Digital Diplomacy: The US State Department's Effort to Promote Internet Freedom

Strategic Insights -

In a effort to advance American foreign policy, the US State Department is leveraging digital technologies to promote internet freedom in repressive countries, including Iran, Syria, and Libya. The initiative, spearheaded by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Senior Advisor for Innovation Alec Ross, aims to empower dissidents and citizens to access and share information despite government censorship. The State Department is investing $20 million in digital diplomacy, with a focus on developing technologies and providing trainings to help people stay safe online while working around government censorship.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US State Department is spending $20 million to promote internet freedom in countries like China and Iran, with a focus on developing technologies and providing trainings to stay safe online.
  • The initiative aims to empower dissidents and citizens to access and share information despite government censorship, with a focus on leveraging digital technologies to advance American foreign policy goals.
  • The State Department is recognizing the importance of technologists and innovators in advancing its foreign policy goals, with efforts to engage with Silicon Valley and private technology companies to access cutting-edge expertise.
  • The initiative faces challenges from governments like China, which has dedicated billions of dollars to censorship, but Ross believes that connecting the world is a key driver of historical change.
  • The State Department has connected tech heavyweights like Eric Schmidt and Jack Dorsey with Secretary Clinton, with a focus on leveraging their expertise to build bridges between Washington and Silicon Valley.

Statistics:

  • The State Department has spent $28 million in recent weeks to help develop technologies and provide trainings to help people stay safe online while working around government censorship.
  • Iran and Syria are among the countries where the State Department is focusing its efforts to promote internet freedom.
  • The Chinese government has dedicated billions of dollars to censorship, but the State Department believes that the world is growing more connected and that this trend contradicts the efforts of repressive governments.
  • $20 million is allocated for digital diplomacy initiatives, with a focus on developing technologies and providing trainings to help people stay safe online.

Sources:

  • Transcript of Alec Ross, Senior Advisor for Innovation, US State Department, on Bloomberg TV, June 14, 2011
  • Bloomberg News, June 14, 2011