“In the fight for our democracies in the 21st century, the front lines are increasingly online,” declared Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the United Nations.
“Around the world, authoritarian regimes are weaponizing technology, [to] censor, surveil, to repress their citizens. Meanwhile, citizens and civil society groups use social media, online messaging, to organize, to wield smartphones, to document human rights abuses, share them, with the entire world. The United States is committed to ensuring that digital technologies enhance the rights and the privacy of our people and expand broad based opportunity.”
The United States is determined to work with fellow democracies to realize that goal. That's why at the first Summit for Democracy 2021, the U.S. pledged to reinvigorate the Freedom Online Coalition and double down on efforts to safeguard and advance a free and open Internet, said Secretary Blinken:
“Together, this coalition is enhancing Internet freedom and combating censorship. For example, the United States, Germany, Estonia have supported the Open Technology Fund to help millions of people via virtual private networks for VPNs and other tools to circumvent firewalls, Internet shutdowns, empowering activists, journalists from Russia to Iran to Cuba.”
This also includes taking steps to curb digital surveillance, said Secretary Blinken:
“We worked together to define guardrails for the use of surveillance technologies by governments. We mobilized 17 nations. We're committed to countering the misuse and abuse of commercial spyware. The United States has worked to lead by example, including imposing visa restrictions and sanctions against companies and individuals who exploit these technologies.”
This year, the United States, with the support of members of the Freedom Online Coalition, put forward a landmark U.N. resolution to use safe, secure, trustworthy artificial intelligence to promote sustainable development. Every member state adopted that resolution. “Hopefully this sets a framework and sets a foundation going forward for AI,” said Secretary Blinken. A few weeks ago, the U.S. joined fellow democracies in signing the Council of Europe's AI Convention, the world's first multilateral treaty on AI and human rights.
Authoritarian regimes are determined to co-opt and abuse technology to repress their people. That’s why “[w]e have to be equally determined in our mission to defend freedom online,” said Secretary Blinken. The United States looks forward to continuing this vital work with governments, the private sector, civil society, and NGOs.
