Shaping Tomorrow’s Internet: The Power of Global Digital Cooperation

dotmagazine: How do you see the role of international collaboration in advancing responsible and sustainable digital transformation?

Lars Steffen: In 2025, international collaboration will be pivotal in advancing responsible and sustainable digital transformation through multistakeholder Internet governance, particularly in the context of the WSIS+20 process. This milestone review of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) presents a unique opportunity for global stakeholders to assess progress, address gaps, and realign priorities to foster a more inclusive, secure, and sustainable digital future. Through platforms like the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), the WSIS+20 process can leverage multistakeholder engagement to ensure that voices from governments, private sector actors, civil society, and technical communities are heard, driving collective action to address challenges such as the digital divide, online harm, and the ethical use of emerging technologies like AI.

The WSIS+20 process also emphasizes the need for alignment with global priorities, such as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Digital Compact. International collaboration under this framework can enable the development of globally interoperable frameworks for Internet governance, ensuring that policies and practices are inclusive and forward-looking. For example, by focusing on universal and affordable connectivity, cybersecurity, and capacity-building, stakeholders can advance digital transformation in ways that promote equity and sustainability.

eco participates in consensus-building, e.g. at ICANN, processes and supports initiatives like the Technical Community Coalition for Multistakeholderism founded by members of the association: https://www.tccm.global/.

What emerging challenges in Internet governance do you think required urgent industry attention in 2024?

Steffen: In 2024, the Internet governance landscape faced significant challenges that demanded urgent industry attention. A prominent issue was the increasing fragmentation of the global Internet, as nations implemented diverse regulations. 

This trend, described by Wolfgang Kleinwächter as the tension between “unbordered spaces” and “bordered places,” (CircleID) led to a “splinternet” effect, complicating operations for businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions. Companies had to navigate a complex web of data localization laws, content regulations, and cybersecurity requirements, resulting in increased compliance costs and operational hurdles.

Another pressing challenge was the surge in sophisticated cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure and services. Cybercriminals employed advanced tactics, including AI-driven phishing and ransomware attacks, posing significant risks to both public and private sectors. The eco IT Security Survey 2024 showed the increased importance of IT security. Cybercrime remains a persistent threat, with ransomware attacks continuing to target critical infrastructure. In response, industries had to adopt robust cybersecurity measures, such as implementing Zero Trust architectures and enhancing threat detection capabilities, to safeguard against these evolving threats.

The rapid advancement and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies also presented governance challenges. The absence of globally accepted standards for AI governance has led to regulatory uncertainties, prompting the industry to advocate for the development of comprehensive frameworks that promote ethical AI deployment while mitigating associated risks. This situation underscores the necessity for collaborative, multistakeholder approaches to effectively address the complexities introduced by emerging technologies.

What steps can the Internet industry take to better coordinate efforts on resilience, security, and governance in a rapidly evolving landscape?

Steffen: In the face of a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the Internet industry must adopt a collaborative, proactive approach to enhance resilience, security, and governance. A key step is strengthening multistakeholder engagement across governments, private sector players, civil society, and technical communities. By participating in forums like the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), industry actors can coordinate efforts to address cross-border challenges such as cybersecurity threats, the fragmentation of the Internet, and governance gaps in emerging technologies. Shared platforms enable the exchange of best practices, foster trust among stakeholders, and facilitate the development of interoperable policies that balance global and local needs.

Enhancing threat intelligence sharing and response coordination is another critical step. The industry can create or strengthen cross-sectoral alliances, such as information-sharing and analysis centers (ISACs), to ensure that cybersecurity threats are quickly identified, analyzed, and mitigated. Collaborative initiatives like the topDNS initiative, which focuses on securing the domain name system (DNS) against abuse, serve as examples of how the industry can collectively bolster Internet infrastructure resilience.

A further example of such coordination is the Alliance for the Strengthening of Digital Infrastructures in Germany, which unites industry stakeholders to advocate for and develop sustainable digital infrastructure solutions that support Germany's digital transformation. Additionally, investments in advanced security technologies, such as AI-driven threat detection and automated incident response systems, can enhance the industry’s ability to address sophisticated cyber threats.

Finally, addressing the growing “splinternet” effect requires coordinated advocacy to promote an open and interoperable Internet. The industry should engage with policymakers to highlight the economic and societal benefits of a unified digital environment, while also supporting the harmonization of regulations to reduce fragmentation. By fostering dialogue on issues like cross-border data flows, content governance, and digital trade, the Internet industry can contribute to a more cohesive and resilient global Internet. Through these coordinated efforts, the industry can navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital world while ensuring a secure, inclusive, and sustainable future.

Looking ahead, how do you see Internet governance evolving over the next five years, and what role should industry collaboration play in ensuring responsible and sustainable digital transformation?

Steffen: Looking ahead to the next five years in Internet governance, the landscape will increasingly be shaped by the need for a global and multistakeholder approach that addresses both technological advancements and policy challenges. The duality of “unbordered spaces” and “bordered places” described by Wolfgang Kleinwächter (CircleID) will persist, with the rise of digital policies from various nations potentially leading to fragmentation unless collaborative frameworks are strengthened. International cooperation, such as through the WSIS+20 process and the Global Digital Compact (GDC), will be crucial in bridging divides, ensuring that the benefits of the digital age are distributed equitably, and that challenges like cybersecurity, human rights, and digital inclusion are addressed in a coordinated way.

The upcoming WSIS+20 review and the ongoing evolution of multilateral governance models offer opportunities for collaboration across all sectors. The Internet industry and its supporting technologies, such as AI, will require careful governance. By aligning frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Digital Compact (GDC), stakeholders can foster a more integrated approach to digital development. In this evolving environment, industry collaboration will be essential in driving responsible, sustainable digital transformation by sharing best practices, advocating for inclusive policies, and actively participating in the creation of comprehensive governance solutions that balance global access with local needs.

eco’s Role

How does eco contribute to shaping Internet governance through its involvement in organisations such as ICANN, EuroISPA, and IGF-D?

Steffen: eco – Association of the Internet Industry plays a pivotal role in shaping Internet governance by actively engaging in key organizations such as ICANN, EuroISPA, and IGF Germany. As a leading representative of the Internet industry, eco provides a platform for its members to participate in discussions about Internet policies, regulations, and standards. Through its involvement in the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), eco helps advocate for a stable, secure, and accessible domain name system (DNS). By engaging in ICANN’s policy development processes, eco ensures that the interests of its members – ranging from Internet infrastructure providers to domain registrars – are well represented in the evolution of global domain name and IP address management systems.

In addition to ICANN, eco is actively involved in the European Internet Service Providers Association (EuroISPA), where it contributes to discussions on European Internet policy, particularly in relation to digital rights, data protection, and online services. By collaborating with stakeholders from across Europe, eco helps shape regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with user protection. eco’s participation in EuroISPA allows it to advocate for policies that enable the growth of the Internet economy while safeguarding key principles such as competition, neutrality, and security. Through this role, eco strengthens its influence on European Internet governance and helps ensure that the interests of Internet service providers are reflected in legislative processes.

Furthermore, eco’s involvement in IGF Germany and the broader Internet Governance Forum (IGF) allows it to contribute to multistakeholder dialogues on global Internet governance challenges. At IGF Germany, eco facilitates discussions on topics such as privacy, cybersecurity, and the digital economy, bringing together representatives from industry, government, and civil society. By participating in these forums, eco not only contributes to the development of best practices and policy recommendations but also helps to foster a cooperative environment. This multistakeholder engagement is crucial for building a more inclusive and resilient Internet governance framework.

Can you share an example of eco’s advocacy impacting Internet policy – and whether there are any challenges in aligning this with eco’s broader goals?

Steffen: eco – Association of the Internet Industry has actively contributed to the development of the European Union's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act. The AI Act is a comprehensive regulatory framework aimed at ensuring the ethical and safe deployment of AI technologies across Europe, with an emphasis on accountability, transparency, and fairness. eco has worked closely with European policymakers to ensure that the AI Act supports innovation in the AI space while addressing concerns around potential risks associated with AI. eco’s involvement has focused on advocating for a balanced approach that provides clear, proportionate regulations, particularly for smaller businesses and startups, without stifling the development of AI technologies that drive growth in various sectors of the economy.

However, eco’s members, and the Internet industry in general, face challenges in aligning its advocacy on the AI Act with its broader goals of promoting a flexible and competitive digital economy. While eco supports the ethical principles underlying the AI Act, it must also ensure that the regulation does not impose overly burdensome compliance requirements, particularly for smaller companies that may lack the resources to meet the complex documentation and risk assessment requirements. eco has advocated for scalable solutions in the regulation to prevent a “one-size-fits-all” approach, emphasizing the need for proportionality based on the level of risk associated with different AI applications. As the AI Act continues to evolve, eco strives to ensure that it fosters an environment where innovation in AI can thrive, while also addressing societal and ethical concerns effectively. This delicate balancing act is a testament to eco’s role in shaping policies that both protect users and support the growth of the digital economy.

Thank you very much for the interview!

This interview was conducted by dotmagazine.

Lars Steffen is Head of International, Digital Infrastructures & Resilience at eco – Association of the Internet Industry (international.eco.de), the largest Internet industry association in Europe. At eco, he coordinates all international, infrastructure and security-related activities of the association and takes care of the members from the domain name industry. He is also the Vice-President of EuroISPA, the umbrella organization of European provider associations.