Information Policy

Democratic Principles for the Information Space

As digital technologies become increasingly central to the exercise of civil and political rights, technologists and private sector stakeholders should take steps to ensure that their products and services affirm those rights and reinforce democratic values. Technology has become critical to democratic processes and discourse. Societies rely on online networks and systems to facilitate participatory democracy, foster debate around candidates, campaigns, and policies, confront policymakers, access information about their political rights, policies and utilize government services, among others. The National Democratic Institute, in collaboration with members of the Design 4 Democracy Steering Committee, has developed this Statement of Principles in their shared commitment that technology platforms and products help build a more just and democratic world, and to bring together the concerns of the democracy community for action to these platforms.

Council of Europe proposes a comprehensive legal and policy framework to combat hate speech

Turin, 20.05.2022 – The Council of Europe today issued a set of guidelines to its 46 member states aimed at preventing and combating hate speech, both online and offline.

Hola Launches New Features For Its Innovative Browser To Broaden Borderless Experiences

Hola Browser is driving company growth as demand for transparent online experiences expands amidst increasing online restrictions surges

Today, Hola announced new features for its latest offering, Hola Browser, that allows global citizens the ability to achieve internet freedom. The newly released features include the first version of a price comparison service for its users. Typically, such services must be added to existing browsers, but with the Hola Browser, they all come as standard. Such innovative updates have seen Hola Browser achieve fast growth since launching earlier this year, resulting in a significant rise in user numbers in Q1 2022.

Tackling the risks for democracy of digital political campaigning: Council of Europe issues guidelines

Strasbourg, 06.04.2022 – The Council of Europe issued today a set of guidelines to its 46 member states to address the challenges to the fairness and legitimacy of electoral processes created by new digital political communication techniques. These challenges include the possible abusive use of microtargeting, personal data, bots and algorithms, as well as disinformation campaigns.

A1 Telekom to be held accountable for violations in Belarus

Access Now supports Open Society Justice Initiative’s complaint calling for accountability filed with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) against A1 Telekom Austria for its role in 2020 internet shutdowns during, and in the aftermath of, disputed elections in Belarus.

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