Internet Policy

Policies can either improve the Internet or harm it for us all.

Policies can either improve the Internet or harm it for us all.

Under pressure from social challenges and business interests, governments’ efforts to regulate various aspects of the Internet are intensifying worldwide. But even well-meaning policies can undermine the Internet’s global nature and core infrastructure—by design or by accident.

The Internet works best for everyone when the technical community and civil society are at the decision-making table. We help governments make informed decisions by educating policymakers on how the Internet actually works.

Internet Policy

Policies can either improve the Internet or harm it for us all.

people sitting on a hillside, focused on a cell phone

Under pressure from social challenges and business interests, governments’ efforts to regulate various aspects of the Internet are intensifying worldwide. But even well-meaning policies can undermine the Internet’s global nature and core infrastructure—by design or by accident.

The Internet works best for everyone when the technical community and civil society are at the decision-making table. We help governments make informed decisions by educating policymakers on how the Internet actually works.

Key Internet Policy Links

Key Internet Policy Links

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How Policymakers Run the Internet

Internet policy is shaped by a global ecosystem of legislators, regulators, international organizations, civil society groups, and technical and policy experts.

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Understanding Internet Intermediaries

Internet intermediaries are crucial to the Internet’s existence. Read our policy framework for Internet intermediaries and content.

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Promoting Internet Governance

The Internet works best when it is governed by many. We advocate for a multistakeholder approach to Internet governance, where all interested actors can participate.

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Influencing Policy in the Courts

Our Amicus Program gives the Internet a voice in courts worldwide, where legal decisions, interpretations, and regulations affect the functioning of the Internet.

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How to Advocate for the Internet

It’s up to all of us to protect and defend what the Internet needs to exist and thrive. Learn more about what you can do to make a difference.

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Keeping the Internet Open

Any policy or decision that undermines the open, global, interoperable nature of the Internet contributes to fragmentation.

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Keeping the Internet Secure

Encryption empowers people and keeps them safe online. It is a vital tool for protecting ourselves in a digital society.

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Connecting People to the Internet

We help craft and promote policies for different regulatory and legislative bodies that enable people to connect to the Internet.

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Analyze a Law Proposal

Explore our toolkit to learn more about building strong arguments to defend the Internet and assessing how policies may impact it.

Encryption Protects Everyone

Encryption Protects Everyone

We organized a workshop in Brussels for civil society organizations to explore legislative threats to encryption and to develop joint policy strategies to help reach and inform policymakers about the importance of encryption for everyday users.

Hear from the participants about their experience and why they are passionate about advocating for strong encryption.

Latest Updates

Latest Updates

Internet Society: Official Member of APT

On 1 May, 2012, the Internet Society (ISOC) through the Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau based in Singapore, became an official member …

Internet Society Statement for WIPO Diplomatic Conference on the Protection of Audiovisual Performances

Constance Bommelaer, Director, Public Policy 20-26 June, Beijing It is a great pleasure for the Internet Society to be here, …

International Proposals to Regulate the Internet

Testimony of Sally Shipman Wentworth, Senior Manager of Public Policy for the Internet Society before the House Energy and Commerce …

Internet Society’s Sally Wentworth Testifies Before U.S. House of Representatives on International Internet Regulations

  Expresses concern on pending international proposals that pose a potential threat to the innovative, collaborative, and open nature of …

Statement by Markus Kummer at CSTD meeting on enhanced cooperation on public policy issues pertaining to the Internet

Statement by Markus Kummer, Vice-President for Public Policy, The Internet Society I am very honored to be part of this …

Data Privacy on a global scale: keeping pace with an evolving environment

A report from a roundtable organised by the Internet Society at the WSIS Forum on 16 May 2012 at Geneva, Switzerland …

Clear Correlation between Local Content, Internet Development and Access Prices

  UNESCO, OECD and Internet Society study presented at the WSIS Forum 2012 in Geneva [GENEVA, 15 May 2012]– Research …

Assessing National Internet Governance Arrangements

This report is the first of two pieces of work by ict Development Associates (ictDA) for the Internet Society (ISOC) …

Collaborative Leadership Exchange (CLX) 2012

The Collaborative Leadership Exchange was a prelude to Global INET 2012, and was designed to provide participants with a range …

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