Internet freedom is a foreign policy priority for the United States and the U.S. Department of State.
Internet freedom is a foreign policy priority for the United States and the U.S. Department of State. Our goal is to ensure that any child, born anywhere in the world, has access to the global Internet as an open platform on which to innovate, learn, organize, and express herself free from undue interference or censorship.
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Internet Freedom For All
The United States is supporting the efforts of Americans and committed partners worldwide to bring down the walls that are denying the people of the world connection and access to each other's ideas and services on the Internet.
This is because the Internet helps fuel the global economy, increases productivity, and creates jobs built on the unprecedented global reach that the platform provides for our businesses and innovators. The Internet serves as a powerful platform to bring information and resources to people who historically have been isolated or repressed.
In May of 2013, the United States advanced initiatives to preserve the open Internet and promote the worldwide deployment of broadband communications at the World Telecommunication Policy Forum.
In June, the 21 member states of the Freedom Online Coalition met in Tunisia to collaborate on advancing Internet freedom. The Forum provided an opportunity for these governments to coordinate and work with civil society to support individuals in exercising their universal human rights and fundamental freedoms online.
To promote Internet freedom in Iran, in May, 2013 the U.S. government authorized the sale of U.S. personal communication technologies to the Iranian public. The U.S. State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development awarded $25 million to groups working to advance Internet freedom -- supporting counter-censorship and secure communications technology, digital safety training, and policy and research programs for people facing Internet repression.
This funding is in addition to over $100 million that the United States has committed to Internet freedom programs globally.
The Internet is an endless resource of information. Respect for the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association has the ability to enhance lives in ways we can’t even imagine, as long as we extend the same respect for these fundamental freedoms to the online world.
