The democratic future of the internet

The internet was long assumed to be a positive democratic influence, yet its growth has coincided with a sustained recession of global democracy. Over the past decade, the rise of digital authoritarianism has stifled internet freedoms through transgressions such as internet blackouts and digital surveillance of journalists. In response, the Biden administration and 60 partners have put forward a new code of practice for how democratic nations should engage with the internet: the Declaration for the Future of the Internet.

On June 22, the Center for Technology Innovation hosted a conversation with two of the lead architects of the declaration: Tim Wu, the White House special assistant to the president for technology and competition policy, and Peter Harrell, the White House special assistant to the president and senior director for international economics and competitiveness. After the conversation, an expert panel discussed the aspiration and potential effect of the declaration, contextualizing this new effort in the global struggle for democracy.

Viewers submitted questions for speakers by emailing  events@brookings.edu or via Twitter at @BrookingsGov by using #FutureOfInternet.

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