26 August 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.
 
In Europe this week the EU has moved to back the demands of French and German officials who wish to crack down on encrypted communication networks used by terrorists. This would have major implications for generalinternet privacy however as the networks in question are those of commonly used apps such as Snapchat and Whatsapp.
 
Elsewhere the impact of proposed new net neutrality rules have begun to have an impact with a leading UK children’s charity outlining the significant cost that net neutrality will incur for the group following the abolition of zero rating.
 
Finally, in Germany this week the country’s interior minister has announced that the government will look to introduce eye and facial recognition systems to airports and train stations. The move is intended to protect against terrorist attack, however privacy advocates have argued it is likely to be ineffectual.
 
In the United States this week the major story is the continuing repercussions of a data leak that details an exploit in Cisco System firewalls, believed to have originated from the NSA.
 
Also this week T-Mobile has been accused of violating net neutrality rules by offering an unlimited data plan that requires additional subscriptions in order to access HD video and wireless hotspot connections.
 
Privacy advocates have also raised questions at US customs plans for social media inspection of foreign travelers, stating that such a move would remove individual freedoms of privacy and expression.
 
In Singapore this week the Government has moved to adapt copyright laws, potentially impacting the use of circumvention technologies, such as VPNs, to access foreign content.
 
Leading up to TRAI’s net neutrality announcement the Chairman of TRAI R.S. Sharma has held an interview with VC Circle to discuss issues affecting TRAI.
 
A recent study by American security company Mandiant indicates that Asian companies are the worst prepared for cybersecurity threats when compared to companies across the globe. The study found that on average Asian firms took three times longer than the global average to respond to security breaches.
 
Finally, the Japanese Government has announced that it will create a new institute for cybersecurityin the next financial year in order to combat threats to Japan’s national infrastructure.
Elsewhere in the World this week Russia’s Central bank has introduced new cyber security regulations to improve incident reporting by domestic banks.
 
Amongst global institutions there are several important stories of note. First, Nato has announced its intentions to increase spending on cyber security as part of a wider “cyber refresh” by the alliance. Elsewhere ICANN has hired a security expert to assist in the organisations cyber and physical safety.

For the full version of the above report, click here.