In just three short years ORG has effected real policy change on a number of issues, from copyright reform to e-voting. But threats to our liberties are not subsiding, they are increasing.
In 2009, ORG anticipates new threats to civil liberties and consumer rights emerging at the network level. From unchecked snooping by advertisers and bureaucrats to network level regulation of content, the underlying structure of the internet as a network of ends is under threat. This has implications for privacy, for freedom of expression, and for the potential of the internet to continue to flourish as a tool that puts the many in touch with the many, stimulating innovation and education, rapidly accelerating information dissemination and connecting communities across geographic boundaries.
We already know of two Government initiatives that will require the attention of the ORG community in 2009. The first is the alleged plans of the Home Office to build a centralised database of communications traffic data relating to the emails, phone calls and web visits of every UK citizen – the so-called "Intercept Modernisation Programme". The programme, if implemented, would represent an archive of the movements of all UK citizens online, creating both a honeypot for criminals and private snoopers, and an irresistible dataset for ever-expanding official intervention into private life.
The second is the so-called "Digital Britain" initiative, announced by the new Minister for Communications, Technology and Broadcasting, Lord Carter, in October 2007. The initiative, which brings together much existing government work on digital inclusion, next generation broadband and intellectual property enforcement online, is designed to make Britain as competitive as possible for the creative and knowledge industries. But it is vulnerable to capture by corporate lobbyists, advocating draconian IP enforcement measures and the trading off of net neutrality to encourage investment in upgrades to network infrastructure.
As a group that aspires to represent the community, as well as one that wants to last for as long as we're needed, we know we should always be looking for ways to do more to open up our governance process. In the coming year, we will aim do everything we can to function as an open, transparent and accountable organisation, with clear and accessible governance structures. This could involve opening nominations to the ORG Advisory Council, and even asking the ORG supporter community to elect members of the ORG Board, as well as publishing more information more regularly about our activities and ambitions.
