Q4/2019 - Contract for the Web

Berlin, 25 September 2019

In November 2018, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, father of the World Wide Web, had proposed to draw up a new multistakeholder "Contract for the Web". After twelve months of discussion, the final version was opened for signature at the 14th IGF in Berlin on 23 November 2019. In his speech at the IGF, Sir Tim Berners-Lee said that the world had the choice between two kinds of web: controlled and censored or open and free. He valued the broad support for the "Contract for the Web" an encouragement and a source of hope to keep the Internet open and free. The "Contract for the Web" formulates nine principles that governments, companies and citizens should use as guidelines for their conduct on the Internet[1].

Over 1,000 organizations and individuals from more than 50 countries have signed the contract to date, including companies such as Google, Microsoft, Twitter, Facebook, Telefonica, DuckDuckGo and Reddit, as well as institutions such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Access Now, Reporters Without Borders, Public Knowledge, CIPESA and the Paradigm Initiative. The signing ceremony in Berlin was attended by German Economics Minister Peter Altmaier.

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Q4/2019
  1. [1] Contract for the Web, Berlin, 25. November 2019: „Principle 1 (Government) : Ensure everyone can connect to the Internet so that anyone, no matter who they are or where they live, can participate actively online by 1.1 Setting and tracking ambitious policy goals, 1.2 Designing robust policy-frameworks and transparent enforcement institutions to achieve such goals and 1.3 Ensuring systematically excluded populations have effective paths towards meaningful internet access Principle 2 (Government) Keeping all of the Internet available all of time so that no one is denied their right to fill Internet access by 2.1 Establishing legal and regulatory frameworks to minimize government triggered internet disruptions, and ensure any interference is only done in ways consistent with human rights law; 2.2. Creating capacity to ensure demands to remove illegal content are done in ways that are consistent with human rights law and 2.3 Promoting openness and competition in both internet access and content layers; Principle 3 (Governments): Respect and protect people´s fundamental online privacy and data rights so everyone can use the Internet freely, safely and without fear by 3.1. Establishing and enforcing comprehensive data protection and rights frameworks to protect people’s fundamental right to privacy in both public and private sectors, underpinned by the rule of law; 3.2. Requiring that government demands for access to private communications and data are necessary and proportionate to the aim pursued, lawful and subject to due process, comply with international human rights norms, and do not require service providers or data processors to weaken or undermine the security of their products and services; 3.3 Supporting and monitoring privacy and online data rights in their jurisdictions; Principle 4 (Companies): Make the Internet affordable and accessible to everyone so that no one is excluded from using and shaping the Web by 4.1 Crafting policies that address the needs of systematically excluded groups; 4.2 Working towards an ever-increasing quality of service and 4.3 Ensuring full use of the internet by all, through a close coordination with Government and Civil Society Principle 5 (Companies): Respect and protect people’s privacy and personal data to build online trust so people are in control of their lives online, empowered with clear and meaningful choices around their data and privacy by 5.1 Giving people control over their privacy and data rights, with clear and meaningful choices to control processes involving their privacy and data; 5.2 Supporting corporate accountability and robust privacy and data protection by design, carrying out regular and pro-active data processing impact assessments that are made available to regulators which hold companies accountable for review and scrutiny, to understand how their products and services could better support users’ privacy and data rights; 5.3 Making privacy and data rights equally available to everyone, giving users options to access online content and use online services that protect their privacy; Principle 6 (Companies): Develop technologies that support the best in humanity and challenge the worst so the web really is a public good that puts people first by 6.1 Being accountable for their work, through regular reports; 6.2 Engaging with all communities in an inclusive way; 6.3 Investing in and supporting the digital commons; Principle 7 (Citizens): Be creators and collaborators on the Web so the Web has rich and relevant content for everyone by 7.1 Being active participants in shaping the Web, including content and systems made available through it, Principle 8 (Citizens): Build strong communities that respect civil discourse and human dignity so that everyone feels safe and welcome online by 8.1 Working towards a more inclusive Web. Principle 9 (Citizens): Fight for the Web so the Web remains open and a global public resource for people everywhere, now and in the future by 9.1 Being active citizens of the Web. In: https://contractfortheweb.org/