ocl, Author at Internet Society UK

Joint Letter on the UK Government’s use of Investigatory Powers Act to attack End-to-End Encryption

ocl / February 18, 2025

On Thursday 13 February 2025, the UK Chapter of the Internet Society joined a group of over 100 civil society organizations, companies, and cybersecurity experts – as part of an effort led by the Global Encryption Coalition (GEC) – submitted a letter to British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper calling on the UK Home Office to rescind its demand that Apple create a backdoor into its end-to-end encrypted services.

The letter stated that civil society organizations, companies, and cybersecurity experts, including members of the Global Encryption Coalition, called on the UK Home Office to rescind its demand for Apple to create a backdoor into its end-to-end encrypted services.… Read more ...

News, Policy

Follow-up on Response to Consultation on: Powers in relation to UK-related domain name registries

ocl / November 29, 2024

In August 2023, the UK Chapter submitted a response to a UK Government consultation on Powers in relation to UK-related domain name registries.

The Internet Society UK Chapter had responded to the Consultation on the Digital Economy Act 2010, criticizing the consultation deadline during the summer holidays for hindering inclusive stakeholder engagement. They urged further consultations to ensure broad stakeholder involvement in managing UK Internet resources. They highlighted several concerns:

The Act was outdated, given the significant changes in the Internet since 2010, making the drafting of powers potentially inappropriate.

Events, News

ISOC UK England Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2024

ocl / November 8, 2024

The ISOC UK England Chapter Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2024 took take place as a hybrid meeting, both online and in person.

Also in person at:

The Wheatsheaf
25 Rathbone Pl, W Central St, London W1T 1JB, United Kingdom

Google Map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jq6vRgd8cvxHcSQM7

The Wheatsheaf is a historic Pub a couple of minutes away from Tottenham Court Road Station. (*)

In person participation allowed participants to meet members of the Leadership Team and to network with other members of the Chapter.… Read more ...

News, Policy

Open Letter to EU Commissioner-designate: Preserving the Open Internet

ocl / November 1, 2024

Date: 29 October 2024

Addressed to Commissioner-designate Henna Virkkunen

Expresses concerns about undermining net neutrality principles in Europe

Urges the European Commission to avoid interfering in the Internet’s interconnection ecosystem

Highlights risks of proposals mandating payments from Content and Application Providers (CAPs) to telecom operators:

Potential market fragmentation
Increased costs for consumers and businesses
Degraded service quality

Emphasises the importance of maintaining a balanced market with equal bargaining power

Calls for evidence-based recommendations to support an open Internet

Warns that regulatory interventions could harm the global Internet and its users

Signed by various organizations and individuals advocating for net neutrality – including Internet Society UK England

https://www.internetsociety.org/open-letters/preserving-the-open-internet… Read more ...

News

Joint submission of response to OFCOM consultation on Child Safety

ocl / July 18, 2024

The UK Chapter of the Internet Society produced a Joint Submission with the Internet Society responding to the OFCOM Consultation: Protecting children from harms online

The response, filed on 17 July 2024, reiterates the points made in past submissions to UK consultations conducted by OFCOM but also in relation to the various legislation that went through Parliament in the first part of the year. In particular, the response reiterate that End-to-end encryption (“E2EE”) is needed to safeguard privacy of data including the safety of children.… Read more ...

News, Policy

Joint cross-sectoral statement: Concerns Regarding the Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill

ocl / March 22, 2024

Release Date: 22 March 2024

The UK Chapter of the Internet Society is a co-author and co-signatory of today’s Joint cross-sectoral Statement that saw Civil Society organisations work with academics and TechUK, to express concerns about a Bill that is reaching Report Stage in Parliament on Monday 25 March 2024.

The Statement was picked up on Friday 22 March 2024 by the BBC News article “‘Mass surveillance’ fears over law change plans”.

The Statement can be found here:

IPA-Bill-joint-cross-sectoral-statement Download

In parallel, the UK Chapter has been very active in corresponding with the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR).… Read more ...

ISOC Live events

WEBCAST FEV 20 – Webinaire : L’impact du Mobile Money sur le développement au Cameroun
Le 20 février 2025, de 13h00 à 14h30 WAT (12:00-13:30 UTC) La Société Informatique du Cameroun (CmrCS) sous le patronage du Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur (MINESUP) présente un webinaire « L’impact du Mobile Money sur le développement au Cameroun… The post WEBCAST FEV 20 – Webinaire : L’impact du Mobile Money sur le développement au Cameroun appeared first on ISOC LIVE NOTICEBOARD.
VIDEO – ISOC Cameroon – « Comment être parent à l’ère de l’internet au Cameroun? »
Le 19 février 2025, l’ Internet Society Cameroon Chapter a présenté un webinaire « Comment être parent à l’ère de l’internet au Cameroun? ». C’est la présentation principale de Marie Noëlle Oli Bilias. YOUTUBE | FR TXT | … The post VIDEO – ISOC Cameroon – « Comment être parent à l’ère de l’internet au Cameroun? » appeared first on ISOC LIVE NOTICEBOARD.
WEBCAST 27 FEB – ISOC Switzerland Public Policy Sessions 2025
On Thursday, 27 February, 2025 at 15:15-18:00 CET (14:15-17:00 UTC) the Internet Society Switzerland Chapter (ISOC CH) hosts a public event ‘Public Policy Sessions 2025‘ at the Switzerland Innovation Park in Biel/Bienne. PROGRAMME https://www.isoc.ch/events/public-policy-session-2025/ (All times CET = … The post WEBCAST 27 FEB – ISOC Switzerland Public Policy Sessions 2025 appeared first on ISOC LIVE NOTICEBOARD.
WEBCAST FEB 19 – Manthan: A Stakeholder discussion on the AI Governance Guidelines Development
On Wednesday 19 February, 2025, at 4pm-5:30pm IST (10:30-12:00 UTC) CCAOI hosts an online interactive stakeholder discussion ‘Manthan: A Stakeholder discussion on the AI Governance Guidelines Development‘. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) constituted the … The post WEBCAST FEB 19 – Manthan: A Stakeholder discussion on the AI Governance Guidelines Development appeared first on ISOC LIVE NOTICEBOARD.

ISOC News

Community Snapshot—January
The Internet Society community works tirelessly to defend the Internet locally, regionally, and globally. Here’s a brief snapshot of what’s been happening over the last month around the world. The post Community Snapshot—January appeared first on Internet Society.
From Cyber Café to Digital Revolution: The Story of Joseph Bishi and Murambinda’s Community Network
Joseph Bishi started with a small cyber café in Murambinda in 2003. He grew his vision into transformative community network projects that empower rural communities. The post From Cyber Café to Digital Revolution: The Story of Joseph Bishi and Murambinda’s Community Network appeared first on Internet Society.
Fostering Digital Literacy in Nicaragua
In August 2024, the Internet Society Nicaragua Chapter bridged the digital divide in the small community of Reparto La Virgen Nueva. The post Fostering Digital Literacy in Nicaragua appeared first on Internet Society.
Connection for a Cause: One Woman’s Journey of Digital Empowerment
Growing up in a small village in Murang’a County, Kenya, Ruth Njeri had nearly no access to the digital world. Today, she is the lead engineer of the Tanda Community Network in Kibera. The post Connection for a Cause: One Woman’s Journey of Digital Empowerment appeared first on Internet Society.
Today’s US Executive Order is a Serious Win for Cybersecurity
The United States government is taking a major leap forward for cybersecurity. The newly released Executive Order on Strengthening and Promoting Innovation in the Nation’s Cybersecurity calls on the US government to improve the security of its own systems. The post Today’s US Executive Order is a Serious Win for Cybersecurity appeared first on Internet Society.
Understanding and Identifying Scams: Digitally Empowering Older Adults in Mexico
There is a generational digital divide, with older adults often lacking the training to use digital tools safely.To help combat this divide, our Mexico chapter organized a series of short courses to help older adults build knowledge, skills, and confidence. The post Understanding and Identifying Scams: Digitally Empowering Older Adults in Mexico appeared first on Internet Society.
The Global Impact of a US TikTok Ban
A potential TikTok ban is on the horizon as the United States Supreme Court considers an important decision this week. This case has implications that extend beyond the US and a single app. It affects the security and livelihoods of millions and raises concerns about the future of a free and open Internet. This action The post The Global Impact of a US TikTok Ban appeared first on Internet Society.
Building Our Multistakeholder Digital Future, IGF 2024
Ahead of the 2024 Internet Governance Forum (IGF), we recognize the importance of the multistakeholder approach to Internet governance and including all relevant voices in the discussion. The post Building Our Multistakeholder Digital Future, IGF 2024 appeared first on Internet Society.
Global Encryption Day Panel Highlights Encryption’s Role in Children’s Online Safety
Encryption is a tool that ensures privacy for all online users, including children. In our panel, we heard from online safety around the globe. The post Global Encryption Day Panel Highlights Encryption’s Role in Children’s Online Safety appeared first on Internet Society.
Unpacking Internet Governance and Our Work in the United Nations
Dive into Internet governance, our work in the United Nations, and multistakeholderism in this Q&A with Mona Gaballa and Israel Rosas. The post Unpacking Internet Governance and Our Work in the United Nations appeared first on Internet Society.

Author name: ocl

Joint Letter on the UK Government’s use of Investigatory Powers Act to attack End-to-End Encryption

Follow-up on Response to Consultation on: Powers in relation to UK-related domain name registries

ISOC UK England Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2024

Open Letter to EU Commissioner-designate: Preserving the Open Internet

Joint submission of response to OFCOM consultation on Child Safety

Joint cross-sectoral statement: Concerns Regarding the Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill