pielemeier.bsky.social

Shaping the UN Cybercrime Convention: Human Rights at a Crossroads - Global Network Initiative This article has been republished from The DIRECTIONS blog by EU Cyber Direct.

🇺🇳 The UN Cybercrime Convention is now open for signature, but its real impact will depend on human rights-aligned implementation. In a new blog for EU Cyber Direct, GNI's Jason Pielemeier, Elonnai Hickok, & Samaya Anjum reflect on its promise & perils: globalnetworkinitiative.org/shaping-the-...

Thanks for all of your support for MAP-AI and your fantastic remarks at our opening panel this morning @alexreevegivens.bsky.social!

#EventAnnouncement
As part of the #MAPAI Initiative, CCG and GNI
are organising an event on the sidelines of the #IndiaAIImpactSummit on 17 February 2026.
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#CCG #GNI #AIGovernance #Multistakeholderism #GlobalSouth #DigitalRights #ResponsibleAI

I haven't read the leaked 183-page Commission Decision against X, but I am reading the House Judiciary Committee's X posts about it and the worst stuff they could find is... preposterously weak.

judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-su...

x.com/JudiciaryGOP...

GNI Statement on Digital Policy Reforms in Bangladesh - Global Network Initiative GNI is concerned by the opaque, exclusionary, & accelerated digital policy reform process undertaken by the Interim Government of Bangladesh.

🇧🇩 GNI is concerned by the opaque, exclusionary, and accelerated digital policy reform process undertaken by the Interim Government of #Bangladesh, undermined by serious deficiencies in coordination, transparency, and accountability. globalnetworkinitiative.org/gni-statemen...

GNI Statement on Network Disruptions in Iran - Global Network Initiative GNI calls on the Government of Iran to restore and maintain network connectivity and reminds all actors of their obligations under international law.

🇮🇷 GNI is deeply concerned by #Iran’s near-total communications blackout & urges authorities to restore nationwide connectivity. Amid reports of lethal violence against protesters & bystanders, GNI condemns internet shutdowns as a recurring tool of repression, reiterating our concerns from July 2025.

Getting consensus on a UN resolution reaffirming multistakeholderism and making the IGF permanent was not a given in this moment, which makes this a meaningful achievement. Congrats to the NGO activists, government officials, company reps, technical community folks, and others that made this happen!

GNI Statement on the Nationwide Internet Shutdown in Tanzania During the 2025 Elections - Global Network Initiative The Global Network Initiative (GNI) expresses deep concern about the nationwide internet shutdown in Tanzania.

🚨🚨 Tanzania’s election-period internet shutdown is concerning.

GNI calls on the Government of Tanzania to ensure that any future restrictions are necessary, proportionate, time-bound & independently overseen.

Read the full statement: 🔗 shorturl.at/CzQ6Z

GNI Statement on Ongoing Communications Restrictions in Gaza - Global Network Initiative GNI urgently calls for all parties to immediately end any efforts to disrupt telecommunications and internet services.

GNI strongly condemns the persistent disruption of Internet & telecommunications services in the #Gaza Strip and calls on all parties to prioritize the restoration and improvement of telecommunications services in the Gaza Strip.
Read our full statement: globalnetworkinitiative.org/gni-statemen...

GNI 2025 Annual Learning Forum: Navigating global paradigm shifts to protect digital rights - Global Network Initiative ALF 2025 will explore global paradigm shifts affecting digital rights & how practitioners can adapt.

🌍 How do global paradigm shifts impact digital rights?

Join us on Oct 22 in Buenos Aires for GNI's Annual Learning Forum 2025 with experts from Wikimedia, Google, Bolo Bhi, Data Privacy Brazil, CELE, and more at the University of Palermo.

globalnetworkinitiative.org/gni-2025-ann...

GNI Statement on Deadly Crackdown and Digital Rights Violations in Nepal - Global Network Initiative GNI calls on all actors in Nepal to refrain from violence and take meaningful steps toward de-escalation.

🇳🇵 GNI strongly condemns the recent violence in Nepal and urges the government to continue de-escalating the situation following its decision to lift the ban on social media services. globalnetworkinitiative.org/gni-statemen...

2024 was a busy year! I'm really proud of all the growth and evolution that happened at GNI. Be sure to check out the interview with my amazing colleague, Elonnai Hickok.

If you're wondering whether the EU's Digital Services Act censors speech in America, the answer is no. Here's a blog post explaining why.

You can skim the key points in a couple of minutes, or stay for the juicy details.

Expanding State Surveillance: GNI Raises Alarm on Mexico’s New Telecommunications and Security Laws - Global Network Initiative GNI urges Mexico to reconsider sweeping new surveillance laws that threaten privacy, free expression, and regulatory independence.

🇲🇽 (Spanish below) Mexico has passed sweeping surveillance laws: biometric IDs; centralized data systems; military surveillance without warrants.

GNI calls for urgent reconsideration to protect privacy & free expression. globalnetworkinitiative.org/expanding-st...

Community-involved content moderation is not new but is taking on various shapes and forms, including via Meta's new approach to Community Notes. Check out this blog to learn more about the latest GNI convened conversations exploring these approaches and their possible human rights impacts.

Exploring Human Rights Due Diligence in Community Moderation Models - Global Network Initiative GNI's new learning series explores the intersection of content moderation, HRDD, and government demands.

🔎 GNI’s new learning series explores how human rights due diligence applies to community moderation models amid rising regulation and AI challenges.

Read more: globalnetworkinitiative.org/exploring-hu...

New from me and @pielemeier.bsky.social:

"Online Safety Regulation: Righting Risks or Risking Rights?"

Up on SSRN here: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....

Forthcoming in "Trust, Safety, and the Internet We Share: Multistakeholder Insights" from the Trust & Safety Foundation and Taylor & Francis

If you have concerns about the UK Online Safety Act, you may also want to understand the substantial concerns that we are raising about Sri Lanka's OSA. Check out @thegni.bsky.social's recommendations to learn more!

Screenshot of https://cdn.openai.com/trust-and-transparency/report-2024h1-government-requests-for-user-data.pdf showing Jan-June 2024 figures.

Screenshot of https://cdn.openai.com/trust-and-transparency/report-2024h2-government-requests-for-user-data.pdf showing July-December 2024 figures (table)

Growing # of intel & law enforcement requests for OpenAI user data, notably content data:
2023: 20 metadata reqs (8 successful); 0 content data reqs
2024: 86 metadata reqs (61 successful); 21 content data reqs (16 successful)
2025: first half report not posted yet
openai.com/trust-and-tr...

NEW REPORT: The Road to WSIS+20: Key Country Perspectives in the Twenty-Year Review of the World Summit on the Information Society - Global Network Initiative GNI and GPD are pleased to announce a new report supported by the inaugural ICANN Grant Program.

📣 New report by GNI and Global Partners Digital: The Road to WSIS+20

Featuring country insights from Africa, Asia, Europe & the Americas, it is designed to help governments and stakeholders prepare for the 20-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society.

Read more: shorturl.at/1t8Ex

GNI’s intervention at WSIS+20 virtual stakeholder consultation sessions (9-10 June 2025) - Global Network Initiative Realizing the WSIS vision and action lines will require robust multistakeholder engagement.

🌍 GNI has submitted our input for #WSIS20 - reaffirming the need for a people-centered, rights-based digital future. We call for:
✅ Multistakeholder governance
✅ Rights-based approach to AI governance
✅ Rights-respecting DPI
✅ Stronger civic space
globalnetworkinitiative.org/gnis-interve...

Thanks to all who participated, especially panelists from @ofcom.bsky.social, @ec.europa.eu, @cnam-ie.bsky.social, @cdteu.bsky.social and the NLUD/CCG. It was particularly interesting to hear from Ofcom about its ongoing review of risk assessment under the UK OSA - see slides included in our post.

Shaping WSIS+20: GNI, GPD, and Partners Promote Multistakeholder Internet Governance with ICANN Support - Global Network Initiative The project ensures representation of the Global Majority & technical community in the WSIS+20 review.

GNI and @gpdigital.bsky.social have launched a new project to support civil society engagement in the WSIS+20 Review. Funded by the ICANN Grant Program, the initiative brings multistakeholder dialogue to the forefront of global digital governance.
globalnetworkinitiative.org/shaping-wsis...

GNI's team is growing stronger and expanding our expertise. We are thrilled to have Shreya joining us!

Opinion | Trump Is Destroying a Core American Value. The World Will Notice. His overhaul of the State Department’s human rights bureau will make the United States weaker.

www.nytimes.com/2025/05/18/o...

Customs and Border Protection Confirms Its Use of Hacked Signal Clone TeleMessage After a hacker reportedly stole data from TeleMessage Signal that included references to CBP, the agency has now confirmed that it used the app but has now “disabled” it as a “precautionary measure.”

tired: SignalGate

@wired.com: The Signal clone, TeleMessage—which Mike Waltz appeared to use in a Reuters photo—has been hacked. And Customs and Border Protection also confirmed it used TeleMessage.

Welp.

Data localization: A Global Threat to Human Rights Online - Global Network Initiative As more and more governments turn to data localization, these laws’ negative impact on digital rights are becoming increasingly clear. The multistakeholder community must come together to devise right...

🔴 Read our latest Confluence blog post "Data localization: A Global Threat to Human Rights Online" by Freedom House's Community Engagement Specialist Maddie Masinsin and GNI Senior Fellow Ramsha Jahangir.
globalnetworkinitiative.org/data-localiz...

GNI, alongside 101 civil society organizations and 46 experts, endorses the Five Point Plan to help operationalize the WSIS+20 review modalities to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and meaningful stakeholder engagement. Learn more: www.gp-digital.org/five-point-p...

Looking Back at RightsCon 2025 - Global Network Initiative GNI appreciated the space to be in community and collaborate at a key moment for the sector.

At this difficult, yet critical, time for the human rights and tech community globally, GNI appreciated the space to be in community and collaborate at hashtag #RightsCon2025 at a key moment for the sector. globalnetworkinitiative.org/looking-back...

UK Encryption Crackdown Imperils Privacy, Security & Free Speech | TechPolicy.Press A secret "technical capability notice" from the Home Office represents a massive overreach, write Berin Szóka and Santana Boulton at TechFreedom.

Apple has been forced to disable end to end encryption for iCloud in the UK. This violates human rights law. If UK courts don't block this, the European Court of Human Rights will, as our new coalition letter explains. But users will be left unprotected...
www.techpolicy.press/uk-encryptio...