Session
Organizer 1: Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Organizer 2: Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Organizer 2: Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 1: Thobias Moura, Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 2: Raquel Gatto, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 3: Tiago Jun Nakamura Nakamura, Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 4: Jillian York, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 5: Breno Vale, Private Sector, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 2: Raquel Gatto, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 3: Tiago Jun Nakamura Nakamura, Technical Community, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 4: Jillian York, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 5: Breno Vale, Private Sector, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Format
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: The roundtable layout fosters inclusive, horizontal dialogue, which is critical for addressing DNS blocking’s multifaceted technical, legal, and social dimensions. This setup is particularly effective for dissecting complex topics like DNS blocking, where diverse perspectives—from infrastructure resilience to human rights—are essential. The 90-minute duration balances depth and engagement: it allows time to unpack technical mechanics, analyze regional case studies, and collaboratively brainstorm solutions. The roundtable’s flexibility also accommodates spontaneous debates and region-specific breakout discussions, making it ideal for bridging global challenges with local realities.
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: The roundtable layout fosters inclusive, horizontal dialogue, which is critical for addressing DNS blocking’s multifaceted technical, legal, and social dimensions. This setup is particularly effective for dissecting complex topics like DNS blocking, where diverse perspectives—from infrastructure resilience to human rights—are essential. The 90-minute duration balances depth and engagement: it allows time to unpack technical mechanics, analyze regional case studies, and collaboratively brainstorm solutions. The roundtable’s flexibility also accommodates spontaneous debates and region-specific breakout discussions, making it ideal for bridging global challenges with local realities.
Policy Question(s)
A.How can Internet blocking be prevented from becoming a tool for censorship or suppression of dissent, particularly in regimes with weak democratic safeguards?
B. How can technical standards be leveraged to preserve user autonomy while addressing legitimate concerns around illegal content?
C. Given divergent national laws, how can technical and legal cooperation reduce Internet fragmentation while respecting local contexts?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants will gain a clear understanding of how Internet blocking and filtering work at a technical level, including the specific methods employed and their potential for unintended consequences. Furthermore, they will gain insight into the motivations behind blocking and filtering, encompassing the diverse range of actors involved and the legal and political contexts in which these actions occur. In addition to this, they will acquire a deep understanding of the human rights implications of Internet blocking, particularly its impact on freedom of expression, access to information, and the right to privacy. Moreover, the session will provide participants with the opportunity to engage in direct dialogue with experts and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, fostering collaboration and identifying common ground. Finally, the session will explore and analyze the risks of blocking orders originating from a top-down perspective, assessing the potential for abuse and the need for safeguards.
Description:
This workshop aims to examine the escalating global phenomenon of Internet blocking and filtering, focusing on its technical underpinnings, socio-legal ramifications, and governance challenges. The session will unfold in three interconnected parts. First will provide a concise overview of the technical methods used for blocking (DNS manipulation, IP blocking, DPI), alongside a global survey of the diverse motivations behind these practices – ranging from legitimate law enforcement to censorship – and the varying legal frameworks governing them. We will analyze representative legal cases and regulatory approaches worldwide. Second, will delve into the detrimental impacts of blocking on the open Internet's core principles. This includes exploring how blocking erodes user trust, impairs cross-border services, damages critical infrastructure, violates fundamental rights, creates a circumvention security dilemma, and conflicts with network neutrality and decentralized governance. Finally, there will be a collaborative exploration of solutions through identification of necessary legal and policy reforms, promotion of global streamlining of discussions and initiatives, and discussing strategies for cooperation. The aim is to identify concrete actions that can mitigate the negative consequences of Internet blocking and uphold a globally coherent, open, and resilient Internet, while respecting legitimate security and legal concerns.
This workshop aims to examine the escalating global phenomenon of Internet blocking and filtering, focusing on its technical underpinnings, socio-legal ramifications, and governance challenges. The session will unfold in three interconnected parts. First will provide a concise overview of the technical methods used for blocking (DNS manipulation, IP blocking, DPI), alongside a global survey of the diverse motivations behind these practices – ranging from legitimate law enforcement to censorship – and the varying legal frameworks governing them. We will analyze representative legal cases and regulatory approaches worldwide. Second, will delve into the detrimental impacts of blocking on the open Internet's core principles. This includes exploring how blocking erodes user trust, impairs cross-border services, damages critical infrastructure, violates fundamental rights, creates a circumvention security dilemma, and conflicts with network neutrality and decentralized governance. Finally, there will be a collaborative exploration of solutions through identification of necessary legal and policy reforms, promotion of global streamlining of discussions and initiatives, and discussing strategies for cooperation. The aim is to identify concrete actions that can mitigate the negative consequences of Internet blocking and uphold a globally coherent, open, and resilient Internet, while respecting legitimate security and legal concerns.
Expected Outcomes
This session aims to catalyze concrete action by moving beyond problem identification to collaborative solutions. A primary outcome will be to identify and discuss potential best practices for minimizing the negative impacts of Internet blocking, while respecting legitimate security and legal concerns. Furthermore, the session will actively forge stronger connections and working relationships between diverse stakeholders, including representatives from governments, the technical community, civil society, and the private sector. Critically, instead of simply generating broad recommendations, we will focus on identifying and delineating key areas of overlapping interest and common ground – specific intersections where these diverse stakeholders can effectively collaborate on addressing the multifaceted challenges of Internet blocking. The session will lay the groundwork for a future action plan to support and maintain an open, secure, and interoperable Internet. This concentrated effort will contribute significantly to a more resilient and open global Internet.
Hybrid Format: An in-person facilitator will guide the roundtable, encouraging direct exchanges, while a dedicated online facilitator actively manages virtual participation. This online facilitator won't just relay questions; they'll integrate remote attendees into the live discussion. We'll also use live polling to gather real-time feedback from both audiences, fostering shared participation. Furthermore, the online facilitator will actively solicit verbal contributions from remote participants, bringing their voices directly into the room via unmuting and spotlighting, when appropriate. To ensure a shared understanding, technical and legal experts will deliver brief, focused presentations to introduce DNS mechanics, regulatory frameworks, and relevant case studies. The goal is a seamless, engaging experience where all participants, regardless of location, feel equally valued and empowered to contribute actively.