https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/public-policy/keep-internet-free-and-open/ Skip to main content The Keyword Keep the Internet free and open Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Mail Copy link [https://blog.google/] * Latest stories * Product updates Product updates + Android, Chrome & Play o Android o Chrome o Chromebooks o Google Play o Wear OS by Google + Devices & Services o Chromecast o Fitbit o Google Nest o Pixel o Pixelbook + Explore & Get Answers o Earth o Google Assistant o Maps o News o Search o Travel + Connect & Communicate o Photos o Translate + In The Cloud o Docs, Sheets and Slides o Gmail o Google Cloud o Meet o More on the Cloud Blog See all product updates + Android, Chrome & Play o Android o Chrome o Chromebooks o Google Play o Wear OS by Google + Devices & Services o Chromecast o Fitbit o Google Nest o Pixel o Pixelbook + Explore & Get Answers o Earth o Google Assistant o Maps o News o Search o Travel + Connect & Communicate o Photos o Translate + In The Cloud o Docs, Sheets and Slides o Gmail o Google Cloud o Meet o More on the Cloud Blog See all product updates * Company news Company news + Outreach & initiatives o Diversity and inclusion o Education o Google.org o Grow with Google o Sustainability o See all + Technology o AI o Developers o Families o Next billion users o Safety and security o See all + Inside Google o Data centers and infrastructure o Doodles o Googlers o Life at Google o See all + Around the globe o Google in Africa o Google in Asia o Google in Europe o Google in Latin America o See all + Perspectives o Sundar Pichai, CEO o Ruth Porat, SVP and CFO o Kent Walker, SVP o See all + Outreach & initiatives o Diversity and inclusion o Education o Google.org o Grow with Google o Sustainability See all + Technology o AI o Developers o Families o Next billion users o Safety and security See all + Inside Google o Data centers and infrastructure o Doodles o Googlers o Life at Google See all + Around the globe o Google in Africa o Google in Asia o Google in Europe o Google in Latin America See all + Perspectives o Sundar Pichai, CEO o Ruth Porat, SVP and CFO o Kent Walker, SVP See all Subscribe [ ] * Press corner * RSS feed Subscribe The Keyword * Latest stories * Product updates Product updates + Android, Chrome & Play o Android o Chrome o Chromebooks o Google Play o Wear OS by Google + Devices & Services o Chromecast o Fitbit o Google Nest o Pixel o Pixelbook + Explore & Get Answers o Earth o Google Assistant o Maps o News o Search o Travel + Connect & Communicate o Photos o Translate + In The Cloud o Docs, Sheets and Slides o Gmail o Google Cloud o Meet o More on the Cloud Blog See all product updates * Company news Company news + Outreach & initiatives o Diversity and inclusion o Education o Google.org o Grow with Google o Sustainability o See all + Technology o AI o Developers o Families o Next billion users o Safety and security o See all + Inside Google o Data centers and infrastructure o Doodles o Googlers o Life at Google o See all + Around the globe o Google in Africa o Google in Asia o Google in Europe o Google in Latin America o See all + Perspectives o Sundar Pichai, CEO o Ruth Porat, SVP and CFO o Kent Walker, SVP o See all * Press corner * RSS feed Subscribe Public Policy Keep the Internet free and open Dec 02, 2012 min read Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Mail Copy link [https://blog.google/] Vint Cerf VP and Chief Internet Evangelist Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Mail Copy link [https://blog.google/] --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- Starting in 1973, when my colleagues and I proposed the technology behind the Internet, we advocated for an open standard to connect computer networks together. This wasn't merely philosophical; it was also practical. Our protocols were designed to make the networks of the Internet non-proprietary and interoperable. They avoided "lock-in," and allowed for contributions from many sources. This openness is why the Internet creates so much value today. Because it is borderless and belongs to everyone, it has brought unprecedented freedoms to billions of people worldwide: the freedom to create and innovate, to organize and influence, to speak and be heard. But starting in a few hours, a closed-door meeting of the world's governments is taking place in Dubai, and regulation of the Internet is on the agenda. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is convening a conference from December 3-14 to revise a decades-old treaty, in which only governments have a vote. Some proposals could allow governments to justify the censorship of legitimate speech, or even cut off Internet access in their countries. Free and Open You can read more about my concerns on CNN.com, but I am not alone. So far, more than 1,000 organizations from more than 160 countries have spoken up too, and they're joined by hundreds of thousands of Internet users who are standing up for a free and open Internet. On an interactive map at freeandopenweb.com, you can see that people from all corners of the world have signed our petition, used the # freeandopen hashtag on social media, or created and uploaded videos to say how important these issues are. If you agree and want to support a free and open Internet too, I invite you to join us by signing the petition at google.com/ takeaction. Please make your voice heard and spread the word. Update December 15, 2012: At the conclusion of the ITU meeting in Dubai on Friday, 89 countries signed the treaty, while 55 countries said they would not sign or that additional review was needed. We stand with the countries who refused to sign, and with the millions of you who have voiced your support for a free and open web. POSTED IN: * Public Policy Related stories * Public Policy A ruling in our legal case against the Glupteba botnet Overview of the ruling in Google's nearly year-long legal battle against the Glupteba botnet. By Royal Hansen Halimah DeLaine Prado Nov 18, 2022 * Public Policy Managing your location data Location information lets us offer you a more helpful experience when you use our products. From Google Maps' driving directions that show you how to avoid traffic, to G... By Marlo McGriff David Monsees Nov 14, 2022 * Safety & Security Why Google supports the US Securing Open Source Software Act Google welcomes efforts by the U.S. Government to advance open source software security. By Royal Hansen Oct 27, 2022 * StreetViewBuilding Public Policy In Madrid, a pitch for "open security" By Kent Walker Oct 26, 2022 * Public Policy A $100 billion opportunity to boost digital exports in Latin America Digital transformation could boost the exports of six Latin American countries up to $140 billion annually by 2030. By Karan Bhatia Oct 12, 2022 * Diversity and Inclusion A pilot program to build a diverse pool of policy experts The Policy Summer Institute is a Google-CIVICA partnership aimed at promoting professional opportunities in the digital policy space for first-generation university stud... By Annette Kroeber-Riel Oct 10, 2022 * . ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) [newsletter] Let's stay in touch. Get the latest news from Google in your inbox. Subscribe No thanks Follow Us * * * * * * Privacy * Terms * About Google * Google Products * About the Keyword * Help * [English ]