Internet Policymaking: New Guiding Principles

Since formalization of the 1997 “Framework for Global Electronic Commerce,” the federal government has not systematically re-examined the core principles for Internet policy. With the emergence of new policy domains—such as privacy, cybersecurity, online copyright infringement, and accessibility to digital video content—policymakers see greater urgency in evaluating, and possibly adapting, existing guidelines to meet the demands of today’s Internet environment. The Obama administration recently established a new panel of the National Science and Technology Council’s Committee on Technology to examine privacy and Internet policy principles.

On December 6, the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings hosted a forum convening academics, policy practitioners and government officials to discuss the question of which principles should guide policymakers as they address questions raised by the current Internet environment. What role do transparency requirements play? How can governments facilitate better adherence to best practice and engagement with multi-stakeholder bodies? What roles does user education play and how can notions of Net citizenship and digital literacy be developed?

After each panel, speakers took audience questions.