securing digital freedom

As more and more of our lives are lived in the digital domain, the issue of digital freedom is becoming more and more important to policymakers. Their citizens are increasingly grappling with ever-present social media, reliance on digital services powered by users’ data, growing digital surveillance by public and private actors, and a greater reliance on networked digital systems. These trends are present in both free societies and authoritarian regimes. They increasingly compete to determine technical standards, political frameworks, and cultural norms for the use of these technologies.

This report reflects, and respects, the off-the-record nature of private discussions, combined with open-source research, public events, and the analysis of CSPC staff, advisors, and fellows. The report looks at the models of digital repression and control employed by Beijing and Moscow, before looking at how the U.S. and our allies and partners can counter with their own solutions to protect critical infrastructure, reverse trends eroding trust in digital society, and present positive solutions towards global digital freedom. Portions of this report draw from the analysis of CSPC op-eds, white papers, and our Friday News Roundup weekly news analysis. Our analysis of legislation is not meant to be exhaustive—nor endorse legislation—but to track the progress of substantive, and likely, Geotech policymaking and implementation.

PUBLICATION DETAILS

TITLE:

Securing Digital Freedom

publication date:

April 2023