is still the presence of a risk of digital apartheid. This is a unique danger for us. There is no tension given, especially by the Private Sector on the importance of this, on the profiling for the historic separation where if the AI, just to make it practical, if an AI, if I look around the room, I'm the darkest in the room. And if AI picks up the differentiate between even on that level, the darker profiling for someone that looks like me. If that is a repeat now, we cannot rejoice for the digital future. We should be sure that that digital future is repeating an ugly history. Thank you.
>> Tsvetelina Penkova: On the right for need for common approach. I agree this enforcement issues, it is a point that it is difficult to enforce something that is not defined or well understood. Point taken.
>> MODERATOR: On the point, it is true we don't have new UN instrument dealing with them, there are quite a few Human Rights Council Resolutions which state clearly the same rights people have offline must be brought online. We can use that as a starting point. We have taken 15 more minutes of everyone's time. Thank you to the speakers and to everyone for contributing. We hope it was useful as the last session of the Parliamentary track. Something else is happening in this room so do not leave. So good luck and enjoy the rest of IGF.
