A letter addressed to French lawmakers expresses concern over proposed digital regulation and military planning laws, particularly their implications for cybersecurity and civil liberties. The authors, including prominent internet pioneers, warn that the bills grant excessive powers to government authorities, enabling DNS blocking, mandatory surveillance, and premature vulnerability disclosures. They argue such measures risk undermining global Internet security, freedom of expression, and could lead to a ‘race to the bottom’ in content censorship. The letter suggests alternative approaches that prioritize civil liberties and suggest collaboration with experts to enhance cybersecurity without infringing on rights.
| name | description | change | 10-year | driving-force | relevancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concerns Over Government Powers | Growing apprehension regarding government powers to block domains and surveil online activity. | Shift from voluntary to mandatory DNS blocking and surveillance by authorities. | Potential rise in government censorship and erosion of privacy for internet users. | Governments’ increasing focus on cybersecurity may lead to overreach and control over digital spaces. | 4 |
| Rise of Open DNS Resolvers | Increased reliance on open DNS resolvers by users to bypass government censorship. | Transition from reliance on government-controlled DNS to independent open resolvers. | Widespread use of open DNS may challenge government control over internet access. | User desire for freedom and privacy drives the adoption of open DNS solutions. | 4 |
| Vulnerability Disclosure Risks | Concerns regarding mandatory disclosure of software vulnerabilities to authorities without proper safeguards. | Shift from secure, coordinated vulnerability disclosure to potentially harmful mandatory reporting. | Increased cyber risks as vulnerabilities may be exposed before mitigations are available. | Pressure on companies to disclose vulnerabilities may undermine overall internet security. | 5 |
| Potential for Global Internet Fragmentation | Concerns that national regulations may lead to fragmented internet experiences worldwide. | From a unified, open internet to a fragmented one based on national laws. | Users may face a patchwork of internet access and content availability based on location. | Governments’ legislative approaches to cybersecurity may drive fragmentation. | 5 |
| Erosion of Civil Liberties | Increased risk of warrantless surveillance and erosion of civil liberties due to proposed laws. | From established civil liberties protections to increased government surveillance capabilities. | Diminished privacy rights for citizens, affecting trust in digital platforms. | Perceived need for security may lead to compromises on civil liberties. | 5 |
| Market for Bypassing Filters | Emergence of services to help users bypass government-imposed filters and censorship. | Shift from limited access to information to a marketplace for evading censorship. | Growth of services aimed at bypassing government controls, fostering a culture of evasion. | User demand for unfiltered access to information drives innovation in bypassing technologies. | 4 |
| International Cooperation on Cybercrime | Ongoing efforts by nations to redefine cybercrime in ways that may infringe on freedoms. | Transition from cooperative cybersecurity frameworks to potentially restrictive definitions of cybercrime. | Possible increase in international agreements that limit freedom of expression online. | Nations’ desire to combat cybercrime may lead to overreach and restrictions. | 4 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Government Overreach in Cybersecurity | Expansion of governmental powers may lead to censorship, control over information, and infringe on freedoms. | 5 |
| Risks to Global Internet Security | Proposed laws could undermine global Internet security by creating inconsistent standards and practices across countries. | 4 |
| Censorship and Suppression of Dissent | DNS blocking and filtering may be used to prevent free expression and censor dissenting information. | 5 |
| Vulnerabilities Exploitation | Premature disclosure of software vulnerabilities risks exploitation before patches are available, increasing cybersecurity threats. | 5 |
| Warrantless Surveillance | Installation of surveillance technologies without oversight could violate civil liberties and privacy laws. | 5 |
| Market for Risky DNS Services | Government measures may drive users to less secure DNS services, increasing exposure to malicious content. | 4 |
| Erosion of Trust in Global Standards | Inconsistencies in how DNS and cybersecurity policies are applied could undermine public trust in global Internet governance. | 4 |
| Increased Risk of Authoritarian Practices | Legislation could inspire other governments, including authoritarian regimes, to adopt similar repressive measures. | 5 |
| Impacts on Critical Infrastructure Response | Government-mandated surveillance could hinder the ability of critical infrastructure providers to respond effectively to cyber incidents. | 4 |
| Global Content Moderation Control | Policy could lead to a situation where governments exert control over the accessibility of global online content. | 5 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Increased Government Surveillance | Governments may implement surveillance tools within private networks without due process, raising civil liberties concerns. | 5 |
| DNS Blocking as a Censorship Tool | The use of DNS blocking not only for cybersecurity but also for suppressing dissent and censoring information. | 5 |
| Shift to Open DNS Resolvers | Users are increasingly relying on open DNS resolvers to bypass government-imposed restrictions, creating a market for alternatives. | 4 |
| Risk of Global Content Censorship | Government-imposed content filtering could lead to a global race to limit online information access based on national laws. | 4 |
| Concerns about Vulnerability Disclosure | Mandatory disclosure of software vulnerabilities to the government may increase risks before mitigations are in place, undermining cybersecurity. | 5 |
| Public-Private Cooperation in Cybersecurity | Calls for collaboration between governments and tech companies to enhance cybersecurity while protecting civil liberties. | 4 |
| Extraterritorial Implications of Local Laws | National laws may have unintended global consequences, affecting users and content beyond their borders. | 5 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| DNS Filtering Technologies | Technologies that enable the blocking of domains at the DNS level to prevent access to malicious websites. | 4 |
| Open DNS Resolvers | Public DNS resolvers that allow users to bypass local DNS restrictions and access censored content. | 4 |
| Surveillance Software | Tools for collecting user data in private networks, raising concerns about privacy and civil liberties. | 5 |
| Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure (CVD) Practices | Best practices for disclosing vulnerabilities to improve cybersecurity without exposing users to risk. | 5 |
| Protected DNS Services | Government-administered DNS filtering services for private companies in critical infrastructure sectors. | 3 |
| Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) | Technologies that allow users to mask their IP addresses and bypass regional restrictions. | 4 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| DNS Blocking Risks | The proposed legislation may lead to government overreach in DNS blocking, impacting freedom of expression and internet security. | 5 |
| Warrantless Surveillance | The authority granted for warrantless surveillance poses significant risks to civil liberties and privacy rights of users. | 5 |
| Cybercrime and Censorship | Expansion of definitions around cybercrime may facilitate censorship and suppress dissent, particularly in authoritarian contexts. | 4 |
| Premature Vulnerability Disclosure | Mandatory disclosure of vulnerabilities without adequate protections could increase risks for internet users by exposing them to threats. | 4 |
| Global Internet Governance | National laws influencing global DNS services could create a ‘race to the bottom’ in content access and internet governance. | 4 |
| Impact on Cybersecurity Collaboration | Proposed measures could hinder effective responses to cyber incidents by complicating collaboration between government and private sector. | 4 |
| Erosion of Internet Neutrality | Government-imposed filtering on browsers could set a precedent for internet neutrality violations globally. | 4 |