Internet Way of Networking

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The Internet has radically transformed our lives for the better.

In just a few decades, it’s rapidly become a critical resource offering those with access virtually infinite opportunities to innovate and work together for the collective good.

This didn’t happen by accident. The Internet owes its strength, resilience, and success to its open architecture. It was literally built to be built upon.

But what makes it great also makes it vulnerable. Governments and businesses are increasingly making decisions that could impact the Internet – and they might not even know it.

If we don’t consider how our actions could harm the Internet, we risk breaking the underlying foundation that makes it work for everyone.

That is why the Internet Society has created the Internet Impact Assessment Toolkit.

The Internet Impact Assessment Toolkit

The toolkit is a regulatory assessment tool to help policymakers, technologists and Internet users analyze how decisions and trends could impact the architecture of the Internet. It defines the critical properties that underpin the Internet’s success and helps us ensure our actions allow the Internet to reach its full potential – and bring connectivity, innovation, and empowerment to everyone.

Want to help protect what makes the Internet work for everyone?

Get to Know the Internet Way of Networking

Learn about the critical properties of the Internet Way of Networking that underpin the Internet’s success.

Read the toolkit

Use the Toolkit

Have you spotted a policy, technology development or trend that could harm the Internet’s foundation?

Take this questionnaire to find out if it needs an Internet Impact Assessment.

Grow the Toolkit

Contribute to the growing body of knowledge that helps people protect the Internet’s foundation for success.

Explore the use cases

Spread the Word

Share the Toolkit with your local policymakers to make sure their work supports an Internet for everyone.

Share the toolkit

The Internet Way of Networking News

European Union’s Network and Information Security Directive Threatens Internet with Fragmentation and Creates Security Risks

Internet Way of Networking 15 October 2021

European Union’s Network and Information Security Directive Threatens Internet with Fragmentation and Creates Security Risks

The second iteration of the European Union’s Network and Information Security Directive, NIS 2, was written with good intentions....

WhatsApp users rush for alternatives during long service failure

In the News 5 October 2021

WhatsApp users rush for alternatives during long service failure

The National

Should Information Flows Be Controlled By The Internet Plumbers?

In the News 28 September 2021

Should Information Flows Be Controlled By The Internet Plumbers?

Techdirt

The EU’s Push to Regulate ‘Big Tech’ Platforms Is Already Getting Messy

In the News 3 August 2021

The EU’s Push to Regulate ‘Big Tech’ Platforms Is Already Getting Messy

TECHregister

Hong Kong constitutional affairs minister defends anti-doxxing bill’s ‘reasonable balance’ as another group warns of potential for misuse

In the News 21 July 2021

Hong Kong constitutional affairs minister defends anti-doxxing bill’s ‘reasonable balance’ as another group warns of potential for misuse

msn

How Working ‘The Internet Way’ Helped the Middle East and North Africa Score Social and Economic Benefits

Internet Way of Networking 9 July 2021

How Working ‘The Internet Way’ Helped the Middle East and North Africa Score Social and Economic Benefits

In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), some countries have responded to the challenges of the global pandemic...

Internet Impact Assessment Toolkit: Introduction

The Internet Way of Networking is a positive framework that lets us test whether new ideas support the best...
The Internet Way of Networking: Defining the critical properties of the Internet

To sustain the Internet’s value for our future, we need to recognize and protect what makes it unique.
Internet Way of Networking Use Case: Interconnection and Routing

How regulatory policy on routing and interconnection, and reduced autonomy of operators impact the Internet Way of Networking
Internet Way of Networking Use Case: Intermediary Liability

Intermediary liability protection and the Internet Way of Networking
Internet Way of Networking Use Case: Data Localization

This use case analyzes the effect that government policies regarding data localization may have on the Internet Way of...
Fact Sheet: Internet Way of Networking

We believe the Internet is for everyone, but it’s not just our privilege to use. It’s our responsibility to...
Discussion Paper: An analysis of the “New IP” proposal to the ITU-T

The Internet continues to evolve at a rapid pace. New services, applications, and protocols are being developed and deployed...