Digital Policy

The spread of disinformation, misinformation, hate speech, and violent and extremist content on social media platforms in 2019 prompted heated debate over how tech companies and governments should approach content moderation. These issues will continue to play out in 2020, with important social and political consequences.

Brazil recently passed legislation to strengthen data protection. But the country's public authorities have yet to establish a data protection agency. Uncertainty is mounting and could throw the entire process into jeopardy.

The United States extends deadline for companies affected by Huawei ban; Bipartisan coalition of U.S. senators asks White House to appoint 5G coordinator; Russia-led UN resolution on cybercrime passes, despite U.S. opposition; Iran blacks out internet in response to nationwide demonstrations; and Chinese regulators scrutinize acquisition of China-linked company by U.S. chipmaker.

Russia’s recent disinformation campaign in African countries highlights the challenges that African states face in crafting internet policy that is responsive to both external threats and internal political dynamics. African countries will likely not push back against Russian disinformation campaigns, but rather will try to exploit the campaigns for their own international and domestic political goals. 

While multilateral efforts to establish standards governing emerging technologies have attracted publicity, the reality is that countries continue to pursue their own technological initiatives globally. The United States, European Union (EU), Japan, and China are doing so according to their own competitive advantages. Other countries need to observe these trends closely to understand the forces shaping global technology governance.

The attack in eastern Germany is another alarming example of how the terrorist threat is evolving, with more far-right perpetrators attempting to broadcast their brutality.

While the GDPR's "right to be forgotten" expands personal data privacy rights, it could complicate intelligence agencies' data collection efforts by allowing terrorists to request to have social media platforms delete identifiable data.

Tech giants ask Congress for a data privacy bill to bypass state laws; Ren Zhengfei considers selling Huawei's 5G technology; North Korean APTs continue attacks on U.S. entities; new California labor law threatens gig economy platforms; and Cloudfare may have provided services to terrorists and drug traffickers.

NSA recognizes need to share more information on cyber threats; China launches cyberattacks on Uighurs; Twitter disables Tweet via SMS after SIM swapping attack on CEO; state AGs begin big tech antitrust probes; and big tech companies meet with U.S. officials on election security.

Audio snippets subject to human review; Huawei employees help African governments’ spying; major vulnerabilities revealed in U.S. fighter jets; China’s central bank close to releasing digital currency; and a new ransomware used to attack companies.

NSA sets up Cybersecurity Directorate; Microsoft announces customers targeted in state-sponsored cyberattacks; Justice Department opens antitrust review of Big Tech; Taiwan conducts cybersecurity drills; and the U.S. Attorney General re-ignites debate on law enforcement access to encrypted devices.

Tech companies face intense scrutiny; viral FaceApp raises data privacy concerns; Huawei invests in Italy as pushback builds in the United States and UK; Indonesia announces a new digital tax; and users unknowingly download malicious fake app.

France approves a 3 percent Digital Services Tax on large tech companies; the UK fines British Airways and Marriott for data breaches under the GDPR; United States and UK signal relaxation of Huawei hardline; trade tensions drive tech companies out of China; and U.S. mayors unite against paying ransom to hackers.