[Chapter-delegates] NEWS RELEASE: Internet Society Statement on the Importance of Open Global Dialogue Regarding Online Privacy

[Veni Markovski]

Good!
Can't read it right now, but hope it is with all right stuff!

On Wednesday, June 12, 2013, Wende Cover wrote:

>  [Washington, D.C. and Geneva, Switzerland -- 12 June 2013]  The Internet
> Society has noted recent revelations regarding the apparent scope of U.S.
> government efforts to gather large amounts of end user information from
> U.S. Internet and telecom service providers for intelligence purposes. We
> are deeply concerned that the unwarranted collection, storage and potential
> correlation of user data will undermine many of the key principles and
> relationships of trust upon which the global Internet has been built. The
> impact of this action is not limited to U.S. users or companies, but has
> implications for Internet users around the globe.****
>
> ** **
>
> While government plays an important role in protecting its citizens and
> there is a need for better approaches to address online security, the
> Internet Society strongly believes that real security can only be realized
> within a broader context of trust and the respect of fundamental rights,
> such as privacy. The Internet Society, along with many other organizations
> and individuals around the world, expect governments to respect and protect
> the basic rights of their citizens – including the right to privacy both
> offline and online – as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human
> Rights.****
>
> ** **
>
> The U.S. Government has previously taken an active role in championing
> these rights in the international sphere. For example, the U.S. played a
> leadership role in the adoption of the Human Rights Council Resolution
> A/HRC/RES/20/8, which re-affirmed that fundamental rights are applicable to
> individuals’ activities in the online environment as well, including
> privacy and freedom of expression. This means that restrictions of rights
> should be exceptional and conform to internationally accepted criteria such
> as: provision by law; pursuing a legitimate purpose; proven as necessary
> and the least restrictive means required to achieve the purported aim.
> Users naturally have higher expectations of governments who have adopted
> these international standards.****
>
> ** **
>
> The Internet must be a channel for secure, reliable, private communication
> between entities and individuals. Consensus for internationally recognized
> data protection standards has been formed through agreements constituting
> key building blocks of online trust, including the *OECD Guidelines on
> the Protection of Privacy and Transborder Flows of Personal Data*, the
> Council of Europe *Convention for the Protection of Individuals with
> Regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data*, the EU Data Protection
> framework, and the *APEC Privacy Framework and Cross Border Privacy Rules
> system.* ****
>
> ** **
>
> Emerging revelations about alleged U.S. programs to gather information
> about Internet users raise clear questions about the extent to which
> individuals’ expectations of privacy have been compromised. This kind of
> collection of user information is at odds with the commitments governments
> around the world have made with respect to protection of personal data and
> other human rights. We would expect any government signing onto these
> principles to fully engage with its citizens in an open dialogue when
> seeking to achieve both the protection of individual rights and national
> security. We also need to challenge the view that there always has to be a
> trade-off between ensuring security and protecting users’ rights. ****
>
> ** **
>
> The Internet Society is also deeply concerned that alleged programs and
> similar efforts by other governments will have a chilling effect on the
> deployment and adoption of technical solutions for establishing trusted
> connections online. This kind of trust-enabled infrastructure is needed to
> maintain global interoperability and openness.  The Internet is global –
> the impact of programs like these is not limited to the specific country in
> question but rather reverberates across the globe to users everywhere.****
>
> ** **
>
> The revelations of recent days underscore the importance of an open global
> dialogue regarding online privacy in the realm of national security and the
> need for all stakeholders to abide by the norms and principles outlined in
> international agreements on data protection and other fundamental rights.
> Trusted interactions in cyberspace are critical not only for the future of
> the Internet, but also for continued innovation, economic and political
> progress and a vibrant global community.  Users need clear and realistic
> expectations of online privacy that are respected by governments and
> enterprises alike, so that they can continue to use the Internet in ways
> that enhance all of society.****
>
> ** **
>
>
> http://www.internetsociety.org/news/internet-society-statement-importance-open-global-dialogue-regarding-online-privacy
> ****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>


-- 
Best,
Veni
http://veni.com
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https://twitter.com/veni

***
The opinions expressed above are those of
the author, not of any organizations,
associated with or related to him in
any given way.
***


== Sent from my phone, so any spelling mistakes are caused by the
touchscreen keyboard. That's a nice excuse, isn't it;-)
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