Global Network Initiative

On November 19 and 20, GNI and its membership will convene in Washington D.C. for a series of meetings and events that will bring together experts from across the fields of human rights, tech governance, trust & safety, AI, and corporate accountability. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ek9eT5ZQ

📣 GNI is pleased to announce that Partneri Srbija and The Future of Free Speech have joined GNI as members of our NGO constituency. “It is exciting to welcome Partners Serbia and the Future of Free Speech to GNI. Both organizations bring synergies to GNI and provide evidence of our ongoing efforts to create a truly global organization, integrated into the broader movement to advance responsible business conduct,” said GNI’s Executive Director Jason Pielemeier. Read the press release: https://lnkd.in/guFCpxjX

Coming up 19 November in Washington DC. Register to attend in person, or online https://lnkd.in/ekfQ4V4Y

📣 GNI is pleased to announce that former UN Special Rapporteur on the Freedom of Opinion and Expression David Kaye, who until August 2024 served as the Independent Chair of GNI’s Board, will continue to support our work as a member of GNI’s Academic Constituency. “GNI has long represented a unique and critical space for engagement among civil society, companies, investors and academics. As a former Independent Board Chair, I was able to see not only its culture of openness and problem-solving but also how it exercises influence globally. I could not be more excited to join as an academic member,” Kaye reflected. In response, GNI’s Executive Director Jason Pielemeier said, “I feel comfortable speaking on behalf of all of GNI’s members as I welcome David Kaye into our academic constituency and membership. From his pioneering work as UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, through to his leadership of GNI through the pandemic and our strategic review as Chair, David has done so much to influence GNI and the broader field of human rights. We are thrilled to be able to continue to count on his expertise and guidance in his new capacity as an independent academic member.” Read the press release: https://lnkd.in/gKY2Q2Tz

Heartland Initiative is pleased to announce our membership in the Global Network Initiative (GNI) as part of its investor constituency. In response, Heartland’s co-founder and president, Sam Jones, stated, "Heartland works with investors to advance corporate accountability for human rights harms in the ICT sector, with an emphasis on the use of emerging technologies in conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRA). GNI’s commitment to advancing freedom of expression and privacy rights in ICT — through standard-setting and shaping company practice — is a natural complement to our work on targeted and mass surveillance technologies, the growing risks posed by the military application of AI in CAHRA, and the rise of ‘defense tech’ more broadly." #bizhumanrights #tech #freedomonexpression #privacyrights #investment https://lnkd.in/gyaBBefk

📣 GNI is pleased to welcome Heartland Initiative, Inc. and Sarasin & Partners LLP as members of its investor constituency. GNI’s Executive Director Jason Pielemeier noted, “We are very excited to welcome Sarasin & Partners and Heartland Initiative to GNI. Their experience and expertise in using investor influence to encourage company efforts to respect human rights will strengthen GNI in many ways.” Read the press release: https://lnkd.in/gyaBBefk

As a member of the Global Network Initiative, Tech Global Institute echoes the concern expressed by GNI regarding the UN Convention Against Cybercrime creating a permission structure for the extraterritorial surveillance and prosecution of human rights defenders, the harassment of tech company employees, and the compelled compromise of systems that protect the privacy and security of users around the world.

Daphne Keller's observations are always worth reading but this one is particularly timely as we assess the first year of DSA enforcement and prepare for more. I'm really glad the Global Network Initiative + Digital Trust and Safety Partnership event was helpful and am posting a link to the full report from that event here, as well as a recent podcast we did on the same for Tech Policy Press, for anyone that's interested: https://lnkd.in/eqcis739 & https://lnkd.in/ex7KBm4r

🎙️ "Divergence across jurisdictions and unintended consequences are expected. However, we believe coordination, information sharing, and collaboration among stakeholders can help improve regulatory design and implementation, including corporate compliance and government enforcement, while safeguarding fundamental rights." GNI's 2023 Annual Report featured a special interview with Executive Director Jason Pielemeier where he shared his thoughts on global regulatory trends in corporate sustainability and online safety, emerging multilateral initiatives in tech governance and their broader impacts, as well as some of GNI's most important milestones in the past year. Read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gMS3dhzR Link to GNI's Annual Report 2023: https://lnkd.in/gcrw-nq9

We're excited to welcome Usama Khilji, Director of Pakistan-based research and advocacy organization Bolo Bhi, as GNI’s Vice Chair! "I am delighted that Usama Khilji has been elected to take on the role of Vice Chair of the Global Network Initiative during these uncertain times,” said Vicky. “His firsthand experience of digital rights advocacy in South Asia and globally will be very valuable to me and the whole GNI Board,” GNI Independent Chair, Vicky Bowman. https://lnkd.in/e37NMsT5