Letters

GNI Signs Joint Letter Concerning Australian Basic Online Safety Expectations (BOSE)

Idan Ben Yakir2022-02-07T15:35:31+00:00November 12, 2021|intermediary liability, Issues, legal frameworks, Letter|

In November 2021, GNI signed onto a joint organization letter authored by DIGI and submitted to Australian officials in response to Australia’s proposed Basic Online Safety Expectations (BOSE) Determination. The letter, which was co-signed by 11 organizations in Australia and internationally and is available for view here, details concerns regarding [...]

GNI Letter and Analysis: Draft Digital Platform Regulation in Chile

Chris Sheehy2021-10-29T13:31:30+00:00October 27, 2021|feature, intermediary liability, Issues, issues highlight, Letter, media releases|

A proposed draft bill to regulate digital platforms in Chile — built around the concept of "digital freedom of expression — is likely to undermine these very rights. We articulate these concerns in our letter to lawmakers in Chile and subsequent analysis.

GNI Letter and Analysis: Draft “Childhood Protection Law” in Colombia

Chris Sheehy2021-11-30T02:21:19+00:00August 30, 2021|feature, intermediary liability, Issues, issues highlight, Letter, media releases|

The protection of the rights of children and adolescents are important and admirable aims, which GNI fully supports. However, as drafted, the proposed "childhood protection law" poses significant risks for freedom of expression and privacy, reflecting a rushed process, and including vague definitions, broad enforcement authorities for the executive, and significant obligations for intermediaries, including content filters.

GNI Letter to UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan: Restrictions on Freedom of Expression in Myanmar

Chris Sheehy2020-11-05T15:05:46+00:00October 30, 2020|feature, intermediary liability, Issues, issues highlight, Letter, media releases, network disruptions|

In a letter to UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan, GNI raises concerns about ongoing restrictions on digital communications in Myanmar, including network disruptions, website blocking, and efforts by governmental actors to manipulate social media platforms.

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

Chris Sheehy2019-05-14T14:47:04+00:00May 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 Joins Broad Coalition Opposing US Department of Homeland Security Social Media Password Requirement Proposal

2019-01-13T17:01:14+00:00February 21, 2017|feature, Issues, Letter, surveillance|

The US Government risks setting a dangerous global precedent as foreign governments implement similar password requirements at their borders.

GNI Joins Coalition Opposing Proposal to Bar Privacy and Civil Liberties Board From Considering the Rights of Non-U.S. Persons

2019-01-13T17:02:41+00:00June 24, 2016|Issues, Letter, media releases, surveillance|

The coalition, which consisted of civil society groups, companies, and trade associations, urges the U.S. Senate to oppose a provision in the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY 2017 (Act, S. 3017). Read more for the full letter.

GNI adds its Voice to the #SecureTheInternet Campaign in Support of Encryption

Chris Sheehy2019-01-13T17:03:50+00:00January 11, 2016|Issues, Letter, media releases, surveillance|

Encryption and anonymity are foundations for freedom of expression and privacy around the world.

GNI Joins Coalition Letter to Senate regarding Section 603 of Intelligence Authorization Act

2019-01-29T16:27:21+00:00August 4, 2015|Issues, Letter, media releases, surveillance|

The Global Network Initiative (GNI) joined human rights and civil liberties organizations and trade associations to convey its concerns with a provision in the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (S. 1705) in a coalition letter to Senate.

GNI Joins Coalition Letter on Surveillance Reform

2019-01-29T16:35:59+00:00September 30, 2014|Issues, Letter, media releases, surveillance|

The Global Network Initiative joined a coalition letter signed by members of Congress, former government officials, civil society organizations and companies to urge the Obama Administration to reform surveillance practices under Executive Order 12333.

Open Letter to UK Prime Minister on the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill

2019-01-13T20:44:03+00:00July 14, 2014|Issues, Jurisdictional Assertions & Limits, Letter, media releases, surveillance|

We urge reconsideration of the fast-track timeline of the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers (DRIP) Bill to provide adequate opportunity for Parliamentary scrutiny and public debate.

GNI Writes to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Privacy in the Digital Age

David Sullivan2019-01-29T16:37:39+00:00February 24, 2014|Issues, Letter, media releases, surveillance|

GNI Letter to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights - Feb 2014 The Global Network Initiative has written to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the occasion of an expert seminar on the right to privacy in the digital age organized by the Permanent Missions of Austria, Brazil, Germany, Liechtenstein, Mexico, [...]

Civil Society Groups and Tech Companies Call for Surveillance Reform

David Sullivan2019-01-29T16:39:58+00:00November 21, 2013|Issues, Letter, media releases, surveillance|

The Global Network Initiative joined a broad coalition of civil society groups, trade associations, companies and investors, signing an open letter to Congressional leadership calling on Congress to reform U.S. intelligence surveillance practices. “Recent disclosures regarding intelligence surveillance activity raise important concerns about the privacy and security of communications. This surveillance has already [...]

GNI Writes to the Governments in the Freedom Online Coalition

David Sullivan2019-01-29T15:48:06+00:00September 19, 2013|Issues, Letter, media releases, surveillance|

The Global Network Initiative has written to the governments in the Freedom Online Coalition, asking them to report on the requests they make for electronic communications surveillance and to make it legally possible for companies to report regularly to the public on the government requests that they receive from law [...]

GNI Responds to Bytes For All, Pakistan

David Sullivan2019-02-01T16:09:30+00:00July 30, 2013|Letter, media releases|

GNI Letter to Bytes for All - July 2013 On July 30, 2013, GNI wrote to Pakistani human rights organization Bytes For All, formally responding to the open letter they sent to GNI on July 17, 2013. The text of GNI's response is below: ----- Dear Shahzad, Subject: Open Letter in Response to [...]

The Global Network Initiative Joins Internet Companies & Advocates to Demand More Transparency Around Government Surveillance

David Sullivan2019-01-29T16:42:58+00:00July 18, 2013|Issues, Letter, media releases, surveillance|

We Need to Know - Transparency Letter The Global Network Initiative has joined a coalition of technology companies and advocates for free speech and privacy rights to deliver a letter to the US government demanding greater transparency around national security-related surveillance of Internet and telephone communications. Organized by GNI member the Center for [...]

GNI’s Submission to the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights

David Sullivan2019-01-29T16:45:16+00:00January 12, 2012|Letter, media releases|

GNI Letter to UN WG on Business and Human Rights The Global Network Initiative submitted the following letter to the UN Working Group on business and human rights. Our submission and that of other stakeholders can also be viewed on their website. December 8, 2011 UN Working Group on Human Rights [...]

Open Letter on Freedom of Expression, Intellectual Property and H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act

David Sullivan2019-01-29T16:47:14+00:00November 15, 2011|Letter, media releases|

On 15 November 2011, GNI wrote to the Committee on the Judiciary of the U.S. House of Representatives about freedom of expression, intellectual property and H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act. The text of the letter is below. Dear Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Conyers, The Global Network Initiative [...]

Open Letter to UK Home Secretary In Response to the Recent Violence in London

David Sullivan2019-01-29T16:48:51+00:00August 26, 2011|Letter, media releases|

On 24 August 2011, GNI wrote to the UK Home Secretary about the discussions between the Government and companies in the ICT sector following the recent violence in London. The text of the letter is below. Dear Home Secretary, In this open letter we write regarding discussions due to [...]