The White House issued a ‘Declaration for the Future of the Internet’ on April 28, 2022. India is not among the 60 countries that have signed the ‘Declaration.
Salient features
- The Declaration represents a political commitment among the partners to advance a “positive vision for the Internet and digital technologies.”
- The countries that have signed the declaration include the US, European Union, United Kingdom, Canada and France.
- India, China and Russia are among the large nations that are not part of this declaration.
The Declaration’s principles include:
- Commitment to protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people,
- Promoting a global Internet that advances the free flow of information,
- Advancing “inclusive and affordable” connectivity,
- Promoting trust in the global digital ecosystem, including through protection of privacy and protecting, and
- Strengthening the multistakeholder approach to governance that keeps the Internet running for the benefit of all.
Internet shutdown
- This declaration comes even as a report from digital rights advocacy group Access Now said India is the top country to impose internet shutdowns in 2021 for the fourth consecutive year.
- A total of 182 internet crackdowns were reported globally in 2021.
- Of the 106 shutdowns in India, 85 were reported in Jammu and Kashmir.
- India was one of 18 countries that blocked mobile internet during protests, the report said. The number of countries that shut down the Internet in 2021 has increased to 34 from 29 in 2020.
GS TIMES UPSC PRELIMS & MAINS CURRENT AFFAIRS BASED BASICS DAILY ONLINE TEST CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ FOR STATE CIVIL SERVICES
