Who Governs the Internet? Implications for Freedom and National Security

Who Governs the Internet? Implications for Freedom and National Security is a special article by Sunil Abraham, published in Yojana (April 2014). The piece examines the post-Snowden moment in Internet governance, the global debate between multistakeholderism and multilateralism, and the strategic opportunity for India to redefine its digital diplomacy. It assesses how surveillance, intellectual property, and access to knowledge shape freedom, security, and innovation in the networked world.

Contents

1. Publication Details
2. Abstract
3. Context and Background
4. Key Themes or Findings
5. Full Text
6. Citation

Publication Details

👤 Author:

Sunil Abraham

🏛️ Published in:

Yojana, April 2014

📅 Date:

April 2014

📘 Type:

Special Article

📄 Access:

Download PDF

Abstract

This article analyses global debates on Internet governance in the aftermath of Edward Snowden’s revelations. It contrasts multistakeholderism, where governments, industry, and civil society participate on equal footing, with multilateralism. which privileges intergovernmental control. Abraham argues that the future of the Internet must preserve openness, transparency, and distributed power, while ensuring security and accountability. The essay explores how India — as a major democracy and emerging digital power — can influence global frameworks to promote access, privacy, and innovation.

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Context and Background

The piece opens with a survey of key developments that reshaped Internet governance after 2013, when revelations of US surveillance triggered a global crisis of trust. The Montevideo Statement by leading Internet technical organisations (ICANN, IETF, ISOC, and others) called for the “globalisation” of Internet governance functions, challenging the special role historically played by the United States.

Abraham situates this within a long-standing tension between multilateral approaches (UN-led) and multistakeholder processes (open participation by all actors). Citing the Tunis Agenda (2005), he traces the evolution of forums like the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and Enhanced Cooperation, both designed to balance state sovereignty with participatory policy-making. The article emphasises that real Internet governance is diffuse — distributed across technologies, institutions, and jurisdictions — rather than under any single authority.

Key Themes or Findings

• From Snowden to São Paulo: The Snowden disclosures catalysed renewed scrutiny of American dominance in Internet governance. The global response led to initiatives like the NETmundial meeting in Brazil, which reaffirmed multistakeholder participation as essential to trust-building.
• Limits of Internet Freedom Rhetoric: The author critiques the selective framing of “Internet freedom” by Western states, arguing that US censorship — driven by intellectual property and commercial interests — can be as restrictive as state control in authoritarian regimes.
• India’s Strategic Opportunity: Abraham proposes that India leverage its democratic and developmental legitimacy to champion access to knowledge, privacy, and open innovation. He points to India’s success with the Marrakesh Treaty for the Visually Impaired as an example of exporting progressive digital policy.
• Balancing Freedom and Security: True cybersecurity, he argues, depends on privacy, transparency, and due process — not mass surveillance. A “scientific, targeted surveillance regime” compliant with human rights would better protect both liberty and national interests.
• Defining Internet Governance: Citing the Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) report, he categorises governance issues into four types: infrastructure management, usage issues (spam, security, cybercrime), overlapping domains (IPR, trade), and developmental priorities (capacity-building). No single model suffices; governance must remain plural, interoperable, and responsive to diverse interests.

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Full Text

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Citation

If you wish to reference or cite this publication, you may use one of the following standard citation formats.

APA style:

Abraham, S. (2014).
Who Governs the Internet? Implications for Freedom and National Security
Yojana, April 2014.
https://sunilabraham.in/publications/who-governs-the-internet/

BibTeX style

@article{abraham2014who,
author = {Abraham, Sunil},
title = {Who Governs the Internet? Implications for Freedom and National Security},
journal = {Yojana},
year = {2014},
month = {April},
url = {https://sunilabraham.in/publications/who-governs-the-internet/}
}

MLA style

Abraham, Sunil. "Who Governs the Internet? Implications for Freedom and National Security."
Yojana, April 2014.
https://sunilabraham.in/publications/who-governs-the-internet/

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