Internet governance in September 2017

Proposals from European countries to change the rules regarding the taxation of Internet companies, continuous developments in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), and increased governmental pressures on technology companies to remove extremist content were among the main digital policy developments in the month of September.

These and other developments, trends, and regional updates were the subject of September’s just-in-time briefing on Internet governance – our monthly appointment on the last Tuesday of every month – which took place on 26 September 2017. They were also summarised in the Internet Governance Barometer for September, and in Issue 24 of the Geneva Digital Watch newsletter, published on 29 September 2017.

Ms Marilia Maciel, Digital Policy Senior Researcher at DiploFoundation, gave an overview of the main digital policy updates in September, including: BRICS leaders expressing support for the central role of the UN in developing norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace; EU’s plans to strengthen ENISA, its network and information security agency, as part of broader efforts to better prepare the Union for dealing with cyber-attacks; the fine imposed by the Spanish data protection agency on Facebook for collecting personal data from users without informing them of how it would be used; and the US Department of Justice’s statement according to which Google will start complying with search warrants requiring it to produce data stored in its servers overseas.

Continuing the briefing, Dr Stephanie Borg Psaila, Director of Digital Policy at DiploFoundation, gave an overview of the top trends in digital policy in September:

• Push to tax Internet giants accelerating. As Internet companies are taking advantage of ‘loopholes’ in incoherent tax rules, countries are trying to eliminate this practice. In Europe, new proposals for tax rules would see Internet companies taxed on revenues, as opposed to profits (proposal by France, Germany, Italy, and Spain), and where value is created (proposal by Estonia). The proposals were received with reticence by some EU member states, and it is uncertain whether a common understanding will be reached.
• AI: an international race in the making? The month of September saw more countries focusing on AI: a research institute was opened in Australia, while a task-force set up by the Indian government started exploring ways to leverage AI for the benefit of the Indian economy and workforce. With new developments also came new warnings: Russian president Vladimir Putin stated that the leader in AI would become the ruler of the world, while Tesla CEO Elon Musk warned that competition for AI superiority could lead to the third world war.
• More pressure on Internet companies to remove extremist content. The fight against online extremist content was among the main digital policy issues raised during the general debate marking the start of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly. France, the UK, and the EU were among the delegations that pointed out the challenge of removing extremist content from online platforms. The topic also featured in side-events discussions with tech companies.
• Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) facing uncertain future in China. Authorities in China have banned ICOs (used by start-ups to attract investment through new cryptocurrencies) and ordered the return of any investments made through these platforms.
• Uber banned in more locations. London’s transport regulator announced it would not renew Uber’s licence due to ‘a lack of corporate responsibility in relation to a number of issues which have potential public safety and security implications. 

Present at the briefing, Ms Lynn St. Amour, Chair of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG), and Mr Chengetai Masango, Program and Technology Manager at the IGF Secretariat, gave an update on the state of preparations for the upcoming IGF meeting, to be held on 18-22 December, in Geneva.

Regional perspectives from GIP hubs

Andre Edwards gave an overview of several digital policy developments from the Caribbean region:

The Caribbean Court of Justice announced the launch of a custom software suite designed to help the region’s courts streamline and improve essential services. Telecom companies worked to reconnect Caribbean islands post Hurricane Irma, and a restoration hub was established in Antigua to bring services back online in affected islands.

Jacob Odame-Baiden provided updates from Africa:

Togo experienced Internet shutdowns, with services from most ISPs, especially in the capital Lome, not being accessible for several days. In a bid to offer protection against terrorists’ fraudulent use of mobile phones and SIM cards registered under aliases and stolen identities, authorities in Cote d’Ivoire have announced that all Ivorian mobile phone subscribers have six months to update and confirm their identification to the regulatory authority.

Providing updates from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region:

Noha Fathy started by talking about new regulations on social media introduced in Iran. The regulation, introduced by the country’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace, demands social media and messaging platforms to move their servers inside Iran. A bill on biometrics identification awaits a vote in the Tunisian parliament. The bill, which requires Tunisians to hold a national ID with encoded sensitive data including photograph, digitised fingerprint, social security number, and home address, was criticised by human rights defenders over privacy and data protection concerns.