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Online Safety Under Repressive Regimes: What is the Responsibility of Technology Companies?

Moderator

Shelly Han

Policy Advisor

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Witnesses

Amol Mehra

Coordinator

International Corporate Accountability Roundtable

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Susan Morgan

Executive Director

Global Network Initiative

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Meg Roggensack

Senior Adviser

Global Network Initiative

In this briefing, which Commission policy advisor Shelly Han moderated, attendees discussed implications of Internet policy. While the Internet has revolutionized communication and advocacy avenues, it has also revolutionized how governments can monitor and acquire private details about citizens at very little cost. In countries that have repressive regimes, this is certainly no exception.

An ability to easily and cheaply collect information on individuals via the Internet, coupled with negligence towards human rights, has resulted in dire situations. “The issue of corporate responsibility and accountability is critical since the Internet that we use every day is run by private companies.” The briefing then examined the trajectory of the Internet concerning corporate responsibility, as well as the how the Internet had matured since its start.

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