Bush Administration and Internet Freedom
As reported earlier, legislation has been introduced in Congress to regulate corporate participation in global internet censorship. The Bush administration has also developed an interest in the issue of online freedom, and has instituted a program to address it.
In February 2006, the Secretary of State created the Global Internet Freedom Task Force. While not specifically focused on corporate involvment in Internet censorship or control, its mission is certainly related. The GIFT is to report on:
The use of technology to restrict access to political content and the impact of such censorship efforts on U.S. companies;
The use of technology to track and repress dissidents; and
Efforts to modify Internet governance structures in order to restrict the free flow of information.
As has been reported by the Open Net Initiative and others, US corporations are major providers of technology and services to the Chinese government for Internet filtering, blocking, surveillance and other activities. It likely provides similar support to other Internet-restricting nations. In the limited time remaining in the Bush administration’s term, it will be interesting to see if and how it reports on such issues when they will directly reflect on US corporate activity, and responsibility, in this arena. There is opportunity for conflict with the juxtaposition of the administration’s strong support for the business sector (and its promotion of international trade) and its advocacy for democratic governance and freedom.
The announced strategy for GIFT makes slim mention of the role of US corporations in facilitating internet censorship. This blueprint proposes to monitor global internet freedom, respond to challenges of Internet freedom and advance Internet freedom by expanding access to the Internet. While this may reflect the role of the US State Department, it is an issue that requires its attention. The only reference to the technology industry is to interact with it as a stakeholder in “developing shared principles to guide private sector activities in restrictive economies.”
The absence of any apparent consideration of regulating technology industry support for Internet restrictions or censorship is not surprising. This reflects this administration’s aversion to regulation of business. It may also be a recognition of the stark challenges of regulating the provision of technology and services that support government online regulation.