In its submission to the WSIS+20 Zero Draft, the World Summit Awards (WSA) criticised the draft for abandoning the original WSIS vision of a knowledge society, warning that it focuses too narrowly on technology rather than people. The organisation also called for stronger recognition of power concentration in the global digital economy and its impact on democracy, governance, and fairness.
The call follows Hungary’s recent laws allowing real-time facial recognition at public gatherings, including the banned Pécs Pride event. Civil society warns that such surveillance violates Article 5 of the AI Act and threatens fundamental rights.
As part of the same legislative push, the government is also preparing to accede to the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime, with a move expected to take place in October.
Afghanistan’s mobile and internet services were restored on October 1, 2025, after a 48-hour nationwide shutdown imposed by the Taliban. The blackout halted businesses, banks, airports, and schools, leaving the country almost entirely cut off from the outside world. The United Nations called on authorities to restore access, as no official explanation for the outage has been given.
SB 53 introduces new oversight for the AI industry in California, obliging major labs to reveal safety measures and disclose incidents such as cyberattacks.
Civil society members active in ICANN community groups can take part in the 2026 Leadership Program if nominated by their organization’s chair.
In its submission dated 27 September 2025, CCAOI welcomed the draft’s comprehensive nature and its reaffirmation of previous international commitments such as the Geneva Declaration, Tunis Agenda, Global Digital Compact, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The group commended the focus on multistakeholder participation, digital inclusion, and human rights.
The partnership seeks to equip young Africans with skills needed for work, leadership, and social development in an increasingly digital world.
ICANN84 Annual General Meeting will be held in Dublin, Ireland at The Convention Centre Dublin from 25-30 October 2025.
In its submission to the WSIS+20 Zero Draft, the EU System for an Enabling Environment (EU SEE) calls for a stronger focus on civic space, human rights, and inclusive digital governance. The proposals seek to ensure that the review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) outcomes in 2025 reinforces transparency, accountability, and participation across all areas of digital policy.
Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE) is a project co-funded by the European Union.
