Realizing the Global Promise of the Internet: The Future ... the Global Promise of the Internet: The...
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1 Realizing the Global Promise of the Internet: The Future of Internet Governance Constance Ledoux Book Janna Quitney Anderson Michele Hammerbacher Anne Nicholson Dannika Lewis Eryn Gradwell August 13, 2008
Transcript of Realizing the Global Promise of the Internet: The Future ... the Global Promise of the Internet: The...
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RealizingtheGlobalPromiseoftheInternet:
TheFutureofInternetGovernance
ConstanceLedouxBook
JannaQuitneyAnderson
MicheleHammerbacherAnneNicholsonDannikaLewis
ErynGradwell
August13,2008
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ExecutiveSummary
Background
TheUnitedNations,underamandateestablishedin2005duringtheWorldSummitontheInformationSociety(WSIS),launchedadialogueonInternetgovernance.TheWSISisanefforttodevelopaglobal
informationsocietybuiltupontheassetsoftheInternet.Whilenotempoweredtoenactpolicychanges,proponentshopeWSISwillleadtothepromotionofsuccessfulInternetinitiatives.TheInternetGovernanceForumsareonepartoftheWSISeffort.Theyarebeingheldannuallyforfiveyears
toexploreglobalpolicyissuesrelatedtothemanagement/deploymentofcriticalInternetresources,ensuringaccess,safety,security,opennessanddiversity.TheForumsarefosteringdiscussionsthatcouldleadtoaseriesofrecommendationstoWSISandtheUnitedNationsonbestpracticesrelatedto
globalInternetpolicy‐building.ThisstudysurveyedparticipantsatthesecondInternetGovernanceForuminNovember2007inRiodeJaneiro,Brazil,onattitudesaboutcurrentandlikelypolicyinitiativesandtheirpotentialtoaidinmeetingWSISobjectives.
Responsesweregatheredfrom206IGFattendees(roughly15percentofForumparticipants)
representingmorethan60countries.ThedataarevaluablebecausetheycaptureareadingoftheviewsofactiveparticipantsintheseforumsthatmighteventuallyshapeWSISpolicy.
Thefindingshereshouldnotbetakenasarepresentativecross‐sectionofopinionsofthoseinterestedintheForumsor,indeed,thosewhocareaboutthefutureoftheInternet.TheIGFattendeesmost
motivatedtoinvestthe20to30minutesoftheirtimethatwasrequiredtocompletethissurveyweremostlikelytobestakeholderswithvestedinterestsintheissuesfacedbytheirindividualcountriesoruniqueconstituenciesandrootedintheculturestheyrepresent.Althoughthestudysamplewasdiverse
andengagedwiththeissuesaddressed,itshouldnotbeconstruedasencompassingtheviewsofallForumparticipants.Atthesametime,whilenottobeextrapolatedtoawideraudience,thisselect,
conveniencesampleofrespondentsdoesprovideinsightsthatarelikelytoappearinmore‐generalpublicdiscussionsastimepassesand,intruth,theInternetitselfismuchliketherespondentstothisstudy–widelydiverse.
KEYINTERNETGOVERNANCEISSUES
Sixtypercent(60%)ofsurveyparticipantssaidtheybelievetheInternethassuccessfullyconnectedthe
world.However,globally,justoneinfivepersonshasInternetaccess.Itisnotsurprising,then,thatapluralityofrespondentstothissurvey(38%)alsosaidaccessisthesinglemostimportantissuebeingaddressedbytheInternetGovernanceForum.
Respondentsindicatedothertop‐rankingInternetgovernanceconcerns:
• EquitablecontrolofcriticalInternetresources(infrastructure),anissuecloselyrelatedto
access,wasdescribedasmostimportantby17%.
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• Internetsecuritywasseenasthekeyissueby14%ofrespondents.
• Eightpercent(8%)saidthemostimportantissueisInternetopennessand3%saiditisdiversityofInternetcontent,appealanddesign.
• OneinfivesaidthemostcriticalInternetissuetodayisacombinationofalloftheabove.
ThefirstInternetGovernanceForumsweredesignedtoconcentrateonfivekeyareasofpolicyconcern:
Access,Diversity,CriticalInternetResources,OpennessandSecurity.ThesecategorieswereeachaddressedwithaquestionsetintheIGF2007survey.Followingisabriefoutlineofresults.
ACCESS:DIGITALINCLUSIONANDCLOSINGTHEDIGITALDIVIDE
Mostrespondents(51%)agreedthataglobalsolutiontoInternetaccessisachievable,andthatcostistheprimarybarrier(78%).Whenaskedtorankfourpossiblemethodsoffundingtheresourcesto
increaseInternetaccessonascalefrommost‐effectivetoleast‐effective,mostrespondentsindicatedthatcommercialprovidersshouldsolvethisproblemwithalow‐costaccesssolutionforthepoor(aratingaverageof1.9outof4).Intheirresponsestoanotherquestion,47%saidmarketplace
competition,ratherthanregulationistherightmeanstotheendoftheaccessproblem.
Some87%ofrespondentssaidtheircountrieswillhavelittlefutureeconomicsuccesswithoutmoreaccess.Most(60%)saidtheybelieveglobalInternetaccessimprovestheeconomy–throughthecreationofmoreandbetterjobs–andtheyalsoagreedwiththestatementthatInternetaccess
improveshealthcare(74%).
Respondentswereaskedtoexpresstheirconfidenceincurrentinitiativesaimedataccess,andmostsupportedInternetdiffusionthroughschool‐basedandpublic‐accessprograms.Theresponseofparticipantswhenaskedfortheonebestmethodtoincreaseaccess:
• Internetaccessandinstructioninpublicschools(49%).
• PublicInternetkiosks,hotspots,inpublicspaces(38%).
• Connectivitythroughcommunity‐accessmobilephones(14%).
• Public‐privatepartnershipsliketheOneLaptopPerChildprogram(12%).
HalfofrespondentsagreedtheUNshouldworkwithcommercialproviderstoestablishaglobalfundforauniversalbasiclevelofInternetaccessforeveryone.
Mostrespondents(51%)werehopefulthatthereisawaytoprovideaglobalsolutiontoensureInternetaccesstothosewhodesireit,and58%agreedwithanassertionthattheUNshouldcoordinatea
coalitionofcorporate,government,technologyindustry,andcivil‐societystakeholderstoachievethegoalofabasicconnectionforeveryone.Inaddition,44%agreedwiththisstatement:“LeadershipfrommycountryistheonlymeanstoensureallofthepeopleinmycountryhaveInternetaccess.”
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Some77%ofIGFsurveyparticipantsbackedanassertionthatonlyopenandneutralInternetaccesscanclosethedigitaldivide.
Inopen‐endedcomments,respondentsexpressedconcernsthatthelaststagesofInternetdeployment
mightbelefttocommercialbroadbandmonopolies,leavingless‐developedcountriesatadisadvantage.TheyalsoarguedthatdemocracywillonlythriveincountrieswithInternetaccessandtheysaidspammayharmtheInternet’sglobalpromise.
CRITICALINTERNETRESOURCES:CONTROLOFKEYARCHITECTUREANDPOLICY
RespondentswereaskedaseriesofquestionsaboutwherepowerovertheInternetcurrentlyresides.TherewasnoconsensusaboutwhorunsthingsontheInternet.
• 47%agreedwiththestatement“TheInternethasnocenterofgravity–nooneconcentratedlocationofcentralcontrol.”
• 36%saidtheInternetdoeshaveaconcentratedcenterofpower.Oftheserespondents,65%
saidthecenteroftheInternet’sinfluenceorconcentratedpowerisintheUnitedStates,and22%ofthosewhosaidthereisapowercentercitedthecountriesoftheNorthernHemisphere.AfewrespondentssaidITcompaniesarethecenter,and4%indicateduserswhocreatecontent
arethe“centerofgravity”fortheInternet.
• 17%ofrespondentsneitheragreednordisagreedwiththestatement.
ThetechnicalrealityisthatcontroloverdecisionsaboutthearchitectureandoperationoftheglobalInternetisdispersedthroughoutanumberofglobalorganizations.OneofthemostpowerfulistheInternetCorporationforAssignedNamesandNumbers(ICANN),whichassignsdomainnamesand
InternetProtocoladdressesandisinchargeofroot‐serversystemmanagement.ICANNhasprovidedacriticalservicetotheestablishmentofaglobalInternet,howeverastheInternethasmaturedthe
organization’seffectivenesshasbeenquestioned.Nearlyhalfofstakeholders(45%)agreedwiththestatementthattheorganizationasitisstructuredtoday“isnoteffectiveanditshouldbeplacedinamoreneutral,globalcontrolstructure.”
TheIGFsurveyrespondentsgenerallyagreedthatestablishedinstitutions,especiallygovernmentsand
corporations,areactiveparticipantsintoday’smanagementofcriticalInternetresourcesand,asaresult,theyinfluenceaccesstotheInternet.RespondentsgenerallysupportedideasallowingseveralrepresentativestakeholdersegmentsofsocietytomakeInternetpolicies.Forinstance,77%agreed
withthestatementthattheInternetisatransborderresourceanditshouldbegovernedglobally.TheywereparticularlyinsistentthatsignificantcontributionstogovernanceoftheInternet’scriticalresourcesshouldcomefromtheouteredges,includingrepresentativesofcivilsociety.Infact,mostrespondents
(69%)favoredfewerofficialpoliciesasawaytokeeptheInternetinnovativeanddynamic.
WhenconsideringhowtoestablishcriticalInternetresourcesintheircountries,aboutone‐thirdofrespondentsfavoredsupportformarketplacesolutions,suchasencouragingcompetition.Aboutone‐
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thirdsaidindividualcountriesshouldprovidefundingtoofferaccesstothosewhocan’taffordit.Aboutone‐fourthfavoredcommercialbroadbandcompaniesestablishingaglobalfundforalevelofuniversal
service–afundmuchliketheoneestablishedbytelephoneandcablecompaniesintheUnitedStates.
DIVERSITY:ALLOWINGALLTOPARTICIPATEEQUALLY
RespondentssupportedthenotionthatthereshouldbeculturaldiversityontheInternet.Themajority(77%)saidtherepresentationofdiverselanguagesontheInternetshouldbegivenglobalpriority,
howeverrespondentsweresplitonwhethertheInternetcurrentlyenhancesordiminishestheirlocalculture.Some42%saidtheInternetdoesfosterlocalculture,while32%saiditdoesnot.Inaddition,50%saidthereshouldbeglobalpoliciesaimedatfosteringmulticulturalcontent.
Strongsupportwasalsoexpressedforglobalpoliciesthatestablishprotocolsfordisabledusersto
accesstheInternet–47%saidthatshouldbeapriority.
AmajoritysupportedtheestablishmentofglobalpoliciestoensureneutralandequitableaccesstotheInternetforallpeople(52%).
Lesssupportwasindicatedforglobalpoliciesrelatedtoprotectingthefreeflowofuser‐generatedcontent(42%)orglobalprovisionsthatensureInternetcontentisaccurate(28%).Aboutathirdof
respondentsdonotbelievethataccuracyofInternetcontentisanInternetgovernanceissue.
OPENNESS:PROTECTINGCIVILLIBERTIESINCYBERSPACE
RespondentsindicatedstrongsupportfortheestablishmentofaglobalInternetusers’BillofRights.Some66%agreedwiththestatement:“AglobalInternetusers’BillofRightsshouldbeadopted.”While
manyrespondentsalsoindicatedstrongsupportforfreedomofinformationontheInternet(76%),manyexpresseddoubtsthataglobalpolicyonInternetcontentcontrolscanbereached(49%).Three‐
quartersofsurveyparticipantsagreedthatsuchapolicyisneededtoensurefreedomofexpressionontheInternet;62%saidtheybelievecontentcontrolsweakentheInternet.
WhenaskediftheircountryshouldretaintherighttoapprovecontentdisseminatedtoitspeopleviatheInternet,aboutoneinfouroftherespondents(28%)agreedwhile59%disagreed.Evenmore
disagreed(63%)thatacommercialInternetserviceprovidershouldhavethatright.
Nearlyhalfofrespondentsindicatedtheybelievecontentregulationscannotbesuccessfullyleveragedduetotheopennatureoftheonlinerealm.Some47%agreedand34%disagreedwiththefollowingassertion:“PoliciesthatregulatecontentontheInternetarenotenforceablebecauseoftheborderless
natureoftheInternet.”
Inopen‐endedcomments,respondentsexpressedconcernsaboutachievingthecorrectbalancebetweencivillibertiesandasecureInternet.MostseebalancingfreeexpressionwithprivacyrightsandasecureInternetasthemostimportantfutureconcerninthisareaofInternetgovernance.Manyfear
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governmentcensorshipwilllimitfreeexpression.Forexample,onerespondentwrote,“Whiledifficulttoachieve,wecanhaveanopenInternetandstillprohibitcriminalactivitylikechildpornographyand
cyberterrorism.”Anotherrespondentwrote,“Aboveall,politicalspeechontheInternetshouldbeprotectedglobally.”
SECURITY:ASSURINGSAFETY,TRUSTANDARELIABLE,SCALINGNETWORK
RespondentswereaskedaboutInternetandglobalpolicymakingrelatedtocybercrime.Most
respondents(70%)saidtheInternet’sarchitectureandtheprotectionofinfrastructureshouldprimarilybetheresponsibilityoflocalgovernments.RelativelylowsupportwasexpressedfortheestablishmentofaglobalInternetpoliceforcetaskedwithprotectingtheInternet’sinfrastructure.Just38%backed
theidea.However,therewasstrongsupportforcreationofaglobalpoliceforcetofightcybercrime–56%ofrespondentssupportedthisidea.ThisfindingisnotsurprisingconsideringthestrongsupportforglobalprotocolsforconductingbusinessovertheInternet–fully81%ofrespondentsbackedthis
notion.Halfofstakeholderssaidindividualusers’rightstoprivacyoutweightheneedforsecurity,whileaboutathird(35%)saidsecurityoutweighsprivacy.Globalcooperationisnecessarytofindabalancebetweentheprotectionofcivillibertiesandthemaintenanceofasecure,trustedInternet.
GOINGFORWARD:ADDRESSINGGOVERNANCEINTHEFUTURE
ThesurveydatasuggestthatrespondentsbelievethatglobalpoliciesaredesirableandachievableintheInternetgovernancearena.Mostrespondents(52%)saidtheInternetisgovernable–eventhoughtitisatransborderphenomenonwithoutaprimarylocusofcontrol.Theysupportedmultiplemeasuresfor
achievingbroaduseraccesstotheInternetthatcenteraroundpoliciesatthelocalandgloballevel.TheyseevalueinmarketplaceapproachestobringingInternetaccesstothosewhoarestill
unconnected.Theyalsobelievethatachievingaccessispossiblethroughglobalpoliciesandthatthisisthekeyareaforpolicymaking.
StrongsupportforimprovingInternetaccessthroughschoolsandeducationwasexpressedamongstakeholders.ThepromiseofmobiledevicestobringtheInternettotheunconnectedreceivedpositive
support.
Significantsupportwasalsoexpressedforestablishingglobalprotocolstoensurethesafe,secureconductofbusinessovertheInternet.ThisfindingsuggeststhatthecommercialapplicationsoftheInternetareastrongbasisforbuildingconsensusamongglobalstakeholdersonissuesofpolicy.These
policiesarelikelytofindastronglevelofsupport,whereaspoliciesrelatedtoregulatingInternetcontentwillfindtheleastconsensus.
Iftheopinionsoftheserespondentsareanyindicator,globalpolicymakerswilllikelyfindrobustdebateandlittleagreementonhowtostrikeabalancebetweenmaintainingasafeandsecureInternetand
protectingusers’civilliberties.TheanswersheresuggestthatsometensionsmightbeeasedbyadoptingaglobalInternetBillofRights;thisconcepthadstrongsupport–morethan66%of
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respondentssupportedtheconcept,andonly6%disagreed,suggestingthisisanopportunityforIGF.Iftheserespondentshadtheirway,aBillofRightsmightcontainstatementsaddressingareaswhere
Internetgovernancestakeholdersareinagreement,suchas:theInternetshouldbeaccessibletoallpeopleoftheworld,availableintheirnativelanguageandatanaffordablecost.
Therewasanevensplitofrespondentswhentheywereaskedwhethertheyseemarketplacedemandorgovernment‐mandatedpolicyasthebestlikelyshaperoftheInternet’sfuture.
Themultistakeholdermodelisthepolicy‐settingconfigurationmostsurveyrespondentssaythey
support.Thisevolutionary,edges‐informatisemployedbyIGF,ICANN,theInternetSocietyandotherorganizationsthatarebuildingthepoliciesandstructuresunderpinningtheInternetbycombininginputfromrepresentativesfromtherealmsofbusiness,government,technologyandcivilsociety.
Whilemostsurveyedstakeholderssayasystemismostinnovativeanddynamicifitremainsas
unregulatedaspossible(70%),athirdsaytheInternetwillnotprosperwithoutadditionalglobalpolicies.Themajoritybelieves,though,thatpublicpolicywillalwaysremainastepbehindtherealitiesofonlinelifebecauseofacceleratingtechnologicaldevelopment.Theseareindicatorssupportingthe
ideathatguidingprinciplesdifferentfromthoseappliedtopreviouscommunicationstechnologiessuchasbroadcasttelevisionorthetelephonearenecessarytobestshapefutureInternetpolicy.
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RealizingtheGlobalPromiseoftheInternet:TheFutureofInternetGovernanceINTRODUCTION
DuringthemeetingoftheWorldSummitontheInformationSociety(WSIS)heldinTunisin2005,a
requestwasmadetotheUnitedNationsGeneralSecretariattoestablishaseriesofmeetingsthatwouldcreateaglobaldialogueonInternetgovernance.Thesefive,annual,multi‐stakeholder,transparentmeetingsweremandatedtocreateongoingandinclusiveglobalpolicydiscussionsonpressingInternet
issuesrelatedto:
theestablishmentofInternetaccessandtheavailabilityofcriticalInternetresources;
furtheringasafeandsecureInternet;
promotinganopenanddiverseInternet.
Whilenotdirectedatcreatingandimplementingpolicy,theInternetGovernanceForumsareexpectedtobringkeyissuestolightandestablishadialogueamonggovernment,businessleaders,membersofthetechnologycommunity,andactivistsincivilsocietysotheycanleveragethisknowledgetofoster
theobjectivesabove.ThefirstInternetGovernanceForumtookplacein2006inAthens,Greece,andthesecondtookplaceinRiodeJaneiro,Brazil,in2007.TheeventsdrawadiversesampleofInternetstakeholders,fromInternetProtocolinventorsVintCerfandRobertKahntoyouthfuladvocatesintheir
20sonhandtofightforaccessforall.TopleadersfromICANN,ITU,UNESCO,OECD,WIPO,INTERPOL,theCouncilofEurope,theInternationalChamberofCommerce,SunMicrosystemsandMicrosoftattendthemeetingsonanequalfootingwithyoungstudentsbeingtrainedaboutInternetGovernanceissues
throughtheDiploFoundationandmembersofcivilsociety.
AftereachForum,staffwiththeIGFSecretariatappointedbytheUnitedNationsandmembersofaMultistakeholderGrouponInternetGovernanceplanthenextForumandreleasesummativereports
thatbuildabridgetothenextmeeting.DiscussionisongoingastowhethertheForumsmightultimatelygenerateaseriesofrecommendationsregardingdirectionstofollowinencouragingthepositivedevelopmentoffutureglobalpolicies.
OneofthegovernancebreakthroughstotakeplaceattheinitialIGFswastheformationofanumberof
“dynamiccoalitions”(DC)thatincludepeoplewithbackgroundsinacademia,civilsociety,business,government,thetechnologyindustryandkeyInternetgovernanceorganizationssuchasICANNandtheInternetSociety.TheseadhocgroupsmetandjoinedtogetherasaresultoftheirdiscussionsatIGF.
EachIGFDCaddressesaspecificissueonacontinuingbasisoutsidetherealmoftheForumaswellasduringtheannualevents.Amongthe14dynamiccoalitionsnowactivearethosecoveringgender,linguisticdiversity,childsafety,spam,globalwarmingandtheestablishmentofabillofrights.
Nearly1,400stakeholdersinthefutureoftheInternetattendedtheBrazilmeeting,whereheated
debatessurroundingkeyissueswereheard.Researcherswiththeweb‐basedprojectImaginingtheInternetconductedaglobalInternetpolicysurveyamongattendees.Thisreportdetailsthefindingsof
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thateffort,whichwassupportedbythePewInternet&AmericanLifeProjectandsponsoredbytheImaginingtheInternetCenteratElonUniversityinElon,NorthCarolina.
Figure1
WSISMandatetoEstablishtheInternetGovernanceForum(IGF)
METHODOLOGY
ImagingtheInternet’sonlinesurveywasdesignedtoaddressthekeyareasbeingtackledbyIGFparticipantsandwasadministeredon‐siteinBrazilNovember12‐15,2007.ThequestionswerecraftedafterareviewofthekeyissuesineachoftheareastobeaddressedattheIGFmeeting.Theareasof
policydiscussionare:access,diversity,openness,criticalInternetresourcesandsecurity.Eachpolicyareaiscomprisedofitsowncoreconcepts,andquestionsweredevisedtotestviewsaboutthoseconcepts.Areasinwhichglobalpolicymightbeimplementedwerealsoexplored.Thereviewofrelated
literaturefoundtensionbetweenglobalauthority,stateauthorityandlocalauthority.Thistensionandtheroleofeachofthestakeholderswereexploredinthesurvey.Additionally,respondentswereaskedtoweighinonregulatorymodelsthatarebeingdiscussedaroundtheglobeandthemarketplace
approachtoInternetgovernance.Surveytopicsrangedfromuser‐generatedcontenttothecontroversialissueofcontrolofdomainnamesandtheinabilitytocapturenativelanguages.Inall,the
72. We ask the UN Secretary-General, in an open and inclusive process, to convene, by the second quarter of 2006, a meeting of the new forum for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue—called the Internet Governance Forum (IGF).The mandate of the Forum is to:
a. Discuss public policy issues related to key elements of Internet governance in order to foster the sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development of the Internet;
b. Facilitate discourse between bodies dealing with different cross-cutting international public policies regarding the Internet and discuss issues that do not fall within the scope of any existing body;
c. Interface with appropriate inter-governmental organizations and other institutions on matters under their purview;
d. Facilitate the exchange of information and best practices, and in this regard make full use of the expertise of the academic, scientific and technical communities;
e. Advise all stakeholders in proposing ways and means to accelerate the availability and affordability of the Internet in the developing world;
f. Strengthen and enhance the engagement of stakeholders in existing and/or future Internet governance mechanisms, particularly those from developing countries;
g. Identify emerging issues, bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the general public, and, where appropriate, make recommendations;
h. Contribute to capacity building for Internet governance in developing countries, drawing fully on local sources of knowledge and expertise;
i. Promote and assess, on an ongoing basis, the embodiment of WSIS principles in Internet governance processes;
j. Discuss, inter alia, issues relating to critical Internet resources; k. Help to find solutions to the issues arising from the use and misuse of the Internet, of
particular concern to everyday users; l. Publish its proceedings
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surveypresented33questionstorespondents.1
Figure2ScreenCapturesofIGFonlinestudy
IGFplannersestablishedatown‐squareenvironmentattheRiodeJaneiromeetingvenuethatofferedattendeesapproximately60publiccomputerswithInternetaccessavailableforuse.RepresentativesofImaginingtheInternetsetupatableinthetownsquareandinterceptedattendeesandaskedthemto
participateinthesurveyofglobalInternetpolicyissues.Thesurveywasweb‐based,andparticipantstookitonline.Thesurveywasofferedinthreelanguages,English,SpanishandFrench.Themajorityofrespondents(67%)tookthesurveyinEnglish,19%tookitinSpanishand14%tookthesurveyinFrench.
RESPONDINGSAMPLE2
TheIGForganizersreporttheBrazilmeetingwasattendedby1,363participantsfrom109countries.In
all,206attendeescompletedoursurvey.Thatrepresentsabout15%ofconferenceregistrants.Respondentscamefrom65differentcountriesor60%ofthecountriesinattendance.Brazilianscomprised27%ofconferenceattendeesandweresimilarlyrepresentedinthisstudy.Othercountries
frequentlyrepresented:theUnitedStates(7%),India(3%),UnitedKingdom(3%),Australia(3%)andChina(2%).
Oneinfourrespondentswerewomen,andrespondentsrangedfrom19yearsoldto73yearsold,with
theaverageage41yearsold.
ThemajorityofrespondentsdescribedtheirrolewiththeInternetasanadvocate/voiceofthepeople/activistuser(26%).Thiswasfollowedby“educator”and“consultant”bothmakingup21%ofthesample.Researchscientistswere17%ofthesample,author/editorjournalistsandtechnology
1Sevenofthequestionsposedwereopen‐ended.Theseresponseswerecodedbyfourindependentcodersandcommonthemescollapsedfor
presentationinthisreport.Every10thopencodedcommentwascheckedforintercoderreliability.UsingCohen’skappa,intercoderreliabilityagainst10%ofthesample,kwasfoundtobe.89,averygoodrateofagreement.
2Fullsummariesofthesurveyfindingsanddemographicsareavailableatthecloseofthisreport.
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developer/administratoreachcomprised13%ofthesample.Businessleaderscomprised12%ofrespondentsandlegislators/politicians/lawyersmadeup6%.Therespondentsparticipatedina
conveniencesample–anyonewhochosetorespondtoourinvitationwasallowedtoparticipate.Thus,thisisnotarepresentativesurveyofattendeesoftheForumorofthelargercommunityofstakeholdersinfutureInternetpolicy‐makingandthereisnomarginoferrortoreport.Thesurveydoeshavevalueas
areadingofalargeanddiversenumberofparticipantsinthisInternetGovernanceForum.
WhenrespondentswereaskedwhattypeoforganizationtheyrepresentedintheirInternetwork,mostindicatedtheyworkedwithanon‐profitorganization(36%).Theothermost‐frequentresponseswereacollegeoruniversity(19%)oragovernmentagency(16%).Thismake‐upofrespondentsisconsistent
withtheattendeesattheconference,whichrepresentabroadspectrumofInternetstakeholders.
FINDINGS
WhatistheMOSTimportantInternetgovernanceissuetoday?
ThefivekeyareasbeingaddressedbytheInternetGovernanceForumsweretestedtoseewhichonewouldleadasbeingthemostimportant.Rankingfirstamongrespondentswas“improvingInternetaccess”(38%).Thiswasfollowedby1in5respondents’indicationthatallissuesbeingdiscussedatIGF
forumsareequallyimportant.Seventeenpercent(17%)indicatedthat“equitablecontrolofcriticalInternetresources”istheMOSTimportantInternetgovernanceissuetoday.
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Inthe“other”category,respondentsindicatedthatensuringchildprotectionandsafetyisthemostimportantissuefacingInternetgovernancetoday.Otherrespondentsindicatedthelackofglobalgovernanceandtransborderagreementsisthemostimportantissue.
TheInternetandCriticalResources
RespondentswereaskedaseriesofquestionsaboutcriticalInternetresources,theestablishmentofinfrastructureandend‐userdevicesthatbringstheInternettothepeople,andtheroletheseresourcesplayintheircommunities.Thevastmajority(87%)agreedthatareasoftheworldwithoutwidespread
Internetaccesswillonlyhavelimitedeconomicsuccess.
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RespondentsweresplitwhenaskediftheyagreedthattheInternethassuccessfullyconnectedthe
world.Whilethemajorityagreedwiththestatement(59%),oneinfourdisagreed.
TheInternetCorporationforAssignedNamesandNumbersisalarge,international,multistakeholder
groupthatmanagesInternetrootserversandassignsdomainnamesandInternetProtocoladdresses.DespitethefactthatithasbeenscalingandadjustingitsoperationstokeepupwiththegrowthoftheInternet,ICANNhasbeenatthecenterofsomeInternetgovernancecontroversyinrecentyears.While
itisaglobalorganizationwithgloballeadership,ICANNwasestablishedandisheadquarteredintheUnitedStatesandoperatesunderanagreementwiththeUSCommerceDepartment.ICANN’sUS‐centeredoriginsandthatcountry’scontinuinginfluence,thefactthatkeyrootserversarelocatedinthe
USandthefactthatthecorelanguageoftheInternet’sdomain‐namesystemisEnglisharejustafewoftheissuesunderchallenge.ICANNleadershavebeenmakingprogresstowardanewinternationalizeddomain‐namesystem,andtheorganizationintroduceditinabetaformatatIGFinBrazil,atalocationin
thepublicsquarenotfarfromthekiosksatwhichsurveyparticipantsofferedtheiranswersforthisweb‐basedstudy.
WhenqueriedabouttheworkoftheInternetCorporationforAssignedNamesandNumbers(ICANN),45%ofrespondentsagreedwiththestatementthatICANN“isnoteffectiveandshouldbeplacedina
moreneutral,globalcontrolstructure.”Twenty‐ninepercent(29%)disagreedwiththatstatementand26%remainedneutralontheissue.
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TheInternet’sCenterofGravity
SincesomeInternetgovernancestakeholderssaycontrolofthecriticalresourcesoftheInternetistooUS‐centricdespitetheeffortsofICANN,theInternetSociety,civil‐societygroupsandothergovernance
organizationstointernationalize,IGFattendeeswereaskedifthereisoneconcentratedlocationofcentralcontrolovertheInternet.Forty‐sevenpercent(47%)ornearlyhalfagreed“theInternethasnocenterofgravity”;36%disagreed.
Thosewhoseresponseindicatedthereisacenterofgravitywereaskedtofollowupbyfillingintheblank,“TheInternethasacenterofgravityanditislocated____________.”Fifty‐four(N=54)respondentsfilledintheblank.ThemajorityindicatedthecenterofgravityoftheInternetisinthe
UnitedStates(65%).Other“centers”ofInternetcontrolincludedtheGlobalWestandNorthofthe
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Equator,aswellasmajorITcompanies.Fourpercent(4%)indicatedthatuserswhocreatecontentarethe“centerofgravity”fortheInternet.
FundingtoEstablishCriticalInternetResources
DifferentmodelsforfundingcriticalInternetresources(infrastructuredeploymentandhardwaresuch
astheroutersandserversthatarethearchitectureoftheInternet)beingdiscussedintheglobalcommunityweretested.Receivingthemostsupportwastheencouragementofcommercialcompetitionasameanstolowerpricesandcreatemoreaccess;35%rankedthisoptionfirst.
Thesecond‐most‐frequentchoiceforfundingcriticalInternetresourceswasthateachindividualcountry
provideitsownfundingtoestablishInternetaccessforthosewhocannotaffordit(32%rankingitfirstasafundingoption).
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Oneinfourrespondentsrankedfirsttheestablishmentofaglobalfund,financedandrunbycommercialInternetcompanies,muchliketheuniversalservicefundestablishedbytelephoneandcablecompanies
intheUnitedStates.
Leastpopularamongrespondentswastheestablishmentofaglobaltax,collectedfromInternetusers
andmanagedbyanon‐UNnon‐governmentalorganization(NGO).
RespondentswereaskedtoconsideraseriesofstatementsabouttheimpactofcriticalInternetresourcesoneconomicandphysicalhealth,and3in4agreedthatInternetaccessreducespovertyandcreatesmoreandbetterjobs.Respondentsrejectedthestatementthatthereisnorealevidencethat
theInternetimpactstheseareas.
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Threeinfour(74%)disagreedwiththeobservationthattheInternetis“sofulloffolkloreandquackerythatthereisn’tanyreasonyettothinkthatitisimprovinghealthcare.”ThisfindingsuggeststhegloballegitimacyofInternetcontent.
SurveyparticipantswereprovidedanopportunitytolistthemostimportantconcernstheyhaveaboutthefutureofcriticalInternetresourcesandInternetgovernance,and112respondents–justabouthalf–didso.Thetopthreefutureconcernsincluded:
• Thatbroadbandprovidersexistingasmonopoliesintheircountrieswillcontrolthefinal
stagesofInternetdiffusionandcreateadependencyindevelopingnationsonthesecompanies,severalofwhichweredescribedashavingtheirownpoliticalagenda.
• TheimportanceofcriticalInternetresourcestodevelopingandmaintaininginclusive,humanisticpoliticalsystems.
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• CreatingasecureInternetwithstrongcontrolsforspam,childpornographyandsexualsolicitation,privacyprotectionsandtransactionalsecuritywhenconductingbusinessover
theInternet.
IssuesRelatedtoInternetACCESS
MostrespondentstotheInternetgovernancesurveyagreedthattheprimaryobstacletoInternetaccessformanypeopleacrosstheglobeisthecostoftheservice–about78%ofthestakeholdersresponding–
withjust11%indisagreementwiththestatement.
ThemajorityagreedthattoovercomecostissuesslowingthediffusionoftheInternetcommercialInternetprovidersshouldberequiredtoofferabasic,low‐costlevelofInternetservicetothosewho
cannotaffordtheserviceotherwise.
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Respondentsweresplitovertheamountoftelecommunicationsregulationinforcetoday.While47%agreedthat“toomuchregulationexiststoday”–roughlyoneinthree(30%)disagreedwiththat
description.
ClosingtheDigitalDivide
Aseriesofquestionswasaskedaboutcurrentmeasurestoprovideentrypointstoencouragedigital
inclusionandclosethedigitaldivide.Internetconnectionsandinstructioninschoolsonhowtousesuchconnectionswererankedfirstby49%ofrespondentsasthebestmeanstoprovideaccessanddigitalopportunity.
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PublicInternetkioskswererankedbehindthat,with32%ofrespondentsgivingthemfirst‐choicestatusasameanstoincreasedigitalinclusion.
Public‐privatepartnershipstoprovidelow‐costhardwareliketheOneLaptopPerChildprogramandcommunity‐accessmobilephonesweretheleastlikelytoberankedfirst,chosenby12to14%of
respondentsasafirst‐choiceoptionforincreasingdigitalinclusion.
21
TheUnitedNations’RoleandGlobalInitiativestoImproveACCESS
PotentialmethodsforimprovingdigitalinclusiondiscussedbyIGFparticipantsandinthenewsmedia
weretestedtogaugeIGFparticipants’support.WhenaskediftheUnitedNationsshouldcoordinateacoalitionofstakeholderstocreateaglobalfundtoprovideauniversalbasiclevelofInternetaccesstoeveryone,mostagreed(58%)andjust1in5disagreedwiththisconcept.
Additionally,mostrespondentsindicatedtheyareconfidentthatthiscanbeaccomplished,withthe
samenumbersupportingthemeasuredisagreeingwiththestatement,“AglobalsolutiontoensureindividualshaveInternetaccessisNOTpossible.”
22
Mostrespondentsalsoagreedthatanyglobalinitiativewouldrequiresupportfromtheirowncountries.Forty‐fourpercent(44%)agreedwiththeobservationthatleadershipfromtheircountry“istheonlymeanstoensureallofthepeopleinmycountryhaveInternetaccess.”
Themajority(77%)saiddigitalinclusionwillexpandsignificantlyonlyifopenandneutralcooperativeeffortbetweenlocalandglobalpoliciesisinplacetoassurethatcommercialinterestsandgovernmentssupporttheinitiative.
23
RespondentswereaskedtolistthemostimportantfutureconcernsaboutaccessandInternetgovernance,and67respondentsdidso.Thetopthreeresponses:
• EducationabouttheInternetwouldhelpexpandaccessbyimprovingpeople’s
“capacity”tounderstanditsusesandhowtouseit.• GovernmentinterventionisnecessarytoestablishfinalpointsofInternetaccess.
• PoliciesabouttheInternetshouldkeepitaneutralnetwork.
IssuesRelatedtoInternetDIVERSITY
PotentialglobalpoliciesrelatedtoInternetdiversityarebeingdebatedduringtheInternetGovernanceForums.Aseriesofquestionsaboutestablishingpoliciesintheseareaswastestedamongrespondents.
Themajority(77%)agreedthatglobalInternetpoliciesshouldbeestablishedtoensurethelanguagesoftheworldarerepresentedfairlyonline,andtheyindicatedthattheissueshouldbegivenmore
emphasis.
RespondentsweresplitastowhethertheInternetenhancestheirlocalculturebyprovidinganopportunitytoeducateothersviatheWeborwhetherpeople’suseoftheInternethasdiminishedtheirlocalculture.ThisdichotomydemonstratestheassetsanddeficienciesoftheInternet.Aplurality
disagreed(42%)thattheInternetishavinganegativeimpactontheirculture.
24
Aseriesofpotentialpolicyareasweretestedtodeterminewhetherglobalorlocalpoliciesaremostsupportedbystakeholdersasthebestmethodbywhichtoaddresstheissues.
SignificantsupportexistsforglobalpoliciestoestablishasetofprotocolsforInternetdesignthat
supportsthedisableduser(47%).
Globalpublicpoliciestoensurethatcontentreflectsthediversityofthepeopleoftheworldweresupportedbyhalfofrespondents.
25
Slightlylesssupport(46%)existsforestablishingglobalpublicpolicyrelatedtouser‐generatedcontent;39%indicatedthatlocalorcommercialprovidersshouldsetpoliciesrelatedtothisissueand10%saidit
isnotanInternet‐governanceissue.
ApluralityofrespondentssaidthequalityofInternetcontentis“notanInternet‐governanceissue,”although28%saiditshouldbeaddressedbyglobalpolicyand24%sawitasalocal‐policyissue.
26
ThemajorityfoundthatglobalpublicpoliciesshouldbeestablishedtopromotetheavailabilityoftheInternetinaneutral,equitablemanner.
WhenlistingtheirmostimportantfutureconcernsaboutDIVERSITYandInternetgovernance(N=52),mostindicatedtheirconcernsrelatedtoequalaccess.Mostcommonlyoccurringresponses:
• Equalaccesstoneutral,multi‐lingualcontentanduseofrootwebcodingthatsupports
thelanguagesoftheworld.• Positiveeffectsonlocalizationandculturepreservation.• Usabilityandopennesstoall,includingpeoplefromdevelopingcountriesandthe
disabled.
27
IssuesRelatedtoInternetOPENNESS
RespondentswereposedaseriesofquestionsaboutInternetopennessandpotentialpolicyareas.ThefirstexploredestablishingaglobalInternetusers’BillofRights;thisisthegoalofoneofthecurrently
establishedIGFdynamiccoalitions.Morethan66%ofrespondentssupportedtheconcept,andonly6%disagreed,suggestingthisisanopportunityforIGF.TheresponsestothissurveyindicatethataBillofRightsaddressingareaswhereInternetgovernancestakeholdersareinagreementshouldcoverthe
followingconcepts:theInternetshouldbeaccessibletoallpeopleoftheworld,itshouldbeavailableintheirnativelanguageandatanaffordablecost.ABillofRights,couldbethefoundationfromwhichotherInternetgovernancepoliciescouldbeestablished,suchasaglobalcybercrime‐fightingunit(highly
supportedbymostoftherespondentsinthisstudy).
Fifty‐ninepercent(59%)ofrespondentsdisagreedwiththestatement“MycountryshouldhavetherighttoapprovetheInternetcontentavailabletopeopleofmycountry.”Twenty‐eightpercentagreed.
28
RespondentshadmixedreactionstothepotentialforsuccessfullyachievingaglobalpolicyonInternetcontent.Oneinfoursaiditcanbedone;49%saiditcannotbeaccomplished.
Whiletheconfidenceinachievingitmightbelow,themajorityfeltthatglobalpolicyisneededtoensure
InternetusersareprovidedtherighttofreedomofexpressionontheInternet(76%).
ThemajorityalsoagreedthatcontentcontrolsweakentheusefulnessoftheInternet(62%),withjust18%respondingindisagreementwiththestatement.
29
EvenlesssupportexistsfortheconceptthatcommercialInternetserviceprovidersshouldhavetheabilitytocontrolcontent.ThemajoritydisagreedthatcontentcontrolsshouldrestwiththeInternet
servicecommercialproviders(63%).
AlmosthalfofrespondentsindicatedthatifglobalpoliciesweresomehowdevelopedtoapplyInternetcontentregulation,suchpolicieswouldnotbeenforceable.Aboutathirdofrespondents(34%)disagreedwiththisstatement.
30
WhenaskedaboutthemostimportantfutureconcernsaboutInternetgovernanceandtheconceptofopennessinanopen‐endedquestion(N=48),respondentsweremostlikelytomentiontheneedto
balancefreedomandsecurity.Amongthemost‐oftenoccuringconcerns:
• ThedifficultyinmaintainingcivillibertiesontheInternetwhilemaintaingasecure,cybercrimefreeInternet(N=19).
• Censorship,freespeechandgovernmentcontrol.• Affirmationthatself‐regulationisthebestInternetpolicytopreserveopenness.
IssuesRelatedtoInternetSECURITY
AnotherareaofemphasisattheInternetGovernanceForumisInternetsecurity;thisisnecessarytoconductbusinessandothercommunicationssafelyandtomaintaintheintegrityofinformationflow,a
requirementforthefurtherpositivediffusionoftheInternet.Respondentswereofferedaseriesofstatementsaboutsecurityissuesbeingdebatedlocallyandgloballyandaskedtoagreetodisagreewiththosestatements.
Thewidemajority(70%)agreedthatlocalgovernmentsshouldberesponsibleformaintainingasecure
Internetinfrastructure.
31
Morethanhalfofrespondents(56%)agreedwiththestatementthattheresponsibilityofInternetinfrastructuresecurityrestswiththecompaniesthatbuildit.
RespondentswereevenlysplitonthenotionthataglobalInternetpoliceforceshouldbeestablishedwiththespecificpurposeofprotectingtheInternet’shardwarearchitecture.Thirty‐eightpercent(38%)agreedwiththatconcept,whileanequalnumberdisagreed.Oneinfourremainedneutralontheidea.
32
Cybercrimewasmoreaggressivelyconsideredbyrespondentsasanareainneedofpolicing.Eightypercent(80%)ofrespondentsagreedthattheircountryshouldberesponsibleforensuringthatillegalactivityisnotbeingtransactedthroughtheuseoftheInternet.
Oneinthree(36%)agreedthatcommercialInternetserviceprovidersshouldalsopolicethisactivity,whilethemajoritydisagreed44%thatitistheresponsibilityoftheInternetserviceprovider.
33
Globalprotocolsforbusinesstransactionswereheavilysupportedbyrespondents,with81%inagreementandverylittledisagreement(4%).Thisoverwhleminglypositiveresponsesuggeststhatthe
commercialtransactionalnatureoftheInternetcouldbeoneoftheleadingenergiesbehindglobalpolicies.
Respondentswerealsoinclinedtosupport(58%)aglobalInternetsecuritypoliceforce,establishedforthepurposesoffightingcybercrime.Oneinfive(22%)disagreedwiththenotion.
34
Whenassessingthedifficultbalancebetweensecurityandprivacy,respondentsweremostlikelytosupporttheindividualInternetusers’righttoprivacy.Fiftypercent(50%)disagreedwiththenotionthatsecuritymeasuresoutweightheindividualuser’srights.Thirty‐fivepercent(35%),orroughly1in3,felt
thatitdoes.
WhilethereremainsagooddealofuncertaintywheretheultimateresponsibilityforInternetsecurity
rests–theindividualuserversusthegovernment–mostrespondentswerelikelytosayitisthe“government’sresponsibility”(42%),and30%supportedtheideathatitistheindividualuser’sresponsibility.
35
Whenaskedinopen‐endedfashionaboutthemostimportantfutureconcernsaboutInternetgovernanceandsecurity,responses(N=52)werevaried,withanemphasisontheindividualandcybercrime.Thetopthreeconcerns:
• BalancingcivillibertiesandthemaintenanceofasecureInternetforallpeople.• Fightingcybercrime.• Globalcooperationinsecurityinitiatives.
FutureGlobalInternetPolicies
GeneralthoughtsonInternetpolicieswerealsopresentedtorespondentstogaugewheretheystoodon
theroleofglobalgovernanceandthepotentialoftheInternetGovernanceForumtofostereffectivepolicies.Respondentswereaskedaseriesofquestionsaboutglobalpolicymakinganditspotential.
Themajorityofrespondents(77%)agreethattheInternetisatransborderresourcethatshouldbegovernedglobally.Thirteenpercent(13%)disagreedwiththisstatement,andtheremainderwere
uncertain.
36
Respondentsweresplitontheideathatindividualcountriesshouldbetheprimarydevelopersof
Internetgovernance.Forty‐onepercent(41%)agreedwiththestatementand39%disagreed.
WhenaskediffutureInternetgovernanceshouldbeabalancebetweenlocalandglobalpolicymaking,mostrespondentsagreedwiththestatement(77%).
37
Oneinfiverespondents(23%)agreedthatthephysicalcharacteristicsoftheInternetmakeitimpossibletogovern.Themajority(52%)disagreedwiththeidea,and25%neitheragreednordisagreed.
Whenaskedif“marketplacedemandandnotgovernment‐mandatedpublicpolicy”shouldbetheprimaryinfluenceroftheInternet’sfuture42%disagreed.Aboutthesamenumberagreed(38%)andnearly20%remainneutralonthestatement.Thisfindingdemonstratessomesupportforcommercial
solutionstoInternethurdles.
38
TogaugewhetherthereissomepredispositiontotreatingpolicymakingabouttheInternetlikeother
formsoftelecommunications,respondentswereaskedwhichofthefollowingservicestothehometheInternetismostlike:
‐broadcasttelevisionorradioservice
‐electricityservice‐telephoneservice‐newspapersubscriptions
‐mutlichannelcableorsatelliteservice‐waterservice‐thereisnocomparableservice
RespondentsweremostlikelytosaytheInternetisn’tlikeanyotherservicetothehome(46%).
Thenext‐most‐likelycomparisonwaswithtelephoneservice(16%).Inthe“other”categoryofthe
question,whichallowedforanopenanswer,somerespondentssaidtheInternetisacombinationof“alloftheabove,”otherssaiditislikenothingwehaveeverknownbeforeandonesaiditislikea“sewersystem”inthatwhatyouputin,yougetout.
39
ThesefindingssuggestthatfutureInternetpolicieswillbeuniqueandonlysomeelementsmightbe
successfullybasedonprevioustelecommunicationspolicymodels.
Whenaskedtoreacttothestatementthat“asystemismostinnovativeanddynamicifithasfewerpoliciesthanitisifithasmany,”respondentsweremostlikelytoagreethatfewerpoliciescreatea
moreinnovativeanddynamicsystem(69%).
40
However,respondentsindicatesomeuncertaintyastohowfartheInternetwillbeabletoprosperwithoutadditionalglobalpolicies.Forty‐onepercent(41%)agreedthattheInternetwillstillprosper
withoutglobalpolicies,while39%disagreedandoneinfiveremaineduncertain.
ThestakeholderssurveyedalsosaidthatpolicyresponseswillcontinuetolagduetotherapidevolutionoftheInternet;65%saidpublicpolicywillbe“onestepbehinddevelopment”becauseoftheInternet’s
quick‐pacedinnovationandexpansion.
41
ClosingQuestions
Respondentswereaskedinopen‐endedfashionabouttheonemostimmediatepublicpolicyfacingtheInternet(N=125).Themajorityofrespondentsreinforcedpreviouslymentionedideasaboutthe
importanceofestablishingaccessforall(N=29).ThiswascloselyfollowedbytheneedforasafeandsecureInternet(22)andadesirefora“lessisbetter”approachtoglobalpolicymaking(N=15).
WhenaskedaboutemergingconcernsforfutureInternetpublicpolicy(N=121),respondentsweremostlylikelytostressestablishingasafeandsecureInternetenvironment(N=24),strikingthebalance
betweenprivacyandgovernmentintervention(N=19)andtheneedforaffordableandeasieraccessibilityforall(N=17).
Inthefinalquestion,respondentswereaskediftherewasanythingthatwasn’taskedinthesurveythattheywouldliketoshare.Fifty‐five(N=55)respondentsprovidedadditionalinformation.Mostasked
howtheIGFcancreatenon‐bindingpoliciestogoverntheInternet,howtechnicalandfinancialhurdlesofInternetdeploymentcanbeovercometobringtheservicetoallpeopleandifglobalnationsatdifferentstagesofInternetdeploymentcancometogetherattheIGFandhaveacapacity‐building
exercise.
ConcludingObservations
AlthoughtherespondingstakeholderswouldpreferaslittleregulationaspossibleandtheysaypolicywillalwaystendtolagbehindtheInternet’srapidevolution,theyagreethatsomeglobalpoliciesare
desiredandachievableintheInternetgovernancearena.MostsaytheInternetisgovernable–thephysicalcharacteristicshavedevelopedtothepointnowatwhichsuchcontrolsarealreadybeingexercised.
Accesscontinuestobetheareawiththemostglobalenergyforpotentialpolicymaking.Themajorityofstakeholdersindicatedtheypreferamultiple‐measuresapproachforachievingaccessthatcentersaroundpoliciesatthelocalandgloballevel.Mostsupportreasonable,fairmarketplaceapproachesto
bringInternetaccesstothosestillunconnected.
StakeholdersrespondingtothisInternetgovernancesurveybelieveaccelerateddiffusionanddigitalinclusioncanbeachievedthroughglobalpoliciesandthatthisisthekeyareaforpolicymaking.Strongsupportforimprovingaccessthroughschoolsandeducationwasexpressedamongstakeholders.
Significantsupportwasalsoexpressedforestablishingglobalprotocolstoensurethesafetyofbusiness
transactionsontheInternet.ThisfindingsuggeststhatthecommercialapplicationsoftheInternetareastrongbasisforbuildingconsensusamongglobalstakeholdersonissuesofpolicy.Thesepoliciesarelikelytofindastronglevelofsupport,whereaspoliciesrelatedtoregulationofInternetcontentwillfind
theleastconsensus.
42
GlobalpolicymakerswilllikelyfindstrongdebatearoundthebalancebetweenmaintainingasafeandsecureInternetandprotectingusers’civilliberties.Thesetensionsmightbeeasedbyadoptingaglobal
InternetBillofRights,aconceptthathasstrongsupportamongstakeholders.
WhenrespondentswereaskedwhichoftwotraditionalforcesshouldshapetheInternet’sfuture–marketplacedemandorgovernment‐mandatedpolicy,thevotewassplitfairlyevenly.Inaddition,whenrespondentswereaskedwhichprevioustechnologytheInternetmostresemblestheysaiditis
unique.TheseareindicatorssupportingtheideathatagovernanceformatdifferentfromthoseappliedtopreviouscommunicationstechnologiesisnecessarytobestshapefutureInternetpolicy.Themultistakeholdermodel,anedges‐informat,isemployedbyIGF,ICANN,theInternetSocietyandother
organizationsthatarebuildingthepoliciesandstructuresunderpinningtheInternetbycombininginputfromrepresentativesfromtherealmsofbusiness,technology,NGOs,academiaandcivilsociety–theedges.
Whilemostsurveyedstakeholderssayasystemismostinnovativeanddynamicifitremainsas
unregulatedaspossible(70%),athirdsaytheInternetwillnotprosperwithoutadditionalglobalpolicies.Unfortunately,themajorityalsobelievespublicpolicywillalwaysremainastepbehindduetoacceleratingtechnologicaldevelopment.Thismakesitmoreimportantnowthaneverbeforefor
engagedstakeholderstoworktoanticipatefutureneedsandconcernsinordertoachievepositiveoutcomesastheyscaletheInternetupwardtomeettheneedsofbillionsmoreuserswhileretaininganopen,safeenvironmentforinnovation,discourse,sharingandconnection.
