See EU later, Regulator!
Last week, the U.K. voted to leave the European Union (EU), creating a great deal of uncertainty in the global economy. Following, the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) hosted The Transatlantic Internet Policy Dialogue to discuss the transatlantic digital relationship moving forward into a post-Brexit world. The panel included representatives from the EU, Britain, and the United States (U.S.) from both the public and private sector.
Though the Brexit vote has already closed, Director General Roberto Viola of the European Commission reaffirmed Britain as a current member of the EU with active responsibilities and obligations it must uphold until its official exit. He also voiced his concern for young voters and businesspeople, who made up much of the “stay” voting bloc, because the consequences of Brexit affect them most heavily.
Julie Zoller, Senior Deputy Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy for the U.S. Department of State, stated that, in spite of Brexit, the U.S. plans to sustain its special relationship with Britain. Alan Davidson, Director of the Digital Economy for the U.S. Commerce Department, echoed Zoller and also confirmed the U.S.’ desire to maintain a strong and collaborative relationship with the EU and its member states. General Counsel for BT Americas, Richard Nohe, chimed in arguing that technology is a platform that remains immune to geopolitics. Therefore, any Internet governance should avoid adding harmful regulation and instead strive to spur competition and innovation to benefit consumers’ needs.
The CCIA also released a list of recommendations for “Achieving a Thriving Transatlantic Digital Market.” One recommendation states, “EU and U.S. policy should recognise that we no longer have a digital economy, but an economy that is digital.” Markets should receive the same treatment, and considerations whether they are on or offline. Joel Kaplan, Facebook’s Vice President for U.S. Public Policy, emphasised that technology provides the potential for massive economic growth, as well as a forum for people to openly express their opinions and increase political engagement. Other recommendations include backing the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield agreement to better protect personal data, ending forced data-localization to relieve markets of harmful, unnecessary restrictions, and implementing the Digital Single Market within the EU. The panel discussion ended with the expressed intent to move towards a more free flowing multistakeholder Internet-governance model which keeps decision-making power out of the hands of repressive governments and overzealous technocrats, and gives power back to the people.
