The US, EU, and 32 other countries announced a “Declaration for the Future of the Internet” that lays out priorities for an “open, free, global, interoperable, reliable, and secure” internet. It highlights goals like affordability, net neutrality, and removing illegal content without curtailing free expression — although it offers few specifics for achieving them.
Signatories also agree to uphold the principles of net neutrality and “refrain from blocking or degrading access to lawful content, services, and applications on the internet,”
I mentioned Colorado earlier – the state AG recently released pre-rulemaking considerations for that state’s privacy act, and the office is seeking public feedback. Specifically, comments about universal opt-out, the requirements around consent, and “dark patterns.” Have comments? There’s a form.
Finally, on April 28, 2022, the Connecticut General Assembly passed SB 6, “An Act Concerning Personal Data Privacy and Online Monitoring,” which is currently with the governor awaiting signature. This law is similar to privacy laws in Colorado, Virginia, and Utah.
Why do we care?
The internet declaration feels like a definition of the Western internet in a splinternet world. We’ll see if it’s codified in law.
Because on the law front, that should make Connecticut another state soon with privacy law. Colorado gives some perspective on the ongoing nature of lawmaking – once a law is passed, rules and enforcement is a continuing process, eventually also settled in the Court. There’s a reason lawyers have continuing education – and technologists will need the same.