Internet Governance and Open Source Software
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Seaparo Phala, CIO of the Department of Arts and Culture, gave a presentation on internet governance, open source software, and their linkages. The presentation covered what internet governance is, key issues like access and rights, the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms, South Africa's policy supporting open source software to promote digital economic growth, and examples of the department's open source initiatives. Phala concluded by encouraging open source communities to engage with the government on further promoting open standards and internet freedom.
Internet Governance and Open Source Software
- 1. INTERNET GOVERNANCE AND OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE PRESENTATION BY SEAPARO PHALA CIO, DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND CULTURE
- 2. Overview β’ What is Internet Governance β’ Internet Governance Issues β’ African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms β’ Linkages between internet rights and open sources software β’ South African Policy on Open Source Software β’ Using Open Source to contribute towards growth of the Digital Economy β’ Conclusion
- 3. What is Internet Governance β’ No one owns the internet, hence the need for internet governance βThe development and application by Governments, the private sector and civil society, in their respective roles, of shared principles, norms, rules, decision-making procedures, and programmes that shape the evolution and use of the Internetβ β’ Simply put, internet governance refers to the processes that impact how the Internet is managed.
- 4. Internet Governance Issues Access Cost, Infrastructure, User experience Children and the Internet Inappropriate content , behaviour Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) Helps to ensure that you are communicating with the correct website or service, provides us with a platform for future innovations to enhance user confidence in Internet-based services Encryption Prevent pervasive monitoring, promote privacy, confidentiality Human Rights Internet rights are human rights. Digital citizens deserve to have their rights protected on the Internet (online) as well as offline Innovation Drive new ideas and visions, improve quality of life and improve economic growth Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) In South Africa: Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town
- 5. Internet Governance Issues β¦ cont Internet Regulation Censorship of data, and controlling or restricting aspects of the Internet such as domain registration, IP address control etc Net Neutrality ISPs should treat all lawful Internet content in a neutral manner β no preferential treatment Online Identity Digital footprint, right to be forgotten/delisted Open Standards The internet is based on open, non-proprietary standards which is key to allowing devices, services, and applications to work together across a wide and dispersed network of networks
- 6. African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms β’ Key Principles of the Declaration:- β’ Openness β’ Internet Access and Affordability β’ Right to Information β’ Freedom of Assembly and Association and the Internet β’ Cultural and Linguistic Diversity β’ Privacy and Personal Data Protection β’ Security, Stability and Resilience of the Internet β’ Marginalised Groups and Groups at Risk β’ Right to Due Process β’ Democratic Multi-stakeholder Internet Governance β’ Gender Equality Source: http://www.africaninternetrights.org/
- 7. Linkages between Open Source Software and Internet Rights β’ The two are not mutually exclusive β’ Openness β’ Open Standards β’ Free as in freedom β’ The internet is a major base for distribution of OSS β’ OSS contributes towards accessibility of the internet and innovation
- 8. South African OSS Policy 1. The South African Government will implement FOSS unless proprietary software is demonstrated to be significantly superior 2. Government will migrate current proprietary software to FOSS whenever comparable software exists 3. All new software developed for or by the Government will be based on open standards, adherent to FOSS principles, and licensed using a FOSS license where possible 4. Government will ensure all Government content and content developed using Government resources is made Open Content 5. Government will encourage the use of Open Content and Open Standards within South Africa
- 9. β’ The digital/internet economy currently contributes 2,5 % to the South African GDP β’ South African government spends billions annually on software and a bigger chunk leaves the country Towards Digital Economic Growth Findings of the Report on the Impact of Internet Regulation on Investment commissioned by Google. Government Actions or Initiatives that would impact Investment Decisions:- The Government:- 1. is open minded about new business models (e.g sharing economy) 2. protects freedom of expression on the internet 3. invests in education and digital skills boosting (e.g. literacy, high tech) 4. invests/enables investing in the internet and mobile infrastructure 5. activates policies aimed at reducing taxes and fees for end internet and mobile users 6. promotes open data use 7. adopts policies aimed at liberalizing mobile payments 8. facilitates policies enabling access to spectrum and backhaul 9. releases transparent regulatory roadmaps and holds public consultations on all new legislative proposals on internet/mobile regulation
- 10. Culture meets Digital Initiatives at the Department of Arts and Culture β’ Drive towards FOSS technologies to implement government policy and legislative requirements β’ FOSS used for core systems, amongst others:- β’ Enterprise Content Management β’ National Automated Archival Information Retrieval System (NAAIRS) β’ New National Archives Website, DAC Website and Intranet on Drupal β’ South African Heritage Resources Information Retrieval System (SAHRIS) β’ Linux Desktops at the National Library of SA
- 11. What is to be done by Drupalists? β’ Talk about successful FOSS implementations in government and elsewhere β’ Mobilise towards an active non-governmental community to engage and challenge government on OSS and internet policy matters β’ Actively get involved in the internet governance debate through the various fora and organisations e.g Internet Society, Internet Governance Forum
- 12. SOFTWARE and INTERNET FREEDOM IN OUR LIFETIME!
- 13. Thanks you! Contact: Seaparo Phala Cell: 082 389 9023 Email: Seaparo.Phala@dac.gov.za Twitter: @SeaparoP