Freedom House Welcomes Facebook Entry to Global Network Initiative

Freedom House welcomes news that Facebook will be the first company to gain observer status in the Global Network Initiative (GNI) and encourages the social network company to deeply engage with the initiative and its current members. 

The Global Network Initiative (GNI) is a multi-stakeholder group that works to protect freedom of expression and privacy in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. GNI provides companies with resources to address issues of free expression and privacy rights, promotes accountability of ICT companies through independent assessment, fosters policy engagement, and creates opportunities for shared learning across stakeholder groups. Members include civil society organizations, including human rights and press freedom groups, investors, academics, and five tech companies including Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo!.

GNI created observer status in response to companies’ desire to gain a better understanding of how GNI members collaborate to protect and promote free expression and privacy. This status provides companies actively considering joining GNI with the opportunity to learn more about the initiative’s programs and principles.   

“Facebook’s decision to join GNI indicates that this social media giant is strengthening its commitment to human rights,” said Daniel Calingaert, vice president for policy and external affairs at Freedom House.  “And it bolsters GNI’s efforts to improve human rights standards and practices among technology companies.”

To learn more about the Global Network Initiative, visit their website here.

Click here to view the press release on this development.