Policy | Golden Frog

Our Issues

Issue:

As the world becomes more connected and so much of our daily lives take place online, Internet privacy is increasingly at risk. Information like personal details, communications, location and other revealing data can be easily obtained by snoops and hackers, the government and even by companies and service providers.
Our View:

Internet privacy is a fundamental right. All Internet users should have the ability to protect their personal information and data against the myriad risks that exist in today's online world. It's important to note that privacy differs from anonymity, though - while it's impossible to be anonymous online, privacy is an attainable goal.

Issue:

Encryption is a way to secure and protect digital data, information and communications sent over the Internet or other networks. Many governments around the world want to build "backdoors" into encrypted communications, so they can access and decrypt personal details and conversations on demand.
Our View:

Encryption should be ubiquitous and undetectable, without backdoors. Encryption backdoors represent a large threat to consumer privacy, as a backdoor introduces vulnerability and a backdoor for the government is a "backdoor for everyone" including hackers. Purposefully weakening strong security is also a threat to companies and to technological innovation.

Issue:

The Open Internet describes an Internet where users can go where they want, without restrictions on content, services or access imposed by network providers. This principle is often referred to as Net Neutrality. In the United States the Open Internet Order was established to grant all users this equal access, transparency and other rights.
Our View:

Everyone should have access to a free and open Internet, although we prefer the term Open Internet over Net Neutrality. Users should have choice and control in how they access the Internet, without restrictions imposed by carriers or providers. The marketplace should allow for competition and choice from a variety of Internet providers, practices which also lead to innovation and economic prosperity.

Issue:

Many governments around the world conduct mass surveillance on their citizens, frequently without them knowing. This surveillance was exposed in the United States in 2013 during the Snowden revelations, and prior during Room 641A when the government used AT&T's networks to conduct mass surveillance. Surveillance is often secret and encompassing, and can be enacted by monitoring user behavior, prohibiting encryption and data retention.
Our View:

Everyone has a right to privacy, and surveillance on behalf of any government is a huge overreach and invasion. We must put an end to the widespread mass surveillance being conducted on citizens in the United States and throughout the world. Surveillance should only be conducted when necessary, and should be highly targeted and obtained with the appropriate warrants.

Issue:

Many governments around the world censor and restrict Internet access for their citizens. Censorship can include the blocking of entire websites or services such as news and social media, or selective blocking of specific content or pages. By the use of filtering mechanisms and other controls, these countries control what Internet users can access and view online.
Our View:

Internet users around the world should have access to the same Internet without restrictions, filters or censorship. Censorship is a threat to freedom of expression and human rights. The Internet is like an ocean, and we are strongly opposed to any efforts to control or censor what users can access online.