The NSA Versus the Global Internet: How Online Surveillance Could Impact Internet Governance

Recent disclosures about the National Security Agency’s (NSA) Internet surveillance practices have sparked national debate as to how to balance online privacy rights with national security protections. But, the most important impact may be felt most beyond the United States’ borders: officials from around the world are increasingly calling for a re-examination of their nations’ relationships with American-based institutions and technology companies. Has the legacy of an open, global Internet been irreparably tarnished by the recent news concerning the NSA’s surveillance activities? How has trust in the multi-stakeholder Internet governance model suffered? And how might online surveillance programs such as the NSA’s impact Internet governance?

On June 20, the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings hosted a panel discussion to explore how the disclosure of Internet surveillance initiatives, most notably those undertaken by the NSA, could impact global discussion around national and international institutions that govern the flow of data around the world.