Intermediary liability“Intermediary liability” describes the allocation of legal responsibility to content providers of all kinds for regulated categories of content. The presumption against governments imposing intermediary liability on online platforms for user-generated content on the platforms encourages user free expression, as well as platform innovation, and is often credited with facilitating the tremendous expansion of internet and mobile communications networks across the world.

GNI seeks to preserve and expand free-expression protections for individuals by protecting intermediaries throughout the ICT value-chain against liability for the speech of their users. Since 2009, GNI has issued numerous statements highlighting the importance of intermediary protections, engaged in open government consultations, and called attention to and expressed concern about problematic laws, policies, and actions in a number of countries and contexts.

The Rights Foundation: Building Human Rights into the Digital Services Act

May 25, 2020|events, feature, intermediary liability|

A virtual event featuring UN Special Rapporteur David Kaye, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović, and experts from GNI's multistakeholder membership.  Thursday, May 28, 2020, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. ET/ 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. CEST Register here by Tuesday, 26 May The Digital Services Act, a new overarching regulatory [...]

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

February 26, 2020|feature, intermediary liability, Issues, issues highlight, Jurisdictional Assertions & Limits, media releases, surveillance|

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.

GNI Joins Christchurch Call Advisory Network

November 27, 2019|intermediary liability, issues highlight|

The Global Network Initiative (GNI) is pleased to join the Christchurch Call Advisory Network, whose participating members were announced on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2019. “GNI’s multistakeholder membership looks forward to continuing to engage with participating governments, companies, and other stakeholders to address extremist [...]

GNI Submission to the Consultation on the UK Online Harms White Paper

July 2, 2019|feature, intermediary liability, Issues, issues highlight|

We are concerned that the approach outlined in the White Paper is both too broad and unnecessarily vague. We ask the government to take the time necessary to narrow and flesh-out its approach in more detail, in broad consultation with all stakeholders and before moving forward with legislation, in order to protect freedom of expression online, promote innovation and competition, and provide the coherence and certainty that the government seeks to deliver.

Letter to Prime Minister Ardern and President Macron on the Christchurch Call

May 13, 2019|feature, intermediary liability, issues highlight, Letter|

Given the potential ramifications for civil society, journalists, technology platforms, and global users, it is essential that the Christchurch Call is conducted in an open and inclusive manner. Substantively, GNI members underscore the importance of framing the call in international human rights language.

GNI Welcomes LIBE Committee Amendments, Calls for Further Changes to the Proposed European Regulation on Preventing the Dissemination of Terrorist Content Online

April 16, 2019|feature, intermediary liability, issues highlight, media releases|

Retaining amendments from the LIBE Committee, including the removal of problematic provisions on extra-legal referrals and proactive measures, is essential for human rights. But GNI remains concerned over one-hour timelines for removal and the role of non-judicial authorities in determining the legality of content.

GNI Expresses Concern About the Freedom of Expression and Privacy Implications of Australia’s “Sharing of Violent Abhorrent Material” Bill

April 5, 2019|feature, intermediary liability, Issues, issues highlight, media releases|

At a time when states around the world are considering various approaches to regulating Internet content, GNI is concerned that the government of Australia’s efforts to rush through the "Sharing of Violent Abhorrent Material" Bill could have significant negative impacts on freedom of expression and privacy for Internet users in Australia and beyond.

Understanding the Human Rights Risks Associated with Internet Referral Units

February 25, 2019|feature, intermediary liability, issues highlight, media releases|

A review of Europe’s Internet Referral Units shows the need for greater transparency, remedy, and accountability. The proposal in the draft EU terrorist content regulation to expand government take-down referrals to companies poses similar, if not greater, risks for users' freedom of expression and privacy.

GNI Submission on Draft Amendments to Intermediary Guidelines in India

January 31, 2019|feature, intermediary liability, Issues, issues highlight, Publication|

GNI is concerned the amendments, as drafted, would place significant pressure on a wide range of ICT companies to monitor Indian users’ activities, remove content, and hand over data in ways that could unnecessarily and inappropriately impact users’ freedom of expression and privacy.

GNI Statement on Europe’s Proposed Regulation on Preventing the Dissemination of Terrorist Content Online

January 15, 2019|feature, intermediary liability, Issues, issues highlight, media releases, Publication|

As drafted, the proposed European regulation on preventing the dissemination of terrorist content could unintentionally harm users’ rights and undermine legitimate efforts to document and counter extremists’ online activity.
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