14 December 2016

The following is summary of the most recent IEEE Global Internet Governance Monitor report. To access the full reports containing additional details and other news items, please join the Internet Technology Policy Community on IEEE Collabratec.

The EU’s advisor on cyber security has this week warned that the European Union is unprepared for a major cyberattack in any of the member states. Mr Helmbrecht has stated that the EU has not learnt enough lessons from the 2007 cyber attack that crippled Estonia for three weeks, stating that governance issues had not been improved.

Companies across the EU have begun to test the EU’s net neutrality laws through the introduction of zero-rated data products. Whilst the EU legislated on net neutrality in April, the enforcement guidelines issued by EU regulator BEREC allow for deviations amongst national regulators.

This week the European Commission has also outlined plans to alter data access rules in a bid to protect citizen privacy. The changes are likely to affect internet connected devices that currently access large amounts of data, for use in Healthcare, the automotive industry and financial services.

Elsewhere the head of Germany’s domestic BfV intelligence agency has warned about the increasing influence of Russian hackers and the threat they pose to European elections in the coming years.

In the United States this week the major news focus has been on the Presidential investigation currently underway into the potential role of Russian hackers during the Presidential election. Whilst President Obama has called for the investigation to wrap up before he leaves office, it will also report to members of Congress.

the US Government has commented on the new cyber security law implemented in China during a meeting with Chinese delgates. The full details of the criticism have not been announced, however it is believed to focus on the intended impact of the anti-hacking and counter-terrosim law.

The future of the FCC has again made headlines this week after FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler offered to step down in order to ensure Democrat Jessica Rosenworcel is reconfirmed by the US Senate, where Republicans have been stalling on reappointing her.

In Asia, India has agreed to a new partnership with Israel to develop a joint approach to both space and cybersecurity research.

In other news, the Indian Government has introduced a new television channel called DigiShala in a bid to improve levels of digital literacy in rural areas of India. The focus of the channel will be to improve understanding of digital payment modes and the use of digital and electronic devices.

A new investigation has found that personal data in China can be bought for as little as 700 yuan on China’s grey market. Elsewhere the Cyber Privacy Watchdog in Hong Kong has stated that no rules currently exist to restrict the transfer of personal data outside Hong Kong.

In institutional news NATO have been cooperating with the Iraqi government to help improve the national cyber defence capabilities of Iraq. Elsewhere the Export Control Forum has met to discuss the potential for export controls in digital markets.