Free Expression and Privacy Online

Unfettered expression and communication and the protection of data privacy are critical open society issues. Threats and opportunities come from several directions: from state surveillance and censorship; from private-sector surveillance, harvesting and manipulation of personal data; from private litigation with chilling effects on freedom of expression; and from the development of new technologies and technical standards which threaten or enhance data-related rights and freedoms.

Around the world, violations of free expression and privacy on the internet are increasing. Many regimes now routinely censor internet traffic, and the means of doing so are becoming increasingly sophisticated. ISPs and other intermediaries are increasingly under pressure to expeditiously disclose the identities of customers, without any process of judicial oversight. Similar threats are now also emanating from non-state actors who are able to launch effective denial of service or hacking attacks to squelch unwanted sources of news and opinion. An appropriate balance between the provision of security and respect for basic liberties needs to be defended.

The Information Program will employ three strategies for addressing these challenges:

• supporting initiatives for self-regulation (for example by information services companies working in repressive countries);
• empowering key NGOs to advocate for changes in law and practice; and
• supporting legal challenges to egregious violations of civil liberties.

As policies in the most developed countries often become templates for the rest of the world, the Information Program will pay particular attention to developments in the United States and European Union, working in collaboration with OSI's US Programs and OSI staff in Washington, DC and Brussels.

If you are considering applying for funding under this initiative, please email the relevant program manager (see link, below) with a brief description of your project. They will be able to advise you if your proposal is suitable for funding from OSI, and guide you through the application process from there.

View contact information for this initiative.