information resource, platform for discussions and policy-making
INTERNET FREEDOM
challenge
Balancing Security and Freedom
25.59 million of Ukrainians – 58% of the population – use the Internet. Globally, this figure has already exceeded 4 billion. From January 2017 to January 2018, the number of internet users in Ukraine increased by 17% (4 mln persons).
Today, the internet is both a space for freedom and a platform for abuse and propaganda. As we have seen first-hand in recent years, one can buy manipulative ads and bot farms as well as carry out disinformation campaigns and cyber-attacks.
Thus there is an urgent need for a social contract for the Internet which would govern user behavior and protect their personal security. In Ukraine, this need is heightened by war against an external aggressor that uses information attacks.
solution
Protecting Free Internet and Digital Security
The Internet Freedom project was launched in 2016, aiming to develop practical recommendations for the government, journalists, and other citizens on how to use Internet without harming soldiers at the front line. It led to the publication of How to Strengthen Information Security in Internet during Conflict – Ukraine’s first roadmap for solving communication problems relating to internet freedom.
The project team also launched netfreedom.org.ua, the first and the only web resource in Ukraine which monitors the rights of internet users in Ukraine, Russia, and Belorussia.
In cooperation with the online outlet Лівий Берег [Left Bank] and the web-site of Channel 24, nearly 60 educational publications were developed on digital rights and Internet freedom. Furthermore, project experts created six videos with recommendations for users concerning information security during the conflict.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, Security Service, and Ministry of Information involved the Internet Freedom experts in developing cooperative decisions.
outcome
The Free Internet Declaration and fight against Draft Law #6688
On June 18, 2018, leading media organizations in Ukraine signed the Declaration of Free Internet in Ukraine – an essential document for civil society and the IT community identifying fundamental principles of Internet freedom in Ukraine, initiated and drafted by the Internet Freedom experts.
Another important achievement was the successful fight against the notorious draft law #6688, which proposed Internet censorship. On September 4, 2018 the parliamentary Committee on Information and Communication discussed Draft Law 6688, On Amending Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Countering Threats to National Security in Information Sphere, and recommended that it should be returned for revision.
Civil society organizations and the IT industry had fought hard against the law with a powerful information campaign by civil society organizations and IT-industry. Through those efforts, initiated in coordination with Internet Freedom experts, we were able to draw the attention of the media and change public opinion about the draft law.