To Ensure the Openness and Fairness of the Internet

Speaker: KYOUNGMI OH

Track: Community, diversity, local outreach and social context

Type: Long talk (45 minutes)

Room: Somin

Time: Aug 01 (Thu): 10:00

Duration: 0:45

The advent of the internet in human history was just 40 years ago. Although 40 years is merely a blink of an eye in the long span of human history, the internet has established itself as an essential part of our cultural fabric, akin to the air we breathe. To realize an open society through the Internet, Open Net engages in activities that uphold the values of freedom, openness, and sharing.

As a non-governmental organization, Open Net has been dedicated to ensuring digital human rights so that various actors on the internet can operate freely without being intimidated by government censorship and surveillance. These efforts include advocating for freedom of expression, privacy, net neutrality, public data, and intellectual property reform.

Open Net was founded in 2012 by members of civil society, academia, and Internet-related businesses who shared the belief that “Internet Real-name Law” infringes on citizens’ freedom of expression. Shortly after its establishment, Open Net succeeded in abolishing the public certification system. Defending net neutrality and opposing the Korea Communications Standards Commission’s censorship and blocking of internet content and sites are the Open Net’s hallmark activities. Open Net has pursued its goals through specific methods such as legislative activities, public interest litigation, petition campaigns, and so on.

Currently, Open Net is striving to diversify its methods of action and expand its scope of activities. As part of this effort, Open Net is strengthening its solidarity with international civil society organizations. It is actively collaborating to resist government surveillance and censorship worldwide. Additionally, Open Net has initiated efforts to establish a network where activists from various countries can share their experiences and technical methods (such as platform building and data activism) for monitoring governments and enhancing freedom of expression.