Internet Governance

The nature of evolution of the Internet is an important determinant of social change. The Internet is no longer simply a technical platform about which technical experts are best placed to take important decisions. Who then should shape the evolution of the Internet, and how? Users determining the Internet's trajectory is largely a myth, though some remarkable oases of alternative practices amongst committed techies and other 'power users' do exist. To the extent the user has a role, it is in her capacity as a consumer, which capacity is very unequally distributed between affluent and marginalised groups. Largely, it is corporatist and statist powers that are shaping the Internet. We believe that ordinary people and communities must have greater control in shaping the Internet for a future society that is egalitarian. Towards this end, we undertake research, and advocate national and global norms and policies that recognise, and underpin, the Internet as a force for equality and social justice.

RECENT


In response to the call for inputs by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), IT for Change made a submission detailing the priorities and expectations from the WSIS +20 happening this year. A high-level meeting will take place in June 2025 to review the overall implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information…

IT for Change responded to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (“MeitY”) sub-committee’s Report on AI Governance Guidelines Development. Our comments largely addressed the need to…

We made a solicited contribution to the Technology Workstream of the Civil Society Mechanism, associated with the Financing for Development mechanism of the UN, led by ETC Group and SID Institute. This was to further the public financing for the digital tech agenda in the Outcome Document of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for…

IT for Change submitted its feedback/comments on the draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 (DPDP Rules) released by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The key points of our feedback are outlined below.

1. Notice given by Data Fiduciary to Data Principal:

To ensure that the principles of data…

In March 2025, the Trump Administration initiated a series of enquiries through the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on unfair and non-reciprocal trade practices in countries currently trading with the United States. The intent of the query is to slap tariffs on countries that are currently not permitting trade on terms…

GDJF Statement

The Global Digital Justice Forum requests your endorsement of this statement that challenges the deep nexus between American Big Tech and the US state. In a world of increasing inequality, digital spaces are being weaponized—threatening democracy, human rights, and ecological justice. We refuse a digital order dictated by greed and control.…