Surveillance

GNI members believe that freedom of expression and privacy are critical to fostering stability, inclusiveness, and security. As such, government surveillance activities must comply with principles of rule of law and democratic governance, as well as human rights principles such as legality, necessity, and proportionality.

Our framework of principles and guidelines provide companies with specific guidance on how to address government demands for access to data in a manner consistent with internationally recognized laws and standards. Our shared learning facilitates greater understanding of the specific challenges that surveillance activities can present. And our policy approach advocates for expanded transparency, oversight, and accountability of laws, regulations, and actions related communications surveillance.

Our policy work has also focused on identifying and calling out newer approaches to surveillance that take intermediaries out of the loop, thereby limiting opportunities for transparency and accountability over government access to user data. In 2021, after significant research and internal discussion, we launched a statement and landing page dedicated to “direct access.”

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 Letter to Independent National Security Legislation Monitor of Australia

December 20, 2019|Issues, issues highlight, surveillance|

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.

Enhancing Understanding of Legal Trends Impacting Freedom of Expression and Privacy in the ICT Sector

September 19, 2019|feature, issues highlight, network disruptions, surveillance|

The new and improved GNI Country Legal Frameworks Resource (CLFR) is Live! The CLFR centralizes and facilitates search and comparison across a repository of more than 50 country-specific reports on governments' authorities to access user data or restrict communications.

GNI Joins Call for U.S. Senate to Swiftly Consider Nominees to the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board

August 30, 2018|surveillance|

31 organizations sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee urging them to consider the final two PCLOB nominees as quickly as possible. PCLOB has not been able to perform its critical duties in reviewing U.S. federal counterterrorism programs and ensuring they provide adequate safeguards for privacy and civil liberties for over 19 months.