IGF 2019 OF #38 Exceptional Access and the Future of the Internet Security

The Internet Society Open Forum is dedicated to IGF participants that share the common goal of advocating for an open, globally-connected, trustworthy and secure Internet for everyone, and to our own Internet Society community comprised of chapters, organizational and individual members.

Encryption is a critical tool that helps keep people safe online by protecting the integrity and confidentiality of digital data and communications. Encryption technologies secure web browsing, online banking, and critical public services like electricity, elections, hospitals and transportation –and every citizen that relies on them. The Internet Society believes that strong encryption should be the norm for Internet traffic and data storage.

Despite the benefits of strong encryption, some governments have created policies or laws that undermine encryption and digital security, while others have expressed interest in similar measures.These measures aim to give law enforcement and intelligence agencies "exceptional access," the power to intercept and access encrypted communications or ask companies to do it for them. Exceptional access (sometimes called "lawful access") puts the security of Internet communications and data at risk and creates new vulnerabilities and cyber threats, jeopardizing the future of digital economy.

The Internet Society and the wider Internet community have continued to fight for strong encryption. In 2014, the Internet Architecture Board issued the statement on Internet Confidentiality, which was endorsed by the Internet Society Board of Trustees. The Internet Society also signed the Secure the Internet Letter. In our Global Internet Report 2017: Paths to Our Digital Future, our community raised concerns on government practices interfering with or weakening encryption. Internet Society chapters and individual members have actively opposed threats to encryption in their countries, whether in Australia, Germany, or elsewhere. In August 2019, the Internet Society, and thirty five other partners,signed an open letter alling on the G7 leaders not to undermine the security of encrypted services. Similarly, on Sep 4, 2019, the Internet Architecture Board (IAB) released the statement titled “Avoiding Unintended Harm to Internet Infrastructure” discussing possible unintended effects policy and regulatory proposals may have on the Internet. 

At this crucial moment for cybersecurity policy and the future of the Internet, the Open Forum will bring an opportunity to promote an interactive and collaborative session to tackle a key question: How can we further work together to promote and defend encryption from the threat of exceptional access?