WASHINGTON D.C. -- The multi-stakeholder Global Network Initiative (GNI) and the Telecommunications Industry Dialogue (ID) are pleased to announce that seven global telecommunication companies will join with GNI to promote and advance freedom of expression and privacy around the world.

From February 1st, Millicom, Nokia, Orange, Telefónica, Telenor Group, TeliaSonera, and Vodafone Group will have official observer status within the GNI. Observer status, which lasts for one year and precedes full GNI membership, is an opportunity for the ID companies to engage directly within GNI’s unique multi-stakeholder forum of ICT companies, human rights and press freedom groups, academics and investors.

The observer year will include hands-on participation in GNI committees and policy work, the sharing of best practices on conducting human rights due diligence, and working together on a review of the GNI Implementation Guidelines to cover the range of companies in the ICT sector. During the observer period, the GNI will also observe and take part in ID Board meetings and events.

Since 2013, the GNI and the Industry Dialogue have engaged in a collaboration focused on the challenges faced by ICT companies when government demands conflict with the rights to freedom of expression and privacy. Becoming official observers is the next step in this engagement. The agreed aim is that at the completion of the observer year in March 2017, these seven companies become full members – a move that would extend GNI’s global company constituency to encompass Internet companies, telecommunications operators and telecommunications equipment vendors.

Global Network Initiative