Internet Policy

Policies can either improve the Internet or harm it for us all.

Policies can either improve the Internet or harm it for us all.

Under pressure from social challenges and business interests, governments’ efforts to regulate various aspects of the Internet are intensifying worldwide. But even well-meaning policies can undermine the Internet’s global nature and core infrastructure—by design or by accident.

The Internet works best for everyone when the technical community and civil society are at the decision-making table. We help governments make informed decisions by educating policymakers on how the Internet actually works.

Internet Policy

Policies can either improve the Internet or harm it for us all.

people sitting on a hillside, focused on a cell phone

Under pressure from social challenges and business interests, governments’ efforts to regulate various aspects of the Internet are intensifying worldwide. But even well-meaning policies can undermine the Internet’s global nature and core infrastructure—by design or by accident.

The Internet works best for everyone when the technical community and civil society are at the decision-making table. We help governments make informed decisions by educating policymakers on how the Internet actually works.

Key Internet Policy Links

Key Internet Policy Links

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How Policymakers Run the Internet

Internet policy is shaped by a global ecosystem of legislators, regulators, international organizations, civil society groups, and technical and policy experts.

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Understanding Internet Intermediaries

Internet intermediaries are crucial to the Internet’s existence. Read our policy framework for Internet intermediaries and content.

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Promoting Internet Governance

The Internet works best when it is governed by many. We advocate for a multistakeholder approach to Internet governance, where all interested actors can participate.

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Influencing Policy in the Courts

Our Amicus Program gives the Internet a voice in courts worldwide, where legal decisions, interpretations, and regulations affect the functioning of the Internet.

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How to Advocate for the Internet

It’s up to all of us to protect and defend what the Internet needs to exist and thrive. Learn more about what you can do to make a difference.

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Keeping the Internet Open

Any policy or decision that undermines the open, global, interoperable nature of the Internet contributes to fragmentation.

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Keeping the Internet Secure

Encryption empowers people and keeps them safe online. It is a vital tool for protecting ourselves in a digital society.

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Connecting People to the Internet

We help craft and promote policies for different regulatory and legislative bodies that enable people to connect to the Internet.

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Analyze a Law Proposal

Explore our toolkit to learn more about building strong arguments to defend the Internet and assessing how policies may impact it.

Encryption Protects Everyone

Encryption Protects Everyone

We organized a workshop in Brussels for civil society organizations to explore legislative threats to encryption and to develop joint policy strategies to help reach and inform policymakers about the importance of encryption for everyday users.

Hear from the participants about their experience and why they are passionate about advocating for strong encryption.

Latest Updates

Latest Updates

What Is Meaningful Connectivity?

The Internet is for everyone. But for that to be a reality, we need more than to connect the unconnected: …

World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25)

Creating the conditions to expand Internet access requires decisive action from governments. How can they help close the global digital …

ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25) Background Paper

This background paper is intended to provide the Internet Society community and interested parties with a general overview of the …

Our Voices Are Making a Difference in the Fight for Strong Encryption

In the global movement to protect encryption, our voices matter. When we raise our voices together, we inspire and enable …

Specialized Services Cannot Be the Excuse to Break the Internet

Altering net neutrality to introduce exceptions for “specialized services” risks fracturing the Internet’s features and allowing telecom gatekeepers to pick …

Policy Brief: Spectrum Policy

We need deliberate policy and regulatory measures to ensure spectrum availability for community-centered initiatives …

WSIS+20 Zero Draft Matrix – Internet Society Analysis

The Internet Society welcomes the opportunity to submit our comments on the WSIS+20 Zero Draft. We commend the co-facilitators’ leadership …

Policy Matters: Glossary of Key Internet Policy Terms

The Glossary of Key Internet Policy Terms offers quick and straightforward explanations of key Internet policy-related vocabulary …

ISOC Day at Africa Internet Summit 2025

The Africa Internet Summit (AIS) is an annual, regional, multi-stakeholder ICT conference held by the African Network Operators Group (AfNOG) …

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