At RightsCon 2022, we explored how internet shutdowns in 3 countries of East Africa undermine cyberstability. By cyberstability, we mean ‘That everyone can be reasonably confident in their ability to use cyberspace safely and securely and where the availability and integrity of the services provided in and through cyberspace are generally assured, where change is managed in relative peace, and where tensions are resolved in a non-escalatory manner’
The aim of our work was to assess how internet shutdowns undermine Cyberstability as defined by the Global Commission on the Stability of the Cyber Space. The assessments are based on cases of internet shutdowns in DR Congo, Tanzania and Uganda. We utilized 4 Cyberstability principles:
- Responsibility – to mean that everyone is responsible for the stability of the cyberspace
- Restraint – to imply that no state or non-state actor should take actions that impair stability of the cyberspace
- Requirement to Act – that states and non-state actors take affirmative actions to preserve the stability of the cyberspace
- Respect for Human Rights – States abide by their Human Rights obligations under International Law
Participants shared perspectives on what states, stakeholders and telecommunications companies must undertake to ensure the stability of the cyberspace. Participants also asked why negative trends of internet shutdowns continue in many parts of the globe and what exactly may not be done right to avert this negative practice.
Through this assessment, we illustrated how and where shutdowns harm Cyberstability, exposed the gaps required to further understand the relationship between shutdowns and Cyberstability and highlighted existing relevant recommendations that would support country’s regulatory frameworks to uphold, rather than undermine Cyberstability.
Our conclusion was that every Cyberstability principle is impacted by internet shutdowns and that states and telecom companies have obligations and responsibilities to end the practice of internet shutdowns.
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