Global Network Initiative

{{Infobox organization

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| abbreviation = GNI

| formation = {{start date and age|2008}}

| type = 501(c)3 organization

| tax_id = 27-2322782

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| purpose = Preventing Internet censorship by authoritarian governments and protecting the Internet privacy rights of individuals

| headquarters = Washington, D.C., United States

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| key_people = {{hlist|David Kaye (academic) (Independent Chair), Agustina Del Campo (Co-Chair) | Jason Pielemeier, Executive Director | Elonnai Hickok, Managing Director}}

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The Global Network Initiative (GNI) is a non-governmental organization with the dual goals of preventing Internet censorship by authoritarian governments and protecting the Internet privacy rights of individuals. It is sponsored by a coalition of multinational corporations, global non-profit organizations, and academic institutions. David Kaye (academic) is the Independent Chair of the Board. Mark Stephens (solicitor) was the previous Independent Chair.

History

On October 29, 2008, the Global Network Initiative (GNI) was founded upon its "Principles of Freedom of Expression and Privacy".{{quote without source|date=June 2012}} The Initiative was launched in the 60th anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and is based on internationally recognized laws and standards for human rights on freedom of expression and privacy set out in the UDHR, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).{{cite web |url=http://www.globalnetworkinitiative.org/faq/index.php |title=Global Network Initiative, FAQ |access-date=March 6, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309234331/http://www.globalnetworkinitiative.org/faq/index.php |archive-date=March 9, 2009 }}

Profile

As a human rights organization, GNI seeks to safeguard freedom of expression and personal privacy against government restrictions. The protections are facilitated by a coalition of companies, investors, civil society organizations, academics, and other stakeholders.

GNI esteems freedom of expression and privacy each as a "human right and guarantor of human dignity".{{cite web|title=Global Network Initiative - Principles|url=http://www.globalnetworkinitiative.org/principles/index.php|access-date=26 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410042148/http://www.globalnetworkinitiative.org/principles/index.php|archive-date=10 April 2011|url-status=dead}} Participants are expected to respect and protect information available to users and users' ability to freely create and distribute information, provided that they operate outside narrowly defined circumstances necessary to adhere to international laws and standards set by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Participants are also expected to protect users' personal information from illegal or arbitrary interference when confronted with government demands, laws, or regulations that compromise a user's privacy. The same principle of adherence of international laws and standards applies.

Collaboration among stakeholders is key to the goals of the Global Network Initiative. The GNI's outline of principles encourages participants to explore ways to engage governments to advance their cause, individually or collectively.{{cite web|title=Principles: Multi-stakeholder collaboration|url=http://www.globalnetworkinitiative.org/principles/index.php#21|access-date=26 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410042148/http://www.globalnetworkinitiative.org/principles/index.php#21|archive-date=10 April 2011|url-status=dead}}

GNI recognizes that the actions of their corporate participants alone cannot guarantee the protection of human rights. One fundamental commitment is to promote the adoption of laws, policies, and practices that protect freedom of expression and privacy. GNI considers governments to be ultimately responsible for the fulfillment of their citizens' human rights, specifically pursuant to freedom of expression and privacy.{{cite web|title=FAQ: How will the Global Network Initiative accomplish its goals?|url=http://www.globalnetworkinitiative.org/faq/index.php#48|access-date=26 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309234331/http://www.globalnetworkinitiative.org/faq/index.php#48|archive-date=9 March 2009}}

Participants and Board of Directors

Source:{{cite web|title=Global Network Initiative - Board of Directors|url=http://globalnetworkinitiative.org/content/gni-board-directors|access-date=22 August 2017}}

The Global Network Initiative requires participating companies to integrate their principles deeply into their decision-making and culture.{{cite web|title=Principles: Responsible Company Decision Making|url=http://www.globalnetworkinitiative.org/principles/index.php#20|access-date=26 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410042148/http://www.globalnetworkinitiative.org/principles/index.php#20|archive-date=10 April 2011|url-status=dead}} GNI's founding companies include Google, Yahoo (now Oath Inc.), and Microsoft. Facebook joined GNI in 2013.{{cite web|title=Facebook Joins the Global Network Initiative|date=22 May 2013 |url=http://globalnetworkinitiative.org/news/facebook-joins-global-network-initiative|access-date=22 August 2017}} In 2017, seven telecommunications operator and vendor companies joined GNI.{{cite web|title=Global Network Initiative Adds Seven Companies in Milestone Expansion of Freedom of Expression and Privacy Initiative|date=27 March 2017 |url=http://globalnetworkinitiative.org/news/global-network-initiative-adds-seven-companies-milestone-expansion-freedom-expression-and|access-date=22 August 2017}}

The Board consists of:

ICT Companies:

Civil Society Organizations:

Academics and Academic Organizations:

Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University
Centre for Communication Governance National Law University, Delhi

Investors:

BNP Paribas
EIRIS
Boston Common Asset

GNI is funded by member contributions and through additional support from other sources, including private foundations and governments. GNI is currently implementing projects supported by:

Notes and references

External links

{{Official website}}
{{ProPublicaNonprofitExplorer|272322782}}

Category:Civil liberties advocacy groups

Category:Computer law organizations

Category:Foundations based in Washington, D.C.

Category:Intellectual property activism

Category:Internet-related activism

Category:Organizations established in 2008

Category:Politics and technology

Category:Privacy organizations

Category:Internet censorship