Relevance to Internet Governance: Intermediaries play a crucial role in the delivery of internet and internet based services to end users. The manner in which intermediaries are regulated has been an important factor in determining whether and how users can exercise their rights to access, freedom of expression and privacy, among others. The principles of intermediary liability, and the regulation of intermediaries are a core aspect of internet governance. Over the past few years, there has been rapid expansion of both the categories of intermediaries, as well as the harms that can be done using their services. This session proposes to use the global platform that the IGF provides to revisit some of these principles of internet governance.
Relevance to Theme: The session will bring together participants from different stakeholder groups and geographic regions to discuss the principles of regulation that are relevant in intermediary liability frameworks. With a majority of participants coming from academic or human rights advocacy organisations, fundamental rights and freedoms will be central to the discussion. At the same time, discussions will benefit from the experiences of intermediaries themselves. The session will facilitate identification of practical and principle based solutions to define the roles and obligations of digital service providers.
