surveillance | Global Network Initiative

GNI Expresses Concerns About and Calls on Indonesia to Reconsider the ‘MR5’ Regulation

"MR5" regulation in Indonesia, for which implementation is currently postponed, features problematic elements similar to those we have highlighted in other recent digital regulations: broad, vague definitions of companies and content in scope, significant threats of penalties for noncompliance, including to required local company contacts, and exceptional powers to access company data — both metadata and content of communications — including a potential direct access arrangement.

Chris Sheehy2021-06-11T15:21:46+00:00June 11, 2021|Categories: feature, intermediary liability, Issues, issues highlight, media releases, surveillance|Tags: Direct Access, Indonesia|

GNI Encourages Lawmakers to Address Government Procurement of User Data

GNI encourages lawmakers to examine the practice of government procurement of user data and support legislative efforts to ensure that government agencies are not procuring such data in order to avoid or circumvent legal requirements that would otherwise apply.

Chris Sheehy2021-06-09T12:43:39+00:00June 9, 2021|Categories: feature, Issues, issues highlight, surveillance|Tags: Data Brokers|

Defining Direct Access: GNI calls for greater transparency and dialogue around mandatory, unmediated government access to data

This web page calls attention to legal and technical arrangements that allow government authorities to access data streams directly – that is, without having to request data from, or even notify, the service providers that collect and/or transmit the data. Read more for the full GNI statement, "defining direct access", plus a one-page visual explainer and related resources.

Chris Sheehy2021-06-03T18:39:31+00:00June 3, 2021|Categories: feature, Issues, issues highlight, surveillance|Tags: Direct Access, Privacy, surveillance|

Privacy and Artificial Intelligence: GNI Input to UN Human Rights Thematic Report

GNI welcomes this opportunity to provide input to UN Human Rights on the preparation of the thematic report on artificial intelligence and the right to privacy. In our submission, we outline risks and opportunities for human rights, recommended safeguards, and legal and regulatory considerations to ensure the increasing adoption of AI technologies contributes to the promotion and protection of the right to privacy.

Chris Sheehy2021-05-28T19:45:09+00:00May 28, 2021|Categories: intermediary liability, Issues, issues highlight, media releases, surveillance|Tags: Algorithms, artificial intelligence, Privacy, United Nations|

GNI Analysis: Information Technology Rules Put Rights at Risk in India

Recently notified IT Rules in India, which follow a previous draft GNI commented on in early 2019, continue to pose significant risks for freedom of expression and privacy. Read GNI's letter to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and corresponding analysis of the Rules.

Chris Sheehy2021-03-30T19:55:06+00:00March 30, 2021|Categories: feature, intermediary liability, Issues, issues highlight, media releases, Publication, surveillance|Tags: censorship, India, Information Technology, Privacy|

GNI Statement of Concern on Proposed Cybersecurity Law in Myanmar

Given the severe social, economic, and human rights consequences that the draft cybersecurity law is likely to have on both users and companies inside the country, GNI calls on the Myanmar military to withdraw and reconsider the law.

Chris Sheehy2021-02-18T18:05:53+00:00February 12, 2021|Categories: feature, intermediary liability, Issues, issues highlight, media releases, network disruptions, surveillance|Tags: Myanmar, network disruptions, surveillance|

GNI Expresses Concern About Proposed ‘Fake News’ Law in Brazil

Several provisions of the proposed "Law of Freedom, Responsibility, and Transparency on the Internet” in Brazil would be counterproductive to the stated intent of the bill and pose risks for freedom of expression and privacy. Brazil’s legislature should heed calls from international experts and civil society and take care to respect the rights enshrined in Marco Civil by rejecting the bill and engaging in meaningful and transparent multi-stakeholder consultation to find a truly rights-respecting way forward.

Chris Sheehy2020-07-01T20:38:44+00:00June 29, 2020|Categories: feature, intermediary liability, Issues, issues highlight, surveillance|Tags: brazil, Traceability|

GNI Hosts Learning Calls on COVID-19 and Freedom of Expression and Privacy

With over 100 individuals from GNI members in attendance, the calls discussed the opportunities and risks of using ICT company data to respond to the pandemic, as well as the impact of different government measures on the flow of important health information.

Chris Sheehy2020-04-08T16:39:00+00:00April 8, 2020|Categories: feature, issues highlight, media releases, network disruptions, surveillance|Tags: Coronavirus, COVID19, Public Health Data|

GNI Expresses Serious Concern Regarding Pakistan’s Rules Against Online Harm

The Citizens Protection (Rules Against Online Harm) 2020, approved by the Government of Pakistan on 21 January 2020, creates significant risks for the privacy and free expression rights of ICT users both within and outside of Pakistan.

Chris Sheehy2020-04-14T12:55:58+00:00February 26, 2020|Categories: feature, intermediary liability, Issues, issues highlight, Jurisdictional Assertions & Limits, media releases, surveillance|

GNI Letter to Independent National Security Legislation Monitor of Australia

GNI wrote to the Australian INLSM, Dr. James Renwick, to underscore critical considerations for fit-for-purpose, human rights-oriented oversight mechanisms and maxium transparency and accountability in the Assistance and Access Bill. The letter followed a recent consultation with Dr. Renwick and GNI non-company members and other partners, informing the INSLM's legislative review.

Chris Sheehy2021-03-11T18:26:06+00:00December 20, 2019|Categories: Issues, issues highlight, surveillance|Tags: Australia|