This workshop at RightsCon 2025 will explore how the DFI Tracker can enhance transparency and accountability in global digital governance.
This workshop at RightsCon 2025 will explore indicators of Internet accountability, and consider how they can be used to strengthen transparency, monitoring and global digital cooperation.
State and non-state actors have made numerous commitments to promote open, free and safe Internet. In addition to the existing international law, these commitments are often expressed in political declarations, such as the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration for the Future of the Internet, among others. Yet, the implementation of these commitments often remains unchecked, hindering accountability. For the past 8 months, the EUI has been working on a resource that would allow the international community to assess the trajectory that different countries are on when it comes to the implementation of these commitments. A working name for this tool is the ‘Internet Accountability Compass’.
During the workshop, participants are asked to jointly explore key components and indicators of accountability on the Internet. These include positive obligations, such as facilitating access and affordability, safety and security, or freedom of expression, but also negative obligations, like refraining from Internet shutdowns or limiting e-waste. Key indicators will be explored through the framework of a ‘Internet Accountability Compass’, currently under development by the Global Initiative on the Future of the Internet (GIFI).
After a short presentation of the Compass, participants will be divided into groups to discuss the proposed indicators and approaches to strengthening accountability on the net. The exercise will feed into the refining of the Internet Accountability Compass with the aim of strengthening transparency, monitoring and, ultimately, accountability of governments. It will also aim to identify ways in which the Compass can support strengthening accountability – alone or in connection with other mechanisms. The discussion at each table will be driven by a facilitator who will also serve as a rapporteur at the end of the workshop. The discussion outcomes will contribute toward a report published after the conference.
Guiding Questions:
1) What does it mean for states to be ‘accountable’ on the net? What about the roles and responsibilities of other stakeholder groups?
2) How do we measure accountability on the net? What kind of enabling environment, preconditions, or obligations might it entail? What would be the adequate indicators?
3) How can we utilise these indicators to strengthen transparency, monitoring and, ultimately, the accountability of partner countries?
Participation in this event is open to all participants of RightsCon 2025.